Free Tolls, Half Price Trips, and New Discounts Power Chuseok 2025 Travel

A longer holiday and a rare travel bargain

South Korea is turning the 2025 Chuseok period into a nationwide travel incentive. For four days from October 4 to October 7, all expressways will be toll free. A slate of free admissions to national heritage sites, museums, recreational forests, and the National Arboretum will follow a coordinated calendar. Discounted rail travel packages, lodging coupons in disaster relief areas, and a broader autumn travel campaign add up to one of the most generous seasonal benefit bundles in recent memory.

The timing could not be more favorable for travelers. With National Foundation Day on October 3 and Hangeul Day on October 9 bookending Chuseok, many families can stretch their time off to as long as ten days. That promise of a golden holiday also creates intense competition for rail seats and highway space. The government measures aim to soften household costs, spread travel across regions, and keep the break enjoyable even for those who did not grab the first batch of train tickets.

What is free or discounted and when

Benefits roll out in stages so that crowds are less concentrated and local sites see steady foot traffic over the week. Travelers who plan around the day by day calendar are likely to extract the best value.

Free expressways

All expressways nationwide will waive tolls from October 4 through October 7. Drivers can pass tollgates without paying, which reduces costs for those visiting family or making short regional trips. Expect heavier traffic than usual on the first and last day of the toll waiver period, so plan departure times with flexibility.

Free entry to public sites

Key national attractions open their gates at no charge across several windows. National heritage sites and the Korea National Arboretum will be free from October 3 to October 9. National museums will be free from October 5 to October 8. National recreational forests will be free from October 6 to October 9. Participating venues and hours can be checked in Naver Map and Kakao Map listings.

Rail packages to regional areas

To support regions with shrinking populations, tourist rail packages to these areas are 50 percent off from October 2 to October 12. This deal is designed to channel holiday traffic toward towns that can benefit most from visitor spending. The discount applies to designated packages and availability is limited.

Lodging coupons in disaster relief areas

The government will issue 150,000 lodging coupons usable at accommodations in 31 designated disaster relief areas. The coupons are worth 50,000 won for rooms priced above 70,000 won and 30,000 won for cheaper rooms. The quantity is finite, and properties must be in the designated areas. Check exact conditions at the time of booking since coupons can run out quickly in peak weeks.

Why these incentives matter for households and local economies

Chuseok is an anchor for household spending on travel, food, and gifts. To keep costs in check, the government is releasing 172,000 tons of major food items into the market and expanding discount programs worth 90 billion won. About 2,700 direct to consumer markets will operate nationwide, and discounts of up to 50 percent will apply to popular gift sets such as fruit baskets and premium hanwoo beef. These steps aim to stabilize living costs for families that are preparing holiday tables and sending presents.

The travel incentives connect to a larger Autumn for Travel campaign running through November. Multiple ministries and economic groups are coordinating discounts on transportation, lodging, and travel products. The package includes a 50 percent discount on tourist trains, a 10,000 won cut on the Tomorrow Pass for rail, a 20,000 won discount on local airline routes, and a 30 percent discount on express and intercity buses to areas with declining populations. Onnuri gift certificates will reward eco friendly driving programs. The idea is to lower barriers to travel, steer visitors toward lesser known places, and spread spending beyond a few major cities.

Officials also highlight support for small firms and rural producers. Early payments to small suppliers ease cash flow before the holiday. Campaigns encourage the purchase of Korean agricultural products for gift sets so that benefits reach farms and local markets. New attractions and hidden gems are being promoted, from renovated coastal observatories to forest healing centers, to draw repeat visitors back to regional destinations.

The ticket scramble and how to beat it

Chuseok rail bookings are a ritual in their own right. This year, Korail opened priority reservations for seniors over 65, registered disabled passengers, and veterans at the start of the week, followed by general online reservations on September 17 and 18. Payment deadlines arrive fast: general bookings must be paid by September 21, and priority bookings by September 24. Unpaid reservations are canceled automatically and offered to the waiting list. Leftover tickets drop at 3 p.m. on September 18 through the KorailTalk app, the official website, and at station counters. The timetable was adjusted after track safety changes in August, when a rail accident prompted a review.

The rush can overwhelm systems. Reservation traffic surged to multiple times normal levels at the opening bell, and Korail acknowledged service interruptions and extended reservation hours while it worked to normalize systems. Police authorities also said they would crack down on macro programs used to bulk purchase tickets for resale, a practice that increases frustration for ordinary travelers. When a platform struggles, the best response is a plan that gives you multiple chances to land a seat.

Key Korail dates

Use this checklist to avoid missing critical cutoffs.

• Sept 15 to 16: Priority reservations for seniors over 65, registered disabled passengers, and veterans
• Sept 17 to 18: General online reservations
• Sept 18 at 3 p.m.: Release of unsold seats via KorailTalk, website, and station counters
• Sept 21: Payment deadline for general bookings
• Sept 24: Payment deadline for priority bookings

Practical booking tactics

Preparation saves seconds, and seconds decide outcomes when demand spikes.

• Log in early. Sign in to your Korail account well before sales begin.
• Write down your train number, route, date, departure time, and backup options in advance.
• Know your line. Sales can open by route, such as Gyeongbu or Honam, and you do not want to wait on the wrong page.
• Use two devices. Keep the app open on your phone and the website on a computer.
• Finish payment quickly. A seat held in your cart is not yours until payment is complete.
• Watch for cancellations. Tickets return to the system in real time when people miss deadlines or change plans. Refresh often, especially around payment cutoffs.
• Use the waiting service. Register for specific trains. The system alerts you when a seat opens.
• Be flexible. Reverse facing seats are easier to find. Standing tickets get you on the train when all seats are gone.
• Consider alternatives. Express or intercity buses often add capacity for holidays, and the autumn campaign discounts include those routes to regional areas.

Aim for off peak trains when possible. Early morning and late evening departures face less competition. If you still strike out on a prime route, look at connecting itineraries that use a slower line for part of the trip or combine a train with a regional bus.

Driving strategies on toll free roads

Toll free expressways lower costs but also attract more cars. Peak outbound traffic usually forms on the first full day of the Chuseok break, and peak inbound traffic typically hits on the final return day. Leave a day earlier or later when your schedule allows. Build extra time for rest areas, where lines can be long during mealtimes. Navigation apps provide dynamic route choices and often display rest area congestion and fuel prices.

Drivers can also benefit from eco friendly programs tied to the autumn campaign. Check whether your city or province offers Onnuri gift certificates for meeting eco driving goals or using park and ride facilities. Review vehicle readiness before departure, including tires, fluids, and a simple roadside kit.

Where to go and what stays open

Chuseok empties many city neighborhoods as residents visit family outside the capital region. That makes large cities surprisingly pleasant for sightseeing. Major attractions tend to stay open, although some smaller restaurants and shops may close for a day or two. Convenience stores operate without interruption, and many museums and heritage sites plan special holiday programming.

Quiet city break in Seoul

Palaces and heritage grounds draw visitors with free entry windows during the week. Wearing a hanbok remains a favorite activity and adds photo friendly moments at places like Gyeongbokgung and Jongmyo. Traditional culture venues such as Namsangol Hanok Village and the Korean Folk Village stage performances, folk games, and craft activities tailored to the holiday. City views are superb in crisp autumn air. Consider the Seoul Sky Observatory at Lotte World Tower or N Seoul Tower on Namsan.

Day trips and nature

Fall colors begin to pop in October. Classic choices from the capital include Nami Island, the Garden of Morning Calm, and the Gangchon rail bike. Hikers can find quiet trails at Bukhansan, Gwanaksan, and other mountains around the capital. Those with more time can look to Seoraksan or Jirisan for higher peaks and broader vistas. Routes accessible by subway or regional buses reduce the stress of parking and holiday traffic.

Traveling with pets

Gangwon Province is promoting a pet friendly accommodation campaign that targets the peak October travel season, including Chuseok. Coupons are issued daily on a first come basis and can be used only at participating pet friendly properties within Gangwon. They cannot be combined with other discounts, and the event may end early if funds are exhausted. The campaign reflects the wider trend toward family oriented road trips and stays that include pets, and the province highlights nature and outdoor leisure as key draws.

Health care and pharmacies during the holiday

Finding care is harder when clinics close, yet help is available across several channels. Keep these contacts and tools at hand and call ahead when possible to confirm operating hours.

• Dial 129 for the Health and Welfare Counseling Center. The hotline provides urgent care guidance and counseling for emergencies, abuse, and mental health around the clock.
• Dial 119 for emergency management. This line dispatches responders for urgent situations.
• Dial 120 for your local government call center, which can guide you to nearby hospitals or clinics that are open.

The E Gen emergency medical portal lists emergency rooms, hospitals, and pharmacies on maps with current operating status. You can check expected wait times and directions before you go. For children, Dalbit Children Hospitals offer after hours pediatric services without the typical emergency room delays and costs. As of September, 46 clinics operate nationwide, including in Seoul, Busan, Daegu, and Gyeonggi Province.

For medicine, Holiday Keeper Pharmacies provide coverage when most neighborhood pharmacies are closed. The Pharm 114 website lists locations open on holidays, overnight, or all day, and includes guidance on common over the counter drugs and proper usage. Consider carrying basic fever reducers, digestive aids, and bandages during the holiday to avoid long trips when symptoms are mild.

Digital tools to navigate the week

Maps and official apps are more useful than ever during a compressed holiday period. Naver Map and Kakao Map flag participating museums, heritage sites, and arboretums with free entry windows. KorailTalk and the official website handle real time cancellations and waiting list seats. Express and intercity bus apps display added holiday capacity and pricing tied to the autumn campaign.

When you need a direct source, go straight to the official portals. The Korail reservation site lists sales windows, cutoffs, and travel notices at letskorail.com. The E Gen emergency medical portal publishes hospital and pharmacy status at e-gen.or.kr. For holiday pharmacies, check pharm114.or.kr. Save these links in your phone before the break starts.

At a Glance

• All expressways toll free Oct 4 to Oct 7 across South Korea
• Free entry windows: heritage sites and National Arboretum Oct 3 to Oct 9, museums Oct 5 to Oct 8, national recreational forests Oct 6 to Oct 9
• Rail packages to regions with declining populations at 50 percent off Oct 2 to Oct 12
• 150,000 lodging coupons in 31 disaster relief areas, worth 50,000 won or 30,000 won based on room price
• Food price support includes 172,000 tons of supply and 90 billion won in discounts and about 2,700 direct markets
• Autumn travel campaign adds discounts on tourist trains, Tomorrow Pass, local airline routes, and express or intercity buses
• Korail general reservations Sept 17 to 18, payment deadline Sept 21, priority deadline Sept 24, leftover seats drop Sept 18 at 3 p.m.
• Hotlines: 129 for health and welfare guidance, 119 for emergencies, 120 for local government help
• Check E Gen for hospital status and Pharm 114 for holiday pharmacies, and confirm hours before going
• Expect heavy traffic on the first outbound and last inbound days, and consider off peak departures