Seoul, South Korea
Changdeokgung Secret Garden: when to book
Online at 10:00 Korea time, six days before your visit, not counting the day itself: for 8 December, from 10:00 on 2 December. The other half of every session is sold at the palace from 09:00 on the day.
- When does booking open?
- 10:00 KST, six days before the visit. The visit day is not counted: for 8 December, booking opens at 10:00 on 2 December, and stays open until the day before. Half of each 100-person session is kept for the palace ticket office, from 09:00 KST on the day.
- How far ahead is that?
- Up to 6 days ahead.
- Where do I book?
- Online on the palace’s official reservation site (in English, by the agent uForus), paid by a foreign card; or at the Changdeokgung ticket office on the day.
- Does it sell out?
- Fast in spring and autumn: on 15 October 2026, every online session for 21 October was gone the same day it went on sale. One look in peak season, not a trend.
- Can I cancel or change?
- A full refund until 2 hours before your session, 90% within 2 hours, nothing once it starts. The date cannot be changed: cancel and book again. Late arrivals are not let in.
Checked 15 October 2026
How to book
Sign up on the official reservation site, choose a date and session and foreigner admission, then pay by card within 24 hours or the booking is cancelled. Visa, Mastercard and JCB cards issued outside Korea work.
The garden ticket is 5,000 won for adults and 2,500 for ages 7 to 18, on top of the palace ticket (3,000 won for ages 19 to 64; free under 19, over 64, and in hanbok). Show the mobile ticket itself at the gate (a screenshot is not accepted), or swap it for paper at the ticket office.
If it’s sold out
Queue at the palace ticket office for the 50 same-day places per session, sold first come from 09:00 KST, up to 10 per person. Arrive early in spring and autumn.
Look online again during the day: bookings not paid within 24 hours come back. The rest of the palace needs no booking.
Booking for a group
One online booking per visit date, up to 10 tickets. Foreign-language sessions are for foreign visitors, who may bring at most 2 Korean companions; staff may ask for a passport.
Anyone due free or cheaper entry still books and pays, then asks for the refund at the ticket office with proof before the session.
Good to know
- Be online at 10:00 KST six days before, in spring and autumn especially.
- Allow 15 minutes to walk from the main gate to the garden; you enter only at the time on your ticket.
- The palace and garden are closed on Mondays.
- English talks start inside the garden at 10:30, 11:30, 14:30 and 15:30 from March to November; joining one is optional.
Sources
- Changdeokgung Secret Garden reservations (official, English): Online from 10 a.m. six days ahead until the day before (for 8 December, from 10 a.m. on 2 December); 50 per session online and 50 on site from 09:00; up to 10 tickets; pay within 24 hours; full refund until 2 hours before, 90% within 2 hours.
- Royal Palaces and Tombs Center: admission to Changdeokgung (official): The Secret Garden takes 100 people per session (50 online, 50 on site); 5,000 won plus palace admission; late arrivals not admitted; closed Mondays; guided talks optional.
Checked on 15 October 2026. Booking rules change; the official site has the last word.