Seoul City Half Day Tour Gyeongbok Palace Guard Changing Ceremony
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.7/5
Based on 377 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Seoul City Half Day Tour Gyeongbok Palace Guard Changing Ceremony worth booking?
Seoul City Half Day Tour Gyeongbok Palace Guard Changing Ceremony is a 3-hour experience in Seoul, South Korea, from $29 per person. It scores 78 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 377 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 78 / 100
- Rating
- 4.7/5 (377)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $29 per person
Learn about Seoul’s royal and religious history as you sightsee with a knowledgeable local guide. Travel by coach to several stunning landmarks in the capital, including Jogyesa Temple and the pavilions of Gyeongbokgung
What you get
About this experience
Learn about Seoul’s royal and religious history as you sightsee with a knowledgeable local guide. Travel by coach to several stunning landmarks in the capital, including Jogyesa Temple and the pavilions of Gyeongbokgung Palace. During your 3.5-hour morning tour, gape at the awe-inspiring architecture of the Joseon Dynasty, see a Changing of the Guard ceremony and learn about Korean cultural traditions at Cheongwadae Sarangchae. Hotel pickup is included, with drop-off at City Hall, leaving you a free afternoon to explore more on your own.
What's included
Included
- Professional guide (Englishs or Chinese)
- All taxes, fees and handling charges
- Hotel pickup
Not included
- Lunch
- Hotel drop-off (dropped off at City Hall or Myeongdong)
- Gratuities
- Gyeongbok Palace (& Changing of Guard Ceremony) & National Folk Museum are closed on every Tuesday.
- Tuesday : Gyeongbok Palace - National Folk Museum -> Changdeok Palace & Bukchon Hanok Village
What you'll see and do
Jogyesa Temple
The Jogyesa Buddhist Temple is one of the most important landmarks of Korean Buddhism, first established all the way back in 1935. The temple is located in downtown Seoul and is graced by an ancient white pine tree. There are a few important steps to entering the temple. First, you must go through “Iljum”, which is the one pillar gate. The “Iljumun” symbolizes the division between the world of the living and that of the holy Buddha world. You will have a beautiful spiritual experience and be able to admire the splendid, golden statues.
40 minutes here
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Changing of the Guard Ceremony – witness a spectacular Korean tradition You will see the meticulously choreographed ceremony that takes place in front of Gwanghwamun Gate. This tradition originated during the Joseon Dynasty and the city decided to bring it back for reenactment in 1996. The soldiers wear colorful blue and red uniforms and gracefully patrol the gates of the palace in protection of the king. The tradition is very elegant and simply beautiful to watch! Gyeongbok Palace (Except Tuesdays) – live like a royal Next up on our Seoul City Tour is Gyeongbokgung Palace. This was the main home of the Joseon Dynasty constructed in 1395. This is a stunning building with 7,700 rooms! The palace did take a few hits over the years, which makes it all the more interesting to see today! Some of the highlights here are Gangnyeongjeon, the king’s main quarters, Geunjeongjeon where the king accepted formal visits, Gyeonghoeru – the special banquet hall, and more!
60 minutes here · Admission included
National Folk Museum of Korea
The National Palace Museum of Korea was initially established as the “Korean Imperial Museum” in 1908; however, it was renamed and relocated many times throughout its history. Today the museum holds approximately 45,000 artefacts and royal treasures from Joseon Dynasty palaces and the Korean Empire. In addition, you can find 14 of South Korea’s National Treasures located here. With 500 years of history on display, you can get a real sense of the past and discover what it was like to live as a Joseon King and Queen.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Ginseng Museum & Shopping
30 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Seoul
Exit 6
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 20 minutes before departure.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Options you can book
Afternoon Half Day City Tour
Duration: 3 hours Minivan, Minibus or Coach: The type of transport will depend on the group size for the selected date and time. Pickup included
Morning Seoul City Tour
Duration: 3 hours Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- cmn, en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- VIP TRAVEL Co.Ltd
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 377 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
9 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
377 verified traveler reviews for Seoul City Half Day Tour Gyeongbok Palace Guard Changing Ceremony. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Coco good
Coco is an extremely nice and experienced tour guide. Highly appreciated! Z Wu from Canada
Response from the operator: Dear Valued Customer, Greetings from VIP Travel. This is Denisa. Thank you very much for your kind words! We’re delighted to hear that Coco’s experience and friendly personality made a positive impression on you. We truly appreciate your high appreciation and will be happy to share your message with Coco. Thank you again for joining our Seoul city tour, and we hope to see you again on another visit to Korea! With warm regards, Denisa Experience Seoul with VIP Travel
via Tripadvisor
Amazing tour
Nova is an amazing tour guide with great recommendations and information about Seoul! I highly recommend the half day tour if you don’t have much time or plans later in the day.
Response from the operator: Dear Valued Customer, Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We’re delighted to hear that Nova made your Seoul tour such an enjoyable experience. It’s great to know that you appreciated her recommendations, helpful information, and knowledge about Seoul. We’re especially happy that you found the half-day tour a convenient way to explore the city while still having time for other plans. We truly appreciate your recommendation and will be sure to share your kind words with Nova. Thank you again for choosing VIP Travel, and we hope to welcome you back to Seoul for another memorable experience! With warm regards, Denisa Experience the DMZ from Seoul with VIP Travel
via Tripadvisor
Nova is a great tour guide - Half Day City Sights Seoul
Nova is a fantastic tour guide. Very informative and also funny. She is very helpful. The tour covers some of the main sights of Seoul City and is great
Response from the operator: Dear Valued Customer, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that Nova made your Seoul city tour such an enjoyable experience. It’s great to know that you found her informative, helpful, and funny. We’re also happy that you enjoyed visiting some of Seoul’s main highlights and felt that the itinerary was a great way to explore the city. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with Nova! Thank you again for choosing VIP Travel, and we hope to welcome you back to Seoul for another memorable experience. With warm regards, Denisa Experience the DMZ from Seoul with VIP Travel
via Viator
Absolutely loved our tour...
Absolutely loved our tour guide Kelly! She was very knowledgeable, friendly and made the entire experience fun.
Response from the operator: Dear Valued Customer, Greetings from VIP Travel. This is Denisa. Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you absolutely loved the tour with Kelly. It’s great to know that her knowledge, friendly personality, and fun approach made the experience even more enjoyable for you. We’ll definitely share your kind words with Kelly! Thank you again for choosing VIP Travel and for taking the time to share your experience. We hope to welcome you again on another tour in Korea! With warm regards, Denisa Experience the DMZ from Seoul with VIP Travel
via Viator
Royal Palace tour
Fabulous time with Max finding out about Seoul
Response from the operator: Dear Valued Customer, Thank you for your kind 5-star review. We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed the tour and had a great experience with our guide. Your kind feedback truly encourages our team and is deeply appreciated. We look forward to welcoming you again on your next visit to Korea! Warm regards, Denisa Experience the DMZ from Seoul with VIP Travel
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $29 to $38
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 132
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 78
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Seoul City Half Day Tour Gyeongbok Palace Guard Changing Ceremony: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Seoul.
How much does Seoul City Half Day Tour Gyeongbok Palace Guard Changing Ceremony cost?
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Prices start at $29 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Seoul usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Seoul City Half Day Tour Gyeongbok Palace Guard Changing Ceremony take?
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Plan for about 3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Seoul is not rushed.
Is Seoul City Half Day Tour Gyeongbok Palace Guard Changing Ceremony worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 78 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 377 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Seoul, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Seoul City Half Day Tour Gyeongbok Palace Guard Changing Ceremony?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Seoul City Half Day Tour Gyeongbok Palace Guard Changing Ceremony suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Seoul City Half Day Tour Gyeongbok Palace Guard Changing Ceremony?
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Around 132 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Seoul can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Seoul and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Seoul City Half Day Tour Gyeongbok Palace Guard Changing Ceremony start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Seoul within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Seoul?
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On Outty we rank every Seoul experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include DMZ Tour: Defector Q&A, Tunnel & Suspension Bridge /Hotel pick up, Best DMZ Tour Seoul: Defector Q&A, 3rd Tunnel & Suspension Bridge, 2026 Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best: DMZ Tour from Seoul. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Seoul?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Seoul?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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