Seoul City Half Day Tour Gyeongbok Palace Guard Changing Ceremony
Seoul, South Korea

Seoul City Half Day Tour Gyeongbok Palace Guard Changing Ceremony

Outty Ranking 78 4.7 · 385 traveler reviews3 hoursFrom $29
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Outty Ranking

78/100

Strongly Recommended. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.7/5

Based on 385 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 385 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 (385)
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 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 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

    1. 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

    2. 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

    3. 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

    4. 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

    Seoul City Half Day Tour-Gyeongbok Palace Guard Changing Ceremony, Seoul City Half Day Tour Gyeongbok Palace Guard Changing CeremonySeoul City Half Day Tour-Gyeongbok Palace Guard Changing Ceremony, Seoul City Half Day Tour Gyeongbok Palace Guard Changing CeremonySeoul City Half Day Tour-Gyeongbok Palace Guard Changing Ceremony, Seoul City Half Day Tour Gyeongbok Palace Guard Changing CeremonySeoul City Half Day Tour-Gyeongbok Palace Guard Changing Ceremony, Seoul City Half Day Tour Gyeongbok Palace Guard Changing CeremonySeoul City Half Day Tour-Gyeongbok Palace Guard Changing Ceremony, Seoul City Half Day Tour Gyeongbok Palace Guard Changing CeremonySeoul City Half Day Tour-Gyeongbok Palace Guard Changing Ceremony, Seoul City Half Day Tour Gyeongbok Palace Guard Changing Ceremony

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 383 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    6 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    5 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Photo opportunities

    2 mentions

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Traveler reviews

    383 verified traveler reviews for Seoul City Half Day Tour Gyeongbok Palace Guard Changing Ceremony. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    296
    4 star
    60
    3 star
    16
    2 star
    7
    1 star
    4
    Sort
    670maartenb · October 2026

    Great! Very informative and enjoyable

    Alice was great! She was very nice, clear and helpful

    via Tripadvisor

    noorazama2026 · October 2026

    Superb guide

    Very nice speaking guide, warm and charming lady, thank you Alice. You've done a great job. Keep it up.

    via Tripadvisor

    Angela_R · September 2026

    Gogo is number 1!

    The tour guide Gogo was funny and friendly. Gave very interesting history at each site we visited. Very polite, respectful, helpful and knowledgeable.

    via Viator

    KC_M · September 2026

    Diane was fabulous! She...

    Diane was fabulous! She did a great job of keeping the group on track and getting us the best views of the guard changing ceremony. The last stop was the ginseng museum which definitely felt like propaganda but overall still a great experience

    Response from the operator: Dear Customer. Hello, this is Ruby from VIP Travel. We are so happy that you had a wonderful tour with one of our professional guide. We appreciate a lot for your time to give us a 5-star review. 😊 Your comments will help to improve our service and offer to other customers. Thank you for your review🧡 Hope to see you again with VIP Travel in Korea.

    via Viator

    Stay27115477118 · September 2026

    Fun and informative

    Tour was great very informative. Coco was great. She took the time to answer questions and take our pictures

    Response from the operator: Dear Customer. We are so happy that you had a wonderful tour with one of our professional guide. We appreciate a lot for your recommendation and your time to give us a 5-star review. 😊 Your comments will be very welcome to other customers and to us. Thank you for your valuable review and recommendation. Hope to see you again with VIP Travel in Korea. Kind Regards Stella / 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
    135
    Verdict
    Strongly Recommended

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by VIP TRAVEL Co.Ltd, who run 24 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 81.1 and 6 in the 90+ Club.

    See everything VIP TRAVEL Co.Ltd runs

    Why this scores 78

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)79
    Review evidence (18% weight)77
    Booking momentum (14% weight)73
    Value for money (12% weight)100
    Listing quality (10% weight)75
    Local standing (8% weight)33
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 78 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 385 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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    Around 135 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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    On Outty we rank every Seoul experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Best DMZ Tour Seoul: Defector Q&A, 3rd Tunnel & Suspension Bridge, DMZ Tour: Defector Q&A, Tunnel & Suspension Bridge /Hotel pick up, 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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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.

    What is included in Seoul City Half Day Tour Gyeongbok Palace Guard Changing Ceremony?

    +

    Included: Professional guide (Englishs or Chinese); All taxes, fees and handling charges; and Hotel pickup. Not included: Lunch; Hotel drop-off (dropped off at City Hall or Myeongdong); Gratuities; and Gyeongbok Palace (& Changing of Guard Ceremony) & National Folk Museum are closed on every. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Does Seoul City Half Day Tour Gyeongbok Palace Guard Changing Ceremony include hotel pickup?

    +

    Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 2 listed pickup locations in and around Seoul. Be ready about 20 minutes before the start time.

    What languages is Seoul City Half Day Tour Gyeongbok Palace Guard Changing Ceremony offered in?

    +

    It is offered in Chinese and English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Seoul City Half Day Tour Gyeongbok Palace Guard Changing Ceremony?

    +

    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    Is Seoul City Half Day Tour Gyeongbok Palace Guard Changing Ceremony wheelchair or stroller accessible?

    +

    The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; and Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to Seoul City Half Day Tour Gyeongbok Palace Guard Changing Ceremony if the weather is bad?

    +

    This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

    What do travelers say about Seoul City Half Day Tour Gyeongbok Palace Guard Changing Ceremony?

    +

    Across 385 reviews averaging 4.7 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, photo opportunities. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    What booking options are available for Seoul City Half Day Tour Gyeongbok Palace Guard Changing Ceremony?

    +

    There are 2 options to choose from, including Afternoon Half Day City Tour, Morning Seoul City Tour. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

    Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Seoul City Half Day Tour Gyeongbok Palace Guard Changing Ceremony.

    Pick your date