Small-Group Seoul Tour with Gyeongbokgung Palace (hotel pick-up)
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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
4.8/5
Based on 83 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Small-Group Seoul Tour with Gyeongbokgung Palace (hotel pick-up) worth booking?
Small-Group Seoul Tour with Gyeongbokgung Palace (hotel pick-up) is a 3.5-hour experience in Seoul, South Korea, from $40 per person. It scores 76 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 83 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 76 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (83)
- Duration
- 3.5 hours
- From
- $40 per person
On this tour, you will visit the Buddhist temple in the city, the Presidential Blue House Square and Gyeongbokgung Palace for 3.5 hours with a small group. First, you will visit Jogyesa temple that represents Buddhism in
What you get
About this experience
On this tour, you will visit the Buddhist temple in the city, the Presidential Blue House Square and Gyeongbokgung Palace for 3.5 hours with a small group. First, you will visit Jogyesa temple that represents Buddhism in Seoul and pass by the Cheongwadae, the Presidential Blue House, that symbol of with blue tiles and move on to Gwanghwamun Gate to see the royal guard changing ceremony. After the ceremony, you will explore Gyeongbokgung Palace that is also referred to as the northern palace. Also you will visit a museum called the National Folk Museum, where you can see how Koreans from a few centuries ago lived. Please note that Gyeongbokgung Palace is closed on Tuesdays or during special events. In such cases, the itinerary will change to Deoksugung Palace without prior notice.
What's included
Included
- Professional guide
- Hotel pickup in Central Seoul
- All Fees and Taxes
Not included
- Food
- Hotel drop-off
What you'll see and do
Jogyesa Temple
Jogyesa Buddhist Temple is the center of Zen Buddhism in Korea, and is famous for being located in the city. From the busy streets of Jongno, follow the road towards Anguk Subway Station, and you will see Jogyesa Temple. The first things you will notice at the temple are the lovely trees. These locust trees and baeksong trees in front of the Daeungjeon, the main temple building, are about 500 years old.
30 minutes here
Gwanghwamun Gate
Keep your camera handy for the changing of the guard ceremony at Gwanghwamun Gate.
20 minutes here
Gyeongbokgung Palace
After visiting Jogyesa Temple, you will move on to the next place called Gwanghwamun to watch the Royal Guard Changing Ceremony. It is a ceremony to announce the changing of the royal guards, as well as to clarify the guards' identities. Then, you will head toward Gyeongbokgung, which was the main palace and the most beautiful palace during the Joseon Dynasty. Please note that Gyeongbokgung Palace is closed on Tuesdays or during special events. In such cases, the itinerary will change to Deoksugung Palace without prior notice.
60 minutes here · Admission included
National Folk Museum of Korea
Within the compound, visit the National Folk Museum to learn about how people have lived in Korea from ancient times to today. Your guide shows you displays that demonstrate daily life for members of the aristocracy and ordinary citizens, including traditional farming and hunting techniques, weaving, cooking and other tasks.
20 minutes here · Admission included
The Blue House
The Blue House (Cheongwadae) was built on the grounds of the royal garden from the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910) using traditional Korean architectural styles. Constructed on the grounds of a Joseon Dynasty royal garden, the Blue House features traditional Korean architecture. On our tour today, we will take a drive-pass to see its main buildings and exterior.
Pass by without stopping
Ginworldart Korean Ginseng Museum
Before getting off at the drop-off location, Insadong., you will have the opportunity to visit the Government-Approved Korean Ginseng Center, where you can taste Korean ginseng tea and a variety of products. You will also learn about the benefits of Korean ginseng and gain valuable information about its qualities. Korean ginseng is globally recognized for its exceptional quality, particularly for its effectiveness in boosting immunity, combating fatigue, and preventing aging. Extracted from roots that are over six years old, it contains a high concentration of saponins, offering various health benefits. In Korea, it is a highly popular gift exchanged to improve health. A visit to the Korean Ginseng Center is included in the itinerary, providing a chance to explore and purchase ginseng products. Discover one of nature’s finest plants and find a special, precious traditional Korean gift.
30 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Seoul
Estimated pickup is between 08:30 ~ 08:50 AM at City Hall Station, Exit 6 (next to The Plaza Hotel). Your exact time will be confirmed via WhatsApp, your booking platform, or email by 6:00 PM (KST) the day before your tour.
Meeting point
Seoul
Estimated pickup is between 08:20 ~ 08:40 AM. Your exact time will be confirmed via WhatsApp, your booking platform, or email by 6:00 PM (KST) the day before your tour.
Meeting point
Seoul
For those staying outside our pickup area, please arrive at the Jogyesa Temple main gate by 8:55 AM to join your guide at the meeting point.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 55 minutes before departure.
Ends at
The tour concludes at approximately 1:00 PM at the entrance of Insadong Antique Alley. Known for its traditional crafts, galleries, and historic tea houses, Insadong is the perfect place to enjoy an authentic Korean lunch and explore at your own pace.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Seoul N Tour
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
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Not recommended for participants with back problems or heart complaints or other serious medical conditions
- This tour is proceeding with minimum 2 people and if the participants number is below it, the tour can be cancelled.
- Please note that Gyeongbokgung Palace is closed on Tuesdays or during special events. In such cases, the itinerary will change to Deoksugung Palace without prior notice.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 83 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
6 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
83 verified traveler reviews for Small-Group Seoul Tour with Gyeongbokgung Palace (hotel pick-up). Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
I am so glad that we...
I am so glad that we booked this experience instead of just visiting on our own. It ended up just being me, my wife, and the tour guide. Mrs. Hee Soo was great, and gave us so much information that we would not have had on our own. I wish we could have more time at the Folk Museum. I also wish there wasn't a hard sell on ginseng when we visited the museum. I didn't know the ginseng museum was on the list, as it was only on the itinerary after you click through. I felt pressured to purchase by the museum, and it didn't feel right. We did not purchase anything. We may have, if it wasn't pushed at the museum, but I don't like being offered like this. I would have been satisfied with only the tour.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your review and for joining our Small-Group Seoul Tour. We are delighted to hear that you and your wife had a wonderful experience with Mrs. Hee Soo and appreciated her rich, detailed guidance. We will gladly pass your kind compliments along to her. We also appreciate your honest feedback regarding the schedule at the National Folk Museum and your experience at the Ginseng Museum. We apologize for any discomfort caused by the sales environment and for any confusion regarding the itinerary details. We take your insights seriously and are continuously reviewing our tour programs and stop descriptions to improve the guest experience. Thank you again for your valuable feedback, and we hope to welcome you back to Seoul in the future. Warm regards, SeoulNTour Team
via Viator
Hotel Pickup and guide made this a 10 star tour.
Our guide was 10 star. Souk-hee was friendly, knowledgeable and organised. I highly recommend Souk-hee and we booked a second tour because she was the guide. The hotel pick up made all the difference.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for this wonderful 10-star review! We are absolutely delighted to hear that the convenient hotel pick-up and overall tour exceeded your expectations. We will be sure to share your kind compliments with Sook-hee—she will be thrilled to know her guidance inspired you to book a second tour with us! We look forward to creating another memorable experience for you on your next tour. Warm regards, SeoulNTour Team
via Viator
very good
it was very fun and i learned a lot from this tour
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your kind and concise review! We are thrilled to hear that you had a very fun and informative time on our Gyeongbokgung Palace tour. Our main goal is always to make Seoul's rich history both engaging and easy to learn, so we are glad we achieved that for you. Thank you for choosing us for your Seoul adventure, and we truly hope to welcome you back for another great tour in the future! Warm regards, SeoulNTour Team
via Tripadvisor
Great day in the city
Good overview of the city , informative tour of the two palaces
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your great review! We are delighted to hear that you had a wonderful day exploring the city with us and found our palace tours both informative and insightful. Providing a comprehensive and memorable overview of Seoul is exactly what we strive for. Your kind feedback is highly appreciated by our entire team, and we hope to welcome you back for another great experience in Korea in the future! Warm regards, Seoul N Tour Team
via Tripadvisor
Palace visit
Great understanding of the Korean history and culture. I wish we would have rented the costumes to walk around the palace grounds- although the people wearing the garments looked pretty hot. Overall, great experience and the communication was not an issue. Thanks
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed learning about Korean history and culture with us. You're so right about the traditional costumes (Hanbok)—they look absolutely beautiful in photos, but they can indeed get a bit warm! Next time you visit, we'd love to help you try them out during a cooler season. Thank you again for choosing our tour, and we hope to welcome you back to Seoul in the future! Best regards, SeoulNTour Team
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 3.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 29
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 76
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Small-Group Seoul Tour with Gyeongbokgung Palace (hotel pick-up): questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Seoul.
How much does Small-Group Seoul Tour with Gyeongbokgung Palace (hotel pick-up) cost?
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Prices start at $40 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 Small-Group Seoul Tour with Gyeongbokgung Palace (hotel pick-up) take?
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Plan for about 3.5 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 Small-Group Seoul Tour with Gyeongbokgung Palace (hotel pick-up) worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 76 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 83 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 Small-Group Seoul Tour with Gyeongbokgung Palace (hotel pick-up)?
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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 Small-Group Seoul Tour with Gyeongbokgung Palace (hotel pick-up) suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Small-Group Seoul Tour with Gyeongbokgung Palace (hotel pick-up)?
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Around 29 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 3.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Small-Group Seoul Tour with Gyeongbokgung Palace (hotel pick-up) 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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