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Chuseok in Korea: A Foreigner’s Survival Guide — Where to Eat, Travel Smart & Beat the Holiday Chaos
Practical Chuseok survival tips for foreigners in Korea: travel booking hacks, where to join feasts, gift & shopping guide, apps, costs (KRW) and safety tips.
TL;DR — Quick Answer: Chuseok is Korea’s biggest harvest/ancestral holiday (culturally treated as a 3-day period). Expect trains/buses and flights to sell out, many businesses to close, and huge crowds on the roads. Book intercity transport as soon as reservations open (Korail, SRT, express bus sites), use Naver Map/KakaoMap + Kakao T taxi, and join expat-friendly Chuseok feasts via Seoul Global Center, Meetup, Airbnb Experiences or local churches/universities. Stock up on essentials early, use a T-money card for local transit, and plan travel on shoulder days (a day before or after the main rush) to avoid the worst traffic.
What is Chuseok and why does it matter to foreigners living in Korea?
- Chuseok (추석) is Korea’s harvest festival and the second-most important holiday after Lunar New Year. Families gather, perform ancestral rites (charye), and eat traditional foods like songpyeon (송편).
- Culturally it’s treated as a 3-day holiday: the day before, the day of Chuseok, and the day after — but many companies extend closures for up to a week.
- Practical effect: offices, banks, most post offices and many small businesses close; public transport and highways are extremely busy; supermarkets and convenience stores remain largely open.
How long is Chuseok in Korea and when should I book travel?
- The exact date moves each year (lunar calendar). Officially the holiday falls on the lunar date but is observed as a multi-day holiday in late summer/early autumn. Check a Korean calendar or official site (e.g., Korean government holiday calendars) for exact dates each year.
- Booking rule of thumb:
- Book KTX/SRT and express bus tickets the moment reservations open (commonly 20–30 days before the travel date).
- Reserve domestic flights and Jeju flights 1–3 months ahead for the best fares.
How do I book transport — what apps and websites should I use?
- Trains (KTX / ITX / Mugunghwa / Korail): https://www.letskorail.com (Korail app: KorailTalk / Let’s Korail). Korail Pass info: Let’s Korail site.
- SRT (Suseo high-speed rail): https://www.srail.or.kr (SRT app)
- Express/intercity buses: https://www.kobus.co.kr (Kobus), bus terminals sell tickets too.
- Domestic flights: Korean Air (https://www.koreanair.com), Asiana (https://kr.flyasiana.com), Jeju Air (https://www.jejuair.net), Jin Air (https://www.jinair.com)
- Taxi app: Kakao T (https://www.kakaomobility.com) — must-download for easier taxi hails.
- Maps/navigation: Naver Map (https://map.naver.com) and KakaoMap (https://map.kakao.com) — much more accurate than Google Maps in Korea.
- Payment card / transit: T-money card — buy at convenience stores or subway stations (https://www.t-money.co.kr).
Where can I join Chuseok feasts and public events as a foreigner?
- Organized public events (family-friendly and English-friendly):
- Seoul Global Center events: https://global.seoul.go.kr — they often host Chuseok programs for foreigners (songpyeon-making, cultural performances).
- Korean Folk Village (Yongin): https://www.koreanfolk.co.kr — big traditional Chuseok programs and performances; tickets ~KRW 15,000–20,000 for adults (varies by season).
- Namsangol Hanok Village & Gyeongbokgung Palace: seasonal programs and folk performances (check https://english.visitseoul.net).
- Expat/community feasts: Search Meetup (https://www.meetup.com), InterNations (https://www.internations.org), and local Facebook groups (e.g., "Every Expat in Korea"). Universities, churches, and international schools often run community dinners.
- Airbnb Experiences / Local classes: look for “Chuseok” or “songpyeon” classes on https://www.airbnb.com/experiences (typical fees KRW 20,000–50,000 per person).
- For a truly local feel: ask a Korean colleague/flatmate or join a church/university event — many welcome foreigners and will include traditional meals.
What to expect from shops, markets and gift shopping?
- Department stores vs supermarkets during Chuseok:
- Department stores (Lotte, Shinsegae, Hyundai) push gift sets (fruit, Hanwoo beef, seafood) and seasonal sales. Websites: https://www.lotteon.com, https://www.shinsegae.com
- Big supermarkets: E-Mart, Homeplus, Lotte Mart remain open but may reduce hours. Online supermarkets (Coupang, Market Kurly, Gmarket) are useful: https://www.coupang.com, https://www.gmarket.co.kr
- Typical Chuseok gift price ranges (approx):
- Fruit gift box: KRW 30,000–200,000
- Hanwoo beef gift set: KRW 50,000–300,000
- Songpyeon / rice cake sets: KRW 10,000–50,000
- Shopping tips:
- Buy essentials (meds, toiletries, toiletries and cooking basics) a few days before — many pharmacies and clinics close.
- If you want gift sets at discount, check department store pre-sale weeks in August–September; last-minute sales sometimes appear but inventory is limited.
What practical travel & transport hacks should I use during Chuseok?
- Booking and timing hacks:
- Book trains on Let’s Korail immediately when tickets become available (set alarms). Korail and SRT seats sell out fast.
- If KTX is sold out, try SRT (departs from Suseo) or express buses as backups.
- Travel on off-peak times: late-night or early-morning departures, or a day before the peak rush and return a day after.
- Car and road hacks:
- Highways (expressways) become gridlocked on the lead-out and return days. Avoid main routes and peak hours (morning of holiday start, evening before return).
- Consider park-and-ride or regional trains to avoid highway congestion.
- Local transit and taxis:
- Use Kakao T for taxis; use T-money for contactless subway/bus fares.
- Have cash (KRW) and a credit card; some smaller vendors may prefer cash.
- Emergency & medical:
- Emergency rooms are open; find an English-speaking clinic via the Seoul Global Center or the embassies. For 24-hour pharmacy searches, use Naver Map to search for 야간약국 (night pharmacy).
Quick transport comparison: KTX vs SRT vs Express Bus vs Domestic Flight
| Mode | Typical route example | Travel time | Typical price (one-way, approx) | Booking site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KTX | Seoul ↔ Busan | 2.5–3 hrs | KRW 55,000–75,000 | https://www.letskorail.com |
| SRT | Suseo (Seoul) ↔ Busan | 2.5–3 hrs | KRW 45,000–70,000 | https://www.srail.or.kr |
| Express bus | Seoul ↔ Busan | 4.5–5.5 hrs | KRW 25,000–40,000 | https://www.kobus.co.kr |
| Domestic flight | Gimpo ↔ Gimhae / Jeju | 1 hr / 1–1.5 hrs | KRW 30,000–120,000+ | Airline sites / aggregator |
(Prices are approximate and vary by date, reservation timing and discounts.)
How to eat like a local during Chuseok — food & etiquette basics?
- Must-try seasonal items: songpyeon (송편), japchae (잡채), grilled fish, jeon (전/pancakes), Hangwa (traditional sweets).
- If invited to a home: bring a modest gift (fruit box, packaged sweets, or a tasteful department-store gift). Remove shoes when entering, politely accept food, and try a little of everything.
- If you have dietary restrictions: communicate via Google Translate or Papago (https://papago.naver.com) and confirm ingredients — many dishes contain meat or seafood.
Safety, health and money tips
- Banks and many government offices close; ATMs (cash machines) remain available but bring extra cash if you’re traveling to rural areas.
- Hospitals and emergency rooms operate; for English assistance contact your embassy or large hospitals (Seoul St. Mary’s, Asan Medical Center).
- Keep copies of important documents (passport, alien registration) and emergency numbers: 112 (police), 119 (fire/ambulance).
Quick checklist: What to do 7–0 days before Chuseok
- 7+ days: Book travel (Korail, SRT, flights), reserve accommodation.
- 3–5 days: Buy groceries/meds you’ll need; reserve any restaurants or classes.
- 1–2 days: Confirm community/expat events; download maps and offline directions; charge devices and pack power bank.
- Day of travel: Arrive earlier than usual, have alternative routes saved, and keep your T-money charged.
Where to find last-minute company / community feasts in Seoul?
- Seoul Global Center: check event calendar (https://global.seoul.go.kr)
- English-speaking churches and university international student offices often publish Chuseok event info on Facebook and university bulletin boards.
- Meetup and Airbnb Experiences are best for small-group events if you missed large public ones.
Final survival tips for a relaxed Chuseok
- Expect closures — convenience stores are your friend for basics.
- Be flexible with plans and patient with crowds; Chuseok is family-first for Koreans.
- Use the holiday as a cultural experience: join a class, try making songpyeon, or attend a folk village performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long is Chuseok in Korea? A: Chuseok is culturally observed as a 3-day period (day before, day of, day after) though official public holiday duration depends on the year and employer policies — many businesses close longer. Check that year’s lunar calendar or Korean government holiday list.
Q: Can foreigners participate in Chuseok? A: Yes. Many public events, cultural centers (Seoul Global Center), universities, churches and Airbnb Experiences welcome foreigners. You can also be invited to private family gatherings by friends/colleagues — be polite, bring a small gift, and follow local etiquette.
Q: Are stores and public transport closed during Chuseok? A: Many banks, post offices, and small shops close. Major supermarkets, convenience stores (GS25, CU, 7-Eleven) and big department stores usually operate with reduced hours. Public transport (subway, buses) runs but intercity trains, buses, and flights are extremely busy — reserve tickets early.