South Korea to waive highway tolls, offer discounts for Chuseok holiday period in October

SEOUL – Chuseok, one of South Korea’s biggest family holidays, is fast approaching.

The harvest festival, often likened to the US’ Thanksgiving, is celebrated over three days. In 2025, it stretches from Oct 5 to Oct 7, with Oct 5 to Oct 8 designated as public holidays.

Millions of people are expected to hit the road or board trains, and the South Korean government is offering extra incentives to encourage travel and ease household costs.

From Oct 4 to Oct 7, all expressways nationwide will be toll-free, allowing millions of drivers to move without paying a single won. To further encourage local travel, the South Korean government is also offering a series of discounts and free entries.

Rail travel packages to population-declining regions will be 50 per cent off from Oct 2 to Oct 12. Key tourist sites will open their doors free of charge. National heritage sites and the Korea National Arboretum will have free admission from Oct 3 to Oct 9, museums from Oct 5 to Oct 8, and national recreational forests from Oct 6 to Oct 9. Information on participating venues can be found on Naver Map and Kakao Map.

In addition, the South Korean government will issue 150,000 lodging coupons usable at accommodations in 31 designated disaster-relief areas, offering 50,000 won (S$46) off for rooms priced above 70,000 won and 30,000 won off for cheaper stays.

Despite the welcome freebies, Chuseok, as always, brings the annual struggle to secure a train seat. For many, it feels less like booking transportation and more like competing to register for a university course or score tickets to an in-demand K-pop concert.

The year 2025 is no exception. For South Korea, in October, there is already a seven-day holiday from Oct 3, starting with National Foundation Day, followed by the Chuseok holiday, and Hangeul Day on Oct 9. If Oct 10 is included, the weekend of Oct 11 to Oct 12 would extend the break to 10 days.

Train ticket guide

Korail is opening ticketing for Chuseok on Sept 15 until Sept 18, two weeks later than previously planned due to track safety adjustments after a rail accident in August.

Booking opened on Sept 15 and Sept 16 for seniors over 65, registered disabled passengers, and veterans, while general online reservations are scheduled for Sept 17 to Sept 18.

Tickets must be paid for by Sept 21 for general bookings or Sept 24 for priority bookings. Unpaid reservations are automatically cancelled and offered to those on the waiting list.

Leftover tickets will be released at 3pm local time on Sept 18 via KorailTalk, the official website, or station counters. Detailed information is available on Korail’s website.

Tips for successful booking

Prepare early by logging in well before tickets go on sale. Travellers should write down their preferred train, route, date and time in advance to save precious seconds.

Know the line, since Korail sometimes staggers ticket sales by route, such as the Gyeongbu Line or Honam Line. Double-check the exact start time for the trip, and try using both mobile and desktop devices to improve the odds.

Do not forget to pay. Securing a seat does not mean travellers are finished with the process, as payment must be made by the deadline or the reservation will be cancelled.

However, travellers should not worry too much if they fail at first. There are still more chances.

First, target cancelled tickets. After the reservation period ends, some tickets are cancelled because people miss the payment deadline or simply change their minds. Since Korail releases these cancelled seats back into the system in real time, it is worth checking the website or app frequently, even after tickets appear sold out.

Second, make use of the reservation waiting service. During the holiday period, Korail allows travellers to register for a specific time and seat in advance. If that seat becomes available due to a cancellation, the system will notify travellers. This saves travellers from having to constantly refresh the page.

Third, consider alternative options such as reverse seats or standing tickets. If all forward-facing seats are gone, reverse-facing seats are often easier to secure. Standing tickets, while less comfortable, can sometimes be the only option to ensure travellers reach their destination.

Medical care

Holiday closures often leave people scrambling for medical help. If travellers suddenly fall ill, here are their options.

Call the Health and Welfare Counseling Centre by dialing 129 for urgent care information. Emergency, abuse and mental health counseling is available 24/7.

Or simply dial 119 for the emergency management center or 120 for the local government call center to find nearby hospitals.

Other options include visiting the E-Gen emergency medical portal, which provides maps and the current operating status of hospitals, emergency rooms and pharmacies. Always call ahead to confirm.

For children, consider Dalbit Children’s Hospitals. These clinics, designated by the South Korean Health Ministry, offer after-hours paediatric services without the long waits and high costs of emergency rooms. As at September, there are 46 nationwide, including in Seoul, Busan, Daegu and Gyeonggi Province.

Finding a pharmacy

Heavy holiday meals often mean indigestion, stomachaches or even colds from exhaustion. But with most pharmacies closed, finding medicine can be tricky.

The Korean Pharmaceutical Association operates “Holiday Keeper Pharmacies” via the Pharm 114 website. Travellers can search for pharmacies that open on holidays, 24/7 or at night.

The site also offers information on over-the-counter drugs, proper usage and topical treatments. Still, it is wise to call ahead before visiting to avoid a wasted trip. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK