Seoul in October

When to go

October holds two official holidays, National Foundation Day and Hangeul Day, and VisitKorea notes that offices and banks close on official holidays while palaces, museums, department stores and amusement facilities stay open. Visit Seoul's fall feature points to the autumn leaves along the stone wall around Deoksugung Palace. VisitKorea's list marks an observed day for National Foundation Day, so check the official holiday list for the year you travel.

Trip facts

• The World Meteorological Organization's World Weather Information Service lists 1991–2020 normals from the Korea Meteorological Administration for Seoul in October as a mean daily maximum temperature of 20.2 °C (68.4 °F) and a mean daily minimum temperature of 10.6 °C (51.1 °F). (worldweather.wmo.int, checked 2026-10-15)
• The World Meteorological Organization's World Weather Information Service lists 1991–2020 normals from the Korea Meteorological Administration for Seoul in October as a mean total rainfall of 52.2 mm and a mean of 6.1 rain days. (worldweather.wmo.int, checked 2026-10-15)
• VisitKorea's Korea Public Holidays 2026 list gives National Foundation Day as October 3 (observed October 5) and Hangeul Day as October 9. (english.visitkorea.or.kr, checked 2026-10-15)
• VisitKorea says that during the official holidays in Korea, offices and banks are closed but palaces, museums, department stores, and amusement facilities are open. (english.visitkorea.or.kr, checked 2026-10-15)
• Visit Seoul, the Seoul Tourism Organization's official travel guide, says in its Must-visit Fall Destinations feature that the stone wall surrounding Deoksugung Palace makes for a charming stroll where you can relax and enjoy the colorful autumnal leaves. (english.visitseoul.net, checked 2026-10-15)
• VisitKorea, the Korea Tourism Organization's official site, says K-ETA is exempted for foreign nationals of designated countries or regions until December 31, 2026, lists United States (including Guam) among them, and says to check the official K-ETA website for up-to-date information. (english.visitkorea.or.kr, checked 2026-10-15)
• The K-ETA site of Korea's Ministry of Justice says, in Korean, that the temporary K-ETA exemption measure is extended by one more year, with an extended exemption period of January 1 to December 31, 2026 (KST). (www.k-eta.go.kr, checked 2026-10-15)
• VisitKorea's Airport Guide says most public transportation from Incheon International Airport to the center of Seoul finishes operating at around 23:30, and that night buses are identified by the letter N in front of the route number. (english.visitkorea.or.kr, checked 2026-10-15)
• Visit Seoul says a transfer discount applies if you transfer within 30 minutes of disembarking from your previous ride (within 1 hour between 9:00 PM and 7:00 AM), and that you must use a transportation card and tap it on the card reader when disembarking. (english.visitseoul.net, checked 2026-10-15)
• Visit Seoul's About Seoul page groups Jongno-gu, Jung-gu and Yongsan-gu as the heart of Seoul, with historic landmarks such as Gyeongbokgung Palace and shopping hubs like Myeongdong, and describes Mapo-gu, Eunpyeong-gu and Seodaemun-gu as a cultural hot spot with Hongdae Street. (english.visitseoul.net, checked 2026-10-15)