Events

Chuseok Travel in Korea: Toll Waivers, Fuel Discounts, Traffic Peaks and Train Booking (2026 Recap, 2027 Dates)

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AI-generated overnight bag on a station bench beside a train, with a thin white outline and handwritten heading-home note.

AT A GLANCE

2026 holiday
Ended. Expressway toll waiver was Sept 24–27, 2026
2027 holiday
Chuseok is Wed, Sept 15, 2027; holiday Sept 14–16, no substitute day
2026 fuel discount
₩100 per litre below Sept 17 prices at Korea Expressway Corporation stations, Sept 24–27
Live traffic
ROAD PLUS (roadplus.co.kr), Korea Expressway Corporation
Trains
KORAIL (KTX) and SRT booking sites

Chuseok is Korea’s autumn harvest holiday, and millions of people travel to see family. The 2026 holiday has ended, but the way the rush works is similar each year: the government announces toll and fuel measures in mid-September, forecasts peak traffic and trains sell out early. This guide recaps what was announced in 2026 and what to check next year. Chuseok 2027 falls on Wednesday, September 15, with the holiday running September 14–16 and no substitute holiday (Dallyeok holiday listing, in Korean). Checked on 2026-10-12.

The hero image is AI-generated and does not show a real station or train.

What the 2026 toll waiver covered

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced an expressway toll waiver for September 24–27, 2026. Its broader special transport measures ran September 23–27, a different period (Ministry announcement, Sept 20). The summary I could verify did not give the rules for trips that cross midnight or for separately operated toll roads, so check those with the road operator.

Hi-Pass is Korea’s electronic toll system, using an on-board device and a card. Follow lane signs and the operator’s holiday guidance. In regular ticket lanes, follow the normal ticket instructions.

How the 2026 fuel discount worked

The government announced ₩100 off per litre, measured against September 17 prices, at participating fuel stations on Korea Expressway Corporation roads during September 24–27. For 40 litres, that is ₩4,000 below the September 17 price. It does not mean every participating station is cheaper than every town station, so check the displayed price. A separate fuel-tax cut was extended through the end of November 2026 (Government announcement, Sept 18).

Traffic peaks

For 2026 the ministry forecast the busiest times as Thursday morning, September 24 (leaving) and Friday afternoon, September 25 (returning), with about 30.93 million trips during the special transport period. These are forecasts, not guarantees that other hours are clear. Compare routes on ROAD PLUS shortly before leaving.

Booking trains

KTX and SRT are high-speed trains. Check your departure station, because Seoul and Suseo are different stations. Use the official KORAIL or SRT booking sites. Holiday seats go early, so book before you travel. If a train is full, check for cancellation seats again closer to departure, but do not count on one. For the booking window, see our guide to the two-month booking change.

Planning checklist for next Chuseok

  • Mark September 14–16, 2027, and look for the ministry’s transport announcement in mid-September.
  • Book trains as soon as seats open.
  • Check the toll waiver dates and whether your route is included.
  • Look at live traffic before leaving.
  • For things to do, see Four Day Trips Outside Seoul and a Seoul day plan.

Sources

Checked on 2026-10-12. The 2026 measures have ended. Each year’s toll and fuel rules are announced separately, so confirm them for 2027.