Updated October 2026
Hanbok rental
in Seoul
Rent a hanbok for 2–4 hours at about ₩10,000–40,000, walk into the palace free, and get the photos you came for. Here's where I'd go and what it really costs.
Stock photo · Fernando B M / Pexels
The short version
You'll see hanbok for rent all around the palaces, but most visitors rent near Gyeongbokgung Station, change in ten minutes, and walk straight to the gate. Shops line the streets around exits 3, 4 and 5, and the bigger ones keep hundreds of skirts in every colour.
Here's the thing: you pay for time, not for the dress. A basic set for a few hours costs about the same as a sit-down lunch. Premium fabrics, hair styling and full-day slots cost more.
Wearing one gets you into the royal palaces with no ticket. That rule has been around for years, but the heritage office is reviewing it alongside a fee increase. So check before you plan your day around it.
Where to rent, by area
Hanbok rentals in Korea are bunched around Seoul's palaces, plus Jeonju and Gyeongju. Pick your area first. The palace you want to see decides which shop makes sense.
Around Gyeongbokgung Station
The busiest cluster, and the easiest pick for a first time. Shops are a few minutes' walk from exits 3, 4 and 5, so you change and you're at the gate in no time.
Names that come up again and again in guides and on booking sites: Hanboknam, Seohwa Hanbok, Daehan Hanbok, Gigibebe Hanbok. All shops near Gyeongbokgung →
Weekend mornings fill up fast. Book a slot online and you skip the queue at the door.
Bukchon Hanok Village & Anguk
Rent here if you want alleys and tiled roofs in your photos more than palace halls. Bukchon sits between Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung, so you can walk to either one.
Shops often mentioned near Bukchon: Hanbok That Day, Hanboknam (several branches).
People live in Bukchon, and parts of the village have visiting-hour limits. Keep your voice down.
Near Changdeokgung
A calmer palace, with gardens and fewer crowds. Changdeokgung is closed on Mondays, not Tuesdays, so it's your backup when Gyeongbokgung is shut.
Shops near Anguk Station include Hanboknam's Changdeokgung store and Hanokjip Hanbok. Hanbok rental near Changdeokgung →
Heads up: the Secret Garden (Huwon) needs its own ticket, even in hanbok.
Jeonju, Gyeongju and Jeju
Jeonju Hanok Village is the other big hanbok town. Rental shops are all around the village, and the streets are made for strolling in a long skirt.
You'll also find rentals in Gyeongju near the old royal tombs and on Jeju, usually as part of a photo session.
We're adding a guide for each city. For now, search the city name on the booking link below.
What happens at the shop
- Pick your set. In most shops you choose the skirt (chima) and jacket (jeogori) separately. Staff will help you match colours.
- Get dressed. It goes over light clothes. Staff tie the ribbon (goreum), which is the bit almost nobody can do alone.
- Hair and extras. Braids, hairpins, a small bag or a hat are usually optional, paid at the counter.
- Leave your things. Most shops hold your bags and coats while you're out.
- Come back on time. The clock starts when you walk out of the shop, and late returns cost extra.
My tip: Wear thin, light clothes to the shop, since the hanbok goes on over them. And remember the clock starts when you leave, so the walk back counts too.
What it costs
Ranges published by travel guides and booking sites, checked October 2026. Shops change prices often, and online listings are sometimes cheaper than walking in.
| Basic hanbok, a few hours | ₩10,000–20,000 |
|---|---|
| Premium fabric or design | ₩20,000–40,000 |
| Full day | ₩30,000–50,000 |
| Hair styling add-on | ~₩7,000 |
Free entry in hanbok
Which palace is open on your day?
Every palace closes one day a week. Tap your day and see.
- Gyeongbokgungclosed Tue
- Changdeokgungclosed Mon
- Changgyeonggungclosed Mon
- Deoksugungclosed Mon
- Jongmyo Shrineclosed Tue
Closing days from the palaces' published schedules. Holidays and special events can change them, so check royal.khs.go.kr before you go. Free-entry rules and the 2027 fee review →
Check these before you book
- How long, exactly. Honestly, two hours flies once you add the walk to the palace and a queue at the gate. Four hours is much more relaxed.
- What the price includes. Some listings include hair or a bag. Others charge for each one at the counter.
- ID or deposit. Some shops and booking listings ask for a passport or a deposit. Bring it.
- Late fee. Ask what happens if you're 20 minutes late. Booking the longer slot usually works out cheaper.
- Shoes. In most shops you keep your own shoes. Flat, closed shoes are best on palace gravel.
- Weather. In winter, a coat or warm layer underneath is normal. In summer, go early, because those skirt layers are warm.
Plan the rest of your day
Hanbok booked? Here's what people usually look up next.
Half a day in hanbokTimed route from 9:30 to lunch
Best photo spotsNine places, in walking order
Changing of the guard10:00 and 14:00, where to stand
Where to eat nearbyTosokchon and the coin lunchbox
Bukchon visiting hours10:00 to 17:00, and why
Free entry in hanbokThe rule, and the 2027 review
Going on to Japan?Kimono rental in Kyoto and Tokyo
Questions people ask
Do you really get into Gyeongbokgung for free in hanbok?
Yes, as of October 2026. Visitors wearing hanbok enter the royal palaces without a ticket. The Korea Heritage Service is reviewing this rule along with a planned fee increase, but no change has been announced.
How much does hanbok rental cost in Seoul?
Most hanbok rental shops in Seoul charge roughly ₩10,000–20,000 for a basic set for a few hours and ₩20,000–40,000 for premium designs. Full-day rentals run about ₩30,000–50,000.
Which day is Gyeongbokgung closed?
Gyeongbokgung is closed on Tuesdays. Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung and Deoksugung close on Mondays, so on a Tuesday rent near Changdeokgung instead.
Do I need to book ahead?
On weekdays you can usually walk in. On weekends, holidays and in spring and autumn, the popular shops near Gyeongbokgung get busy, and a booked slot saves waiting.
Can men and children rent hanbok too?
Yes. Most shops near the palaces stock men's and children's hanbok. The choice is smaller than for women's sets, so book ahead if you want a specific style.
What should I wear underneath?
Light, thin clothes. The hanbok goes over them. A T-shirt and leggings or shorts work well. In winter, wear a warm thin layer.
Is renting a hanbok as a tourist disrespectful?
No. Koreans encourage it, and the free palace entry exists to promote it. Just treat it like any nice outfit and be considerate in residential areas like Bukchon.
Ready to pick a dress?
Shops by station exit, their opening hours, and what each one offers.
See shops near Gyeongbokgung