Major city · South Korea
Gwacheon
Spend a half‑day in Gwacheon for the zoo, National Science Museum and MMCA; a full day lets you see the park and rides.
Gwacheon is a commuter town south of Seoul with a large park hosting Seoul Zoo, a science museum and modern art museum; one day covers the main sights, extra time for rides or festivals.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- KRW
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat, humidity)
- Airport
- ICN
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- South Korea ↗Check K-ETA and visa status on the official sites before you fly; the list of nationalities exempted from registering online changes year by year.
- South Korea ↗Google Maps gives poor walking and driving directions in Korea; use Naver Map or Kakao Map for routes.
- South Korea ↗Buy a T-money card (or use a phone-based transit pass) for subway and buses; it also pays at convenience stores and many taxis.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Gwacheon112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Gwacheon, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cards work almost everywhere, including taxis, convenience stores and many market stalls; carry ₩30,000–50,000 (≈ US$25–40) in cash for street food…South Korea-wide
- SIM or eSIMSK Telecom, KT and LG U+ sell tourist SIMs and eSIMs at airport arrivals; a passport is required, and data-only plans are cheapest.South Korea-wide
- Tap waterOfficially safe from the tap; most people drink filtered water, and restaurants serve it free.South Korea-wide
- TippingRestaurants and cafés: No tip; a service charge appears only in top hotels.South Korea-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.South Korea-wide
- SafetyGwacheon is generally safe; stay alert on subway platforms at night and keep valuables secure in crowded areas.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree, clean public toilets in every subway station; paper goes in the toilet in new buildings, in the bin where a sign asks.South Korea-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police · 119 fire and ambulance · 1330 Travel helpline (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysPalaces close one weekday (Gyeongbokgung Tuesday, others mostly Monday); national museums open daily but close on 1 Jan, Seollal and Chuseok days.South Korea-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportICN Incheon International Airport.
- Getting aroundSeoul Metro Line 4 serves Gwacheon (Seoul Grand Park Station, Government Complex Station).
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ICN Incheon International Airport
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Feb
not flagged
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Mar
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Care
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Care
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Nov
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Dec
not flagged
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Mixed: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C) low), wettest Jul (13 rain days), driest Feb (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Gwacheon: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
7 rd
Feb
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
6 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
8 rd
Apr
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
10 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
12 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9 rd
Oct
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
7 rd
Nov
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
6 rd
Dec
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
7 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Seoul Metro Line 4 serves Gwacheon (Seoul Grand Park Station, Government Complex Station). Walk or use local buses within the park.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Seoul city centre
goDoor to door: ≈ 45 min
Seoul Metro Line 4, about 30 min from Gwacheon Station
Visit Gyeongbokgung or Myeongdong; trains run every 5–10 min.
Gwanaksan mountain (Anyang side)
goDoor to door: ≈ 1 h 30 min
Bus 5512 from Gwacheon Station, 15 min, then trailhead walk 10 min
Summit 632 m; moderate hike, good in spring or autumn.
Seoul Land (theme park)
goDoor to door: ≈ 20 min
Elephant train from Seoul Grand Park entrance, 5 min ride
Open year‑round; rides cost ₩9,000–12,000 admission.
Anyang Art Park
cautionDoor to door: ≈ 45 min
Local bus 442 from Gwacheon Station, 20 min
Check opening hours; some installations close in winter.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Gwacheon Station area
Near Line 4 exits, convenient for park and museum visits.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₩30,000–45,000 (≈ US$25–35) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₩45,000–80,000 (≈ US$35–60) excl. bed
- High
- ₩80,000 (≈ US$60)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
Prices of common things
| Seoul Grand Park (Zoo) entry | ₩4,000 (≈ US$3) adults |
| National Science Museum entry | ₩4,000 (≈ US$3) adults |
| Elephant train ride | ₩1,500 (≈ US$2) per adult |
| Seoul Land admission | ₩9,000–12,000 (≈ US$7–9) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Museum programs often require advance booking – check the science museum website.
- Elephant train rides inside the park cost ₩1,500 (≈ US$2) per adult; buy tickets on site.
- Some attractions close for maintenance in winter – verify opening hours.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
- Travel helpline
- 1330
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
GwacheonGwacheon
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
이 주소로 주세요To this address, please
Emergency
- Police112
- Fire and ambulance119
- Travel helpline1330
Embassy
US Embassy in Seoul (check address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Seoul Metro Line 4 (single ride): ≈ ₩1,350
- Elephant train (park shuttle): ₩1,500 (≈ US$2) per adult
Say or show
- 죄송합니다 — Excuse me / Sorry (joesonghamnida)
- 감사합니다 — Thank you (gamsahamnida)
- 얼마예요? — How much is it? (eolmayeyo?)
- 지하철역이 어디에 있어요? — Where is the subway? (jihacheolyeogi eodie isseoyo?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Gwacheon. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (heat, humidity) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
- officialGwacheon National Science Museum
- officialMMCA Gwacheon
- officialSeoul Grand Park official site
- secondaryWikivoyage: Gwacheon, revision 5305253 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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