Arriving in Seoul This Weekend? Free Heritage Passes Start Sept. 19 — Plus 20% Off Han River Cruises

Starts Sept. 19 · Seoul Welcome Week runs through Oct. 11 · Free Discover Seoul Pass Heritage Edition at selected airport tourist information centers while supplies last

If you are arriving in Seoul this weekend, there is one time-sensitive benefit worth knowing before you leave the airport. Starting Saturday, Sept. 19, Seoul is giving international visitors a special Discover Seoul Pass Heritage Edition on a first-come, first-served basis at four tourist information centers at Incheon and Gimpo airports.

What the free pass includes

The mobile pass covers free admission to 12 national heritage sites, including Seoul’s four major royal palaces, Jongmyo Shrine and the Joseon Royal Tombs, plus discounts at more than 110 partner attractions and facilities. Distribution begins Sept. 19 and continues only while supplies last, so this is most useful for travelers landing at the start of the program.

Where to get it

Incheon International Airport: tourist information centers at Terminal 1 East, Terminal 1 West and Terminal 2
Gimpo International Airport: airport tourist information center
Cost: Free, first-come first-served while supplies last

Ask for the Discover Seoul Pass Heritage Edition before heading into the city. Availability can change during the day, so do not treat it as guaranteed stock.

Another useful deal: 20% off Seoul Cruise

From Sept. 19 through Oct. 11, foreign visitors can also receive a 20% discount on Seoul Cruise tickets at the Yeouido terminal. The program includes K-culture performances and seasonal Korean-culture events, with a Moonlight Rooftop Night Market planned on the fourth floor of the terminal.

Seoul Cruise Yeouido Terminal: 231 Yeouidohanganggongwon-gil, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
Nearest station: Yeouinaru Station, Line 5

What else starts Sept. 19

Seoul Culture Lounge in Jongno begins traditional-culture programs including dance classes and songpyeon-making, while tourist information points across the city add multilingual visitor support. The larger Myeong-dong Welcome Center, with K-pop performances and visitor events, opens later from Oct. 1–8, so do not go to Myeong-dong expecting that part of the program this weekend.

Why this matters now

This is less an event to travel across Seoul for than a practical arrival-day advantage. If you are landing at Incheon or Gimpo on Sept. 19 or soon after, claiming the heritage pass before leaving the airport could cover several of the city’s most important historic sites at no admission cost. The first-come distribution makes the opening weekend the most time-sensitive window.

Information checked Sept. 18, 2026. Sources: Seoul Metropolitan Government — official Seoul Welcome Week announcement; Yonhap News, Sept. 15, 2026. Check the official Welcome Week site and airport tourist information center for same-day availability.