"You Could Even Go to Europe"...When to Catch This Fall's 11-Day Golden Holiday

With Five Days of Annual Leave, an 11-Day Golden Holiday Possible in October

An 'Early Autumn' Booking War Has Already Begun

Office workers are already focusing their attention on the fall calendar. This is because there are multiple windows for planning extended "golden holidays" of up to 11 days. While the number of public holidays itself is similar to previous years, the perceived length of vacation can vary greatly depending on how annual leave days are arranged. As a result, strategic vacation plans are already being shared among employees, signaling the start of an all-out "early fall" booking war.

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9-Day Chuseok in September, 11-Day Golden Holiday in October

The most notable period is the Chuseok holiday in September. This year, Chuseok itself falls on Friday, September 25. According to the regulations on public holidays for government offices, the official Chuseok break stretches from Thursday, September 24 to Saturday, September 26, with the weekend on Sunday, September 27 following immediately after, resulting in a four-day holiday. Although one of the days in this period is a Saturday—and, under the current rules, substitute holidays are only given when a public holiday overlaps with a Sunday—no substitute holiday is provided. However, if you use annual leave for the three days leading up to the holiday, from September 21 to 23, you can create a total of nine consecutive days off.

The October calendar offers an even more remarkable holiday opportunity. Due to National Foundation Day (Saturday, October 3), a substitute holiday has been designated on Monday, October 5. Right after, Hangeul Day falls on Friday, October 9. If you take annual leave on October 6, 7, and 8 (Tuesday through Thursday), you can enjoy a nine-day vacation. Furthermore, by adding annual leave for October 1 and 2, you could have a golden holiday lasting as long as 11 days with just five annual leave days.

From Long-Haul International Trips to Stays in Small Towns

With the golden holiday schedule becoming widely known, early bookings are starting to appear in the travel market. Among office workers, there is a growing sense of anticipation for extended vacations, with comments like "Buy airline tickets right now" and "Even a trip to Europe is possible."

According to an analysis of airline ticket search data for the second half of the year, overseas ticketing demand during the late September and early October holiday period has risen by approximately 35% compared to the same period the previous year. In particular, demand is being concentrated on long-haul routes to destinations such as Europe and the Americas, which line up with the October holidays, allowing for longer vacations.

On October 2nd last year, just before the Chuseok golden holiday, travelers visiting Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 queued up to get their tickets.

In the domestic travel market, long-term stays in small towns and rural areas—rather than just major cities—are gaining traction. There is increasing demand for travel styles that focus on staying in one area and experiencing both rest and local culture, rather than simply touring multiple destinations rapidly.

Popular autumn foliage destinations like Seoraksan in Sokcho, Gangwon Province, Naejangsan in Jeongeup, North Jeolla Province, Jeonju Hanok Village in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, Wolyeonggyo Bridge in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, and Metasequoia Road in Damyang, South Jeolla Province are seeing a sharp rise in accommodation booking rates. Early booking demand is also surging for accommodations near major regional festivals like the 30th Muju Firefly Festival, opening on September 4, and the Pyeongchang Hyoseok Cultural Festival.

It's Time to Book Transportation and Lodging

To make the most of the golden holidays, travelers should start preparing not just their vacation schedules but also transportation and accommodation reservations as early as possible. In particular, with changes to the railway ticket booking system coming into effect this fall, it is important to check details in advance.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL), and SR officially launched "Korail Plus," an integrated booking application, on August 3. Integrated train tickets for journeys from September 1 onward have been available for purchase since 10 a.m. on August 5, through both the Korail Plus app and the Korail website. Train tickets for the upcoming Chuseok special transportation period are also being sold through this integrated system.

With airline tickets and accommodation options likely to diminish the longer you wait, it is best to make reservations as soon as possible. This is especially important for those planning October vacations, as long-haul flights and popular hotels may see concentrated demand, making early booking essential.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.