Gyeongju National Museum with Kids: Paid Parking Rates, Free Exhibits and the Best Route

Visiting Gyeongju National Museum with kids? Here’s the key update. The exhibitions are still free, but the museum’s public parking lot became paid on September 1, 2026: three hours in a regular car costs 3,500 won. Start right at opening with the Children’s Museum and the Silla History Hall, then continue to the Wolji Hall and the Divine Bell of King Seongdeok so elementary kids can follow the story.

Quick Summary

• Hours: 10 a.m.–6 p.m., last entry 30 minutes before closing.
• Saturdays from March to October: open until 8 p.m.
• Permanent galleries, the Children’s Museum and most special exhibitions are free; paid special exhibitions are the exception.
• Parking from September 1, 2026: free up to 20 minutes, 500 won up to 30 minutes, then 200 won per 10 minutes.
• The Children’s Museum is free; check session times on the reservation page.

Who It Suits

Gyeongju National Museum suits families who want to connect Silla history to real artifacts, and anyone looking for a Gyeongju stop that doesn’t depend on the weather.

Family Route

Go Children’s Museum → Silla History Hall → Silla Art Hall → Wolji Hall → Divine Bell of King Seongdeok → outdoor exhibits. This links Silla’s rise, royal life and stone monuments in order.

Parking and Public Transport

From September 1, 2026, fees apply 9 a.m.–9 p.m.: free within 20 minutes, 500 won up to 30 minutes, then 200 won per 10 minutes, capped at 10,000 won a day. From KTX Gyeongju Station, bus 700 stops at Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, and bus 711 stops at the museum. Check routes on the day.

Hours, Booking and Admission

The Gyeongju National Museum opens 10 a.m.–6 p.m., until 8 p.m. on Saturdays from March to October. It closes on January 1, Seollal and Chuseok, and galleries may close temporarily on the second Monday of March and November. Check sessions for the free Children’s Museum on the booking page.

Pros and Cons

Pros: free exhibitions, children’s activities and outdoor artifacts in one place. Cons: weekend parking congestion and a large site to cover.

Good to Know

Parking rules can change, so check official notices on the day. Galleries may close on the second Monday of March and November, and Children’s Museum sessions vary.

FAQ

• Is admission paid? No. As of 2026 the permanent galleries and Children’s Museum are free; only the parking became paid on September 1, 2026.
• Three hours of parking? 3,500 won for a regular car, with a 10,000-won daily cap.
• Do I need to book the Children’s Museum? There’s a reservation menu on the official site; check sessions for your date.
• From KTX Gyeongju? Buses 700 or 711.
• Saturday evenings? Open until 8 p.m. from March to October, last entry 30 minutes before closing.

Rules and details in this guide are as of August 2026. Check the latest official information before you travel.

More Family Trips on Yans World

• Gongju Baekje Cultural Festival with Kids: A Two-Day Route Through UNESCO Sites
• Seocheon Heritage Night Tour with Kids: Hansan Fortress by Lantern Light
• Cheonan Museum & Samgeori Park: The Perfect Family Day Out in Chungnam

Schedules and prices can change, so check the Gyeongju National Museum official website before you go.