Opened in 1984, Seoul Grand Park Zoo (서울대공원 동물원) occupies part of the Seoul Grand Park complex in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi-do, south of Seoul. Its animal enclosures, indoor houses and hillside paths are separate from the neighboring Seoul Land theme park. This guide covers zoo admission, seasonal hours, current viewing restrictions and the different ways to reach and move around the site.
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization / Kim Ji-ho, April 2013.
1. Seoul Grand Park Zoo tickets and hours
The zoo charges 5,000 KRW for adults aged 19–64, 3,000 KRW for teenagers aged 13–18 and 2,000 KRW for children aged 6–12. Children aged five and under and adults aged 65 and over enter free. Free and discounted tickets are issued at staffed ticket counters; bring documentation confirming eligibility.
A zoo ticket is valid on the day of issue. It does not include the Elephant Train or Sky Lift, which have separate fares and their own age categories. The Theme Garden, which includes the Children’s Zoo, also has a separate admission charge. Seoul Land is another separately ticketed attraction, not a section of the main zoo.
The zoo opens daily, including public holidays. Seasonal opening hours are 09:00–18:00 in March–April and September–October, 09:00–19:00 in May–August, and 09:00–17:00 in November–February. Admission closes one hour before the corresponding closing time.
In October, that means a 17:00 last entry and an 18:00 park closing. These times apply to entry and the overall zoo grounds, not to every animal house. Some indoor and outdoor viewing areas close earlier, so a late admission should not be treated as access to all exhibits until the final hour.
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization / Kim Ji-yeon, June 2025.
TripKorea’s Tip: Keep the zoo ticket and transport tickets separate when budgeting. Free zoo admission based on age does not automatically mean free travel on the train or lift.
2. Animal houses and current viewing restrictions
The grounds include African animal houses, Asian elephant and bear enclosures, an ape house, tropical birds and other indoor and outdoor viewing areas. The individual houses have different schedules. The published outdoor hours for the large-carnivore area, bears and Asian elephants are 09:00–17:00, while the outdoor ape viewing period is 09:30–16:30. These are scheduled viewing periods, not guarantees that a particular animal will be visible.
Indoor houses can provide a different view of the collection, but they are not all open for the same hours as the grounds. Several, including the Third African Pavilion, ape house, Australian animal house and tropical bird house, are listed for 09:30–17:00. The insect house, parts of the Oriental Pavilion and South American Pavilion are listed for 10:00–17:00.
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization / Kim Ji-yeon, June 2025.
Viewing restrictions checked on October 18, 2026: The zoo history zone and the First African Pavilion’s indoor viewing area are scheduled to remain restricted through October 20 for floor-safety work. The Oriental Pavilion’s primate section is scheduled to remain restricted through October 31 for enclosure improvements. This restriction does not amount to closure of the entire Oriental Pavilion.
The large waterbird enclosure remains restricted until repairs and related work are completed. The Second African Pavilion’s Grassland area is restricted until further notice for maintenance and visitor safety. Scheduled end dates may change; do not assume that a viewing area automatically reopens the following morning.
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization / Kim Ji-yeon, June 2025.
Weather, maintenance and animal condition can change access without advance notice. In winter, some animals may be viewable indoors only. The animal photographs here were taken in June 2025 and illustrate the zoo’s collection rather than guaranteeing the animals or enclosures available on your visit.
TripKorea’s Tip: Check the current viewing-restrictions page before setting priorities, then follow signs and staff instructions on arrival. A published feeding or viewing area is not permission to touch or feed an animal.
3. Getting there: subway, Elephant Train and Sky Lift
Take Seoul Subway Line 4 to Seoul Grand Park Station (대공원역). Exit 2 provides an approach described in the park’s visitor-facility directions: continue toward the central fountain and information center. From there, you can use the Elephant Train to the zoo’s main entrance or follow the walking approach to the right when facing the information center.
The station, information center and zoo gates are distinct points. Do not mistake arrival at the subway station for arrival at the zoo entrance. Ordinary vehicles, including taxis, are restricted from entering the park beyond the parking area, and there is no taxi pickup point inside the grounds.
Elephant Train: reaching the main gate
The Elephant Train runs from the information center to the zoo stop, then Seoul Land, before returning to the information center. The return journey from the zoo therefore follows the circuit through the Seoul Land stop. This is an access service outside the zoo, not its internal accessible shuttle.
The park lists a one-way adult fare of 2,000 KRW for ages 19 and over, and 1,500 KRW for teenagers aged 13–18 and children in the published paying category. A new ticket is required for each boarding. Infant rules and age boundaries should be confirmed at the counter rather than inferred from the zoo’s admission exemptions. Services start at 09:00; confirm the return service’s final departure locally.
Sky Lift: two separately counted sections
The Sky Lift’s first line runs from the information-center side to the area outside the zoo’s north gate. Its second line starts inside the north gate and continues toward the upper zoo near the large-carnivore area and Oriental Pavilion. The north gate is not the main entrance served by the Elephant Train.
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization / Kim Ji-yeon, June 2025.
One ride covers one section. An adult aged 19–64 pays 9,000 KRW for one section or 16,000 KRW for a two-ride ticket. Zoo admission is additionally required for the second line inside the grounds. Riding both lines up and both lines back down uses four sections, not a single return ride.
Service-change warning: The existing Sky Lift is scheduled to end operation on December 30, 2026, for a gondola-replacement project. The timetable is subject to change. Do not rely on this lift for a later visit without checking a new announcement, and do not interpret the closure notice as a confirmed opening date for its replacement.
Weather and safety conditions can suspend operations. Confirm suitability with staff if anyone needs boarding assistance; the lift should not be assumed to accommodate a person remaining in a wheelchair. Train enquiries: 02-3418-0996. Lift enquiries: 02-504-5657.
4. Accessibility, facilities and animal-viewing etiquette
Strollers and wheelchairs may enter the zoo. The rental point is inside the main entrance, on the right. Standard stroller rental is 4,000 KRW for the listed weight category up to 15 kg; the deluxe model costs 7,000 KRW for 16–20 kg. Availability and suitability should be checked at the rental desk rather than assumed.
Manual wheelchair rental is 5,000 KRW. Electric wheelchair rental is restricted to holders of the required welfare card; overseas visitors should confirm documentation and eligibility before relying on that option. Rain can prevent rentals for safety reasons. The rental desk’s number is 02-500-7193.
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization / Kim Ji-yeon, June 2025.
The free electric circulation bus is limited to visitors with mobility needs, including disabled and pregnant visitors, and their companions. It is not a free sightseeing shuttle for all ticket holders. Published peak-season weekend and public-holiday exclusions also apply, so eligible visitors should confirm operation for their date.
Pets are not admitted to the zoo, with an exception for guide dogs for visually impaired visitors. Bicycles, kick scooters, inline skates, balls and tents are prohibited. Strollers and wheelchairs are explicitly permitted. The park is smoke-free, and cooking and tent or shade-canopy installation are not allowed.
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization / Kim Ji-yeon, June 2025.
Observe animals from designated visitor areas. Do not feed them human food or grass picked nearby, tap on glass, cross barriers or use camera flash. Touching and feeding are restricted to specifically designated animals and authorized activities; no such activity should be assumed to be available without a current program notice.
TripKorea’s Tip: For help at the zoo, contact the customer assistance center on 02-500-7335. The park’s street address is 102 Daegongwongwangjang-ro, Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 과천시 대공원광장로 102).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Seoul Grand Park the same as Seoul Land?
No. The zoo is part of the wider park complex, while Seoul Land is a separate theme park. The zoo, Theme Garden and transport services have separate charges.
How much does zoo admission cost?
Individual admission is 5,000 KRW for adults aged 19–64, 3,000 KRW for ages 13–18 and 2,000 KRW for ages 6–12. Children aged five and under and adults aged 65 and over enter free. Transport fares are additional.
Is the zoo open in winter?
Yes. The published November–February hours are 09:00–17:00, with last entry at 16:00. Some animals may be viewable indoors only, and individual viewing areas can have shorter hours or restrictions.
Does a zoo ticket include the lift or train?
No. Both services require separate payment. The lift has two sections, and its internal second line also requires zoo admission.
Can all visitors use the free internal bus?
No. It is reserved for visitors with mobility needs and their companions. Date-specific service exclusions apply, so check operation before relying on it.
For a visit to Seoul Grand Park Zoo, check both the current animal-viewing restrictions and the transport notices. The zoo’s opening hours, individual animal-house schedules and access-service timetables are separate conditions to confirm.
Sources & References
Visitor information: Seoul Grand Park’s official admission and seasonal hours, animal-viewing schedules and restrictions, zoo introduction and directions.
Transport: Official Elephant Train guide, Sky Lift fares and routes, lift replacement notice and accessible circulation bus information.
Facilities and conduct: Official visitor facilities and rentals, park restrictions and zoo etiquette. Location cross-check: Korea Tourism Organization, Seoul Grand Park attraction information.
Photography: Korea Tourism Organization, KOGL Type 1. Kim Ji-ho (김지호), April 2013, opening image; Kim Ji-yeon (김지연), June 2025, hero and remaining images. Image captions identify the archive dates. Photo service and reuse terms.
Last verified: October 18, 2026. Operating hours, prices, viewing restrictions and transport arrangements are subject to change. Please confirm the latest notices before visiting.
