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Seoul Halloween 2026
- Special safety period
- Oct 23 – Nov 1, 2026
- Busiest days
- Oct 30 – Nov 1 (Fri – Sun)
- Oct 31 (Sat)
- Itaewon-ro closed to cars · Hongdae club street: one lane closed
- Stations that may be skipped
- Itaewon · Hongik Univ. · Seongsu · Konkuk Univ. (when crowded)
Halloween falls on a Saturday this year. Seoul is closing Itaewon-ro to cars on Oct 31 and may close exits and run trains through Itaewon, Hongik Univ., Seongsu and Konkuk Univ. stations without stopping when crowds build. Here is what changes, which station to use instead, and how to get home safely.
Itaewon at night, Nov 2023 · Photo: eugene_o (CC BY 2.0), via Wikimedia Commons
What changes
- OCT 31Itaewon-ro closed to cars
On Halloween (Saturday), Itaewon-ro is fully closed to traffic to give people more room to walk. Hongdae's club street closes one lane. Itaewon-ro can also close on Oct 30 if crowds build.
서울 용산구 이태원로Google Maps - SUBWAYExits close, trains may not stop
If crowds build, Seoul Metro and police can close station exits and let trains pass Itaewon, Hongik Univ., Seongsu and Konkuk Univ. stations without stopping. Check the announcements on the train.
- ALLEYSOne-way lines in narrow alleys
Narrow alleys get one-way guide lines and folding barriers. Safety staff ask everyone to keep right and keep moving.
Use the next station (our tip)
- ITAEWONNoksapyeong or Hangangjin (Line 6)
Both are one stop from Itaewon on Line 6. From Noksapyeong it's about a 10-minute walk.
녹사평역Google Maps - HONGDAEHapjeong or Sinchon (Line 2)
One stop either side of Hongik Univ. Station on Line 2. Hapjeong is also on Line 6.
합정역Google Maps - SEONGSUTtukseom (Line 2)
One stop from Seongsu, closer to the west end of the cafe streets.
뚝섬역Google Maps - KONKUKGuui (Line 2) or Children's Grand Park (Line 7)
One stop from Konkuk Univ. Station on each line.
구의역Google Maps
The 8 areas to expect crowds
- 1–4Itaewon · Hongdae · Ikseon-dong · Myeongdong
Seoul's priority crowd-control areas for Halloween, with joint field command posts.
- 5–8Seongsu cafe street · Konkuk Univ. food street · Gangnam Station · Apgujeong Rodeo
Also watched: Wangsimni Station, Sinchon Yonsei-ro, Balsan Station, Sillim Station, Sharosu-gil and Nonhyeon Station.
Getting home that night
- WALKWalk out to a big road first
Our tip: don't wait for a taxi inside a crowded alley. Walk to a main road or the next station, then call a taxi or take the subway.
- HELP112 police · 1330 travel hotline
Call 112 in an emergency. 1330 is the Korea Travel Hotline with English help.
Say it in Korean (show this screen)
- SAYDoes this train stop at Itaewon?
i yeol-cha i-tae-won-e seo-yo?
이 열차 이태원에 서요? - SAYWhich way to the main road?
keun gil-i eo-neu jjo-gi-e-yo?
큰길이 어느 쪽이에요? - SAYPlease help me.
do-wa-ju-se-yo.
도와주세요.
Local tips
- Our tip: share your live location with your group and pick a meeting point on a main road before you go out.
- Keep right and follow the one-way lines and the safety staff in narrow alleys.
- Closures depend on crowds on the day; listen to station and train announcements.
FAQ
Is Itaewon-ro closed on Halloween 2026?
Yes, Itaewon-ro is closed to cars on Saturday, Oct 31, and may also close on Oct 30 if it gets crowded.
Will the subway stop at Itaewon Station on Halloween?
If crowds build, exits can close and trains may pass Itaewon, Hongik Univ., Seongsu and Konkuk Univ. stations without stopping.
Which station can I use instead of Itaewon?
Noksapyeong or Hangangjin, one stop away on Line 6.
Sources: Kyunghyang Shinmun: Seoul manages 14 areas for Halloween weekend (Oct 22, 2026) · Newspim: Seoul Halloween safety plan, 14 areas (Oct 22, 2026) · Money Today: Itaewon-ro fully closed on Halloween (Oct 22, 2026) · Segye Ilbo: Police deploy 4,594 officers in Itaewon, Hongdae (Oct 23, 2026)