Gwangmyeong Cave, a former mine turned attraction on the south-west edge of Seoul, charges individual visitors ₩10,000 for adults, ₩5,000 for teenagers (middle and high school), ₩3,000 for children (age 3 to the end of elementary school) and ₩3,000 for people aged 65 and over. Under-3s go free. The cave is open 09:00–18:00 with last entry at 17:00, and it closes every Monday.
Check the calendar before you go in October. The cave’s posted closing days for October 2026 are Tuesday 6, and Mondays 12, 19 and 26 October. Inside, the temperature averages 12°C all year, so bring a long-sleeved layer even on a warm day.
How much is Gwangmyeong Cave, and who gets a discount?
The fare table on the city-run Gwangmyeong Cave visitor information page (Korean; prices in force since 1 January 2024) lists ₩10,000 for adults, ₩5,000 for teens and ₩3,000 for children. Gwangmyeong residents pay exactly half for individual adult, teen and child tickets. Anyone claiming a discount or exemption must buy at the on-site ticket office and show ID or other proof; online tickets are full price.
| Ticket | Individual | Group | Gwangmyeong resident | Resident group |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | ₩10,000 | ₩8,000 | ₩5,000 | ₩4,000 |
| Teen (middle/high school) | ₩5,000 | ₩4,000 | ₩2,500 | ₩2,000 |
| Child (age 3 to elementary) | ₩3,000 | ₩2,500 | ₩1,500 | ₩1,200 |
| Age 65+ | ₩3,000 | |||
| Hanging a gold plaque in the cave | ₩5,000 (only on entry) | |||
Free entry and reduced fares
Entry is free for children under 3, registered disabled people plus one companion of a person with a severe disability, basic livelihood recipients, war veterans themselves, and national merit holders, their spouses and surviving family members. Gwangmyeong-registered families with two or more children, the youngest under 19, also get in free.
Multi-child families from outside Gwangmyeong get a reduction instead: 20% off for two children and 50% off for three or more, as long as the youngest is under 19. Under a regional tourism agreement, residents of seven western Gyeonggi cities (Gwangmyeong, Gimpo, Bucheon, Hwaseong, Ansan, Pyeongtaek and Siheung) also get 50% off.
A family example
Two adults, a middle-schooler and an elementary-schooler pay ₩10,000 × 2 + ₩5,000 + ₩3,000 = ₩28,000. If they live outside Gwangmyeong and claim the two-child 20% reduction at the ticket office, that drops to ₩22,400. A family from Bucheon would pay ₩14,000 with the seven-city 50% discount.
Is the dinosaur combo ticket worth it?
The “Dinosaur Expedition” show at the Lascaux Exhibition Hall next to the cave costs ₩12,000 at any age. The combo ticket with the cave is ₩20,000 for adults living outside Gwangmyeong, which is ₩2,000 less than the ₩22,000 you would pay separately. Teens, children and over-65s save ₩2,000 each as well. Combo tickets are sold on site only, and under-36-month-olds enter the dinosaur show free.
| Non-resident | Cave + dinosaurs separately | Combo ticket | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | ₩10,000 + ₩12,000 = ₩22,000 | ₩20,000 | ₩2,000 |
| Teen | ₩5,000 + ₩12,000 = ₩17,000 | ₩15,000 | ₩2,000 |
| Child | ₩3,000 + ₩12,000 = ₩15,000 | ₩13,000 | ₩2,000 |
| Age 65+ | ₩3,000 + ₩12,000 = ₩15,000 | ₩13,000 | ₩2,000 |
For Gwangmyeong residents the combo is ₩15,000 for adults, ₩12,500 for teens and ₩11,500 for children, while over-65s pay ₩13,000 regardless of residence. The family of four above would pay ₩20,000 × 2 + ₩15,000 + ₩13,000 = ₩68,000 for both attractions, ₩40,000 more than the cave alone, so it is worth asking whether the kids really want the dinosaurs.
What you see inside
The route listed in Gwangmyeong city’s tourism guide runs from the ticket office into the cave through the Wind Path, Wormhole Plaza, the Space of Light, the cave concert hall and the cave aquarium, then along the Golden Path to the Golden Waterfall and the underground lake. Near the end come the modern history hall, the cave plant garden, the Gwangmyeong wine cave and the gift shop, before you exit through the second entrance. The visitor information page puts the visit at 30–90 minutes.
What are the opening hours, closing days and rules?
Gwangmyeong Cave opens 09:00–18:00 and stops admitting visitors at 17:00. Even with a ticket in hand, you must enter at least one hour before closing, and the cave shuts every Monday and on announced days. Tickets can be cancelled for a full refund until the end of opening hours on the day of the visit; after that, no refunds.
October closing days and booking rules
According to the cave’s notice board (Korean), the October 2026 closing days are Tuesday 6, and Mondays 12, 19 and 26 October. Monday 5 October is the substitute holiday for National Foundation Day, and that week the cave closes on Tuesday the 6th instead. Group bookings (20 people or more) are only taken for Tuesday to Friday visits, not for closing days, weekends or public holidays. For cancellations and refunds call 070-4277-8902.
Rules inside the cave
The cave averages 12°C with 60–99% humidity, so a jacket helps. Food, smoking and pets are not allowed. Strollers cannot go inside and must be left at the entrance, and trekking poles have to be folded and put in your bag. Visitors who appear too drunk to tour safely can be refused entry.
How do you get to Gwangmyeong Cave, and what does parking cost?
By public transport, take bus 77 from Exit 8 of KTX Gwangmyeong Station to the last stop, Gwangmyeong Cave (Parking Lot 1). From Cheolsan Station on Line 7, leave by Exit 2 and catch bus 17 from the stop across from 2001 Outlet to the same terminus. Parking can run short on weekends and holidays, and the city recommends public transport.
| From | Bus | Get off at |
|---|---|---|
| KTX Gwangmyeong Station (Line 1), Exit 8 | 77 | Gwangmyeong Cave terminus (Parking Lot 1) |
| Cheolsan Station (Line 7), Exit 2, stop across from 2001 Outlet | 17 | Gwangmyeong Cave terminus (Parking Lot 1) |
| Sadang Station, Exit 4 | 8507 to KTX Gwangmyeong, then 77 from Exit 8 | Gwangmyeong Cave terminus (Parking Lot 1) |
| Cheolsan Station, Exit 2, same stop | 2, 3, 3-1, 11-2, 12 or 22 | Soha 2-dong Community Center / Gwangmyeong Cave road entrance, then walk to the east gate (Parking Lot 3) |
Parking fees
The cave’s directions and parking page (Korean) lists Lots 1 and 2 by the west gate at ₩4,000 for large vehicles, ₩3,000 for mid-size and small cars and ₩1,500 for compact cars. Public Lot 3 by the east gate charges ₩800 for the first 30 minutes, then ₩300 per 10 minutes, rising to ₩400 per 10 minutes after two hours. Compact, electric and hybrid cars get 50% off; disabled drivers and national merit holders park free.
Lots 1 and 2 show a single price per vehicle type with no time bands. A car staying two hours pays ₩800 + ₩300 × 9 = ₩3,500 in Lot 3 against ₩3,000 in Lots 1 and 2, so the west-gate lots work out cheaper the longer you stay. For satnav, search “광명동굴” or “광명시 자원회수시설” to reach Lots 1 and 2.
Take the shuttle during the 16–17 October light festival
The 4th Gwangmyeong Cave Light Festival, “Forest of Light, Awakening Life”, runs on Friday 16 and Saturday 17 October, 11:00–21:00, around the cave. The opening ceremony is at 19:00 on the 16th, with an opening performance at 18:30 and drone shows at 19:30 and 21:00. On both days, no vehicles are allowed into the cave grounds from 17:00.
Instead, free shuttle buses run 16:00–22:30 on three routes: from Cheolsan Station Exit 4 (about 24 minutes), from the Haan area at Gwangmyeong Citizens Gymnasium (about 19 minutes), and from the Iljik area at the AK Plaza rotary car park (about 8 minutes). The notice warns that departures may be delayed by traffic.
FAQ
Q. How much is Gwangmyeong Cave admission?
A. For individuals, ₩10,000 for adults, ₩5,000 for teens, ₩3,000 for children (age 3 to elementary school) and ₩3,000 for over-65s. Under-3s are free, and Gwangmyeong residents pay half.
Q. What time is last entry?
A. The cave is open 09:00–18:00 with last entry at 17:00. It closes every Monday; in October 2026 it is closed on the 6th (Tuesday), 12th, 19th and 26th (Mondays).
Q. Can I get a refund on a ticket bought online?
A. Yes, in full, until the end of opening hours on the day of your visit. After that, tickets cannot be refunded.
Q. How do I get there from KTX Gwangmyeong Station?
A. Take bus 77 from Exit 8 to the last stop, Gwangmyeong Cave (Parking Lot 1).
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