348.4 Million People Travel During Lunar New Year Holiday... 1 in 5 Travelers, 12% Plan Overseas Trips

On Lunar New Year's Day, January 29, 6.01 Million People Expected to Travel
Morning of the 28th and Afternoon of the 30th Anticipated to Be the Busiest
Shoulder Lanes to Open and Public Transportation to Be Expanded

Travelers are boarding the train at Seoul Station. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

Over 30 million people are expected to travel domestically and internationally during this year's Lunar New Year holiday. In response, the government has announced plans to open shoulder lanes on major highways nationwide, increase the supply of seats on public transportation such as buses and trains to facilitate smooth travel, and strengthen safety management.

On the 21st, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced that it has designated a special traffic control period from the 24th of this month to the 2nd of next month, a total of ten days, during which measures will be implemented to support safe and convenient travel for the public.

According to a survey by the Korea Transport Institute, a total of 34.84 million people are expected to travel for homecoming, returning, and trips during this period. This represents a 29% increase compared to last year's Lunar New Year period, which lasted five days. The highest number of travelers, estimated at 6.01 million, is expected on the holiday itself, the 29th.

On that day, highway traffic volume is projected to reach 6.39 million vehicles. The average daily highway traffic volume is expected to be 5.02 million vehicles, which is 7.7% lower than the previous year due to the extended holiday period spreading out travel demand. The preferred departure time for homecoming is the morning of the 28th at 20.9%, while the preferred departure time for returning home is the afternoon of the 30th at 22.6%.

It was found that 20.2% of the population plans to travel during the Lunar New Year holiday. Of these, 87.7% plan domestic travel, while 12.3% plan overseas travel. Regarding modes of transportation, private cars account for the majority at 85.7%, followed by intercity and charter buses at 5.3%, trains at 4.2%, and airplanes at 3.7%.

Vehicles are slowing down as congestion occurs on the southbound lane (right side) near Jamwon IC on the Gyeongbu Expressway in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

The estimated transportation cost for travel during the Lunar New Year holiday is about 248,000 KRW, which is approximately 20,000 KRW higher than last year's holiday period (228,000 KRW). The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will waive highway tolls for four days before and after the holiday (from the 27th to the 30th) and will hold discount events at rest areas linked to regional tourist attractions. Discounts on KTX and SRT return tickets will also be offered. The ministry stated that the special traffic measures for this Lunar New Year will focus on five key tasks: promoting smooth vehicle flow, enhancing convenience for homecoming, returning, and travelers, expanding public transportation capacity, ensuring traffic safety, and strengthening response measures for adverse weather and accidents.

During the control period, 63 shoulder lane sections (391.42 km) on highways such as the Gyeongbu Line will be opened. Additionally, 234 sections (2,112.7 km) of expressways and national highways expected to experience congestion will be intensively managed. To prepare for increased demand, bus and train services will increase the number of runs and seats by 12.3% (27,850 runs) and 9.0% (approximately 1,479,000 seats), respectively. On the 29th and 30th, in cities including Seoul, city buses and subways will operate extended hours to accommodate travelers arriving late at night.

As traffic volume increases, safety measures will also be implemented. The ministry has conducted thorough pre-inspections of transportation facilities and vehicles across roads, railways, and maritime sectors, and special inspections of airlines and nationwide airport navigation safety facilities to address public safety concerns. In preparation for heavy snowfall, snow removal equipment and resources have been secured for road, railway, and aviation sectors, and de-icing agents will be pre-applied to sections where icy conditions are expected. Eom Jeong-hee, Director of the Transportation and Logistics Office at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, stated, "During the Lunar New Year holiday, traffic volume increases and the risk of accidents rises due to road icing caused by temperature drops. Please comply with traffic laws and drive safely to ensure a safe journey home and back."