EasyTicket As of 2026, the 2026 Chuseok highway toll exemption has not yet been confirmed in an official government notice. The Chuseok holiday runs from September 24 to 26, so be sure to check the exemption period and effective times again before setting out.
2026 Chuseok Highway Toll Exemption: Is It Confirmed?
What’s the confirmed schedule right now?
Chuseok Day itself falls on September 25, 2026, and the statutory Chuseok holiday runs for the day before, the day itself, and the day after—from September 24 to 26. Easyticket checked the public notices from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Korea Policy Briefing again, but this year’s toll-exemption period has not yet been announced.
Why wait for the exemption notice?
Holiday highway toll exemptions don’t apply automatically just because it’s the Chuseok holiday. The government must designate the exemption period as part of its special transportation measures, so it’s safest to finalize your plans based on a Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announcement in early September.
Before the 2026 exemption is confirmed, don’t leave tolls out of your budget. Don’t assume last year’s rules apply to this year’s schedule.
How the Exemption Worked Last Year
The effective times may differ from the holiday dates
During Chuseok 2025, nationwide highway tolls were waived for 4 days, from 0:00 on October 4 through 24:00 on October 7. If Chuseok highway tolls are waived in 2026, you need to check the notice’s start and end times together with its entry and exit conditions.
Both Hi-Pass and regular lanes still require the proper procedure
According to last year’s official guidance, Hi-Pass vehicles were processed as having “0 won in tolls” when they passed through with the terminal powered on, while vehicles using regular lanes collected a toll ticket on entry and submitted it at the exit. Even when tolls are waived, don’t pass through a lane without following the procedure.
How to Use Hi-Pass: 3 Steps Before You Leave
Check the terminal and card first
Hi-Pass basics are the terminal’s power, the card being inserted, and the card being active for use. A drained battery or missing card can result in an unpaid toll, so check all 3 before you leave.
Go straight through the Hi-Pass lane
Once the exemption is confirmed, you can pass through a Hi-Pass lane as usual. Don’t block traffic behind you by slowing down or stopping; just check that the terminal’s voice prompt confirms normal processing.
Hi-Pass vs. Regular Lanes: How They Work
The entry process still differs when tolls are waived
| Category | On entry | On exit | If the exemption is confirmed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hi-Pass vehicle | Check terminal power and card, then pass through the lane | Check terminal prompt | Confirm that the toll was processed as 0 won |
| Regular-lane vehicle | Take a toll ticket | Submit the toll ticket | Exemption processed at the exit |
What if you switch lanes frequently for family travel?
Even with frequent rest stops on a holiday trip home with children, a vehicle equipped with a Hi-Pass terminal will have a simpler route if you use the Hi-Pass lane. But if you switch vehicles, check again that the terminal and card are actually in the vehicle you’re driving.
Unpaid Tolls and Holiday Highway Precautions
What should you do if the terminal malfunctions?
Insufficient card balance, a missing card, or a suspended terminal can lead to an unpaid toll. According to the Korea Expressway Corporation, you can look up and pay unpaid tolls on the Hi-Pass website, in the Toll Service app, or through the call center at 1588-2504.
Check for additional toll charges
An unpaid toll, such as passing through a regular lane without authorization, may incur an additional toll after the deadline on the demand notice. If you have 20 or more unpaid tolls in the most recent 1-year period, you may be subject to immediate charges starting with the 20th, so be careful not to create a bigger expense while trying to save on holiday travel costs.
📋 Checklist Before Departure
- Check the official announcement and effective times for the 2026 Chuseok toll exemption
- Check Hi-Pass terminal power and card insertion
- Check the card balance or whether your postpaid card is active for use
- Check unpaid tolls in the Toll Service app
2026 Chuseok Highway Toll Exemption FAQ
If I enter on September 23 and exit on September 24, will the toll be waived?
As the start time for the 2026 exemption has not yet been set, we can’t give a definitive answer right now. Check the effective times and vehicle-use conditions in the government notice before deciding.
If tolls are waived, do I still need a balance on my Hi-Pass card?
Not necessarily. Even when the exemption is in effect, it’s best to have the terminal and card ready for normal recognition. How to use Hi-Pass is based on passing through normally as usual, regardless of whether tolls are waived.
What if I accidentally pass through a Hi-Pass lane?
Don’t change lanes abruptly or reverse at the scene; check whether the toll was unpaid after you pass through. You can find payment instructions in the Korea Expressway Corporation’s Toll Service app and on the Hi-Pass website.
2026 Chuseok highway tolls should start with checking the official announcement, not counting on an exemption. Even one check the day before departure can greatly reduce the confusion at a tollgate on your trip home for the holiday.