At a glance
| Dates | 2027 dates to be announced · usually Apr/OctEither mid-April 2027, if Daejeon again pairs the festival with the national Korea Science Festival as in 2025 and 2026, or mid/late October, its slot until 2024. The 2026 national festival is touring Busan, Daejeon, Gyeonggi and Jeonbuk, and no 2027 host or dates have been announced; Daejeon released its 2026 plan about two weeks before the event (5 April). |
|---|---|
| Next edition | 2027: Either mid-April 2027, if Daejeon again pairs the festival with the national Korea Science Festival as in 2025 and 2026, or mid/late October, its slot until 2024. The 2026 national festival is touring Busan, Daejeon, Gyeonggi and Jeonbuk, and no 2027 host or dates have been announced; Daejeon released its 2026 plan about two weeks before the event (5 April). |
| Weather | April average 19/7 °C (67/44 °F), 82 mm of rain October average 21/9 °C (69/49 °F), 59 mm of rainMild days, cold evenings: a jacket for after dark. Monthly averages, not a forecast: Korea Meteorological Administration climate normals, 1991–2020, Daejeon station. |
| Admission | Free; all exhibitions, booths, forum sessions and performances were free in 2026.General admission: Free (2026 prices) |
| Venue | Daejeon Convention Center (DCC) Exhibition Hall 2 and Expo Science Park대전광역시 유성구 엑스포로 87 (도룡동) |
| Nearest station | Government Complex Daejeon Station (정부청사역), Daejeon Metro Line 1Not within walking distance; from the Government Complex area take bus 705 or 707 or a 10–15 minute taxi (₩3,000–5,000) to DCC |
| From Seoul | about 1 h 25 min · KTX + TaxiLeave from Seoul Station · One-way fare from ₩21,600 · Back to Seoul the same nightFull route · Festivals by travel time from Seoul |
| Organizer | Daejeon Metropolitan City and Ministry of Science and ICT (hosts); run by Daejeon Tourism Organization, Korea Foundation for the Advancement of Science and Creativity and National Science Museum대전광역시·과학기술정보통신부 (주최); 대전관광공사·한국과학창의재단·국립중앙과학관 (주관) |
| Usual timing | Mid-April in 2025 (16–20 Apr) and 2026 (17–19 Apr), when the city merged it with the national Korea Science Festival; before that it was a mid/late-October event (2024: 18–20 Oct). 2026 details were released about two weeks ahead, on 5 April 2026. Browse April / October festivals. |
| First held | 2000 |
| Last checked | 16 October 2026Checked against 33 sources · See sources |
What it is like
Daejeon calls itself Korea's science capital: the Daedeok research district holds 26 government-funded institutes, and the Expo Science Park is the site of the 1993 Expo. The festival, held since 2000, spreads over this park and the adjoining convention centre. Indoors, Exhibition Hall 2 of the Daejeon Convention Center (DCC) houses an AI station, VR and robot demonstrations, a showcase of research-institute results and the World Science Culture Forum, which in 2026 took the theme of coexistence between AI and humans. Outdoors, Expo Citizen Plaza and the park host the opening ceremony, science magic and busking, RC-car racing, a paper-airplane challenge, quizzes and dozens of institute booths; in 2026 the route also linked Expo Bridge, Hanbat Arboretum and the National Science Museum. Everything is free, but the most popular booths, such as a fusion-energy escape room, are booked through Naver at 09:00 and gone within minutes, and sold-out signs appeared at DCC by the afternoon of opening day. Most explanations and quizzes are in Korean and pitched at schoolchildren; adults without Korean will get most from the visual exhibits and the forum, which has international speakers. The biggest caveat is timing: the event moved from its traditional October slot to April in 2025 and 2026 to pair with the national festival, and no 2027 date exists yet.
Highlights
- World Science Culture Forum in DCC Exhibition Hall 2 (2026 theme: AI and human coexistence; speakers included Bartosz Grzybowski, director of the IBS Center for Algorithmic and Robotized Synthesis)
- AI Station, VR and robot experiences and a special pavilion of government research-institute results in DCC Hall 2
- Outdoor science booths at Expo Citizen Plaza: RC-car racing, paper-airplane challenge, autonomous-vehicle rides, science quiz
- Opening ceremony and evening performances on a temporary stage at Expo Science Park (2026: AI-themed show by illusionist Lee Eun-gyeol)
- Reservation-only booths such as the Korea Institute of Fusion Energy escape room (free, Naver booking at 09:00)
- Final-day KISTI Golden Bell science quiz with prizes (2026)
Who it suits. Best for families with school-age children and anyone curious about Korea's research institutes; less suited to visitors without Korean who want guided workshops, because talks and quizzes are in Korean and the reservation-only booths fill within minutes.
Getting there
From Seoul
KTX from Seoul Station to Daejeon Station (about 60–63 minutes, ₩21,600; trains every 5–30 minutes), then blue bus 707 from the station (every 20–24 minutes, ₩1,500 by T-money card, no cash) or a taxi of 20–30 minutes (about ₩10,000–13,000) to DCC.
From Busan
KTX from Busan Station to Daejeon Station, usually 1 h 30 m–1 h 43 m (fastest 1 h 24 m), ₩33,100 in standard class (₩32,700 on KTX-Sancheon); slower ITX-Saemaeul (₩26,500) and Mugunghwa (₩17,800) trains also run. The Daejeon→Busan timetable for 18 Oct 2026 lists 94 trains a day; check the last train in the Korail app (코레일+ / Korail+) or at the station before the festival day. Then blue bus 707 or a taxi to DCC, as above.
From Incheon Airport
Airport limousine bus to the Daejeon Government Complex (Daejeon Cheongsa) stop, about 150 minutes, ₩23,100–34,000 depending on the service, then bus 705 or 707 or a 10–15 minute taxi (₩3,000–5,000) to DCC.
Last leg from Government Complex Daejeon Station
Daejeon Metro Line 1. Not within walking distance; from the Government Complex area take bus 705 or 707 or a 10–15 minute taxi (₩3,000–5,000) to DCC
Getting home
The festival closes at 18:00. KTX trains from Daejeon to Seoul Station take about an hour and run every 5–30 minutes, and blue bus 707 back to Daejeon Station runs every 20–24 minutes, so an evening return is easy. Train times changed on 1 November 2026 and the 2027 dates are not set, so this page gives no last-train time: check the last train in the Korail app (코레일+ / Korail+) or at the station before the festival day.
How to switch Naver Map and Kakao Map to English
Google Maps shows train, subway and bus routes in Korea but not walking or driving directions yet, so for the walk from the station Naver Map or Kakao Map is more reliable.
Before you go
1330 · Travel hotline
The Korea Tourism Organization’s helpline answers in English, Japanese and Chinese around the clock, and in several other languages from 08:00 to 19:00. Dial 1330 from a Korean phone, or +82-2-1330 from a phone registered abroad.
112 / 119 · Emergencies
112 for police, 119 for fire and ambulance. Both are free from any phone. Police on 112 can add an English or Chinese interpreter to the call.
T-money card
Buy one at a convenience store such as GS25, CU or 7-Eleven and top it up there with cash. It pays for subways and buses in most cities, and for most taxis.
Maps
Use Naver Map or Kakao Map for walking and bus directions; Google Maps does not yet give walking directions in Korea. Both apps can be switched to English. Naver Map: Menu (≡) → Settings → Language (Japanese and Chinese also available). Kakao Map: Menu (≡) → Settings → App settings → Language. If the option is missing, change your phone’s language and reopen the app. Small shop names and some reviews stay in Korean.
Trains and buses
Book trains on Korail’s English site and express buses on Kobus. Holiday weekends sell out first.
Checked 18 October 2026.
Tickets, prices and practical details
| Item | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| General admission | Free | All exhibitions and booths free; a few booths need a free Naver reservation |
- Booking
- Most booths are walk-in. A few popular ones, such as the fusion-energy escape room in 2026, release free slots on Naver Booking at 09:00 each day and sell out within minutes; Naver Booking requires a Naver account. Visitors also waited on site for cancellations.
- English on site
- KTO publishes an English listing and the forum has international speakers; the organizer's festival pages are in Korean and no interpretation service is published.
- Crowds
- Busy on all days; in 2026 sold-out notices appeared at DCC by the afternoon of opening day and queues formed at research-institute booths.
- Best time to go
- Be at DCC for the 10:00 opening and book any reservation-only booth at 09:00; evenings have stage performances at Expo Science Park.
- What to bring
- A T-money transport card for bus 707 (no cash accepted), comfortable shoes for the park route, and a Naver account if you want a reservation-only booth.
- Toilets
- DCC is a convention centre with indoor toilets; outdoor zones use park facilities.
- Step-free access
- DCC Exhibition Hall 2 is a level indoor hall; the outdoor route between the plaza, park and arboretum is paved park paths.
Editions
| Year | Dates | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Either mid-April 2027, if Daejeon again pairs the festival with the national Korea Science Festival as in 2025 and 2026, or mid/late October, its slot until 2024. The 2026 national festival is touring Busan, Daejeon, Gyeonggi and Jeonbuk, and no 2027 host or dates have been announced; Daejeon released its 2026 plan about two weeks before the event (5 April). | tba | |
| 2026 | 17–19 Apr 2026 | ended | Six linked hubs: DCC Hall 2, Expo Science Park, Expo Bridge, Expo Citizen Plaza, Hanbat Arboretum and the National Science Museum (Science Day tie-in) |
| 2025 | 16–20 Apr 2025 | ended | Three merged events: Daejeon Science Festival, Korea Science Festival and Korea Science & Technology Fair, across Expo Citizen Plaza, Expo Science Park, DCC Halls 1–2, Hanbat Arboretum and Gapcheon |
| 2024 | 18–20 Oct 2024 | ended | Theme: 'The start of a first-class space city with Daejeon SAT' |
Before or after the festival
Places you can fit in before or after the festival without missing the shuttle or the last train or bus back.
Korea's national science museum, next to Expo Science Park, with permanent halls on natural history and on science and technology; in 2026 it was one of the festival's six hubs. Go first thing: it opens at 09:30, half an hour before the festival's 10:00 start, and closes at 17:30 (closed Mondays, New Year's Day, Seollal and Chuseok, per KTO), so see a hall or two before the booth queues build. Tip: book any reservation-only booth on Naver at 09:00 before you go in.
Getting there: On foot, about 100 m from Expo Science Park (KTO); free
The 93 m tower built as the symbol of the 1993 Daejeon Expo, at the centre of Expo Science Park, with a free observation deck. The deck is open 09:30–17:40 and closed on Mondays (KTO), so go up during the day, perhaps when the booth queues peak. After sunset a media façade is projected on the tower during the park's night operating periods, and the music-fountain plaza in front runs down to Expo Bridge. Tip: façade and fountain schedules were not published, so ask on the day.
Getting there: On the festival grounds in Expo Science Park; on foot, free
Billed as Korea's largest city-centre arboretum (387,000 m²): a West Garden of native forest plants, an East Garden of non-native species and a tropical greenhouse, all free. From April to October the East and West gardens are open 05:00–21:00 (last entry 20:00), so an evening walk after the 18:00 close fits easily; the greenhouse shuts at 18:00. The East Garden and greenhouse close on Mondays, the West Garden on Tuesdays. Tip: check the last KTX in the Korail+ app (코레일+) before staying late.
Getting there: On foot, about 160 m from Expo Citizen Plaza (KTO); free
The station branch of Sungsimdang, Daejeon's best-known bakery, which began in 1956 as a small steamed-bun shop in front of the station; people queue for its twigim soboro (a deep-fried crumble-topped bun) and chive bread. It is on the station's second floor and was open daily 07:00–22:30 in 2026 (travel blog), so it fits on the way to your train. Tip: the queue was very long from 18:00 to 19:00, just when festival-goers reach the station, so leave extra time.
Getting there: Blue bus 707 from DCC to Daejeon Station (every 20–24 min, ₩1,500, T-money only) or a 20–30 minute taxi; 2nd floor of the station
Questions travelers ask
When is the Daejeon Science Festival 2027?
Not announced. It was held 17–19 April 2026 and 16–20 April 2025 with the national Korea Science Festival, but ran in October (18–20 Oct 2024) before that. The city usually publishes details about two weeks ahead.
Is the Daejeon Science Festival free?
Yes. Admission to all exhibitions, booths and performances was free in 2026 (10:00–18:00). A few popular booths, such as the fusion-energy escape room, needed a free Naver reservation released at 09:00.
Where is the Daejeon Science Festival held?
At Daejeon Convention Center Exhibition Hall 2 (87 Expo-ro, Yuseong-gu) and the adjoining Expo Science Park and Expo Citizen Plaza, with 2026 links to Expo Bridge, Hanbat Arboretum and the National Science Museum.
How do I get to DCC from Seoul?
KTX from Seoul Station to Daejeon Station takes about an hour (₩21,600). From the station, blue bus 707 runs every 20–24 minutes (₩1,500, T-money only) or a taxi takes 20–30 minutes (about ₩10,000–13,000).
Is the science festival suitable for non-Korean speakers?
Partly. Exhibits, robots and VR booths are visual, and the forum has international speakers, but quizzes, shows and booth explanations are in Korean and no interpretation service is published.
What is the Korea Science Festival and how does it relate?
The Ministry of Science and ICT's national science festival was held in Daejeon in 2024–2026; in 2025 and 2026 the city merged its own festival into it. In 2026 it toured Busan, Daejeon, Gyeonggi and Jeonbuk.
What is the weather like during Daejeon Science Festival?
April in Daejeon: average high 19 °C (67 °F), low 7 °C (44 °F), 82 mm of rain (Daejeon station, KMA 1991–2020 normals). October in Daejeon: average high 21 °C (69 °F), low 9 °C (49 °F), 59 mm of rain (Daejeon station, KMA 1991–2020 normals). Mild days, cold evenings: a jacket for after dark.
Sources and verification
Facts checked
16 October 2026, against the sources listed below.
This page is desk research from the sources below, not a firsthand report of the 2027 edition. Confidence in the current facts: medium.
- KTO VisitKorea — Daejeon Science Festival (2026 listing)kto — 2026 dates, hours 10:00–18:00, free admission, venue and address, organizers and hosts, programme names, phone
- Daejeon Tourism Organization — 대전사이언스페스티벌official — 2025 dates 16–20 Apr, venues, 주최/주관, merged events
- Herald Korea — 대전시, 2026 대전사이언스페스티벌 개최 (5 Apr 2026)news — 2026 six-hub layout, theme, indoor/outdoor programmes, forum speakers, opening performance
- Money Today — 오픈런·매진사례 속출 대세 된 과학축제 (18 Apr 2026)news — Sold-out booths, KFE escape room Naver booking at 09:00, KARI booth hours, Golden Bell quiz, national tour cities
- Kukinews — 2026 대전사이언스페스티벌 개막 (18 Apr 2026)news — Opening ceremony at Expo Science Park; 26 research institutes; national festival schedule (Busan, Gyeonggi, Jeonbuk)
- News Seoul — 2025 대전사이언스페스티벌 16일 개막news — 2025 programme with dates and times, venues, 518 institutions/849 programmes
- KPI News — 2024 대전사이언스페스티벌news — 2024 dates 18–20 Oct, opening 19:00, zones and venues
- News Seoul — 대한민국 과학축제 2년 연속 대전 개최news — Korea Science Festival in Daejeon 25–28 Apr 2024
- Hangyo — 10월 셋째 주는 과학축제 주간 (2015)news — Festival began in 2000; traditional October timing
- ICST 2026 arrival guide (DCC)other — KTX Seoul–Daejeon time/fare/frequency, bus 707 details, taxi time/fare, airport bus fare and bus 705/707
- IBS — Transportation to Daejeon (DCC)other — Airport limousine 150 min ₩23,100 to Government Complex; taxi 10–15 min ₩3,000–5,000 to DCC
- Wikipedia — Daejeon Convention Centerother — Coordinates 36.3750, 127.3922
- Daejeon → Seoul Station train timetable, 16–19 Oct 2026 (third-party mirror of the MOLIT/data.go.kr national timetable feed, page last modified 2026-10-16)other — 91–93 trains a day; last 23:00 KTX-Sancheon 282, 23:30 KTX 82 and 23:40 KTX 84 (arr 00:42), same on weekdays and weekends
- Daejeon → Suseo train timetable, 16–19 Oct 2026 (third-party mirror of the MOLIT/data.go.kr national timetable feed, page last modified 2026-10-16)other — Evening departures to Suseo until 22:20 (Fri–Sun) or 23:20 (Mon), plus a 00:06
- Korail press release: 코레일-에스알 9월 1일 하나로…안전 최우선, 더 편리한 고속철도의 시작 (31 Aug 2026)official — Integration and integrated running from 1 Sep 2026; KTX and SRT merged into KTX; average KTX fare cut about 10%; Suseo-axis seats up about 30%; 5% mileage; Korail+ app (Korail Talk + SRT app) launched 3 Aug
- Korail 열차운임/시간표 page (fare and timetable downloads)official — Lists 'KTX 운임표(2026. 9. 1. 기준)', 'ITX-마음/ITX-새마을/새마을호 운임표(2026. 9. 1. 기준)' and 'Mugunghwa/Nuriro 운임표(2025.9.27.부터)' as the current fare tables
- Korail KTX fare table, effective 1 Sep 2026 (xls)official — Standard class: Seoul–Daejeon ₩21,600 (₩16,400 on Suwon-routed KTX); Seoul–Busan ₩54,400 (₩54,000 via Seodaegu, ₩49,300 via Gupo); Seoul–Cheonan-Asan ₩12,800; Seoul–Changwon Jungang ₩47,400 / ₩47,000 via Seodaegu; Seoul–Jinju ₩53,100 / ₩52,700; Seoul–Gangneung ₩27,600; Cheongnyangni–Andong ₩27,700 (KTX-Eum); Yongsan–Jeonju ₩31,600 / ₩31,000; Yongsan–Suncheon ₩42,300 / ₩41,800;
- Korail Tickets (English booking site)official — English booking site; letskorail.com redirected to korail.com; Suseo is in the KTX station list; language menu has English, Japanese, Chinese (simplified/traditional), Vietnamese, Thai and Indonesian
- Hankyung: 9월 1일부터 서울~부산 KTX 5만4400원…운임 평균 10% 인하 (31 Aug 2026)news — KTX and SRT run as KTX from 1 Sep; former SRT trainsets renamed KTX-Sancheon; Seoul–Busan ₩59,800→₩54,400, Yongsan–Gwangju Songjeong ₩46,800→₩42,000; Suseo seats +30%; booking unified in Korail+
- SBS Biz: KTX표, 이제 두 달 전에 산다…10월부터 예매기간 확대 (20 Sep 2026)news — MOLIT and Korail: from 1 Oct 2026 tickets on sale two months before departure (was one month); foreigner web page has 7 languages, with French, German and Mongolian to be added; WeChat Pay/Alipay in development
- T-money intercity bus booking (시외버스 통합예매)official — Busan Seobu (Sasang) → Jinju route exists in the system; fare not read because results open only after accepting a booking-notice popup (not clicked)
- train.asamaru.net — 서울역→대전역 timetable (updated 16 Oct 2026)other — Seoul→Daejeon first 05:03, last 22:28 (KTX 83, arr. 23:32)
- IBS Center for Algorithmic and Robotized Synthesis — Aboutofficial — Bartosz Andrzej Grzybowski is Director of the Center for Algorithmic and Robotized Synthesis
- Daejeon → Busan train timetable, 18–24 Oct 2026 (third-party mirror of the MOLIT/data.go.kr national timetable feed, page last modified 2026-10-18)other — 18 Oct 2026: 94 trains (KTX 47, KTX-Sancheon 22, ITX-Saemaeul 11, Mugunghwa 10, ITX-Maeum 3, KTX-Cheongryong 1); first 05:22, last 23:44 KTX-Sancheon 367 (arr 01:08); KTX 1 h 24 m–2 h 14 m, typically 1 h 30 m–1 h 43 m; standard fares KTX ₩33,100, KTX-Sancheon ₩32,700, ITX ₩26,500, Mugunghwa ₩17,800
- train.asamaru.net — Busan Station (high-speed) page (third-party mirror of the MOLIT/data.go.kr national timetable feed)other — Daejeon (Gyeongbu high-speed) is listed as an arrival station for trains from Busan Station
- KTO (ktriptips mirror, German) — Nationales Wissenschaftsmuseum (국립중앙과학관)kto — National Science Museum, 481 Daedeok-daero: open 09:30–17:30; closed Mondays, 1 January, Seollal and Chuseok; homepage www.science.go.kr; Hanbit Tower 416 m, Expo Science Park 907 m (from the listing point)
- KTO (ktriptips mirror) — 대전엑스포과학공원kto — Hanbit Tower 93 m, science and space observation tower, open 09:30–17:40, free; closed Mondays, 1 January, Seollal and Chuseok; music-fountain plaza runs to Expo Bridge; media façade on the tower in night operating periods; National Science Museum about 107 m; homepage djto.kr; modified 26 Oct 2026
- Yeogiyou (KTO data) — 대전엑스포과학공원other — Hanbit Tower 93 m, 09:30–17:40; media façade from sunset during night operating periods; free admission; closed Mondays
- KTO (ktriptips mirror) — 한밭수목원kto — '전국 최대의 도심 속 수목원'; Apr–Oct East and West gardens 05:00–21:00 (last entry 20:00), tropical greenhouse 09:00–18:00 (last entry 17:30); Nov–Mar 07:00–19:00; East garden and greenhouse closed Mondays, West garden Tuesdays; free; homepage daejeon.go.kr; Expo Citizen Plaza 159 m; modified 14 Sep 2026
- Wikipedia — Daejeon Hanbat Arboretumother — Area 387,000 m²; West Garden of local mountain and forest plants (2005), East Garden of non-native species (2009), Tropical Botanical Garden (2011)
- TRVLOGUE — 성심당 대전역점 (travel blog, 22 Jul 2026, updated 7 Oct 2026)blog — Daejeon Station building 2nd floor (215 Jungang-ro); open daily 07:00–22:30; twigim soboro and chive bread; very long queue between 18:00 and 19:00
- KTO (ktriptips mirror) — 성심당kto — Sungsimdang began as a small steamed-bun shop in front of Daejeon Station; signature 튀김소보로; main store open daily
- Wikipedia — Sungsimdangother — Founded 1956; Daejeon Station branch on the 2nd floor, 215 Jungang-ro; official website sungsimdang.co.kr
What we could not confirm
- Whether the 2027 edition will be in April (with the national festival) or return to October; no host or date announced.
- Exact 주최/주관 split for 2026 beyond the KTO listing; the organizer's 2026 page was not found.
- Parking arrangements and fees at DCC/Expo Science Park during the festival.
- Transport from Busan (not verified).
- Whether Naver Booking slots can be reserved without a Korean phone number.
- Rain policy for outdoor zones.
- From Busan: first and last KTX departures to Daejeon not yet confirmed; the figures come from the Daejeon→Busan timetable.
- Last train back from Daejeon to Seoul (and to Busan) on the festival dates under the timetable in force that day
- National Science Museum: admission and the content of its halls were not read from the museum's own site; hours and closing days are from KTO's German listing.
- Hanbit Tower: the night media-façade and music-fountain schedules were not published in the sources opened.
- Sungsimdang Daejeon Station: opening hours (07:00–22:30) and queue times come from a 2026 travel blog, not from the bakery.
Changes: 2026-10-16 — Full fact-first rewrite: hours, prices, stations, 2024–2027 editions, FAQs and sources. · 2026-10-16 — Rechecked against timetables, fare tables and organizer notices: conflicting dates and transport details; conflicting figures and claims; rail fares and train names after the 1 Sep 2026 KTX–SRT merger; last trains and buses back to Seoul. · 2026-10-18 — Added a photograph of the venue from the Korea Tourism Organization (Korea Tourism Content Lab), KOGL Type 1. · 2026-10-18 — Added a route from Busan (Getting there), with times and fares from the national bus and rail timetables. · 2026-10-21 — Transport: removed the October 2026 first and last train times (Seoul, Busan) and bus 707 hours, which the 1 November 2026 timetable replaces; the page now gives journey times and frequency and says to check the last train in Korail+. · 2026-10-31 — Nearby rewritten as 'Before or after the festival' (shuttle and last-train fit); transport: no clock times left to remove (journey times, frequency and the Korail+ check were already in place); prices: none to change (the festival is free).
_Fall_at_Pocheon%2C_Gyeonggi-do%2C_South_Korea%2C_image_1.jpg?width=960)
