World Youth Day Seoul 2027
Ten days in Seoul for World Youth Day 2027, from the Opening Mass to the Vigil and the Closing Papal Mass with the Holy Father.
World Youth Day
World Youth Day Seoul 2027
World Youth Day Seoul 2027 takes place from August 3 to 8, 2027, the first World Youth Day held in South Korea. Young Catholics from around the world gather with the Holy Father for catechesis, the Youth Festival, the Stations of the Cross, the Vigil and the Closing Papal Mass.
A dedicated Canterbury tour director travels with the group throughout.
“Take courage, I have conquered the world.”
John 16:33
Christ’s words to the apostles at the Last Supper, chosen as the theme of World Youth Day Seoul 2027. We spend seven nights in Seoul and one under the stars at the Vigil site before the Closing Papal Mass.
Bukchon Hanok Village · Seoul
Seoul, August 1 to 10, 2027
Ten days, eight nights: seven in Seoul and one at the Vigil site, from the Opening Mass on August 3 to the Closing Papal Mass on August 8, with catechesis, the Youth Festival and Mass along the way.
Begins and ends in Seoul
OvernightVisit
Nights: 7 Seoul, 1 at the Vigil site.
Departure
Depart the United States for Incheon, South Korea, and begin your World Youth Day journey.
Seoul
Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in Seoul and check in. Celebrate Mass at the hotel or a nearby church before gathering with your group for dinner.
Seoul, WYD Opening Mass
Receive your World Youth Day credentials and enjoy a free morning to explore Seoul. You may visit churches and shrines along one of the city’s walking pilgrimage routes while becoming familiar with Seoul. In the evening, World Youth Day officially begins with the Opening Mass for all pilgrims, celebrated by the Archbishop of Seoul.
Morning Catechesis & Youth Festival
Begin the day with Morning Catechesis sessions alongside pilgrims and bishops from around the world, including prayer, discussion, and Mass. In the afternoon, attend Youth Festival events featuring concerts, speakers, opportunities for Reconciliation, and fellowship with fellow pilgrims.
Morning Catechesis & Papal Welcome
Participate in another morning of Catechesis sessions with fellow pilgrims and bishops. Later in the day, gather with the international community of pilgrims to welcome the Holy Father to Seoul during a special celebration and prayer service.
Morning Catechesis & Stations of the Cross
Attend the final catechetical session of the week with the bishops in the morning. The Youth Festival continues throughout the day with opportunities to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation or visit the Vocations Fair. In the evening, reunite with the Holy Father and pilgrims from around the world to pray the Stations of the Cross together.
Walking Pilgrimage & Overnight Vigil
Celebrate a group Mass in a local church with pilgrims from the Archdiocese of Boston before beginning the pilgrimage to the Vigil site, typically a 12 to 15 mile walk. Upon arrival, settle into your designated area and enjoy entertainment, music, shows, and prayer opportunities throughout the afternoon. In the evening, join the Holy Father and fellow pilgrims for the Vigil prayer service. That night, sleep under the stars in preparation for the Closing Mass.
Closing Papal Mass, Seoul
The morning begins early with closing activities that include music, speakers, and prayer, culminating in the Closing Papal Mass celebrated by the Holy Father. At the conclusion of Mass, the next host diocese for World Youth Day will be announced. Afterward, return to the hotel and enjoy a free evening to relax after the long day. Dinner will be on your own this evening.
Free Day in Seoul, Final Mass & Farewell Dinner
Enjoy a free day to explore Seoul at your own pace. Optional activities include ascending Namsan Tower, visiting historic shrines such as Danggogae or Seosomun, tasting local delicacies at Gwangjang Market, exploring Bukchon Hanok Village, or touring one of the city’s five traditional palaces. Later, gather for a final Mass at a local church, followed by a Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant with your group.
Return home
Transfer to Incheon International Airport for your return flight to the United States. Depart Seoul with many memories from your World Youth Day pilgrimage.
What’s included
Everything below is covered by the package price.
Your hotel in Seoul
Three-star hotel accommodations: seven nights in Seoul, and one night outdoors at the Vigil site before the Closing Papal Mass. Hotels are subject to final confirmation; if a hotel changes, it is replaced with one of the same standard.
“If you want a pilgrimage that’s seamless, historical and actually fun, book these guys.”
“The entire trip from start to finish went smoothly. We felt very safe and well cared for.”
“This was the trip of a lifetime and excellent customer service.”
Questions pilgrims ask
Short answers to what most people want to know before they put down a deposit.
World Youth Day is a very active week and not a motorcoach tour: the group gets around Seoul by public transportation, among very large crowds. Expect about 4 to 6 miles of walking on a typical day, with full days on your feet. On August 7 the walking pilgrimage to the Vigil site is typically 12 to 15 miles, followed by a night sleeping outdoors before the Closing Papal Mass.
You can have a room to yourself, with a single room supplement of $899, or share a room. If you would like to share, we will do our best to match you with a roommate. If we cannot find a match by April 1, 2027, the single room supplement applies. Couples, families, friends and singles are all welcome, and plenty of pilgrims come on their own.
Airfare, since this pilgrimage is priced land only. Donations at Masses, souvenirs, laundry, the cost of your passport and any visa or travel authorization. Breakfast and dinner are included daily, plus six lunches through the World Youth Day meal voucher; dinner on August 8 is on your own. A typical lunch costs about $15 to $20. Tips for your tour director are customary if you are satisfied with their service: as a guide, $8 to $10 per person per day. Travel insurance if you choose it, and a 3% fee if you pay by card. Abroad, we recommend paying for most things by credit card, which is accepted almost everywhere and comes with protection that cash does not; bring a couple hundred U.S. dollars in cash for emergencies. When a card machine or ATM asks whether to pay in dollars or in the local currency (won in South Korea), choose the local currency; it is almost always cheaper.
Cancel in writing. The $450 deposit is non-refundable. Up to April 1, 2027 (the final payment date), everything else you have paid is returned. After that date, the deposit and any costs we cannot recover are kept. Travel insurance may cover a cancellation, depending on the reason.
A dedicated Canterbury tour director leads the group in Seoul, among young Catholics from around the world.
More answers in the FAQ below and in our Support Center, or call us at +1 (800) 653-0017.
Price per person
Per person, land only. Airfare is not included: you can request an airfare quote from your airport when you reserve.
Shared rooms are always doubles with two beds. If you would like us to match you with a roommate, ask for a roommate match when you reserve and we will do our best. Please note that if we cannot find you a match by the final payment date of April 1, 2027, the single room supplement will apply.
The deposit is 100% non-refundable.
Three instalments of $762.50 per person. Instalments already due when you register are paid at booking.
Final payment is due April 1, 2027.
Check
ACH bank transfer
Zelle
Cash, money order or cashier’s check
Protect your pilgrimage
Your pilgrimage is paid for long before you leave. Travel insurance is added as part of your booking: when you reserve, choose an Allianz plan on the insurance step. There is no separate quote to get. Classic is the plan we recommend for most pilgrims.
- Covers your trip cost. Classic reimburses 100% of the trip cost you insured if you cancel for a covered reason, and adds emergency medical care and baggage cover.
- Buy within 14 days of your first deposit to keep Cancel Anytime and pre-existing condition cover. The plans stay available until departure.
- Buy it in the same checkout as your pilgrimage. Prefer to add it by phone? Call us at +1 (800) 653-0017.
Frequently asked questions
World Youth Day is a very active week. Expect full days on your feet, travel around Seoul by public transportation, large crowds, and on August 7 a walking pilgrimage to the Vigil site, typically 12 to 15 miles, followed by a night sleeping outdoors before the Closing Papal Mass.
Expect hot, humid summer weather in Seoul, with the chance of heavy rain. Bring light, breathable clothing, a rain jacket, sun protection, a refillable water bottle and comfortable walking shoes, plus what you need to sleep outdoors at the Vigil.
Yes. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the return date, and passport cards are not accepted for international travel. We need your passport details at least 90 days before departure. Entry rules for South Korea can change, so we will let you know before departure if a visa or travel authorization applies to your trip.
No. The price is land only. We can quote group flights from your departure airport, or you can book your own. Send us your flight details once booked, so we can line your arrival up with the group’s in Seoul on August 2 and its departure from Incheon on August 10.
Rates are per person based on two pilgrims sharing a room. Shared rooms are always doubles with two beds. If you are travelling alone we will try to match you with a roommate of the same gender; if we cannot, the single room supplement applies.
World Youth Day is an international gathering of young Catholics with the Pope. Seoul 2027 runs from August 3 to 8, 2027, with the Opening Mass, catechesis with bishops, the Youth Festival, the Papal Welcome, the Stations of the Cross, the Vigil and the Closing Papal Mass.
We strongly encourage travel insurance for all of our pilgrims, and we partner with Allianz Travel Insurance to offer affordable coverage. Most of our pilgrims choose the Classic Plan. You add it as part of your booking: choose a plan on the insurance step when you reserve, or call us at +1 (800) 653-0017.
A pilgrimage is not a vacation or excursion but a unique spiritual journey that provides many opportunities to deepen your relationship with God and enrich your Catholic faith by bringing Scripture to life. Pilgrimages offer the opportunity to let Christ draw you near.
More questions are answered in our Support Center, covering booking, payments, travel insurance, passports and what to expect on pilgrimage.
Couples, families, friends, singles, all are welcome!
Some pilgrims come as a couple, some bring the whole family, some come with a friend from the parish, and plenty come on their own. Everyone is welcome.
World Youth Day in Seoul
August 1 to 10, 2027, with pilgrims from around the world. Reserve today with a $450 deposit per pilgrim.
Questions? Call +1 (800) 653-0017 or email hello@canterburypilgrimages.com.
Secure your spot today with a $450 deposit per pilgrim.