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Car Rental in Seoul for a Nami Island Day Trip
Car rental Seoul works well for a Nami Island day trip if you carry an International Driving Permit: the drive ends at Gapyeong Wharf, where the ferry leaves. This page covers the licence rules for foreigners, the rental companies, the drive and parking at the wharf, and when a tour or the shuttle beats a car. For everything about the island itself, start with our nami island guide.
Quick answer Yes, with an International Driving Permit.
Foreigners can rent a car in Korea with an original International Driving Permit from a Geneva or Vienna Convention country, a passport and a card in their own name. LOTTE rents to drivers aged 21 to 79. For Nami Island, set your navigation to Gapyeong Wharf, 1024 Bukhangangbyeon-ro, Gapyeong-eup, because there is no road onto the island.
Key takeaways
- Crossing times on the Nami Island ferry page
- Full budget in how much does Nami Island cost
- Other options in how to get to Nami Island from Seoul
- Shape the day with the Nami Island day trip guide
Can foreigners rent a car in Korea?
Yes, foreigners can rent a car in Korea if they hold an International Driving Permit issued by a Geneva or Vienna Convention member country.
Short-term visitors rent cars in Korea all the time. The rule that matters is the permit, not the passport.
The expressway from Seoul toward Gapyeong.
The permit rule
LOTTE Rent-a-car requires an International Driving Permit from a Geneva or Vienna Convention member country, and an IDP issued by a private organization or company is not accepted. Get the permit at home before you fly. Bring your home licence and your passport as well, because branches check all three at pickup.
If your home country does not issue a Geneva or Vienna Convention permit, you cannot drive on a standard rental in Korea and should look at guided options instead, such as a Nami Island private tour with a driver included.
| Document | Needed? | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Passport | Yes | Checked at pickup |
| Home driving licence | Yes | Carry the original |
| International Driving Permit | Yes | Geneva or Vienna Convention only |
| IDP from a private company | No | Not accepted |
Age and experience requirements
LOTTE Rent-a-car rents to drivers aged 21 to 79 on the pick-up date, and drivers under 30 pay a daily surcharge. VisitKorea also gives 21 as the minimum age for foreign drivers, and some companies ask for at least one year of driving experience.
Map: Driving From Seoul to the Nami Island Ferry
Set your navigation to Gapyeong Wharf, 1024 Bukhangangbyeon-ro, Gapyeong-eup. There is no road onto the island, so you park at the wharf and take the ferry.
- 1 Central SeoulPick up the car in the city or at the airport.
- 2 Gapyeong Wharf car parkKRW 6,000 for a small car for 12 hours, then KRW 1,000 an hour, card only.
- 3 Nami IslandEvery tour on this site stops here.
Numbers match the pins on the map.
Coordinates: OpenStreetMap. Straight lines join places, they are not the road.
How much is it to rent a car in Seoul, South Korea?
Daily rates change with the date, the car class and the branch, so check the live price for your dates on Klook's Seoul car rentals.
Budget the rental plus three extras for a Nami Island day: fuel, tolls and the car park at Gapyeong Wharf.
What a self-drive day costs
The extras below are the ones every Nami Island driver pays. LOTTE bills fuel, tolls, fines and late fees to the card registered at rental, so the final charge can differ from the booking price.
| Cost | What you pay | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Rental | Live rate for your dates | Check Seoul car rentals |
| Wharf parking, small car | KRW 6,000 for 12 hours | Then KRW 1,000 per extra hour, card only |
| Wharf parking, large car | KRW 10,000 for 12 hours | Kakao T pre-registered parking is cheaper |
| Expressway tolls | Paid at booths or by Hi-Pass | Ask whether your car has a Hi-Pass card |
| Late return | Charged by the hour | Billed to your registered card |
Source: Nami Island.
Cheapest car rental Seoul: who wins?
The cheapest rental is usually a compact car booked early.
Cheap rates cluster around the big international brands and the booking platforms that resell them.
The Hi-pass lanes at the Seoul toll gate on the Gyeongbu Expressway. Photo: P.Cps1120a, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
How to pay less
Book early, pick a compact car and compare an airport pickup against a city branch before you commit. A compact Hyundai Avante class car is enough for two adults and a day bag, and smaller engines use less fuel on the expressway to Gapyeong.
If the math stops working for a solo traveller, remember that the Seoul to Nami Island round-trip shuttle bus costs $23.81 per person without the island ticket, which is usually cheaper than a rental plus fuel, tolls and parking for one person.
Which rental companies operate in Seoul, and what cars can you get?
Hertz, Enterprise, LOTTE Rent-A-Car, AVIS and Europcar all operate in Seoul, offering everything from compact sedans to premium cars and mini vans.
You can book with a Korean brand or a global one. The fleet overlap is large, so price and branch location matter more than the logo.
The companies
Hertz has rental locations across Seoul and markets a premium white-glove service for business and aviation clients. Enterprise offers airport transfer, shuttle, traditional rental and chauffeur services in South Korea, with short-term and long-term options. LOTTE Rent-A-Car is the major domestic brand with an English booking site and self-service return options.
| Company | What it is known for | Useful detail |
|---|---|---|
| Hertz | Wide Seoul coverage and premium service | White-glove service for business and aviation |
| Enterprise | Flexibility | Airport transfer, shuttle, rental and chauffeur, short and long term |
| LOTTE Rent-A-Car | Domestic network | Key Drop Box for after-hours same-branch returns |
| AVIS and Europcar | Global brands on OTAs | Listed as Klook suppliers |
Car types available
Enterprise offers compact cars like the Hyundai Avante, standard cars like the Hyundai Sonata, premium cars like the Genesis G80, SUVs like the Hyundai Santa Fe and mini vans like the Kia Carnival. For a couple on a day trip a compact is enough. For four adults plus luggage, take a Sonata or a Santa Fe.
| Class | Example model | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Compact | Hyundai Avante | Two adults, light luggage |
| Standard | Hyundai Sonata | Three or four adults |
| Premium | Genesis G80 | Comfort and status |
| SUV | Hyundai Santa Fe | Families, winter roads |
| Mini van | Kia Carnival | Groups of five or more |
Luxury car rental Seoul
For luxury, look at the Genesis G80 at Enterprise or the premium white-glove service Hertz markets in Seoul. Prices are not stated on the public pages, so ask the branch for a quote before you book.
Car rental Seoul Incheon Airport or city branch: which pickup?
Both work, and the choice comes down to when you want the car.
Airport pickup suits travellers who land and drive straight out of the city. A city branch suits those already staying in central Seoul.
A blue Hi-pass lane sign ahead of a toll gate on a Korean expressway. Photo: LandAndTree, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Weighing the two
Hertz and Enterprise both serve airport locations in South Korea, and Enterprise also runs airport transfer and shuttle services. An airport pickup means navigating city traffic less on your first day if you head straight to Gapyeong. A city branch keeps you car-free during your Seoul days, which saves rental days and parking fees.
If you only need the car for the Nami day, rent from a city branch the evening before, park at your hotel overnight and leave early. The island opens at 08:00 and the first ferry leaves at 08:00, so an early start buys you quiet lanes before the tour groups land.
Source: Nami Island.
Is it easy to drive in Korea as a foreigner?
Yes, for the Nami route at least, driving is straightforward with a navigation app and some preparation.
Korean expressways are well signposted, but navigation, tolls and parking need a little planning.
Navigation
Set your destination carefully. For Nami Island use the Gapyeong wharf address 1024 Bukhangangbyeon-ro, Gapyeong-eup in your navigation app, because a Chuncheon search leads to a wrong road as there is no land route to the island. By car from Seoul take the Seoul-Yangyang Expressway and exit at Hwado IC, then search Gangchon Rail Park Gapyeong Rail Bike if you plan to add a rail bike stop.
| Step | Detail |
|---|---|
| Destination | 1024 Bukhangangbyeon-ro, Gapyeong-eup |
| Expressway | Seoul-Yangyang Expressway |
| Exit | Hwado IC |
| Wrong search to avoid | A Chuncheon destination |
Tolls and driving culture
Korean expressways are tolled. LOTTE bills tolls and fines to the card registered at rental, so keep that card active. Driving on the right, clear lane discipline and good road surfaces make the run to Gapyeong an easy one for most visitors.
Where do you park for the Nami Island ferry?
Park at Gapyeong Wharf for KRW 6,000 for a small vehicle for the first 12 hours, then KRW 1,000 per extra hour.
The wharf car park sits right by the ticket office and the ferry gate. Card payment only.
Rates and a cheaper option
Parking at the wharf costs KRW 6,000 for a small vehicle and KRW 10,000 for a large one for the first 12 hours, then KRW 1,000 per extra hour, card payment only. If you register parking in advance through the Kakao T app, you pay KRW 5,500 for a small car or KRW 6,000 for a large one.
| Parking option | Small vehicle | Large vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| Wharf car park, first 12 hours | KRW 6,000 | KRW 10,000 |
| Wharf car park, each extra hour | KRW 1,000 | KRW 1,000 |
| Kakao T pre-registered | KRW 5,500 | KRW 6,000 |
Paying at the island
You cannot drive onto the island. The island can only be entered by ferry, motorboat or the zip wire, so everyone parks and crosses on foot. Regular admission with the round-trip ferry is KRW 19,000 per adult, and the crossing takes about 5 minutes.
Sources: Nami Island, Nami Island, Nami Island.
Car rental Seoul with driver: how does that work?
Enterprise offers chauffeur services in South Korea, so you can book a car with a driver instead of driving yourself.
A driver removes the permit problem entirely if your licence does not qualify.
The nonstop tolling gantries at Dongsan on the Seoul-Yangyang Expressway. Photo: Jhcbs1019, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Chauffeur options
Enterprise offers airport transfer, shuttle, traditional rental and chauffeur services in South Korea. A chauffeur suits travellers without a valid International Driving Permit or groups who want everyone facing the scenery.
The closest packaged alternative is Private Nami Island Tour with Petite France or the Garden of Morning Calm at $192 per person for 8 to 10 hours, rated 4.8 from 115 reviews. It covers the driving, the ferry logistics and a second stop.
What should you know about returns, fuel and late fees?
Return the car with the same fuel level as pickup, use the Key Drop Box for after-hours returns and avoid late returns because they are charged by the hour.
Most surprise charges come from fuel, hours or tolls. All three are avoidable.
The rules that cost money
LOTTE requires returns with the same fuel level as pickup under a full-tank policy, which does not apply to electric vehicles. Late returns are charged by the hour, and fuel, tolls, fines and late fees are billed to the card registered at rental. Photograph the fuel gauge and the odometer at pickup and again at return.
| Rule | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Full-tank policy | Refuel to pickup level before return, EVs exempt |
| Late returns | Charged by the hour |
| Billed extras | Fuel, tolls, fines and late fees go on the rental card |
| After-hours return | LOTTE Key Drop Box, same-branch returns only |
Planning the return around the ferry
Ferries run back from the island until 21:05 at the latest, and the first ferry off the island leaves at 08:05. Build buffer into the return drive so a full parking lot or a slow expressway does not push you into an hourly late charge.
Source: Nami Island.
Why are South Korean cars so cheap?
Domestic brands such as Hyundai and Kia build in Korea for a home market with no import costs, so local fleets and rentals are affordable.
The rental fleet is mostly Hyundai and Kia because those cars are built locally. That keeps daily rates low compared with many other countries.
Gapyeong Wharf, where every Nami Island ferry leaves.
What it means for your booking
The compact and standard classes, the Hyundai Avante and Hyundai Sonata, make up the affordable end of the fleet. For two or more people, a self-drive day trip to Nami Island splits one rental, one tank of fuel and one parking fee between the seats.
Tours That Fit
If driving is not for you, these guided and shuttle options cover the same ground.
Nami Island and Garden of Morning Calm Tour from Seoul, Rail Bike Optional
The classic Gapyeong day: three and a half free hours on Nami, the Garden of Morning Calm and an optional rail bike ride. Nami and garden tickets are in the price.
- Category
- Nami and the Garden of Morning Calm
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation 24h
- Operator
- TOURSTORY Korea
Private Nami Island Tour with Petite France or the Garden of Morning Calm
Your own car and English-speaking driver-guide from your Seoul hotel, with lunch and every entry fee in the price. Pick Petite France, the garden or both.
- Category
- Private tour
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation 24h
- Operator
- Outdoors Korea
Seoul to Nami Island Round-Trip Shuttle Bus
Just the bus: a round trip from central Seoul to the Nami Island wharf, no guide and no ticket. The cheapest way there without changing trains.
- Category
- Shuttle bus only
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation 24h
- Operator
- TOURSTORY Korea
Car or alternatives: what is best for a Nami Island day trip?
A car wins for groups of two or more who want flexibility, while a shuttle or guided tour is often cheaper and easier for solo travellers.
Renting is a budget question before it is a comfort question. Do the split-cost math before you book.
The comparison
A rental costs the daily rate for your dates plus fuel, tolls and KRW 6,000 wharf parking. A private tour costs $192 per person. The shuttle costs $23.81 per person round trip.
Trains are another option, with ITX-Cheongchun from Yongsan to Gapyeong taking about 60 minutes and the Gyeongchun Line from Sangbong about 50 minutes, then a 1.5 km walk or a 5 minute bus or taxi to the wharf.
| Option | Cost | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Rental car | Daily rate plus fuel, tolls and parking | Full flexibility, split cost between seats |
| Private tour | $192 per person | No driving, fixed itinerary |
| Shuttle bus | $23.81 per person round trip | Cheapest, fixed times |
| Train | Fare not stated | About 60 minutes from Yongsan, then 1.5 km to the wharf |
A sample driving day
Leave Seoul early, park at Gapyeong Wharf and take a morning ferry. Ride the regular ferry both ways for KRW 19,000 per adult admission, rent a bike at the Bike Center, which opens 09:00 to 18:00, with a single bicycle at KRW 5,000 per 30 minutes or KRW 9,000 per hour, and loop the island in about an hour. Add Gapyeong Rail Bike at the station next to Gapyeong 5-Day Market, at KRW 36,000 for a 2-seater for the 8 km round trip, if time allows.
For more on timing, see how long to spend in Nami Island.
Sources: Nami Island, Nami Island, Gangchon Rail Park.
Car Rental Seoul FAQ
Can foreigners rent a car in Korea?
Yes. You need an International Driving Permit from a Geneva or Vienna Convention member country, and an IDP from a private organization is not accepted, as LOTTE Rent-A-Car states.
How much is it to rent a car in Seoul, South Korea?
The price depends on your dates and the car class. Check the live rate on Klook's Seoul car rentals, then add fuel, tolls and KRW 6,000 for wharf parking.
Is it easy to drive in Korea as a foreigner?
The Seoul to Gapyeong run is simple with navigation. Take the Seoul-Yangyang Expressway, exit at Hwado IC and enter the wharf address 1024 Bukhangangbyeon-ro, Gapyeong-eup, not a Chuncheon destination.
Why are South Korean cars so cheap?
The fleet is mostly locally built Hyundai and Kia models such as the Avante and Sonata, which keeps rental rates low.
Where can I rent a bike on Nami Island?
At the Bike Center in the middle of the island, open 09:00 to 18:00. A single bicycle costs KRW 5,000 per 30 minutes or KRW 9,000 per hour.
Is Nami Island worth the drive?
The island welcomes nearly 2 million visitors a year, over 700,000 of them foreign, and it is open 365 days a year, so most travellers find the trip worthwhile. See is Nami Island worth visiting for the full picture.
What else is near Nami Island if I have a car?
The Garden of Morning Calm at 432 Sumogwon-ro, Sang-myeon, Gapyeong is open 08:30 to 19:00 with adult admission KRW 11,000, and Petite France at 1063 Hoban-ro, Cheongpyeong-myeon is open 09:00 to 18:00 with free parking.
Where do I plan the rest of the trip?
Start at nami island for ferry times, ticket prices, seasons and day plans.
More Guides
- How to Get to Nami Island from Seoul
How to get to Nami Island from Seoul in 2027: ITX train, subway, shuttle bus or a tour, with travel times, ferry hours and a day plan.
- Gapyeong: Things to Do Around Nami Island
Plan Gapyeong in 2027: Nami Island, Garden of Morning Calm, rail bike and Petite France in one day, about an hour from Seoul. See the full guide.
- How Long to Spend in Nami Island?
Plan 2027 right: 3 to 4 hours on Nami Island, a 10 to 12 hour day from Seoul. See time budgets, ferry times and sample plans.