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How to Get to Nami Island from Seoul
This guide on how to get to Nami Island from Seoul compares the train, the subway, the shuttle bus and the guided tours. The fastest way to get to Nami Island from Seoul is the ITX-Cheongchun train, about 42 minutes from Cheongnyangni to Gapyeong, then a 5 minute bus or taxi to the wharf and a 5 minute ferry. The easiest option is a day tour or the round-trip shuttle bus, which removes every transfer from your day.
Quick answer Fastest and cheapest ways from Seoul to Nami Island
The ITX-Cheongchun train from Cheongnyangni reaches Gapyeong in about 42 minutes for ₩5,700, and the island entry with round-trip ferry is KRW 19,000 per adult. Door to door from central Seoul count on 1.5 to 2 hours each way. Tours and the shuttle bus cost more but remove the transfers.
Key takeaways
- Compare all Nami Island day trip options before you book
- The Nami Island shuttle bus is the simplest no-transfer ride
- Add Petite France and the Garden of Morning Calm in one day
- See our full guide to Nami Island for ferries, tickets and seasons
How do I get from Seoul to Nami Island?
You ride a train, subway, shuttle bus or car to Gapyeong, then cross to the car-free island from Gapyeong Wharf by ferry, motorboat or zip line.
Nami Island sits about 60 to 65 km northeast of Seoul on the Bukhan River. The island itself belongs to Chuncheon in Gangwon Province, but the wharf and the nearest station are in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, which is why every route ends at Gapyeong Wharf. The island is car-free and reached only by water.
Two ITX-Cheongchun trainsets waiting at a platform. Photo: Korail2012, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
All options at a glance
Every route shares the same last step, the crossing from Gapyeong Wharf. Pick the Seoul to Gapyeong leg that suits your budget and your group.
Source: Klook, Hungry Pursuit.
| Way | Seoul to Gapyeong time | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| ITX-Cheongchun train | 39 to 60 min | ₩5,700 to ₩9,800 one way plus island entry | Fastest, with a Korail Pass |
| Gyeongchun Line subway | 50 min from Sangbong, 80+ min from Myeongdong | ₩2,400 one way plus island entry | Cheapest |
| Official shuttle bus | About 2 hours | $23.81 round trip, island entry not included | No transfers |
| Guided tour | Full day, 10 to 14 hours | From $54 per person | Everything arranged |
| Car or taxi | 1 to 1.5 hours | Fuel and tolls, wharf parking KRW 6,000 | Families and groups |
Source: Nami Island.
How do I get to Nami Island from Seoul by train?
Take the ITX-Cheongchun from Cheongnyangni (about 42 minutes, ₩5,700) or Yongsan (about 55 to 60 minutes, ₩6,900) to Gapyeong Station, then a 5 minute bus or taxi to the wharf.
The train is the quickest public option and the fare is covered under the Korail Pass. Trains run from two Seoul stations, so pick whichever is closer to your hotel.
Step by step
1. Go to Cheongnyangni or Yongsan Station. The ride to Gapyeong takes about 42 minutes from Cheongnyangni for ₩5,700 and about 55 to 60 minutes from Yongsan for ₩6,900, with fares from Yongsan also quoted around ₩6,600 to ₩9,800 one way depending on the train.
2. At Gapyeong Station the wharf is about 1.5 km away. Walk in about 20 minutes, or take bus 10-4 or a taxi in about 5 minutes. The taxi costs ₩6,000 to ₩10,000.
3. Buy the island ticket at the wharf, which includes the round-trip ferry, and board. The crossing takes about 5 minutes.
Source: KoreaToDo, Nami Island.
| Leg | Time | Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Cheongnyangni to Gapyeong (ITX) | About 42 min | ₩5,700 |
| Yongsan to Gapyeong (ITX) | About 55 to 60 min | ₩6,900 |
| Gapyeong Station to wharf (bus 10-4 or taxi) | About 5 min | Taxi ₩6,000 to ₩10,000 |
| Gapyeong Wharf to island (ferry) | About 5 min | Included in island entry |
Getting back
Return ITX from Gapyeong costs ₩5,700, and from Cheongpyeong it costs ₩4,500, which is handy if you finish the day at Petite France instead. Buy return seats early on weekends and in foliage season.
Source: KoreaToDo.
Source: Nami Island.
How to Get to Nami Island from Seoul
A step-by-step travel vlog of the journey from Seoul to the island. Third-party video by Ojisan Journey. This site did not shoot it and has no relationship with the creator.
Is there a cheaper way by subway?
Yes, the Gyeongchun Line subway from Sangbong reaches Gapyeong in about 50 minutes for a fare from ₩2,400, the cheapest route to Nami Island.
The subway trades speed for price. From central districts expect two transfers and a longer ride.
The front of Gapyeong Station. Photo: Himuka tachibana, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
What to know
From Myeongdong the ride takes 80+ minutes with 2 transfers and costs ₩2,400 one way, about ₩2,500 back. From Sangbong on the Gyeongchun Line itself it is about 50 minutes to Gapyeong. Do not confuse the Gyeongchun Line with the Gyeongui-Jungang Line, a common mix-up on map apps. Return fares are ₩2,500 from Gapyeong or ₩2,300 from Cheongpyeong.
Source: KoreaToDo, Nami Island.
How do I get a shuttle to Nami Island from Seoul?
Book the official shuttle, which picks up at Hongik University Station Exit 4, the Namsan Yejang lot near Myeongdong, and Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station Exit 9, and rides straight to the wharf.
The shuttle is the simplest public option. One bus, no transfers, and a fixed return time in the late afternoon.
Pickup points and times
Pickups are at Hongik University Station Exit 4, Namsan Yejang Public Parking Lot near Myeongdong, and Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station Exit 9, with morning pickups in the 8:20 to 9:50 range depending on the stop and operator. The bus arrives at Nami around 10:30 to 11:30 and departs back from the island at 16:30. The bookable round trip is $23.81 per person on the shuttle bus, island entry not included. Pets are not allowed on the shuttle.
Source: Hungry Pursuit, Nami Island.
| Stop | Notes |
|---|---|
| Hongik University Station Exit 4 | Earliest pickup |
| Namsan Yejang Public Parking Lot, Myeongdong | Central location |
| Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station Exit 9 | Last pickup |
| Return from Nami Island | 16:30 |
Booking it as a ticket
The round-trip seat is also sold as a bookable shuttle, about 9 hours door to door for $23.81 per person with free cancellation 24 hours ahead. Check the details on our Nami Island shuttle bus page.
Source: Hungry Pursuit.
Source: Nami Island.
How do I link Nami Island with nearby attractions?
Use the Gapyeong City Tour Bus Course A, a hop-on hop-off day ticket of ₩8,000 per adult and ₩6,000 per child that links the station, the wharf, Petite France and the Garden of Morning Calm.
This local bus is the cheapest way to turn a Nami visit into a full Gapyeong day.
Gapyeong Wharf, where every Nami Island ferry leaves.
Ticket and schedule
Buy the day ticket on board with cash or T-money. Children pay ₩6,000 and kids under 3 ride free. The bus runs hop-on hop-off between Gapyeong Station, the ferry wharf, Petite France and the Garden of Morning Calm. Watch the clock in the cold months, because the last departure from Gapyeong Station is 15:30 from November to February.
Source: KoreaToDo.
How do I get to Nami Island from Seoul by car?
Driving to Gapyeong Wharf takes about 1 to 1.5 hours from central Seoul, with tolls possible and wharf parking from KRW 6,000.
A car gives you flexibility for a group, but the island itself is car-free, so the vehicle stays at the wharf.
Driving and parking
The drive is commonly quoted at about 65 to 90 minutes, and weekends and holidays add congestion. From Incheon Airport it is about 95 km and roughly 1 hour 45 minutes. 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. Kakao T pre-registered parking is cheaper at KRW 5,500 small and KRW 6,000 large.
Source: Hungry Pursuit, Nami Island.
Source: Nami Island.
How do I cross to Nami Island from Gapyeong Wharf?
You cross by regular ferry, motorboat or zip line, and every option includes or combines with the island admission ticket.
The crossing is short, about 5 minutes by ferry, but the ticket rules differ by craft.
The ferry that carries visitors across the water to Nami Island. Photo: Minseong Kim, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Ferry
Regular admission with the round-trip ferry is KRW 19,000 per adult, KRW 16,000 discount and KRW 13,000 for children aged 36 months to elementary school, and under 36 months is free with a guardian. Ferries run from 08:00 to 21:00, most often every 10 to 20 minutes during the day, and the crossing takes about 5 minutes.
Source: Nami Island, Nami Island.
Motorboat and zip line
A motorboat-only ride costs KRW 10,000 per person to Nami Wharf or KRW 15,000 to Meta Wharf, needs a separately bought island ticket, runs 09:00 to 18:00 seasonally and carries 2 to 5 people. The zip line drops from an 80 m tower about 1 km over the river, its price includes the return ferry and island admission, and riders must be 140 to 200 cm tall and 45 to 120 kg. Entry with the motorboat in and ferry out costs KRW 29,000 regular.
Source: Nami Island, Nami Island.
Sources: Nami Island, Nami Island.
Tours That Fit
Let a driver handle the Seoul to Gapyeong leg and add a second stop to the day.
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
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
Nami Island, Petite France and Italian Village and Garden of Morning Calm Tour
Nami Island, the French and Italian theme villages at Petite France and the Garden of Morning Calm in one day, with all three tickets in the price.
- Category
- Nami and Petite France
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation 24h
- Operator
- TOURSTORY Korea
Can I combine Nami Island with other stops in one day?
Yes, the Gapyeong City Tour Bus links Nami Island with Petite France and the Garden of Morning Calm, and tours from Seoul bundle them too.
Nami needs about half a day, so a second stop fits if you start early.
A workable day
Take the first ITX or the shuttle to reach the wharf before the crowds. Spend 3 to 4 hours on the island, where renting a bike costs KRW 5,000 per 30 minutes and a full lap takes about an hour. Then ride the City Tour Bus to Petite France, open 09:00 to 18:00, or the Garden of Morning Calm, open 08:30 to 19:00 with winter hours of 10:00 to 21:00 and admission of KRW 11,000 per adult. Return by ITX from Cheongpyeong for ₩4,500 if you finish near Petite France.
If you would rather not juggle buses, a guided day covers the transfers for you, for example Nami Island and the Garden of Morning Calm with an optional rail bike at $54 per person, or the fuller Nami Island, Petite France and the Garden of Morning Calm tour at $78.10 per person.
Source: KoreaToDo, Visit Korea.
Source: Korea Tourism Organization.
Is it possible to take a day trip from Seoul to Nami Island?
Yes, Nami Island is a classic day trip, with tours running 10 to 14 hours and independent visitors returning to Seoul by early evening.
Leave Seoul by 8:00 and you get a full island visit plus a second stop. Leave later and the winter bus schedule squeezes the day.
Walkers on one of the tall tree-lined lanes on Nami Island. Photo: Jocelyndurrey, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Timing your day
The island is open 365 days a year from 08:00 to 21:00, and ferries run in rain, with an icebreaker keeping them going when the river freezes. The shuttle leaves the island at 16:30 and drops back in Seoul between 18:00 and 18:50. Start early, because weekend crowds build at the wharf from mid-morning, and in winter the last City Tour Bus leaves Gapyeong Station at 15:30.
Source: Nami Island, Visit Korea, Nami Island.
Sources: Nami Island, Nami Island.
Is it worth to go to Nami Island?
Yes for most visitors, the island draws nearly 2 million people a year with tree-lined lanes, bike paths and easy access from Seoul.
The island is small, flat and car-free, so a few unhurried hours are enough.
Why people go
Nami Island welcomes nearly 2 million visitors a year, over 700,000 of them from 122 countries, and the 2001 drama Winter Sonata put its lanes on the map. Cherry blossom usually blooms from mid-April to early May and autumn colour from mid-October to early December, with ginkgo at its best late October to mid-November. Rent a bike, walk the riverside paths, or ride the zip line in for a different arrival.
Source: Nami Island, Nami Island.
Source: Nami Island.
Getting There FAQ
How do I get from Seoul to Nami Island?
Take the ITX-Cheongchun train to Gapyeong Station, ride bus 10-4 or a taxi 5 minutes to Gapyeong Wharf, then cross by ferry. The full guide to Nami Island covers tickets and seasons.
How much is the train ticket from Seoul to Nami Island?
There is no station on the island. The ITX fare to Gapyeong is ₩5,700 from Cheongnyangni and ₩6,900 from Yongsan, and island admission with the round-trip ferry is KRW 19,000 per adult.
Do you need to pay to enter Nami Island?
Yes. Regular admission including the round-trip ferry is KRW 19,000 per adult, KRW 16,000 discount and KRW 13,000 for children aged 36 months to elementary school, and under 36 months is free.
Do you need to buy tickets for Nami Island in advance?
Not stated. Buy at the wharf on arrival, and book train seats or a shuttle early for weekends and foliage season.
How many hours do you need on Nami Island?
Plan 3 to 4 hours, enough to walk the main lanes, rent a bike for a one-hour lap of the island and eat.
Can you visit Nami Island from Seoul without a tour?
Yes, the ITX train, subway, shuttle bus and City Tour Bus all work independently, though a tour such as the private Nami Island tour with Petite France or the Garden of Morning Calm saves every transfer.
How do I get to Nami Island from Myeongdong?
Ride the subway from Myeongdong to Gapyeong, 80+ minutes with 2 transfers for ₩2,400, or board the shuttle at the Namsan Yejang Public Parking Lot nearby.
How do I get back to Seoul from Nami Island?
Retrace your route by ferry, then bus 10-4 or taxi to Gapyeong Station, and return by ITX for ₩5,700 or subway for ₩2,500, or stay on the shuttle which leaves the island at 16:30.
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- When Is the Best Time to Visit Nami Island?
Plan the best time to visit Nami Island in 2027: peak foliage mid-October to early December, ferries 08:00 to 21:00, and tips to beat crowds.
- Chuncheon Dakgalbi: What It Is and Where to Eat It Near Nami Island
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