Nami Island Ferry: Times, Ticket and How the Crossing Works

Ferry and admission prices

The operator sells one ticket that covers entry and the regular ferry both ways. Children under 36 months ride and enter free with a guardian. If you take the motorboat in and the regular ferry back, a higher combined rate applies.

Group and time discounts

Groups of 20 or more regular-price visitors get 10 percent off, valid only with the regular ferry. Reduced-price tickets are sold for early birds who board before 08:00 and for late tickets bought after 18:01 from December to March or after 18:31 from April to November. The operator lists the conditions but prints no price for the reduced tickets, so ask at the ticket office.

Where the dollar figure comes from

The island sells the ferry and admission as one ticket at KRW 19,000 regular. Whichever channel you use, the ticket still covers the crossing and the island entry together.

Departure intervals through the day

The operator lists three intervals. Early and late in the day you wait up to half an hour, mid-day boats come fast and frequent.

First and last ferries

The first ferry to the island leaves at 08:00 and the last at 21:00. The first ferry off the island leaves at 08:05 and the last at 21:05. The island opens 365 days a year, and ferries run in rain.

When the river freezes an icebreaker keeps them running unless a notice is posted.

Extra sailings in busy seasons

Hours stretch in cherry blossom, holiday and foliage seasons. In the summer holiday window the last ferry runs at 21:30 on Fridays, Saturdays and days before public holidays. In the autumn foliage window the first ferry leaves at 07:30 daily and the last runs at 21:30 on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

Because the schedule is subject to change, confirm the day's last sailing on the official site before you travel.

If you skip the ferry

The motorboat is faster but runs 09:00 to 18:00 seasonally, roughly April to November. It leaves when two or more people are aboard and carries up to five per boat.

Finding the wharf

The address to put in a taxi or navigation app is 1024 Bukhangangbyeon-ro, Gapyeong-eup. From Gapyeong Station it is about 1.5 km, so most people walk in about 20 minutes or hop on bus 10-4 or a taxi for the five-minute ride.

By train

The ITX-Cheongchun is the fastest option. From Yongsan Station it takes about 60 minutes, and from Cheongpyeong's direction Cheongnyangni to Gapyeong takes about 42 minutes. The slower Gyeongchun Line from Sangbong takes about 50 minutes.

Coming from Chuncheon, the ITX takes about 20 minutes and the subway about 28 minutes. Hungry Pursuit quotes the ITX from Yongsan at 6,600 to 9,800 won one way, plus 6,000 to 10,000 won for the five-minute taxi to the terminal.

By direct shuttle

A daily Seoul to Nami direct shuttle run by Ktourstory leaves Hongik University Station Exit 4 at 09:00, Namsan Yejang near Myeongdong at 09:40 and Dongdaemun History and Culture Park Station Exit 9 at 09:50, reaching Nami at 11:30. The return leaves Nami at 16:30, DDP at 18:00, Namsan Yejang at 18:10 and Hongik University at 18:50. Pets are not allowed.

The round trip costs $23.81 per person with free cancellation up to 24 hours on the shuttle bus service.

By bus between sights

If you are combining Nami with Petite France or the Garden of Morning Calm, get off at Gapyeong or Cheongpyeong station and board the Gapyeong Tourist Circulation Bus, as Petite France advises.

By car

Driving works too. The wharf car park charges 6,000 won for a small vehicle and 10,000 won for a large one for the first 12 hours, then 1,000 won per extra hour, card payment only. Pre-registering through the Kakao T app cuts the small-car rate to 5,500 won and the large-car rate to 6,000 won.

Step by step

Arrive at Gapyeong Wharf. Buy your ticket at the ticket office, or show an online booking. Walk to the pier and board the next regular ferry, which arrives every 10 to 30 minutes depending on the hour.

After the five-minute crossing you are on the island, and your ticket is also your return passage. Ferries run every day of the year, in rain and through frozen river conditions thanks to an icebreaker, unless a notice says otherwise.

What you cannot bring

You cannot bring your own bicycle, e-bike, scooter or electric wheel onto the ferry. Small children's trikes and balance bikes are allowed. Tents are banned on the island, but mats are fine, and drones are banned.

Price and what is included

The zip wire Family Course lands on Nami Island and costs 55,000 won. The Adventure Course lands at Jaraseom and then uses a motorboat to Nami Island, at 58,000 won. Both prices already include the island admission and the return ferry, so compare them against the 19,000 won ferry ticket plus what you would pay for the thrill elsewhere.

Who can ride the zip wire

Riders must be 140 to 200 cm tall and weigh 45 to 120 kg, and the weight limits may change with the weather. Buy tickets at the Zip Tower opposite the ticket office in the car park. The operator runs 09:00 to 18:00, phone 031-582-8091.

Unlike the ferry, it cannot be used to leave the island.

Island extras

Riding a bike round the island takes about one hour, and the Bike Center is in the middle of the island, open 09:00 to 18:00 weather and sunset permitting. The motorised Charity Train costs 4,000 won one way and the Story Tour Bus costs 10,000 won for a 20-minute tour.

TreeGo and TreeCoaster

The treetop TreeGo course costs 13,000 won for one pass, 20,000 won for two or 27,000 won for three, and runs weekends and public holidays only. The TreeCoaster limits riders to 94 to 187 cm tall and 20 to 100 kg.

Passport options

Four versions exist. The standard one-year passport with unlimited regular-ferry visits is 69,000 won. The child-friendly version is 98,000 won, the pet-friendly version is 72,000 won and the senior version is 59,000 won.

The pet-friendly pass pairs with an e-bike pet seat at 15,000 won per 30 minutes if you bring a dog.

Is it worth it

The island draws nearly 2 million visitors a year, more than 700,000 of them from 122 countries, and seasons change the scenery completely, from cherry blossom usually from mid-April to early May to autumn colour usually from mid-October to early December. If you plan three or more visits in a year, the standard pass pays for itself against the 19,000 won single ticket.