Nami Island Day Trip from Seoul: Train, Shuttle Bus or Tour?
Updated October 17, 2026
Short answer: For most first-time visitors, the easiest Nami Island day trip from Seoul is the official direct shuttle bus: it leaves Hongdae, Myeongdong and Dongdaemun in the morning, reaches the Nami Island wharf around 11:30, and heads back at 16:30. If you want more freedom, take the ITX-Cheongchun train or the Gyeongchun Line subway to Gapyeong Station, then a 5-minute taxi or bus 10-4 to the wharf. Pick a tour only when you want to add Petite France, the Garden of Morning Calm or a rail bike in one day without planning buses yourself. Every option ends the same way: a short ferry (or zip wire) from Gapyeong Wharf to the island.
Basis date: checked against the official Nami Island site (namisum.com), VISITKOREA and the Gapyeong County tourism site on 15 October 2026. Fares, ferry hours, shuttle times and bus schedules change, sometimes by season, so confirm your exact day on the official pages before you go.
Train, shuttle bus or tour: quick comparison
Times are from the official Nami Island directions page and exclude waiting and traffic.
| Method | Time to the wharf | Where to check the price | Good points | Weak points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official shuttle bus (Seoul ↔ Nami Island) | Leaves Hongdae 9:00, arrives about 11:30 | Operator Ktourstory booking page (linked from namisum.com) | No transfers; drops you at the wharf; fixed return bus | Round trip only; one fixed time each way; road traffic can delay it |
| ITX-Cheongchun train + taxi or bus 10-4 | About 60 min from Yongsan or 42 min from Cheongnyangni to Gapyeong, then about 5 min | Korail / Letskorail timetable and fare search | Fast; seats; many departures; return when you like | You must book the right train and handle the last leg yourself |
| Gyeongchun Line subway + taxi or bus 10-4 | About 50 min from Sangbong to Gapyeong, then about 5 min | Transport card fare at the gate | Cheap; no booking; uses a Tmoney-type card | Slow if you start far from the line; standing on busy days |
| Organised day tour | Varies by company | The tour company’s own page | Guide and transport; easy to add Petite France or the Garden of Morning Calm | Less time on the island; group pace; check what is really included |
| Gapyeong Tour Bus (after the train) | Short hops between Gapyeong sights | Gapyeong County tourism site | Day pass links Nami Island, Petite France and more | No service on Wednesdays (except public holidays); limited trips per day |
Where Nami Island actually is
Nami Island belongs to Chuncheon, but you start from the Nami Island wharf (Gapyeong Wharf) in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province (about 5 minutes by ferry). The official site gives the wharf address as 1024 Bukhangangbyeon-ro, Gapyeong-eup, Gapyeong-gun, or you can search “Nami Island Ticket Office” (남이섬 매표소).
Option 1: the official shuttle bus
The official site lists a daily Seoul–Nami Island direct shuttle, run by Ktourstory. The published times are:
- To Nami Island: Hongik University Station Exit 4 at 9:00, Namsan Yejang Bus Transfer Parking Lot (near Myeongdong Station) at 9:40, Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station Exit 9 at 9:50, arriving at Nami Island around 11:30.
- Back to Seoul: departs Nami Island at 16:30, reaching Dongdaemun History & Culture Park around 18:00, Myeongdong around 18:10 and Hongik University around 18:50.
- It is sold as a round trip only, and pets are not allowed on board.
Shuttle tickets may or may not include admission; check “bus only” versus “bus + admission.” If you miss the 16:30 bus, you must make your own way back by train.
Option 2: train to Gapyeong Station, then a short ride
This is the most flexible way. The official Nami Island page lists these rail times to Gapyeong Station:
- ITX-Cheongchun (reserved-seat train): Yongsan about 60 minutes, Cheongnyangni about 42 minutes.
- Gyeongchun Line (commuter subway): Sangbong about 50 minutes.
Step by step:
- Choose your start: Cheongnyangni or Yongsan for ITX-Cheongchun, or any Gyeongchun Line station for the subway. Use the Seoul Subway Complete Guide to reach your station.
- For ITX-Cheongchun, search the date and time on Korail’s Letskorail site and buy a ticket for Gapyeong. On busy autumn weekends, book ahead. Also book or at least check your return train.
- For the Gyeongchun Line, just tap a transport card. Our T-money guide explains how to buy and top up.
- At Gapyeong Station, the wharf is about 1.5 km away. Official times: about 20 minutes on foot, or about 5 minutes by city bus 10-4 or taxi. Check the 10-4 timetable linked on the official directions page.
- At the wharf, buy your admission (it includes the round-trip ferry) and join the ferry line.
Getting onto the island: ferry, motorboat or zip wire
Regular ferry
The official ferry page lists the first ferry to the island at 08:00 and the last at 21:00; the first ferry back leaves at 08:05 and the last at 21:05. Boats run every 30 minutes from 08:00 to 09:00, every 10–20 minutes from 09:00 to 18:00, and every 30 minutes from 18:00 to 21:00. The ride takes about 5 minutes.
For 2026 the site also lists extra service: in autumn (18 September to 22 November) the first ferry is at 07:30 every day, and the last ferry is at 21:30 on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
A seasonal motorboat (about April to November, 09:00–18:00) leaves when at least 2 people board and costs more.
Zip wire
The zip wire starts from an 80 m tower near the wharf. The official English site lists a Family Course that lands directly on Nami Island and an Adventure Course that lands on Jaraseom and continues by motorboat. Riders must be 140–200 cm tall and weigh 45–120 kg, and weight limits can change with weather. It is one-way into the island only; you leave by regular ferry, and the official site says the zip wire fee includes that return ferry. VISITKOREA adds that admission is included, but confirm this at the zip wire counter.
Admission fees and how to check them
Nami Island calls its admission a “visa,” and the price includes the round-trip boat. On 15 October 2026 the official fee page listed:
| Ticket type | Ferry in and out | Motorboat in, ferry out | Who |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular | ₩19,000 | ₩29,000 | Adults |
| Discount | ₩16,000 | ₩26,000 | Middle and high school age, seniors 70+ (and some Korean ID holders) |
| Special | ₩13,000 | ₩23,000 | Children from 36 months to elementary school age |
The same page lists further discounts for very early tickets (bought and boarded before 08:00) and late tickets (after 18:01 from December to March, after 18:31 from April to November), plus group discounts for 20 or more people. Children under 36 months with a guardian enter free. Zip wire prices on the official activity page were ₩55,000 (Family Course) and ₩58,000 (Adventure Course). For anything else, check the official fee page, because prices are updated without much notice.
Buy admission at the wharf ticket office or via the official online ticket menu.
Combining Nami Island with Petite France or the Garden of Morning Calm
VISITKOREA suggests a public-transport course that links Nami Island, the Garden of Morning Calm and Petite France. Most people manage Nami Island plus one other place.
- Gapyeong Tour Bus: Gapyeong County runs a hop-on, hop-off tourist bus. Its 2026 leaflet shows an A Course (Gapyeong Terminal, Gapyeong Station, Nami Island/zip wire, Petite France & Italian Village, Jara Island, Rail Bike) and a B Course (Cheongpyeong Station, The Garden of Morning Calm and more). You transfer between A and B at Petite France. The leaflet lists 9 trips a day and no service on Wednesdays, unless the Wednesday is a public holiday. It lists a day pass of ₩8,000 for adults and ₩6,000 for teens and children; attraction tickets are extra.
- Nami Island + Petite France: the easiest pair. Spend the morning on the island, then ride the A Course to Petite France in the afternoon.
- Nami Island + Garden of Morning Calm: needs a transfer at Petite France (A to B).
- Tours: many bundle Nami Island with Petite France, the Garden of Morning Calm or a rail bike; easy, but each stop is short.
For Petite France and Garden of Morning Calm hours and prices, check the official page on the day.
Seasonal tips
- Autumn (October to November): the busiest time for foliage. Start early; in 2026 the official site lists a 07:30 first ferry in this period. Book trains and shuttles ahead.
- Winter: the island is open all year, but it is cold by the river. Check our Seoul weather and what to wear guide and dress warmer than you would in the city.
- Spring and summer: flowers in spring and shade in summer. The motorboat and some activities run seasonally (about April to November).
- Bad weather: ferry service can be stopped for safety in strong wind, heavy rain or dam water release. Check the notice page on the official site the morning you go.
When to head back to Seoul
- Shuttle users: the return bus leaves Nami Island at 16:30. Be at the wharf parking area early.
- Train users: leave the island with enough time for the ferry, the 5-minute ride to Gapyeong Station and buying a ticket. Book weekend return ITX seats early.
- Late visitors: the last regular ferry off the island is at 21:05 (later on some 2026 nights).
Checklist: how to choose a Nami Island tour
- Is island admission included, or only transport?
- How many hours on the island? Under two hours feels rushed.
- Which other stops (Petite France, Garden of Morning Calm, rail bike), and are their tickets included?
- Exact pickup point, time and drop-off?
- Is there a guide who speaks your language, or only a driver?
- What is the cancellation rule if the ferry stops for weather?
- Does it run on Wednesdays if it relies on the Gapyeong Tour Bus?
Staying in Seoul for a few days? See Where to stay in Seoul; Hongdae, Myeongdong and Dongdaemun all match the shuttle pickup points.
FAQ
How long do I need for a Nami Island day trip from Seoul?
Plan a full day. The official shuttle gives you about five hours at the island (arrive about 11:30, leave 16:30). By train you can make it shorter or longer.
Is the ferry included in the ticket?
Yes. The official fee page says admission includes the round-trip ferry. The motorboat-in option costs more.
Can I take the zip wire back to the mainland?
No. The zip wire only goes into the island area. You leave Nami Island by regular ferry.
Sources
- Nami Island official site (English): How to Get to Nami Island and the Korean 오시는 길 page, checked 15 October 2026.
- Nami Island official site: Ferry Schedule and Korean 선박안내, checked 15 October 2026.
- Nami Island official site: Admission Fees and Korean 이용요금, checked 15 October 2026.
- Nami Island official site: Sky Attractions (Zip-wire), checked 15 October 2026.
- VISITKOREA: Nami Island and Travel to areas near Seoul on public transportation, checked 15 October 2026.
- VISITKOREA: Petite France and The Garden of Morning Calm, checked 15 October 2026.
- Gapyeong County tourism: Tourist circular bus (2026 leaflet), checked 15 October 2026.
- Korail (Letskorail) for ITX-Cheongchun timetables and tickets.
- Image pages on Wikimedia Commons: Gapyeong-Nami Island Ferry, View of Nami Island.
Update triggers
- Admission fees or inclusions change.
- Ferry first/last times change, or a new seasonal extension is announced (check each spring, summer and autumn).
- The official shuttle changes operator, pickup points, times or round-trip-only rule.
- Zip wire prices or rider limits change.
- ITX-Cheongchun or Gyeongchun Line service to Gapyeong changes, or bus 10-4 is renumbered.
- Gapyeong Tour Bus publishes a new yearly leaflet (routes, day pass price, Wednesday closure).
