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An Ultimate Guide to Nami Island (Namiseom), Korea

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Nami Island , also known as Namiseom Island, is a picturesque tourist destination located in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, South Korea. It is situated in the middle of the Han River and is famous for its stunning natural landscapes, cultural attractions, and recreational activities. Find out what to see and do in Nami Island during winter, autumn, spring, and summer!

About Nami Island

The best time to visit nami island.

  • 5 Must-See Spots in Nami Island
  • How to Get to Nami Island from Seoul

Places You Must Visit While at Nami Island

best nami island tour

Located near Seoul, Nami Island , or Namiseom is a beautiful island that is among the most popular attractions in Korea for good reason.

Featuring beautiful tree lanes, woodlands, riverside walks, and many more, Nami Island offers picture-perfect scenery all year round. It is just surprising how this small island has it all!

best nami island tour

Thanks to its incredible scenery, Nami Island has been used as the location for many Korean dramas (especially romance dramas).

Most particularly, the hit Korean drama, “Winter Sonata,” has led to the island’s huge popularity among overseas guests.

Moreover, Nami Island has been selected as one of the shooting locations for the first-ever Filipino-Korean romantic comedy series, “ My Korean Jagiya , ” starring  Heart Evangelista (Gia) and Alexander Lee (Kim Jun-ho, a former member of K-pop group U-KISS). The drama has been aired on GMA Network on August 21, 2017.

Four seasons of Nami Island

best nami island tour

To be honest, there is no “ best time ” to visit Nami Island. The island offers something special for everyone in every season.

In spring, trees and spring flowers begin to bloom on Nami Island. You will be able to see beautiful cherry blossoms, which usually bloom from early April to mid-April.

best nami island tour

★ Weather:  The weather is pleasant and mild, and the air is crisp and cool. ★ Tip:  Lightweight jackets or light, layered clothing work the best.

Check Out Spring Special Nami Island Tours:

  • Seoraksan + Nami Island + Cherry Blossom 1 Day Tour

When summer brings lush greenery to the island, take a stroll along with a thick stand of pine trees and redwoods.

best nami island tour

★ Weather: The summer weather is hot and humid. On-and-off rain showers are possible. ★ Tip: Wear casual clothes and comfortable walking shoes. Bring an umbrella, hat, sunscreen, water bottle, and a fan.

From mid-September to November, visitors can enjoy spectacular fall foliage across Nami Island. The reed beds on the riverside are another nature gift you will be able to enjoy during fall.

best nami island tour

★ Weather: Skies are clear and the weather is cool and dry. ★ Tip:  Wear a long-sleeved t-shirt, long pants, or a lightweight jacket.

Well known as the filming location of a popular Korean romance drama called “ Winter Sonata (2002),” starring Bae Yong-joon and Choi Ji-woo, Nami Island is famous for being a romantic winter destination. In winter, the snow-covered tree lanes and the tall, white birch trees absolutely give you that magical feel!

best nami island tour

★ Weather: The weather is generally colder in January than in other winter months. Snow falls around late November, but do check the weather forecast before you go. ★ Tip:  Wear a thick winter coat, thermals, sweater, thick socks, a hat, gloves or mittens, and a scarf.

  • Check out How to Enjoy Winter in Nami Island to the Fullest!

5 Must-see Spots in Nami Island

There are plenty of amazing attractions and sights on Nami Island! To help you make the most of your trip, here we’ve narrowed it down to the top 5 must-see spots in Nami Island.

As you read, use our map below to find the spots featured in this blog post.

best nami island tour

1.  The Central Korean Pine Tree Lane:  A scenic path lined with thick pine trees leading to the center of the island.

nami-island-guide (4)

2.  Ginkgo Tree Lane: A must-stop spot   for enjoying the splendor of vivid yellow ginkgo leaves during autumn.

best nami island tour

3. Metasequoia Lane:  A path lined with giant redwood trees, offering magnificent scenery.

nami-island-guide-(34).jpg

4.  Riverside Paths:  The wooden walks around the water’s edge where you can take in the stunning views of the lake and surrounding mountains.

best nami island tour

5. Gongsaengwon Garden (The  Winter Sonata Statue):  In this garden, you can find a statue of the main characters from “ Winter Sonata ” and a special photo zone for visitors to take souvenir pictures.

best nami island tour

How to go to Nami Island from Seoul

Located in the city of Chuncheon, northeast of Seoul, Nami Island is close enough to Seoul to make a day trip, taking roughly one and a half hours from Seoul. You can either book a   shuttle bus , private van transfer service , or a day tour . For those who are traveling in a big group of up to 17 or 40 people, you can book a chartered bus private tour , departing from Seoul.

Click here to book the Nami Island Round-Trip Shuttle Bus from Seoul and a  discounted entrance ticket to Nami Island.

If you prefer to have completely free time on your own while exploring Gapyeong, book the Gapyeong One-Day Private Van Tour .

For those who want to spend a night at Nami Island, book this 2D1N package that includes a round-trip shuttle bus, admission ticket (round-trip ferry inclusive), and 1-night stay at Nami Island Jeonggwanru Hotel .

Both can really save you time and make your trip way more convenient. Plus, taking a tour is also a great option as you can visit other popular places nearby, such as Petite France , Italian Village , Gangchon Rail Park , Gapyeong Rail Bike, and the Garden of Morning Calm – all of which are worth a visit.

Click below for more information about Nami Island tours !

1. Nami Island + Petite France & Italian Village Tours

best nami island tour

Petite France is a France-themed village located in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi-do. It is well-known as the filming location of a famous K-drama “My Love from the Star”.  Italian Village “Pinocchio and Da Vinci” is the only theme park in Korea that has officially partnered with the Collodi Foundation, realizing the Italian author Carlo Collodi’s fairy tale “The Adventures of Pinocchio” in the form of exhibitions and performances.

  • Nami Island + Petite France + Italian Village Day Tour
  • Nami Island + Petite France + Italian Village + Garden of Morning Calm Tour
  • Seoul Vicinity Tour 4 in 1: Nami Island + Gangchon Rail Bike + Petite France + Italian Village

2. Nami Island + Garden of Morning Calm Tours

Garden of Morning Calm is a beautiful private garden founded by Professor Sang-Kyung Han. Its name originated from when Rabindranath Tagore, an Indian poet, called Korea ‘the Land of Morning Calm’. It shows the beauty of the distinct four seasons of Korea very well. In winter, you can enjoy the Garden of Morning Calm Light Festival where you can be surrounded by dazzling lights shining like stars.

  • Nami Island + Garden of Morning Calm Day Tour
  • Nami Island + Garden of Morning Calm + Gangchon Rail Bike Tour

3. Nami Island + Gangchon Rail Bike Tours

best nami island tour

Gangchon Rail Bike , located near Nami Island and Petite France, is one of the most unique places where you can revel in all the natural scenery of eastern Korea by rail bike, which is not far away from Seoul. Follow the 8km rail track and appreciate the breathtaking landscape of each season!

  • Nami Island + Petite France + Italian Village + Rail Bike + Garden of Morning Calm
  • Gangchon Rail Park – Rail Bike Ticket

4. Nami Island + Gapyeong Rail Bike Tours

best nami island tour

Gapyeong Rail Bike is one of the best places to see the pristine natural scenery of Gapyeong. Bike across a 30-meter-high bridge over the river and ride through an area where tree branches create a romantic tunnel! Spend a fun day pedaling along a beautiful river and enjoy the amazing views of the countryside.

  • Nami Island + Petite France + Gapyeong Rail Bike + Garden of Morning Calm Tour
  • Gapyeong Rail Park – Rail Bike Ticket

5. Nami Island + Alpaca World Tours

best nami island tour

Alpaca World is an animal farm with alpacas from South America, ponies, rabbits, and even birds! It’s a perfect place to spend a healing time while taking a walk with cute and fluffy alpacas, surrounded by stunning mountains.

  • Nami Island & Alpaca World (+ Gangchon Rail Bike/Petite France) Tour from Seoul
  • Alpaca World & Nami Island (+ Gangchon Rail Bike/Garden of Morning Calm) Tour from Seoul
  • Alpaca World + Nami Island + Garden of Morning Calm + Soyanggang Skywalk Tour from Seoul (Mar 26~Nov 8)
  • Alpaca World + Nami Island + Samaksan Mountain Lake Cable Car Tour from Seoul

6. Nami Island + Strawberry Picking Tours

best nami island tour

Strawberries in Korea are especially succulent and sweet, which are worth taking home. Pick your own delicious strawberries at a local strawberry farm and take home the strawberries you picked (300 grams limit)!

  • Nami Island + Garden of Morning Calm + Strawberry Picking Tour
  • Nami Island + Gangchon Rail Bike + Strawberry Picking (+ Garden of Morning Calm) Tour

7. Nami Island + Seoraksan National Park Tours

best nami island tour

Seoraksan Mountain is an absolute must-go mountain loved by many locals and tourists alike. You can enjoy nature and witness the breathtaking backdrops of Seoraksan Mountain in a day! Admire the different colors of mountains each season with a hassle-free tour departing from Seoul.

  • Seoraksan National Park & Nami Island 1-Day Tour
  • Seoraksan National Park + Nami Island (+ Garden of Morning Calm/ Gapyeong Rail Bike option) Tour
  • Seoraksan National Park & Nami Island Private Tour

8. Nami Island + Hwadam Botanic Garden

best nami island tour

Hwadam Botanic Garden , also known as Hwadam Arboretum, is a beautiful botanical garden located in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province. This expansive garden spans over 330 acres and is known for its diverse collection of plants, trees, and flowers, as well as its scenic landscapes and educational facilities.

  • Hwadam Botanic Garden + Nami Island + Gangchon Rail Bike 1 Day Tour (Mar 29~Sep 30)

9. Nami Island + Happy Chowon Panorama Field

best nami island tour

Happy Chowon Panorama Field is known as the Switzerland of Korea for its beautiful hill and river view. Be whisked away to nature and discover the beauty of Korea’s suburbs by joining this hassle-free 1-day tour from Seoul!

  • Nami Island + Happy Chowon Panorama Field + Rail Bike/Garden of Morning Calm/Petite France Tour

best nami island tour

▷▷ Check out the most popular Nami Island tour here. ◁◁ 

Nami Island Ticket Info

Nami Island, officially called the Naminara Republic , is an independent island nation that has its own flag and currency.

All visitors must buy a Nami Island passport (ticket) and take the ferry to get inside the island as it is inaccessible by land transport.

best nami island tour

| Entrance Ticket Price:

| Where to Buy Tickets: The ticket office is located near the Immigration Gate.

| Tip: You can book a round-trip shuttle bus from Seoul , discounted entrance tickets , and various Nami Island tours offered by Trazy.

Looking for tours to Nami Island? Just simply book our top-rated tours  here !

To find the best travel deals for your next trip to South Korea, make sure to visit Trazy.com , Korea’s #1 Travel Shop.

best nami island tour

[Photo Credits]

  • Nami Island Official Website
  • Nami Island Official Facebook Page

19 thoughts on “ An Ultimate Guide to Nami Island (Namiseom), Korea ”

My family (2 adults & 3 kids) will be visiting Seoul April 15-21, 2019. We wish to visit Nami Island from Seoul. Will we be able to see spring blossoms this time of the year?

Hi Barbara 🙂 The cherry blossom flowers are expected to bloom between early~mid April. Since it is highly dependent on the weather, please do a double check close to your travel date 🙂

Plan to visit Nami on 1st week of November, would it be a good time to visit? What is the main mode of transport there? As my mom couldn’t do a lot of walking.

Hi, if middle of May to visit Nami Island, is that a good timing? What will be the scene & season during these period?

Hi Jess! May is one of the very popular seasons to visit Nami Island since it will be the peak Spring. You will be able to see a variety of flowers and trees. Please be noted that this scene is subject to change depending on the weather condition.

Hi! We will be visiting Nami Island anytime from March 12-20. Will there be cherry blossoms by then? 🙂 Thank you!

Hi, Trina! We are sorry but we cannot guarantee you as it depends on the weather and region. Normally, cherry blossoms bloom in April, but please check on the internet for accurate info.

hi there will be visiting Nami Island 31 May. is there a free slot and how do i go about booking it. can i visit all the 4 main attractions including the walks etc.

Hi Cindy! We are sorry for the late reply. When you get to Nami Island, you will be able to enjoy the attractions. We have a bunch of tour packages for Nami Island on sale. Please visit our website to make a reservation: https://www.trazy.com/search/activities?keyword=nami

hi we’ll be visiting korea sept 24to 29.? am I too early for autumn,, i did some research and it says autumn starts on september til november,, what shades of autumn will I see?

Hi Mille! It depends on the weather condition. Please visit a weather forecast website for the information: https://www.accuweather.com/en/kr/seoul/226081/weather-forecast/226081

Whats the foliage color now in nami island? Will be going to nami on 22 october, 2019.

It’s so important to realize that every time you get upset, it drains your emotional energy.

Thank you for the information…. It is very useful…

Since there’re 6 of us travelling, am keen in hiring a private van to cover Nami, rail bike & Petit France. Since we have to get our own entrance ticket, is it necessary to purchase the rail tickets in advance?

Hello, please send your inquiries to [email protected] Thank you!

Hi, do we need to bring our passports for verification when we visit Nami?

Hello, you don’t need to bring your passports to visit Nami Island. For further inquiries, please contact us at [email protected] . Thank you!

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Torn Tackies Travel Blog

The Ultimate Nami Island Itinerary & Garden of Morning Calm

Inside the beautiful Gapyeong Valley ( 가평) lies Nami Island ( 남이섬 ), one of Korea’s biggest tourist attractions.

Most people choose to do a day trip to Nami Island from Seoul. These tours include stops at the Garden of Morning Calm (아침고요수목원) and Petite France (쁘띠프랑스) in their Nami Island itinerary.

However, a simple search of Nami Island and how to plan your trip will leave you with more questions than answers.

How to go to Nami Island from Seoul?

What are the Nami Island ticket prices (and does it include the Garden of Morning Calm? )

How should I plan my Nami Island tour?

Well, this Nami Island itinerary and travel guide has got you covered.

I had the best time exploring the Gapyeong region and have included everything you need to know to plan the perfect Nami Island getaway.

Nami Island itinerary and travel guide

Torn Tackies contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. See my disclosure for more information.

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Overview: The best things to do in Nami Island

Below is my recommended Nami Island itinerary. I suggest spending 2 days in the area if your time allows for it.

  • Day 1: Garden of Morning Calm, Nami Island, Petite France & Chuncheon Dakgalbi
  • Day 2: Nami Island rail bikes

This guide details how you can visit Nami Island independently, just like I did.

But if you only have 1 day, it’s best to book a Nami Island tour like this which you can customize with stops at the Garden of Morning Calm and other attractions nearby.

Day 1 Nami Island Itinerary

One word of caution, Nami Island and the Garden of Morning Calm are two of Korea’s biggest attractions. They’re easily accessible on a Seoul day trip, and as a result, it can get very, very busy.

Be prepared for crowds, especially if you’re visiting Nami Island in spring!

Exploring the Garden of Morning Calm

Garden of Morning Calm

  • Garden of Morning Calm entrance fee: 11 000 KRW
  • Operating hours: 8:30 am – 7:00 pm
  • Time Needed: 1 – 2 hours

No day trip to Nami Island is complete without a visit to the Garden of Morning Calm, a massive botanical garden boasting 20 different themed sections.

It’s filled with vivid greenery, lush trees, and beautifully arranged plants, all surrounded by gorgeous mountains. The voices of kids running through the gardens fill the air, and there are many families enjoying picnics on the well-manicured lawns.

You can spend hours wandering through the small paths and along the soft streams. This marvelous garden is so big, and you can easily get lost among all the scenic walkways and quaint bridges.

Unlike Nami Island, there aren’t any fun activities to do at the Garden of Moning Calm except admire the beauty. It’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy the scenery.

When ro visit Gapyeong

Lighting Festival at the Garden of Morning Calm

During winter, the Garden of Morning Calm comes to life with illuminating colors lighting up the plants and walkways.

Be sure to visit between December and March to set your sights on this magical winter wonderland.

How To Get to Garden of Morning Calm from Seoul

Booking a tour like this that includes the Garden of Morning Calm is the easiest way to navigate here. But, if you prefer to travel independently, as I did, you can easily get there by public transport.

The Garden of Morning Calm is the closest metro stop to Seoul, so it’s best to choose this as the first destination on your Nami Island itinerary.

If you’re using the Seoul Metro, take the Gyeongchun Line and hop off at Cheongpyeong Station .

From here, take the Gapyeong City Tour Bus to the Garden of Morning Calm.

Expect traffic on the weekends, so give yourself about 40 minutes to get from Cheongpyeong Station to the Garden of Morning Calm.

garden of morning calm in South Korea

Nami Island

  • Nami Island Entrance fee: 10 000 KRW | Buy tickets here
  • Time needed: 2 – 3 hours

After exploring the Garden of Morning Calm, it’s time to hit Nami Island. It’s the prize of Gapyeong and a must-visit on any Seoul itinerary.

Nami Island is a half-moon-shaped Island with beautiful paths lined with tall, majestic trees making it the perfect backdrop for any photo.

It’s famous for being the filming location of the iconic Korean drama, Winter Sonata, and attracts K-drama fans from across Asia.

Couples love Nami Island for its romantic atmosphere, so expect to see many tripods, selfie sticks, and semi-professional photoshoots during your visit.

Exploring Namiseom Island

Nami Island Ticket Prices: “Immigration”

Your Nami Island adventure begins when you purchase your “ entry visa ” and pass through “ immigration ” at the Nami Island Ferry Wharf.

Thereafter, you have two options to get to Naminara Republic:

Take The ferry to Nami Island

This costs 16 000 KRW ($12) and includes a return ferry ticket and Nami Island entrance fee.

Prepurchase your ticket online here . It’s the same price and will save you so much time as the queues can be long.

The ferry to Nami Island leaves every 15 minutes and only takes 10 minutes to get there.

How to get to Nami Island

Zipwire to Nami Island

You also have the option of taking a zip wire to Nami Island and then returning by ferry.

This costs 49 000 KRW ($38) and includes a return ferry and entrance.

If you’re planning on taking the Zipwire to Nami Island, it’s best to pre-purchase this ticket to avoid the long queues. You can purchase these tickets here.

What to do in Nami Island

Now that you know how to get to Nami Island, let’s get into all the main attractions.

Unlike the Garden of Morning Calm, I found Nami Island to be more interesting, with activities to keep you busy for hours.

If you have to choose between the two, definitely go with Nami Island.

Nami Island ferry

Cycle around Nami Island

  • Cost: Single bike – 8 000 KRW per hour | Tandem bike – 16 000 KRW per hour

The best way to explore Nami Island is to rent a bike and cycle around the island.

We got a tandem bicycle, and this was the highlight of my Nami Island itinerary.

Selfies, selfies, and more selfies

It’s no secret that Nami Island is an Instagrammer’s dream destination!

With its quirky sculptures, picturesque tree-lined pathways, and abundance of fun photo spots, you can’t help but fall into the selfie trap and take a few snaps.

What to do on Nami Island

Watch the animals on Nami Island

Nami Island has many animals, including rabbits, peacocks, and ostriches. These roam around the island and are a big attraction for the kids.

Take a boat on the river

  • Cost: 40 000 KRW ($33) for a boat that can fit 5 people

If you’re visiting Nami Island in spring or summer, why not rent a water bike or a small boat and paddle out into the river?

I did find humor in watching couples out on their boats. The women sitting back taking selfies while the men frantically try to maneuver the boat in the right direction!

Nami Island water bikes

Check out the statue of Winter Sonata’s Couple

Nami Island boasts life-size figures of Kang Joon-sang and Jeong Yoo-jin. If you’re into K Dramas, you’ll know all about them!

Other Nami Island attractions

  • Stroll down Merasequoia Lane
  • Visit The Tomb of General Nami
  • Ride the train
  • Walk across the First Kiss Glass Sequoia Bridge
  • Check out the Dodamsambong Garden

How to go to Nami Island

For this itinerary, Nami Island will be your second destination. You’ll need to get here from the Garden of Morning Calm.

Garden of Morning Calm to Nami Island

The Gapyeong City Tour Bus has a pickup point at the Garden of Morning Calm and takes about 1 hour to reach Nami Island Ferry Wharf.

Once you reach the stop, walk towards the bungee jump and zip wire, which mark the entrance to Nami Island.

Nami Island day tour from Seoul

Gapyeong Station to Nami Island

If you’ve come straight from Seoul to Nami Island, you’ll get off at the Gapyeong Station.

To get to Nami Island from here, it’s easiest to take a taxi from Gapyeong Station to Nami Island Ferry Wharf, which is your entry point to Nami Island.

This is a 5-minute taxi ride which won’t cost you more than 6 000 KRW.

Top tip: Transport around Nami Island and the Garden of Morning Calm can be confusing (and time-consuming). Personally, I enjoyed getting lost, and I feel that using public transport added to the experience

But if your time is limited, I highly recommend you get a private driver for the day or go on an organized tour. This will ensure you don’t waste unnecessary time getting to and from all the Nami Island attractions.

Click here for private transfers, where you can customize your Nami Island itinerary.

Petite France

  • Entrance fee to Petite France: 11 000 KRW | Purchase discounted tickets here
  • Operating hours: 9:00 am – 6 pm
  • Time needed: 1 hour

Petite France is a small, charming village with French-styled buildings and a European ambiance.

With its bright colors and quirky sculptures, it’s a hit for Instagrammers and couples in matching outfits wanting to get those fun, cute snaps.

As with Nami Island, Petite France is also the filming location for many Korean dramas which adds to its popularity.

Petite France in your Nami Island itinerary

Is it worth including Petite France in your Nami Island itinerary

The Gapyeong region was extremely busy during my visit. If you plan your trip to Nami Island in spring or fall, you can expect the same sort of crowds

If I included Petite France in my Nami Island itinerary, I would’ve spent more time waiting in the queue for the shuttle bus than exploring the actual village.

I was quite happy to miss Petite France as I had done a lot of research and found that the biggest attraction here is the architecture and cute buildings.

It’s also smaller than most people expect, so it wasn’t something I was particularly interested in.

Because of this, I chose to spend more time on Nami Island and the Garden of Morning Calm instead.

One way to avoid these queues is to book a tour package like this which will include entrance to these leading attractions, and so you’ll be able to fit in all 3 of the top destinations in your Nami Island itinerary.

READ MORE: WHAT TO PACK FOR KOREA

Indulge in Dakgalbi

If there’s one thing you need to include in your Nami Island itinerary, it’s Dakgalbi.

This region is famous for the mouth-watering dish which I’ve feasted on numerous times.

There are many Dakgalbi restaurants around the Nami Island Ferry Wharf, and if you’re visiting on a day trip from Seoul, it’s best to grab this dish here.

However, I highly recommend you extend your stay to Nami Island and spend the night in Chuncheon, which is only a few stops away on the Seoul metro.

Chuncheon Dakgalbi Street

Chuncheon Dakgalbi Street

I was expecting a bustling street with bright lights and hundreds of tourists.

However, I was pleasantly surprised to see that Chuncheon Dakgalbi Street is a small, narrow alley lined with restaurants where Dakgalbi takes center stage.

And yes, it certainly lives up to its high expectations.

Read More: 17 Things I Love About South Korea

Day 2 Nami Island Itinerary

Unfortunately, most people only have a day to explore Nami Island and the Garden of Morning Calm.

But, it’s best to plan a weekend trip to Gapyeong Valley so that you have more time to explore the attractions besides just Nami Island.

Rail Parks near Nami Island

Enjoying the Gapyeong rail park

If pedaling along a discontinued rail line sounds fun to you, then make sure you include this activity in your Nami Island itinerary.

These rail bikes offer a unique way to explore the Korean countryside with picturesque views of the Bukhangang River.

There are two railbikes near Nami Island, including Gapyeong Rail Bike and Gangchon Rail Bike .

Both are extremely popular and have a limited number of seats available, so tickets need to be purchased at least a week in advance.

Gangchon Rail Bike

  • Cost: 30 00 KRW ($25) for a 2-seater bike | Purchase discounted tickets here.
  • Operating hours: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
  • Time Needed: 2 hours

Gangchon Rail Bike is slightly further from Nami Island than Gapyeong Rail Bike, but it’s arguably the best rail bike near Nami Island.

The 8.6 km one-way route takes you through themed tunnels and runs alongside a river. I did this bike rail on day two of my Nami Island itinerary, and it was absolutely incredible!

Read more: Why Gangchon Rail Bike Is A Must Do

Gapyeong Rail Bike

Gapyeong Rail Bike is conveniently located just a stone’s throw away from Nami Island. It’s easy to include in your Nami Island itinerary if you only have one day in the area.

The downside of Gapyeong Rail Bike is that you turn around at the halfway mark and return via the same route as you started with. So it does lack diversity in comparison to the Gangchon alternative.

Including Gangchon Rail Bike in your Nami Island itinerary

Other activities near Nami Island and Garden of Morning Calm

There are other activities around Gapyeong, such as ATV (quad bikes), go-karting, paintball, and of course, many hiking routes through the gorgeous mountains.

During Winter, Gapyeong offers some of the best skiing in Korea as well, so don’t miss out on that if you’re planning to visit Nami Island in Winter.

How to go to Nami Island from Seoul

Gapyeong Station is the closes station to Nami Island.

If you choose to visit Nami Island independently, you will first need to get to Gapyeong Station from Seoul.

From there, you can continue on to Nami Island, Petite France, and the Garden of Morning Calm.

There are three ways to get to Nami Island from Seoul.

1. ITX (Fast Train)

  • Station: Yongsan or Cheongnyangni to Gapyeong Station
  • Duration: 60 minutes
  • Cost: 5 200 KRW ($5)

The ITX Train is the quicker, more convenient option to get from Seoul to Nami Island.

You can take the ITX train from either Cheongnyangni Station (40 minutes to Gapyeong Station) or Yongsan Station (60 minutes to Gapyeong Station).

However, these tickets sell out fast. I experienced this first hand as there were none available when I tried to book.

If you’re visiting Nami Island over a weekend or school holiday, I recommend booking your seat in advance, but you can also look at the below options, which is what I ended up doing.

2. Seoul Metro

  • Station: Seoul Metro (Gyeongchun Line) to Gapyeong station
  • Duration: 90 – 120 minutes
  • Cost: 2 350 KRW ($2)

Getting to Nami Island from Seoul by subway is simple, and you don’t have to worry about tickets selling out.

However, it’s a popular route, so you could be standing for the entire 2-hour train ride.

After arriving at Gapyeong Station via either the ITX or Metro, you can make use of the local Nami Island city bus.

How to get to Nami Island

3. Seoul to Nami Island Shuttle Bus

  • Cost: 25 000 KRW (return ticket)
  • Time: 2 hours

You can also purchase a direct shuttle bus from Seoul to Nami Island. These buses depart from Myeongdong and Insadong for your convenience.

This is another convenient way to explore Nami Island, as you can use the Nami Island City Bus to get between The Garden of Morning Calm, Nami Island, and Petite France.

Nami Island shuttle bus/city bus

  • Cost: 8 000 KRW for a day pass, which can be purchased from the bus driver. Make sure you keep this bus ticket to show at every pickup point.

Once you’ve reached Gapyeong Station from Seoul, the easiest way to get to Nami Island, Garden of Morning Calm, and Petite France is with this Nami Island City Tour Bus.

The Nami Island Shuttle Bus (also known as the Gapyeong City Tour Bus) is a hop-on hop-off bus that takes you to all the leading attractions around Nami Island via two routes: Route A and B.

There are also metered taxis available throughout Nami Island and Garden of Morning Calm. However, if you’re traveling on a budget, the shuttle bus is your best option.

Read More: The Ultimate South Korea Itinerary for 2 Weeks

Nami Island Tours

As you can see, getting around Nami Island is not easy!

For foreigners (and those who cannot speak Korean), the journey is more difficult. You’ll spend quite a bit of time trying to find your way around Nami Island and the Garden of Morning Calm.

If time isn’t on your side, and if you don’t have the patience to sit around and wait for shuttle buses (or if missing the train will totally ruin your mood – as it did mine), I suggest you plan your Nami Island itinerary with an organized tour operator.

This is the easiest and most convenient way to visit Nami Island as your transport from the Myeongdong district in Seoul and entrance fees will be covered. And you’ll have English-speaking guides.

The Best Nami Island Day Tours

Nami Island, Garden of Morning Calm, and Gangchon Rail Bike Tour: This tour includes the two must-do activities in Gapyeong – Nami Island and Gangchon Rail Bike. You also have the chance to replace the Garden of Morning Calm with Petite France if you’d prefer. If you only have one day to explore, this is the perfect tour package!

Check the latest prices here.

Mount Seorak and Nami Island Tour: Seoraksan Mountain and Nami Island are arguably two of the most iconic locations in Korea. There’s no doubt that you’ll be exhausted after this full-day tour as it’s jam-packed with hiking and outdoor activities, but if you really want to tick two bucket list destinations off your Korea bucket list, this is for you!

Check latest prices here.

Alpaca Pasture, Nami Island, and the Garden of Morning Calm Day Tour: If you have kids, they’ll love this tour which includes a visit to Alpaca Pastures where you’ll set your sights on the cute Alpaca’s which reside here. Afterward, you’ll head to Nami Island and the Garden of Morning Calm before returning to Seoul.

One of the many quirky statues on Nami Island

Where to stay in Nami Island: Chuncheon or Gapyeong

If you want to stay near Nami Island, I recommend either Gapyeong or Chuncheon .

Whilst there is accommodation available on Nami Island itself, this is an expensive option.

Gapyeong is the closer of the two to Nami Island and has a nice selection of restaurants and reasonably priced accommodations.

Chuncheon , on the other hand, is about 30 minutes away from Gapyeong but is closer to the Gangchon Rail Bike. It’s a small town specializing in Dakgalbi with its own street dedicated to the famous dish.

I stayed in Chuncheon and loved my quick visit to the Dakgalbi capital of Korea!

Accommodation in Gapyeong

If you’re traveling on a budget, Jarasum Guest House is conveniently situated in Gapyeong, very close to Nami Island. It’s the cheapest place you’ll find and even comes with breakfast.

If luxury is your first choice, then check out Gapyeong Hotel Suiteian . Not only does it have large, spacious rooms, but it also has a pool and outdoor terrace.

Accommodation in Chuncheon

Budget travelers will love Sh Guesthouse in Chuncheon. Situated in the middle of Chuncheon, you’re only a short walk from restaurants and shops. The price includes breakfast and the hosts are super friendly,

Where to stay in Gapyeong and Nami Island and Nami Island and Nami Island

Is Nami Island worth visiting

Yes, Nami Island is worth visiting, especially if you’re a K Drama fan! It’s a fun way of getting to see and learn more about Korea.

I recommend spending 2 days near Nami Island, but if your time is short, you can visit on a day trip from Seoul.

However, if you don’t have much time in South Korea, you may want to consider skipping Nami Island in favor of an extra day exploring Seoul.

Best time to visit Nami Island

Nami Island is a year-round destination. Each season brings with it something unique.

From March to May, it’s spring on Nami Island.

The flowers begin to bloom, and the Garden of Morning Calm and Nami Island are filled with beautiful bright colors. The weather is cool, and it’s a great time to be outdoors.

Spring in Nami Island also brings cherry blossoms that attract a large crowd.

The summer months, from June to August, are extremely hot and humid in Korea.

A tour to Nami Island and the Garden of Morning Calm involves being outdoors, and unless you can handle the heat, it’s better to visit during the cooler months.

September to November are some of the best months to visit Nami Island.

Autumn brings along pleasant weather in contrast to the scorching hot summers and freezing cold winters. The beautiful color leaves attract many tourists, and it’s a great time to visit Nami Island.

During winter, it’s pretty chilly in Korea. You’ll need to dress warmly with boots, jackets and warm hats.

But the beautiful snow-covered landscapes offer a unique visit to Nami Island and the entire Gapyeong valley.

Read More: The Perfect 5 Day Jeju Itinerary

How long to spend in Nami Island

You only need a few hours to explore Nami Island. It’s best to pair your trip with one of the other many attractions nearby, including Garden of Morning Calm and Gangchon Rail Bike.

How long is the boat ride to Nami Island

It’s a quick ferry ride to Nami Island and only takes 10 minutes from the Gapyeong wharf.

Thoughts on a Nami Island Tour

I’m glad I finally got to see what all the hype is about. My highlights were the delicious food I ate, the rail bike, and of course, Nami Island!

Personally, I found all the attractions far too crowded, and the Gapyeong City Tour Bus was always filled to capacity. Booking a Nami Island tour package would’ve been so much easier, but luckily I had two days to explore, so my days didn’t feel too rushed.

However, if you’re unable to visit during the week, you’ll just need to come to terms with the fact that it will be chaotic on weekends.

Practical Information

best nami island tour

  • Distance from Seoul: 2.5 hours
  • Time needed: Full day | 2 days if you have time
  • Best time to go: During spring or fall, preferably during the week when it’s less busy

Have you been to Nami Island and the Garden of Morning Calm? What were your highlights? Let me know in the comments section below!

Looking for more Korea travel information? Check out my other posts!

  • Backpacking Korea: 29 Things You Need To Know
  • Why Naksan Beach is Korea’s Perfect Beach Getaway
  • 24 Strange Things About Life In Korea
  • How To East A Korean BBQ (Like a Korean)

Travel Guide to Nami Island in South Korea

Hi, I'm Carryn. I’m an adventure travel blogger trying to figure out my way through life by traveling and exploring. Join me as I share my travel guides and tips for life abroad. Find out more about me here .

Why Gangchon Rail Bike Is A Must Do in South Korea

15 top victoria falls activities: adventure, views & wildlife, 8 thoughts on “the ultimate nami island itinerary & garden of morning calm”.

Hello. Is the cost updated for 2022? I plan to travel to South Korea this August and wanted to plan ahead my expenses. Thank you for this helpful and informative post, by the way! 🙂

Hi Ericka. So glad you found this post helpful. Yes, it is updated but the USD exchange might be slightly off depending on what the exchange rate is like. Prices are constantly changing so if you find that they’re different when you visit, please let me know!

Thanks so much, this is soooo helpful! I’m visiting Korea next week and your guide has saved me tons of time researching. Very thorough and incredibly helpful. Thanks again!!xxx

That makes me so happy! Thanks for the feedback Hana, have a great time in Korea.

Thanks for this, Carryn. I’m going alone in January and reading your experiences helped me decide to do the Klook tour instead of trying to buy everything by myself. I hope I won’t look awkward riding the railbike alone (just kidding, I love solo trips)! haha!

Hi Min, I agree. I organized my trip independently and it was so much admin! A prearranged tour is a lot more convenient and easier. Enjoy your time in Korea.

Hi! Do you know if the itinerary suitable for mid December? I intend to stay near Nami Island for 2 nights then Seoul 3 nights.. What do u think? Thank you! ❤️ 😄

Hi Tracy, yes, you can do this itinerary in December but it will be cold. Pack warmly, especially if you’re doing the railbike. If you’re lucky there may even be snow but this is unlikely (Snowfall is usually in January).

Considering you only have 5 nights, I recommend spending 1 night in Chuncheon (near Nami Island) and 4 nights in Seoul. If you do this, you’ll have 2 days to explore Gapyeong and Nami Island. On the first day, you can visit Garden of Morning Calm and Nami Island and then spend the night in Chuncheon (be sure to eat Dakgalbi). The next day you can do the Gangchon Railbike and head back to Seoul thereafter.

Have a great trip Carryn

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best nami island tour

The Ultimate Guide to South Korea’s Nami Island – A Natural Paradise

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best nami island tour

Explore Nami Island or Namiseom (남이섬) in South Korea, one of the best tourist destinations near Seoul, with this ultimate guide for a day full of fun!

Table of Contents

About Nami Island

Located near Seoul, Nami Island is a beautiful island that is among the most popular attractions in South Korea. The island is located in Gapyeong (가평), around 1-2 hours from Seoul. 

The island features beautiful tree lanes, woodlands, riverside walks, and many more! It is the perfect place for nature lovers, which offers picture-perfect scenery all year round. 

Nami Island is officially called the Naminara Republic and it is an independent island-nation with its own flag and currency. It is a half-moon shaped isle that was formed as a result of the construction of Cheongpyeong Dam.

Best Time to Visit Nami Island

Well, to be very truthful, there is no ‘ best time ’ to visit Nami Island. There’s always something special for everyone, no matter the season. 

The island becomes a blooming wonderland! Trees and spring flowers start to bloom, and you can even see the much-coveted cherry blossoms from early to mid-April. The air is crisp and refreshing with pleasantly mild weather. 

Season of summer welcomes the lush greenery to the island. You can relax and take a stroll along the beautiful tree lanes among pine trees and redwoods. With on-and-off showers, the summer is hot and humid. 

Just like anywhere else in Korea, you can enjoy the fall foliage across the Naminara Republic from mid-September to November. Reed beds on the riverside are also another enjoyable site during fall. Weather is finally cool and dry with clear skies to enjoy all outdoor activities. 

Nami Island has become a famous winter romantic destination after its foray as filming location into Korean romance drama like ‘Winter Sonata (2002)’. During winters, all you can see is tall, white birch trees and snow-covered tree lanes. It is like a magical wonderland right out of a fairytale! Weather is much colder in January, and there’s snowfall around late November. 

What’s the Best Way to Go to Nami Island?

You can reach Nami Island from Seoul by using public transport. Though the Korean transportation system is a bit tricky, it is still the cheapest way to travel. You also have an option to book a tour via any of the travel sites, and they will take care of the transportation . If you are self-driving, then you can use KAKAO Maps or Naver Maps for the best navigation in the country. 

nami island

There are two ways to get to Nami Island – a ferry from Gapyeong Ferry Wharf or zip-lining.

It is inaccessible by land transport because it’s an island obviously!! And if you are feeling more adventurous, you can also get there via a zip-wire run by Nami Skyline Zip Wire. The zip-line is only a one-way trip, and you’ll have to return via ferry. 

Naminara Republic Visa includes entrance fees and ferry fare, and it costs 13,000 won. Skyline zip-wire costs 44,000 won including the entrance fee. You can also opt for a Passport of Naminara Republic for 45,000 won which offers unlimited access to Naminara Republic for 1 year.

5 Must-Visit Walking Paths in Nami Island

There are so many amazing sights and attractions on Namiseom that it is difficult to see them all out in a single visit. To help you make the most of your trip, we’ve narrowed them down in our ultimate guide to the top 5 must-visit walking paths in Nami Island. 

You can also check out the foodie-inspired travel itinerary and things to do in Nami Island.

Central Korean Pine Tree Lane

It is a scenic path that runs from the north of the island leading to the center of Naminara Republic. The trail is lined with thick pine trees. 

Central Korean Pine Tree Lane nami island

Ginkgo Tree Lane

Another must-visit destination in Nami Island. You can enjoy the splendor of bright yellow ginkgo leaves during fall. It is approximately 80 meters long and gets completely covered with beautiful yellow ginkgo leaves in autumn. 

Ginkgo Tree Lane

Metasequoia Lane

It’s a path lined with giant redwood trees making it a picturesque scenery. Metasequoia trees are also known as living fossils, and they grow tall very quickly. This lane is elegant, exotic, and magnificent in appearance. 

Metasequoia Lane

Riverside Reed Paths

There are wooden walks around the water edge to take in the stunning views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Stroll around the paths, and you will be amazed by the natural beauty of the Namiseom. 

Riverside Reed Paths nami island korea

White Birch Lane

It is also known as Tulip Tree Lane and it runs about 300 meters long along the south-eastern shore. The cortexes of white birches are bright enough to serenely enlighten the lane even when it is dark. The flowers of these trees resemble tulips, and hence the name.

White Birch Lane

There are many other places in the Naminara Republic which will offer you respite from the stress of city life. Along with this ultimate Nami Island guide, you can check out more on the Nami Island Official Website . 

Photo Credits

  • Nami Island Official Website
  • Nami Island Official Facebook Page

Check out posts on islands in Korean peninsula on KoreaTravelPost:

  • Jeju Island: The Hawaii of South Korea
  • Must-Visit Islands In South Korea During Winters
  • Top 4 Things to Do in Nami Island, South Korea
  • 8 Korean Islands For Day Trips Near Seoul and Incheon Port That Aren’t Jeju or Nami

Nami Island Guide for Food Lovers – 6 Places to Eat in Nami Island, South Korea

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Hello there! I'm the Features Editor for KoreaTravelPost.

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Nami Island Tours

Our Nami Island tours are one of the most popular 1-day activities for those visiting Seoul, and for good reason! This Instagram shooting hot spot provides an absolutely gorgeous scenery in every season! Combined with either another activity or visit to a different local attraction, a day tour to Nami Island is guaranteed to be a memorable experience!

Namiseom vs Namisom vs Naminara – What’s the difference?

An often confusing point for first time visitors to Seoul are the different names given to this famous island. But don’t be confused because it’s quite simple really. Namiseom and Namisom are just different phonetic spellings of the Korean name for the island (남이섬). While Nami Island is the English translation and most commonly used term.

Naminara Republic pretend immigration line

Naminara Republic, or Naminara for short on the other hand is a cultural tourism brand. Pretending to be its own country and used to declare its cultural independence from the Republic of Korea. Their official stance is that “Naminara celebrates the imagination and shares its beautiful fairy tales and songs with guests from all over the world”.

So regardless of which name you go by, for all intents and purposes you’ll still be taking a tour to Nami Island.

Where is Nami Island?

Nami Island is located in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province. So where is that exactly? Well its 63 kilometers from Seoul. It takes roughly about an hour to get there from Seoul’s suburbs by car, or about 90 minutes from downtown Seoul.

The island itself was formed in the middle of the North Han River. It’s the same river you will see flowing through the center of Seoul, just much further upstream.

Nami Island tour from Seoul – Course and Itinerary

We offer 4 different Nami Island tours from Seoul. Each one offers a similar course and itinerary, but with 1 key difference. It is combined with another local activity or must see hot spot located nearby.

2 people having a delicious Chuncheon dak-galbi lunch on one of our Nami Island tours

Being so close to Chuncheon, your experience wouldn’t be complete without indulging in a delicious Dak Galbi (chicken stir fry). This is because Chuncheon is the origin and home town of this iconic dish. So that’s exactly what’s on the lunch menu – a mouth watering traditional Chuncheon dak-galbi.

Our itinerary therefore looks like this:

  • Complimentary Seoul hotel pick-up
  • Transportation from and to Seoul
  • Ferry to Nami Island (included) / Zipline to Nami Island (optional additional charge)
  • Explore the island
  • Tasty dak-galbi lunch in Chuncheon
  • A second stop at either – Gardend of Morning Calm / Petite France / Rail Biking / Strawberry Farm / Elysian Gangchon Resort (Pick 1)
  • Quick stop at the Korean Amethyst or Ginseng Center
  • Seoul Hotel Drop-off

Which tour should you choose?

As described above each tour to Nami Island is combined with a second location or activity located nearby. We find this is the perfect balance to make the most of your day trip, while still having enough time to enjoy each stop without having to rush.

Here is a quick overview of each Nami Island tour package:

  • Our Nami Island and Garden of Morning Calm tour is perfect for families with young children, and those who want to explore nature and take lots of great photos.
  • Choosing our Nami Island and Rail Bike tour is a lovely way to get some exercise while pedaling through the gorgeous Korean landscape.
  • For foodies our Nami Island Strawberry Picking tour is the ultimate choice when visiting Korea between December and June!
  • While our Nami Island Winter tour is best for those who just want to maximise their time playing in the snow.

Still not sure what to choose? Then we would recommend our Nami Island and Garden of Morning Calm tour . This is our most popular option.

Adrenaline junkies can take the Zipline from Gapyeong Wharf

The Nami Island ferry full of passengers in the middle of the Han River

Are you an adrenaline junky? Would you prefer a heart pumping entrance to Nami Island rather than a relaxing ferry ride? Then you can consider taking the zipline to Nami Island! Although more popular with our younger audiences, those who are still young at heart are welcome too.

To people taking the zipline to Nami Island

Beware though that the zipline to Nami Island from Gapyeong Wharf starts from an 80m high tower and is 940m long. So if heights aren’t your thing, then its probably best to stick with us on the ferry. While the zipline will offer you an additional thrill as you speed across to Nami Island overhead, just be aware there will also be an additional fee on the day. For those that are interested, simply let your tour guide know on arrival at Gapyeong Wharf.

Stunning in every season

Stunning white Cherry Blossoms can be seen behind a girl riding a bike on Nami Island during Spring

Nami Island is great regardless of the season. Which is the best season really comes down to a matter of preference, and is a much debated subject.

Incredible green, red, yellow and golden brown colors can be seen on the trees which are in Autumn on Nami Island

Spring (March – May) offers fantastic temperatures, beautiful cherry blossoms and delightful smells. Summer (June – August) gives the opportunity to make the most of the Water Garden Swimming Pool and bright green leaves. Autumn (September – November) is full of bright yellow, red and golden brown leaves, perfect temperatures and clear views. Winter (December – February), often popular with kids and lovers of snow provides ideal conditions for building snowmen, sipping on warm cocoa and catching a glimpse of the bare trees covered in heavy snow.

Top Spots to See on the Island

During your day trip, one of our kind tour guides will give you a quick overview of the island, and point you in the direction of some of the main spots. Be sure to ask anything you’d like to know. From directions to recommending a good cup of tea or cocoa they’ll be happy to help.

To get you started here a some of the top spots you might want to check out:

A statue of the two main characters in Winter Sonata at Gongsaengwon Garden on Nami Island

  • Ginkgo Tree Lane – Glows a gorgeous yellow in Autumn
  • Gongsaengwon Garden – See the famous “Winter Sonata” statue of the 2 main characters
  • Water Garden Swimming Pool – Perfect in Summer
  • Baekpungmilwon Maple Garden – Expect some reds from September to November
  • Jeonggwan Baekryeonji Pond – like looking into glass
  • Nami Island Sky bike – A bit of above the ground fun for everyone
  • Zipline to Nami Island – A must for thrill seekers
  • Maple Lane & Namipungwon Maple Garden – Take a stroll along the lane of true love
  • Metasequoia Lane – Filming location for many of the romantic scenes from Winter Sonata
  • Eco Farm Yeonryeonji Pond – Try to spot ostriches, squirrels, ducks geese and many birds
  • Central Train Station – Take a train around the island
  • Hut Bridge – Walk over a section of the Han River
  • Rent a bike from the Bike Center – Pedal around the island. It’s the most efficient way!
  • Elysian Waterfall – Because every paradise needs one
  • Plus many more…

Ready to Explore? Well that was a silly question. Of course you are! Pick your favourite Nami Island tour below, and a member of our helpful team will take care of the rest.

Showing all 4 results

People taking a train ride around Nami Island

Nami Island and Garden of Morning Calm tour

At Gangchon Rail Park getting ready to go rail biking

Nami Island and Rail Bike Tour

Very sweet organic Korean Strawberries

Nami Island + Strawberry Picking tour

Snowmen enjoying the warm fire at Nami Island in Winter

Nami Island Winter Tour

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Day Trip to Gapyeong: Nami Island, The Garden of Morning Calm, Petite France & Gapyeong Rail Park

Nami Island is one of the most popular and must-visit destinations for visitors to South Korea . A day trip to Nami Island can be made together with its nearby attractions including  The Garden of Morning Calm , Petite France and Gapyong Rail Park .

Gapyeong Rail Park

There are many options to get to these attractions in Gapyeong easily including the once-a-day direct shuttle bus services to/fro Nami Island and the many affordable day tours available to different Gapyeong 's attractions of your choice. For those who are more adventurous and would like to travel at your own timings, public transport is another feasible option too.

We will cover the following topics for your day trip planning to Gapyeong 's top attractions:

↬   How to get to Gapyeong from Seoul

➊   Gapyeong Rail Park

➋   nami island, ➌   petite france, ➍   the garden of morning calm.

best nami island tour

How to Go to Nami Island, The Garden of Morning Calm, Petite France & Gapyeong Rail Park from Seoul

➊ ​ From Seoul to Gapyeong Station:

Take the subway to Gapyeong Station 가평역 (from Myeongdong Station , 2 lines transfer, 80+ mins, ₩2250).

Take the subway to Cheongnyangni Station 청량리역  in Seoul (from Myeongdong Station , 1 line transfer, 17 mins, ₩1250). Take subway's exit 4 and walk to Cheongnyangni Train Station (3 mins). From there, take the ITX Train to Gapyeong Station 가평역 (39 mins, ₩5700, covered under Korail Pass as well). ITX train schedule & ticket can be booked online at KORAIL official  website .

─ ITX Train Schedule ─

Cheongnyangni (Seoul) to Gapyeong

─ Gapyeong Station ─

Tourist Information, Bus Stop & Taxi Stand

**for overview only. see latest ITX train schedule **

Map of Gyeongchun Line (subway & ITX) to Gapyeong Station (/Cheongpyeong Station) from Seoul

Map of Gyeongchun Line (subway & ITX) to Gapyeong and Cheongpyeong Station from Seoul | KoreaToDo

When taking the subway, it is recommended to use the MetroidHD/KakaoMetro  app (or any subway apps) to find the fastest path based on your departure time and station. It is worthwhile to try a few departure times as there are limited trains per hour on Gyeongchun L​ine .

Also on subway, when transferring to Gyeongchun Line at either Cheongnyani (KTX) , Hoegi or Sangbong (KTX) Stations, please note that the subway line colour of Gyeongchun Line (last station: Chuncheon ) is closely similar to Gyeongui-Jungang Line (last station:  Jipyeong ), operating along these stations as well. Lastly, non-KTX station (e.g. Hoegi Station ) will be less complex and recommended for your transfer to Gyeongchun Line .

If you are staying nearer to Yongsan Station 용산역  in Seoul , you can take ITX train from here as well (55 mins, ₩6900 to Gapyeong Station ).

If you are only going to visit The Garden of Morning Calm , you may alight at the nearer  Cheongpyeong Station . refer to section below for details.

If you are still undecided to take the subway or ITX train , just hop on the subway as they are more frequent and cheaper than the ITX trains and thus offer greater flexibility for your day trip.

Gapyeong Tourist Information, bus stop and taxi stand are all conveniently located outside  Gapyeong Station 가평역 .

➋ ​ From Gapyeong Station, begin your trip to your desired place of attractions by hopping on Gapyeong City Tour Bus (Course A):

Day Ticket: ₩8000 (Adult) / ₩6000 (Child) / free (Child under 3 years old).

Purchase day ticket on board with driver either by cash or using T-money (card).

You can hop on and off the bus as many times as you wish on its circular route. ​

Latest Updates - Gapyeong City Tour Bus Schedule

Gapyeong City Tour Bus to Nami Island, Petite France, The Garden of Morning Calm & Gapyeong Rail Park | KoreaToDo

**for overview only. see latest bus schedule **

➌ ​ Back to Seoul:

Take the subway back to Seoul from either Gapyeong Station 가평역 (to Myeongdong , 87+ mins, 2 line transfers, ₩2250) or Cheongpyeong Station 청평역 (to Myeongdong , 77+ mins, 2 transfers, ₩2150).

Take the ITX train from Gapyeong Station 가평역 (40 mins, ₩5700) or Cheongpyeong Station 청평역 (35 mins, ₩4500) to Cheongnyangni Station . Walk to Cheongnyangni Station (subway) and take the subway to your next destination in Seoul.​

─ ITX Train Schedule ─

Gapyeong to Cheongnyangni (Seoul)

─ ITX Train Schedule ─

Cheongpyeong to Cheongnyangni (Seoul)

**for overview only. see latest train schedule **

➊  Gapyeong Rail Park 가평레일파크

경기도 가평군 가평읍 장터길 14 | 14, Jangteo-gil, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do

Departure from Gapyeong Station:

Mar - Oct:  9:00, 10:30, 12:00, 14:00, 15:30 & 17:00

Nov - 28 Feb (winter):  as above except last departure is 15:30

See Schedule.

Gapyeong Rail Park - Admission Fees

2-seater rail bike: ₩30,000 / 4-seater rail bike: ₩40,000. Pricing based on per bike.

Incl. round trip from Gapyeong Station to Gyeonggang Station, 8km, 1hr 20mins.

Refer to section - How to Get from Seoul to Gapyeong Rail Park

www.gprailpark.com

Gapyeong Rail Park operates the Gapyeong Rail Bike Course on an abandoned railway line. The round-trip course of total 8km departs from Gapyeong Rail Park to Gyeonggang Station and back to Gapyeong Rail Park .

The course passes through scenic views including Gapyeongcheon Stream Iron Bridge , Bukhanggang Iron Bridge and Zelkova Tree Tunnel .

Gapyeong Rail Park

➋  Nami Island 남이섬

강원도 춘천시 남산면 남이섬길 1 | 1, Namiseom-gil, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do

1st Ferry (from Gapyeong Wharf): 7:30, Last Ferry (from Nami Wharf): 21:40

7:30-9:00 - every 30 mins

9:00-18:00 - every 10-20 mins

18:00-21:40 - every 30 mins

Ferry ride: 5-6 mins

9:00-17:00 (Apr-Oct) / 9:00-18:00 (Nov-Mar)

Under 2 mins to reach Nami Island (1-way only)

Nami Island - Admission Fees

Mandatory Fees

VISA Fees (incl. entrance & ferry fees):

Adult: ₩16,000 / Students (Middle to High School) & Seniors (70+ years old): ₩13,000 / Child (36 mths old to Elementary School), before 8:00 boat boarding, after 18:00 (Dec-Mar) & after 18:30 (Apr-Nov): ₩10,000

₩49,900 (incl. entrance fee & ferry from Nami Island)

Optional Activities

Bicycle Rental (from ₩5,000, 30 mins)

Electric Tri-way Rental (from ₩12,000, 30 mins)

Sky-bike (₩3,000)

UNICEF Charity Train (₩3,000, 1-way)

Story Tour Bus (₩8,000, 20 mins)

Forest Adventure Treego (₩20,000)

Motorboat (₩40,000, 5 pax)

Baby Stroller (₩3,000)

Wheelchair (free)

Refer to section - How to Get from Seoul to Nami Island. If preferred, Taxi from Gapyeong Station to Gapyeong Wharf is just 5 mins ride and costs only 5000 won. From Gapyeong Wharf, take the ferry to Nami Island.

Nami Island - Gapyeong City Tour Bus Service

www.namisum.com

Nami Island has the interesting shape of a leaf with 5km circumference . It is surrounded by Cheongpyeong Lake .

The island was formed with the construction of Cheongpyeong dam and named after General Nami , a notable figure in Korean history.

Nami Island is well-known worldwide as the filming location of the hugely popular Korean TV drama, Winter Sonata (2002) by Bae Yong-joon and Choi Ji-woo. There is even a life-size statue of the show's main characters, located on the extreme right end of the island from Nami Wharf.

Even though it is a small island, there are a lot of things to see, do and eat at Nami Island. So, visitors are encouraged to buffer enough time to cover this beautiful island on your visit.

Gapyeong Wharf & Around

Around Gapyeong Wharf

Ferry to Nami Island

Nami Island - Gapyeong Wharf & Ferry

or Zip-wire to Nami Island

Nami Island - Zipwire

Arriving at Nami Island

Nami Island - Reaching Nami Island by Ferry

Central Korean Pine Tree Lane

Nami Island - Autumn - Central Korean Pine Tree Lane

Baekpungmilwon Maple Garden

Nami Island - Autumn - Baekpungmilwon Maple Garden

Together Park & Maple Lane

Nami Island - Autumn - Together Park

Weeping Willow Lane & Tulip Tree Lane

Nami Island - Weeping Willow Lane & Tulip Tree Lane

UNICEF Charity Train

Nami Island - UNICEF Charity Train

Veterans' Memorial

Nami Island - Veterans' Memorial

Nami Wharf & Nearby

Nami Island - Nami Wharf

➌  Petite France 쁘띠프랑스

경기도 가평군 청평면 호반로 1063 | 1063, Hoban-ro, Cheongpyeong-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do

sunset-20:00 (for Little Prince Lighting Festival in Winter, ticketing ends at 19:00)

Petite France - Admission Fees

Adult & Youth (Middle to High School): ₩12,000 / Child (36 mths old to Elementary School): ₩10,000

Refer to section - How to Get from Seoul to Petite France .  If preferred, Taxi from Gapyeong Station to Petite France takes about 25 mins, ₩20,000.

If you are going back to Seoul from Petite France, Cheongpyeong Station 청평역 would be the nearer station.

www.pfcamp.com

Petite France, a French cultural village set in the Korean countryside and the only French theme park in Korea .

Petit France's concept is to give dream and hope not only to children but also warm happiness to grown-ups when they visited the place.

Petite France

➍  The Garden of Morning Calm 아침고요수목원

경기도 가평군 상면 수목원로 432 | 432, Sumogwon-ro, Sang-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do

08:30-18:00

Winter Lighting Festival (Dec - March): 11:00-21:00 (Weekdays & Sundays) / 11:00-23:00 (Saturdays)

Last admission 1 hour before closing.

The Garden of Morning Calm - Admission Fees

Adult: ₩11,000 / Senior (65 yrs old & above): ₩9,000 / Youth (Middle to High School): ₩7,500 / Child (36 mths old to Elementary School): ₩6,500

If you are going to a few tourist attractions taking the hop-on/off  Gapyeong City Tour Bus , please refer to section - How to Get from Seoul to The Garden of Moring Calm  for your trip planning.

If you are only going to visit The Garden of Morning Calm:

Cheongpyeong Station 청평역 would be the nearest station. Subway from Myeongdong (for your reference only) takes about 71+ mins with 2 transfers, ₩2150;

   OR

Take the subway to Cheongnyangni Station 청량리역 (17 mins, ₩1250), exit 4, walk to Cheongnyangni Train Station (3 mins) and take the ITX train to Cheongpyeong 청평역 (35 mins, ₩4500).

From Cheongpyeong Station (exit 1) , take city bus no. 30-6/30-7  to The Garden of Morning Calm, the terminal stop, 25 mins. ​ If preferred, taxi from Cheongpyeong Station to The Garden of Morning Calm takes about 17 mins, ₩16,600.​

Bus Schedule Overview

**For overview only. Use Naver Map / KakaoMap App for the latest bus schedule based on your travel time. Info on the full bus schedule is also available at the station & morning calm bus stops. ** 

💡Tourist Information, bus stop & taxi stand are all conveniently located outside Cheongnyangni Station .

www.morningcalm.co.kr

The Garden of Morning Calm is the oldest private garden in Korea , founded by Professor Han Sang-kyung with vision to create a world-class garden that embraces the beauty of Korea .

The Garden of Morning Calm with a total area of 330,000㎡ has  over 5,000 kinds of plants and 22 distinctive themes .

This beautiful and artistic garden can be enjoyed in all seasons, including the Lighting Festival (Dec-Mar) in Winter.

a) Entrance & Filming Location

The Garden of Morning Calm - Map

b) Dropping Tree Garden & Sunken Garden

The Garden of Morning Calm - Spring - Dropping Tree Garden

c) Road to Heaven

The Garden of Morning Calm - Spring - Road to Heaven

d) Pond Garden, Korean Garden & Open Air Stage

The Garden of Morning Calm - Spring - Pond Garden

e) Pine and Japanese Oak Forests Trail

The Garden of Morning Calm - Spring - Pine and Japanese Oak Forests Trail

f) Wild Flowers in Spring

The Garden of Morning Calm - Spring Flowers

g) Green House

The Garden of Morning Calm - Green House

h) Plant Shop

The Garden of Morning Calm - Plant Shop

Winter & Garden of Morning Calm Lighting Festival (Dec - Mar)

The Garden of Morning Calm - Winter

KoreaToDo TOP PICKS - Tours, Activities & Discount Tickets

➥ Handpicked experiences by KoreaToDo for their uniqueness, value, popularity, price competitiveness and at times, tedious to reach by public transport.

Gapyeong Rail Bike Experience Ticket

Gapyeong Rail Bike Experience Ticket

return trip & closer to Nami

Alpaca World, Nami Island & The Garden of Morning Calm Day Tour

Alpaca World, Nami Island & The Garden of Morning Calm Day Tour

walk with adorable alpacas

Nami Island Admission Ticket (incl. return ferry)

Nami Island Admission Ticket (incl. return ferry)

Skip the ticketing queue!

Nami Island, Petite France, Italian Village & Gangchon Rail Bike Day Tour

Nami Island, Petite France, Italian Village & Gangchon Rail Bike Day Tour

Seoul - Nami Island Round-Trip Shuttle Bus

Seoul - Nami Island Round-Trip Shuttle Bus

Legoland Korea & Nami Island Day Tour

Legoland Korea & Nami Island Day Tour

World's 2nd largest Legoland!

Nami Island, Garden of Morning Calm & Gangchon Rail Bike Day Tour

Nami Island, Garden of Morning Calm & Gangchon Rail Bike Day Tour

best of Gangwon province!

PRIVATE DAY TOUR: Alpaca World, Nami Island & Garden of Morning Calm

PRIVATE DAY TOUR: Alpaca World, Nami Island & Garden of Morning Calm

hotel pickup & admissions

♔  KoreaToDo recommends  Klook.com , Asia leading in-destination service provider.

best nami island tour

🌸SEASONAL HOT PICKS🌸 Handpicked Experiences from Seoul

2024 Pohang International Fireworks Festival (from Seoul)

2024 Pohang International Fireworks Festival (from Seoul)

incl. Hwanho Park Space Walk

Taean Tulip Festival, Kkotji Beach & Strawberry Picking Day Tour

Taean Tulip Festival, Kkotji Beach & Strawberry Picking Day Tour

12 Apr - 7 May 2024

World's top five tulip festivals!

Taean Tulip Festival & Strawberry Picking Day Tour

Taean Tulip Festival & Strawberry Picking Day Tour

500g strawberry picking

Other Day Trips from Seoul that you may like:

Alpaca World Animal Farm  - Check out these strange-looking alpaca grazing in nature

Yangpyeong Dumulmeori - A top 100 Must-Go Destination in Korea. A popular shooting site for Korean TV dramas

Paju, a South Korea city close to North Korea/DMZ : Provence Village, Heyri Art Village & Paju Premium Outlets

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Nami Island Day Trip from Seoul: How to Cover the Best of Gapyeong (Petite France, Garden of Morning Calm, Rail Bike Park)

best nami island tour

Plan your Nami Island day trip — a must-visit in South Korea!

View of Nami Island VTL Itinerary

Photo credit: Korea Tourism Organisation

Located in Gapyeong (가평), Nami Island (남이섬) is less than two hours from Seoul. It’s full of gorgeous attractions, like the Garden of Morning Calm (아침고요수목원) . There’s also the colourful, European-style buildings of  Petite France (쁘띠프랑스) . No wonder K-dramas have used these spots as filming locations!

You can cover this popular day trip on your own with some careful planning. That said, there are also all-inclusive tours which cover transport from Seoul, attractions, and entrance tickets.

In this guide, we’ll share how we explored Nami Island on our own. But if you prefer a fuss-free experience, it’s worthwhile to hop on a tour!

*Pro-tip: Use code <THETRAVELINTERN> on Klo ok to get 5% off all activities with a min. spend of S$50 (discount cap at S$15). Apply the promo code upon checkout. One-time use only!

Read also: 7-Day First Timer’s South Korea Itinerary Under S$1k incl. Day Trips Out of Seoul

How to get to Nami Island from Seoul

Here are a couple of ways you can get to Gapyeong, the county where Nami Island is.

Seoul to Nami Island (Gapyeong) by train

Korail card in train of South korea - South Korea Cherry Blossom Guide 2019

Subway/Metro (~₩2,350/pax, 95 mins): From Yongsan Station (용산 역 ), take the train to   Sangbong Station ( 상봉역). Transfer to Gyeongchun Line, then exit at Gapyeong Station ( Google Maps )

ITX-Cheongchun (From ₩6,600/pax, 60mins): From Yongsan Station (용산역) , take the ITX to Gapyeong Stn  (가평역) (Google Maps )

T-money does not pay for rides on the ITX, so you’ll need to purchase a separate ticket from Korail counters. We used our  Korail Pass  for this, so it was free for us (plus free seat reservations!)

Check the schedule from the  Korail booking page  by typing Yongsan  and  Gapyeong  under the ‘Departure/Arrive’ fields.

Seoul to Nami Island (Gapyeong) by car

Gapyeong Station view - Korea Itinerary Korail Pass-3

Shuttle bus ( From ~S$32/pax ): Want to take on Nami Island DIY-style? Book a round-trip shuttle from Seoul .

Else, this  all-inclusive tour is your best bet! Get picked up from a central location (Hongdae, Myeongdong or Dongdaemun), and shuttle to Gapyeong. The private bus will bring you to attractions you’d like to cover, entrance included!

We wish we had taken this option instead ’cause we ended up getting lost on the way to Nami Island from Gapyeong… but more on that later 😪

Private car: For added flexibility, hire a private car charter from Seoul. Or, rent a car that you can pick up from Incheon Airport.

Getting around Gapyeong via bus

Crowded Gapyeong Tourist Bus - Korea Itinerary Korail Pass

If you’re exploring Nami on your own, there’s a  Gapyeong City Tour Bus that runs hourly from 9AM – 7PM. It starts at Gapyeong Station and covers Nami Island’s popular attractions.

For a flat rate of ₩8,000 (~S$9), purchase the Gapyeong Bus Pass from the bus captain for unlimited rides within a day. Keep this ticket and show it to the bus captain at every pickup point.

The bus comes at intervals of 30 minutes to an hour. It’s usually packed from 10AM – 2PM, so try to reach the bus stop earlier than scheduled. Miss a bus, and you might not be able to visit an attraction (or two) as the next bus will arrive in an hour.

Gapyeong City Tour Bus Schedule

Course A Gapyeong bus - Nami Island

Intercity Bus Course A

We made a mistake and took a bus in the WRONG direction while at Nami Island 😱

It cost us 2.5 hours of waiting and finding our way back. As a result, we missed our rail bike booking at 5PM! Please familiarise yourself with the schedule to avoid the same mistake we did.

Gapyeong City Tour Bus Schedule

Gapyeong and Nami Island Day Trip Itinerary (DIY)

If you’re planning to cover Nami on your own, you can follow what we tried. To cover all four locations, we started our day at 5AM and spent a maximum of two hours at each spot.

To be honest, our schedule is pretty ambitious. So if you’d rather take it easy, you might want to remove one activity or sign-up for a guided day tour .

6:00AM – 6:55AM:  Take ITX from Yongsan, Seoul to Gapyeong

7:00AM: Take the Intra-city (Green) bus* for Gapyeong Wharf at ₩1,100 (~S$1) or take a taxi for ~₩4,000 (~S$4)

7:35AM: Take the first ferry to Nami Island (from Gapyeong Wharf)

7:45AM – 9:50AM: Explore Nami Island

10:00AM: Take the ferry back to Gapyeong Wharf

10:25AM – 10:50AM:  Take Gapyeong City Bus (Opposite GS25) to Petite France

11AM – 12:45PM: Explore Petite France

12:50PM – 1:35PM: Take Gapyeong City Bus to the Garden Of Morning Calm

1:40PM – 3PM: Explore Garden of Morning Calm

3:05PM – 4:22PM: Take Gapyeong City Bus to Gapyeong Rail Bike Park

5:00PM: Gapyeong Rail Bike

7:28PM – 8:24PM: Take ITX back to Seoul (reserve seats for this train in the morning)

How to get from Gapyeong to Nami Island

Entrance and Tickets at Nami Island - Nami Island

There are two ways to get to Nami Island from Gapyeong Station . The most common way is to ride the Gapyeong City Tour Bus to Gapyeong Wharf, then ride a ferry . Your Nami Island admission ticket should come with a ferry ticket.

Pre-book your ticket via Klook to skip the lines, and simply present the QR code at the ferry gate!

The other way to get to Nami Island is by zip-lining … yep. The zip-line is only one-way, and you’ll have to leave the island by ferry. Ferries leave every 30 minutes from 8AM – 9AM, and every 10-20 minutes between 9AM – 6PM.

1) Nami Island (남이섬)

Winter sonata statue - Nami Island

Strike a pose with auntie-killer Bae Yong-Joon’s life-sized copper statue!

Nami Island has been attracting many K-drama lovers since the early 2000s. It was popularised by Winter Sonata 겨울연가  (2002), an iconic K-drama that certainly ignited the Korean Wave worldwide.

Wedding shoot at Nami island - Korea Itinerary Korail Pass

A popular site for wedding shoots

It’s only an hour’s drive from Seoul too, so it’s the perfect place for anyone who wants to relax, and escape the rapid city pace.

Rabbit - Nami Island

Spot free-roaming bunnies and squirrels while you’re at Nami Island too!

Kimchi Huts of Nami - Nami Island

Here’s a squirrel chilling between two kimchi huts.

Ostriches at Nami - Nami Island

Stop by the old rail tracks to take photos with ostriches on the island!

The redwood trees of Metasequoia Road and Central Korean Pine Tree Lane are a couple of popular photo spots. The tall, majestic trees just seem to go on and on forever.

Metasequoia Trees in Nami Island - Nami Island

Nami is exceptionally beautiful during autumn. Rows of pine and maple trees turn red and transform the island into a huge pumpkin spice latte. We were there in early autumn and the foliages were still green. But in November, Nami Island comes alive in a sea of red and gold!

Nami Island Autumn - Nami Island

Nami Island in Autumn . Photo credit: @guide5111 via Instagram

Nami Hotteok - Nami Island

Feeling peckish? Try the hotteok (호떡) — a popular Korean red bean pancake — from the  Nami Island Sonata Cafe at ₩1,500/pc (~S$2). The hotteoks are freshly prepared, and make a great treat after the long walks around Nami Island!

Fun fact:  Nami Island declared its “cultural independence” on 1 Mar 2006. This imaginary “country” has invented its own passport, currency, stamp, and even telephone card!

Cycling in Nami Island South Korea - Nami Island Guide

Photo credit: Klook

While Nami Island can be explored on foot, other modes of transport can save you some walking and time. There’s the Story Tour Bus, UNICEF Charity Train, Sky-bike and Electric Tri-way bikes. Adventurous souls can even get on an exhilarating forest zip-line in Nami Island!

Cost: From ~S$10/pax via Klook (inclusive of entrance and ferry) Opening hours: 8AM – 9PM

Lunch at Alisu (아리수)

Arisu Restaurant - Nami Island

There are a couple of food stalls around the ferry terminal. However, if you’re looking for a full meal, there’s a dakgalbi restaurant near the bus stop, Alisu . It’s a blue building with two big chimpanzees on it, hence it’s hard to miss.

While we did not have our lunch there, we read that the dakgalbi (닭갈비), or spicy stir-fried chicken, is delicious and reasonably priced.

Dak-galbi from Arisu - Nami Island

Photo credit: 정실짱

Do take your meals before heading to Petite France and Garden of Morning Calm, as there are limited food options around those areas.

Cost: ~₩15,000/pax (~S$15) How to get there: Walk across shuttle bus stop for Gapyeong tourists ( Google Maps – directions inaccurate; use only for reference)

Second Stop: Petite France (쁘띠프랑스)

Petite France Buildings - Nami Island

Next up in our Nami Island day trip is Petite France , a French cultural village that showcases vintage European trinkets, such as century-old dolls and puppets, antiquities, furniture and orgels (musical instrument). Stepping into Petite France, you’ll feel transported to a different time period.

Little Prince Petite France - Nami Island

While Petite France is also the most touristy, it’s definitely worth a visit as the colourful buildings’ facade make a great backdrop for photos.

Puppet Show Petite France - Nami Island

There are several free performances such as the Orgel Demonstration, Guignol French Hand Puppet show, Marionette Czech String Puppet show, and accordion performances by the street musician.

Street Performer Petite France - Nami Island

Eagle-eyed K-drama fans will probably recognise Petite France from series such as My Love From the Star 별에서 온 그대  (2014), Secret Garden 시크릿 가든 (2010), and Beethoven Virus 베토벤 바이러스 (2008).

Petite France Butterfly Park - Nami Island

Besides the iconic colourful buildings, another great photo spot is the Butterfly Park.

Entrance fee:  ₩12,000/pax (~S$12) Opening hours:  9AM – 6PM (Last entry: 5PM) How to get there: Take the Gapyeong City Tour Bus from Nami Island Station to Petite France

Third Stop: Garden of Morning Calm (아침고요수목원)

Sunken Garden Garden of Morning Calm - Nami Island

With 26 themed gardens, the Garden of Morning Calm is every botanist’s / horticulturist’s / photographer’s dreamland. While we were there, the chrysanthemums were in full bloom, which mesmerised us all.

Purple Chrysanthemum Garden of Morning Calm - Nami Island

It’s a great place for people to slow down. Stroll around, and admire the beautiful flowers and landscapes within South Korea’s oldest private garden.

Autumn Colours at Garden of Morning Calm - Nami Island

Many older folks can be seen brisk walking, while the younger ones take selfies amongst colourful beds of flowers around Pond Garden and Sunken Garden.

Garden of Morning Calm - Nami Island

The Garden of Morning Calm is open all year round. Exhibits are seasonal, so there’s always a reason to visit. In spring, magnolia, azalea, and cherry blossoms paint the gardens pink. Meanwhile, in Summer, the garden bursts into a myriad of colours when roses, iris, and blue hydrangeas bloom.

Garden of Morning Calm Autumn Colours - Nami Island

Our visit in autumn showed us how chrysanthemums and maples add a sense of warmth with their red fiery petals and leaves. In winter, artificial lights make the snow-covered garden look like a magical winter wonderland.

Garden of Morning Calm Winter Lights - Nami Island

Photo credit: visitkorea.or.kr

The undeniable charms of Garden of Morning Calm have made it a hot spot for K-dramas and variety shows. Popular shows like  Love in the Moonlight 구르미 그린 달빛  (2016), You’re Beautiful 미남이시네요 (2009), and TVN Taxi 현장토크쇼 택시 (SHINee) were filmed here.

Entrance fee: ₩11,000/pax (~S$11) Opening hours:  8:30AM – 6PM (closing varies during festive period)

Last Stop: Rail Bike Park (레일파크)

Gapyeong Rail Bike - Nami Island

Photo credit: seoulkorea-tour

There are two rail parks,  Gapyeong Rail Park (가평 레일파크)  and  Gangchon Rail Park (강촌 레일파크) . For your Nami Island day trip, you can opt to do just one. And for that, we recommend the one in Gapyeong. It’s more convenient and accessible, as it’s one of the Gapyeong City Bus stops.

However, the views in Gangchon are nicer. The rail goes through three tunnels, whereas Gapyeong only goes through one.

As mentioned, we missed our 5PM booking for the Gapyeong Rail Bike, and had to return the next day for it. Be there at least 20 minutes before your booking — they’ll be forfeited if missed (non-refundable nor exchangeable).

Gangchon Rail Park

Gangchon Rail Bike Park during sunset - Korea Itinerary Korail Pass

Since we returned on a separate day, we headed straight to the Gangchon Rail Park, and it did not disappoint. Variety shows like Running Man (런닝맨)  and We Got Married (우리 결혼했어요) were filmed there!

Gangchon Rail Bike - Nami Island

There are four-seater and two-seater options. If you’re going in a group of six, we recommend getting 3 two-seaters (instead of a four-seater and two-seater) as the bikes go out in batches of type.

Gangchon Rail Bike tunnel - Nami Island

Do note that the ride stops at Old Gangchon Station, which no longer functions. It’s not the one where you can take the ITX from. A free shuttle bus will bring you back to Gimyujeong station, where you’ll need to take one stop down to Gangchon for the ITX.

*Pro-tip: If seat reservations have run out, take the train from Chun Cheon. This will increase your chances of getting non-reserved seats on the ITX train.

Cost: From ~S$30/two-seater bike via Klook Opening hours: Starts at 9AM, operates at 1hr intervals. How to get there (from Garden of Morning Calm): Take the Gapyeong City Bus to Cheongpyeong Terminal. Then take the subway to Gimyujeong Station ( Google Maps ) How to get there (from Seoul): Take the MRT- Gyeongchun Line to Gapyeong Station. Then exit at Gimyujeong Station ( Google Maps )

Gapyeong Rail Park

Gapyeong Rail Bike Overseesing mountain - Nami Island

Photo credit: Cleeswanders

The entire pedalling course is about 8km, and ends where you started. Scenes of the movie The Letter 편지 (1997) were shot here.

Cost: From ~S$30/two-seater bike via Klook Opening hours:  9AM – 5PM, operates at 1.5hr intervals How to get there (via train): Take the subway/ITX to Gapyeong Station, then walk 30min or take a 5min taxi ride to Gapyeong Rail Park ( Google Maps ) How to get there (via bus): Take the Gapyeong/Chuncheon Bus at Sangbong-dong/Guui-dong to Gapyeong Bus Station (~1.5hr), then take Bus Line 15 to Gapyeong Rail Park ( Google Maps )

Nami Island day trip : DIY vs. guided tour

Wefie along the pine trees - Nami Island

For FOMO people like us who want to cover everything, our Nami Island day trip DIY plan would have worked if we stuck to all the bus timings. Unfortunately, the detour cost us one activity despite starting our day super early.

Here’s how to help you decide:

We hope you found this guide helpful in planning your perfect day trip from Seoul to Nami Island, as well as all the other gorgeous sights within the Gapyeong area!

Read also: 7D Korea Itinerary for under S$800 — Seoul, Jeonju, Busan

After reading this, are you planning to do your Nami Island day trip via guided tour or by yourselves? Let us know in the comments!

This article was brought to you by Klook . 

Follow us on Facebook , Instagram , YouTube , and Telegram for more travel inspiration!

  A post shared by The Travel Intern (@thetravelintern) on Nov 1, 2017 at 9:20pm PDT

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63 comments.

Hai edelyn, just want to know the enterance fee for nami via zipline 38,000 won include ferry fare for way back? Thank you.

Hi Farhana, Yes, the fee of 38,000 won for zipline into Nami Island includes return ferry ride. 🙂 Edelyn

hi, for the returning ITX, do you think i have to book online first or i can purchase it at the station? because still unsure to go back from Cheongpyeong station or gapyeong station. just wondering if i were to buy the the ticket at the station, will it sold out?

We wish we can predict the situation too! We’re not too sure but we generally either got all our tickets on the spot or the day before without problems.

Hi Edelyn, Just want to know how much your budget when you went to korea? Also, do you think it is better to book in advance in klook.com? Thank you.

Hi Pamela, We spent less than S$800/pax (excluding airfare) for a 7-day trip. Here’s our 7D Korea Itinerary for your reference 🙂 Yes, we would encourage you to book the activities and travel essentials on Klook before your trip as most cannot be purchased on the day itself (e.g. tour packages usually have to be purchased 3 days in advance). Thank you. -Edelyn

Wow. Thank you for this. 🙂

Hi Evelyn , Is ur entrance tickets to Nami Island , Petite France , Gangchon Rail Park are purchased on the spot ? Do we need to do pre booking for the Gangchon Bike ?

Hi Amber, We bought our entrance tickets to Nami Island, Petite France, and Garden of Morning Calm on the spot. For Gangchon Rail Park, we purchased our tickets through Klook beforehand, and we recommend purchasing the tickets in advance as they do get booked up quite fast. Hope this helps. Have fun! 🙂 -Edelyn

Can I ask regarding Korail pass, I will go to busan on a day trip only and here in Nami Island.. Would you know if what korail pass should I get? We are two, so saver pass will do with 2 day select pass. Is this right? I’m quite confused with Korail Pass. 🙁 Is this the best deal, do you think. Thanks again and appreciate your response. 🙂

Hi Alen, I’ll suggest the 2-day flexi pass @ S$112/pax for your trip to Nami Island and Busan. Single trip tickets cost ₩5,200 (ITX Seoul to Yongsan) and ₩59,800 (KTX Seoul to Busan) per pax. You’ll get to save about S$48 with the Korail Pass! Hope this helps, enjoy Korea! :)Edelyn

Hi Edelyn, Does the shuttle bus goes to the zipline place to NAMI island? (as you stated the bus goes to NAMI island) So it’s at the zipline area or the ferry terminal? Because i want to add Bungee jumping into a part of my itinerary. Pls advice

Regards, mingjie

Hi Mingjie, Yes, both the zipline and bungee towers are located at Nami Island shuttle bus stop — the same stop as the ferry terminal for people who wishes to take a ferry to Nami Island itself. Thanks & have fun!! 🙂 Edelyn

According to your DIY itinerary, “7:00AM: Take the Intra-city (Green) bus for Gapyeong Wharf (₩1,100) or take a taxi for ~₩4,000”

Is there a bus operating at 7 am? Am planning to pattern our itinerary to yours to make it to the first ferry at 730 am.

Hi Marco, When we were there in October last year, there were Gapyeong buses such as service 33-38 running from 7AM. But I did a quick check just now and it seems that as of 1st Jan 2018, the first bus departs Gapyeong terminal at 7:40AM instead. You might want to get to Gapyeong station early to try your luck if there are any other buses running at 7AM! So sorry we are unable to assist further with your itinerary planning! All the best & enjoy Korea~ -Edelyn

Hi Edelyn, We’re planning to follow your itinerary except for the rail bike tour which we intend to do after visit to Nami Island…Is there a bus or taxi that will take us back to Gapyeong rail park? Thanks.

Hi Charina, Yes, you can take the Gapyeong Intercity bus of opposite direction (the one we mentioned we took by mistake, lol) Buses come every hour, and it’s only a 10min ride from Nami Island’s stop to Gapyeong Rail Park. Hope this helps! Enjoy~ -Edelyn

Hi, thanks for sharing. But there’s something I don’t really understand, there’s only two ways to get to Nami Island? Ferry and zip-line? I have read many articles about Myeongdong -> Gapyeong, it seems like there’s shuttle bus to reach Nami Island (is it possible? or the bus will only reach the ferry terminal?) Thanks.

Hi Jay, Yup the shuttle bus stops at the ferry terminal, you’ll still need to take the ferry across to Nami Island itself. Hope this helps! 🙂 -Edelyn

My wife is quite excited to visit Nami Island. Our plan is from Nami island going directly to Garden of Morning Calm then back to Cheongpyong Train station. I’d like to know which particular bus stop are we going to take from Gapyeong Wharf??

Hi Rob, You’ll have to take the bus from across the road of the wharf — the side that goes to Petite France, Cheongpyeong stn, Morning Calm. From Garden of Morning Calm, take the opposite direction back to Cheongpyeong stn. There are directional signboards at the bus stops too. Have fun in Korea! 🙂 -Edelyn

Hi! The last bus for Garden of Morning Calm is at 7.05 pm as per schedule. Do you happen to know if this bus will take us back to Gapyeong Station or is it only for drop off at the Garden? I have seen that there is 2 different schedules, 1 from the station and another to go back to the station. I wonder if this is still the case.

Thank you in advance 🙂

Hi Yana! Yup, you are right! There’s a shuttle bus route from Garden of Morning Calm towards Gapyeong station. From what I remember, the last bus leaves at 6PM from Garden of Morning Calm to Gapyeong station. Subsequent buses in that direction (last bus at 7:30PM) goes from the Garden to another station — Cheongpyeong. Thanks & Enjoy! 🙂 Edelyn

Thank you for the detailed post, it’s helping me plan out my trip in Oct this year more easily.

Do you know how long the shuttle bus from old Gangchon station takes? Does it go back to Gapyeong Station where we can take the ITX back to Yongsan Station in Seoul?

Hi Jessica, The bus service from old Gangchon station only goes to Gimyujeong station, it takes about 20mins and comes every hour. You’ll need to take one stop down from Gimyujeong to Gangchon station for the ITX back to Seoul. Thank you :)Edelyn

Im going to Seoul this end of month. I would like to ask you which is cheaper and more cost saving whether going on tour or diy tour?

Hi Miyah. Definitely DIY but it’s significantly more troublesome!

Hi, I really like your blogs! Kudos to you for the very detailed tips. ☺️ I’m planning to treat my daughter for a South Korea trip next yr for her 18th bday which is Oct 5. I wanted to know if autumn is in full blast by then or do you suggest we go mid-Oct instead? What days in October were you there? Thank you.

Thanks Tin! Glad these were useful 🙂 We did this trip in mid October last year and the leaves at Nami was only just starting to turn yellow. A week later, we had friends sending us pictures of all the trees covered in reds and yellows! If you can, the further into October you go will definitely increase your chances of catching the Fall foliage.

Did you take Ferry to Nami island or did Korail take you straight to Gapyeong?

Yup! You’ll need to take a ferry. Info on getting there is in the article 🙂

Hi, I want to know how many hour does it take from Namiseon Island End Point to Petit France? and do you know how to back to seoul city from petit france? Thanks a lot, I need your information

Hello! Are you only covering Nami island and Petit France? It’s 25 minutes apart by the local bus. So probably, 3-5 hours depending on how much time you’re planning to spend at each place. But that excludes travelling time from Seoul. From Petit France, you’ll need to catch a bus back to Gapyeong Train station, then either take the KTX or ITX back to Seoul. You can also sign up for this tour: http://bit.ly/2LMfuo8 If starts from Seoul, brings you to both Nami Island and Petit France and also includes your trip back to Seoul.

Hi guys, which day would be the best to go for all sites? And which tour did you choose for the trip? Thanks ! 🙂

Hi there, I wanna ask which subway you guys take to reach yongsan Station so early in order to sit for 6am itx? Since I stay at hongdae, if wanna go yongsan Station I would need to sit Gyeongui – Jungang line but than the 1st subway for this line is 6am sth..so are there any other way for me to reach yongsan before 6am?

Hi Stephanie,

We stayed around Seoul Station so there was no problem for us as the first train to Yongsan departs around 5.14am. I searched on google and found that there are buses 7011, 7016, and M6117 operates in the early morning around Hongdae district that goes to Seoul station. From Seoul station, you can transfer to the train that goes to Yongsan station.

Hope this helps! 🙂 Edelyn

Thanks for the bus info. And another I wanna ask is what time is the last route for Gangchon Rail Bike to depart? Izit 5pm or 5.30pm? And do you recommend with book 1st for buy the ticket on the spot is better? Cause we scare we can’t make it on time than it will be wasted if we book 1st on Klook. So we plan to go Nami than Petite France than the Garden and lastly Gangchon rail bike. Do you think we can make it to the last ride? Or we should just stick to Gapyeong rail bike? Thanks!

Hi Stephanie, The last departure for Gangchon Rail Bike is at 5.30pm but you’ll have to reach half an hour before that (at 5pm). You should be able to make it for the last ride if you follow our itinerary accordingly, and spend not more than 2 hours at each location. Hope this helps! Enjoy your trip 🙂 Edelyn

I saw your plan from Seoul to Gapyeong Station using Korail pass(3days consecutive)took ITX train. But your have already used Korail pass(3days consecutive) to Jeonju and Busan, still can use for ITX train to Gapyeong?

Hi Chan! Yes, it’s doable but rushed. Here’s what we did: First day of pass usage: Seoul to Gapyeong and back Second day of pass usage: Seoul to Jeonju and back Third day of pass usage: Seoul to Busan As we decided to stay a night at Busan, we couldn’t use the Korail pass to get back to Seoul and we bought single trip tickets instead. But it’s doable if you’re doing Busan as a day trip. If it’s too rushed, we’d suggest getting the flexi 4-day pass, or join a tour to Gapyeong. Hope this clarifies 🙂

Hi. I’m quite confused with the Korail Pass. It says there that you can only do 2 seat reservations per day. So if two us will go to Nami and Busan on a day trip, should we get two normal 2-day select pass and not the saver 2-day select pass?

Hi CJ, You should get two Flexible 2-day Saver passes if there are two persons travelling together – one for each of you. It’s slightly cheaper than getting two regular select passes. Each saver pass (as well as normal select pass) comes with 2 seat reservations per day. Hope this clarifies! Enjoy Korea 🙂 -Edelyn

If we were to stay overnight for both places, can we buy just one Flexible 2-day Saver pass?

Hi CJ, You will need two flexible 2-day saver pass, as there are two of you – unless only one of you is intending to return 😉

Oh okay. I get it now. Thank you so much for your time and for this blog! Appreciate you answering my questions.

No worries at all 🙂

Hi Edelyn, Your post is really informative!! I would like to clarify with you on the two passes you mentioned: 1)Nami Island ALL PASS (~S$45/pax) 2)Nami Island Skyline ZipWire ALL PASS (~S$53.20) So the first one covers the admission, forest adventure, all transportation within Nami Island, sky bike, story tour bus, UNICEF charity train etc whereas the second one covers all just like the first pass but includes the ZipWire (should we choose this option)? Also, would you happen to know for those who have bags with them, if they opt for the zipline entrance, what happens to the bags? Thank you!!

Hi Jasmine, That’s right! The difference between the two passes is only the ZipWire. If you aren’t afraid of heights and would like an exciting entry into Nami Island, I’d say YES to choose the pass with the ZipWire option! 🙂 But the pass is currently sold out on Klook , so you might want to check back on Klook’s site periodically to see if it’s available again! Your bags go with you on the zip line but there is a size limit so the staff may request for you to keep oversized or extra belongings in their lockers. Hope this helps! 🙂

Hi Edelyn. We are planning to do Nami – Garden of Morning Calm – Gangchon – Seoul. How do I get from Garden of Morning Calm to Gangchon and how do we get back to Seoul? Sorry, It’s my first time travelling, so I’m confused about the transportation system.

Hi Christine! You’ll have to take a bus from Garden of Morning Calm to Cheongpyeong Terminal, then transfer onto a train (via Gyeongchun Line) to Gangchon or Gimyujeong Station that’s nearer the Gangchon rail park. From Gangchon, get to Namchuncheon Station and take ITX back to Seoul. Hope this helps!

Is the “train (via Gyeongchun Line) to Gangchon” you’re referring to is KTX? Do we ride a bus going to Namchuncheon station? Also one more thing, if my I were to book a two-seater for my friend and I in klook, do I have to book for two vouchers? Or one two-seater voucher is already good for 2 people? Sorry if I have so many questions 🙁

Hi Christine, sorry for the late reply, must have missed out on your msg! The train via Gyeongchun Line is the Subway. From Gangchon, you can walk to either Gapyeong stn or take the subway to Namchuncheon station for the ITX back to Cheongnyangni station. From Cheongnyangni, take the KTX back to Seoul. Hmm, I’m not sure which “Two-seater” voucher you’re referring to, could you reply with the link of the Klook product so that I can check? Thanks!

Hi Edelyn, do u have any photo ref for the journey from Garden to Gangchon Rail Park? and then back to Seoul? I’m still very confused T–T

Love your blogs! <3

Hi NurFarahin! Sorry, the instructions weren’t clear, I’ve edited the article to make it clearer 🙂

From Garden of Morning Calm to Gangchon Rail Park: Take the Gapyeong City Bus from Garden of Morning Calm to Cheongpyeong Terminal, then take the subway to Gimyujeong Stn. From Gangchon Rail Park back to Seoul: Take the free shuttle bus at the endpoint of rail bike back to Gimyujeong stn, then take the subway to Namchuncheon stn and change to the ITX to Cheongnyangni station. From Cheongnyangni, take the KTX back to Seoul.

Hope this helps 🙂

We would like to go to the Gangchon Rail park followed by Nami Island & Morning of Calm in the evening. In that case how do I get to Gangchon Rail park directly. Did you take ITX or Subway.

Hi Soak Peng, the fastest way to get to Gangchon Rail Bike Park from Seoul is via the ITX (Cheongchun Line) to Gapyeong or Namchuncheon station and change to the Subway to Gimyujeong Station. The Gangchon Rail Bike Park walking distance from Gimyujeong Station. Hope this helps! 🙂

Hi Edelyn! I am planning to DIY for this trip as I dont want to take up a whole day in gapyeong. I plan to reach around 7.30am and take the intra city bus to the wharf. Is there any way I can see the route for that bus? Where else does it go to? I want to visit Nami Island and Petite France only. Can the shuttle bus ticket be purchased from any shuttle bus stop? (as it only starts at 9am and I wouldnt be able to purchase at gapyeong stop first)

Hi Sabrina, tickets of the shuttle bus can only be purchased directly from the drivers when you board the bus, so you will not be able to take that shuttle bus to Nami Island at 730AM as it only starts at 9AM. You’ll have to take another bus, the Intra-city (Green) bus, from Gapyeong station instead. You may refer to this site for the bus routes, other places the shuttle bus stops by are Gapyeong Rail Bike, Interactive Art Museum, Cheongpyeong Station and Garden of Morning Calm. Hope this helps! 🙂

Hi, thanks a lot for this post. It seems like the shuttle bus schedule is a bit different now from your post (I saw it here http://www.gptour.go.kr/tour/citytour_A.jsp?menu=guide&submenu=theme ). So the first bus from Gapyeong station departs at 9am, is that correct? And is Gapyeong terminal (in that link) the same as Gapyeong station? Because from your picture (the big grey arrow with the bus stop names), it seems like there are Gapyeong intercity bus terminal and Gapyeong station. I’m not sure which one is the Gapyeong terminal in the link.

Also, I’m planning to only visit Nami Island, Petite France, and Garden of Morning Calm. I will visit Nami Island before 9 am (so will not taking the intercity bus to Namiseom). Do you think it’s still worth it to get the bus pass? How much is it roughly from Namiseom to Petite France, then to Garden of Morning Calm, and back to Gapyeong station, individually? Thanks in advance!

Hi Steph, You’re right, the link you sent should be the most updated so you should refer to that timetable instead. (Our article was written in 2017, definitely needs an update soon!) – “Gapyeong Terminal” refers to Gapyeong Bus Terminal; – “Gapyeong Station” refers to the subway station.

The bus pass is a one-time payment for unlimited rides. You’ll pay a flat rate of ₩6,000 for the bus pass from the bus captain when you first board the bus. Just keep your bus ticket and show it to the bus captain every time you board the bus again.

Hello! This is my first comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and tell you I truly enjoy reading your articles. Can you recommend any other blogs/websites/forums that deal with the same subjects? Thank you!

Hi, very detailed and wonderful blog!! I saw u went for the Rail Bike on the 2nd day, may I know how much time u spend on this on the 2nd day? Because I am planning to go Alpaca world, Nami Island, Petite France and Gangchon Rail Bike, hopefully to be done in a day. Any suggestions? Thank you!!

Hi, we spent about 1.5 hours for the Gangchon rail bike activity. It does seem tight to cover all four locations in a day, especially if you’re going to rely on public transport within Gapyeong. We’ll recommend to choose three of the four spots, or consider hiring a private hire to cut down on travelling time. Enjoy your trip! 🙂

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Ultimate Guide on a Day Trip to Nami Island, South Korea- Plan the Best Day Trip to Gapyeong

If you want to go on a one-day trip from Seoul , then Nami Island is the perfect location for you. Located in Gapyeong city, you can spend a relaxing day at this gorgeous river island that’s only one and a half hours away from Seoul!

A popular tourist attraction, Nami Island is also the shooting location of various fan-favourite Korean Dramas like Winter Sonata, Secret Garden, my love from the stars and Running Man. Many people love to come here to reminisce about their favourite k-drama.

Honestly, Nami Island is one of my favourite places to visit when I was visiting Seoul. It is not only because of its picturesque scenery of manicured gardens and tree lanes surrounded by the blue water of Cheongpyeong lake.

But I also come for the peaceful atmosphere here, where I can take a long walk around the whole Island in one go and meet cute rabbits and peacocks on my way too! There are so many amazing things to do here that it would be a shame if you missed out on anything. That’s why I have prepared a complete guide on planning the best Day trip to Nami Island, South Korea .

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Top 10 things to do on nami island.

If you are wondering what things to do on the magical Nami Island, here is a list of the top 10 experiences you must have on a Day trip to Nami Island from Seoul!

1. Walk along Central Korean Pine Tree Lane

Central-Korean-Pine-Tree-Lane

The first thing you must do at Nami Island is take a walk around the Island. Nothing is better than walking along the Central Korean Pine tree lane while enjoying the clean and calming air under the shades of the towering trees.

By chance, if you decide to stay on Nami Island for the night, you must do this walk under the Island’s hanging lights because the entire Island gets transformed into a place akin to a fairy tale location!

2. Visit the Ginkgo Tree Lane for an afternoon stroll

Ginkgo-Tree-Lane

Just like Central Korean Pine tree lane, Ginkgo Tree Lane is a beautiful avenue of perfectly aligned ginkgo trees. This tree lane is so magnificent and wonderful to come for an afternoon walk after grabbing a snack or meal at the Island’s various cafes and restaurants.

Also known as the maidenhair trees, Ginkgo trees are regarded as living fossils, and the considerate plantation of these trees here makes walking through these trees even more so special!

3. Go on a Nature Trip at Metasequoia Lane

Metasequoia-Lane

Another location where you must go for a long walk with nature is Metasequoia Lane . This place is filled with soaring trees of Metasequoia, which are so majestic and alluring. It is another great location on Nami Island, where you must get your picture clicked with these gorgeous redwood trees in the background!

4. Stroll through the Dodam Sambong Garden

Dodam-Sambong-Garden

One of the main attractions of Nami Island is the Dodam Sambong Garden . This garden is a miniature replica of the Dodam Sambong Peaks, a popular tourist attraction of Danyang County, South Korea. There is a beautiful lotus pond around which you can have a great picnic.

You can very easily get captivated by the beauty of this place, so visiting Dodam Sambong Garden is a must!

5. Visit the Life-Size Statue of Winter Sonata’s Couple

Statue-of-Winter-Sonatas-Couple

If you are a fan and want to visit Nami Island, especially to reminisce about your favourite scenes from the drama, then visiting the life-size figures of Kang Joon-sang and Jeong Yoo-jin should be on top of your list.

The queue to get here can be long, but it is worth it when you click a picture of yourself with your comfort characters. You will also find loads of memorial pictures hanging here on a wall created here dedicated to the k-drama.

6. Reminisce Winter Sonata moments along the Maple Lane of True love

Maple-Lane

After visiting the very popular Winter Sonata Statue, you should head on to the Maple Lane of True Love to reminisce more about Winter Sonata. As the name suggests, this place is full of maple trees under whose shade you can sit and wind down while enjoying the lovely view. They also serve as the best background to take Instagram-worthy pictures.

7. Visit the First Kiss Glass Sequoia Bridge

Glass-Sequoia-Bridge

Another place that a diehard Winter Sonata fan must visit is the First Kiss Glass Sequoia Bridge . In fact, this bridge is one of the most popular locations on Nami Island. As the name explains, this bridge was where the lead couple Kang Joon-sang and Jeong Yoo-jin share their first kiss in Winter Sonata.

If you happen to visit Nami Island with your partner, you must get a picture of you both clicked, but no kissing because such a public display of affection is frowned upon in South Korea.

8. Make friends with Rabbits, Peacocks and Ostriches!

Rabbits-Peacocks-and-Ostriches

At Nami Island, you can also visit Ostriches and see peacocks wandering around. Little animals like rabbits and squirrels are common sights. They roam around here peacefully and are mild-mannered. You can click your picture with them and even try your luck at petting a rabbit but be respectful of these creatures because Nami Island is their home.

9. Ride on the UNICEF Charity Train

UNICEF-Charity-Train

One of the best experiences on Nami Island should have to hop aboard the UNICEF Charity Train . You can board this charming train from Nami Wharf Train Station as well as the Central Train Station. This train will take you around Nami Island, and you will get to enjoy the beautiful scenery while sitting comfortably on board. The fare is only ₩3,000 per person, and this train ride is worth every penny!

10. Rent a Bike to tour Nami Island

Bike rental at nami island

Another adventure you can have on Nami Island is going cycling around the Island. Nami Island is really small, and you can finish one round around the Island in 1-2 hours, depending upon your speed. Trust me when I say that you get major ‘Main Character’ vibes riding on your bike through this magical place!

You can easily rent a bike from the Bike centre for ₩4,000 for 30-minutes and ₩7,000 for an hour. You can also grab a couples’ bike for ₩8,000 for 30-minutes and ₩14,000 for an hour. If you are visiting Nami Island with family or a group, you should rent a family (quadruplet) bike for ₩10,000.

How to go to Nami Island from Seoul

How-to-get-to-Nami-Island

If you have decided to get on this journey to Nami Island, then here are the four different ways you can get to Nami Island. You can easily choose whether you want to travel via a bus or train, or taxi according to your budget and travel time. To visit Nami Island, you have first to reach Gapyeong Station from Seoul if you pick up public transportation. Here are the best ways to get to Gapyeong Station most conveniently.

1.  ITX- Cheongchun

I would recommend travelling via ITX-Cheongchun to get to Nami Island. It is a more direct and convenient option that will take you to your destination in less than an hour. To purchase your ticket to ride on ITX, you will need to go to Korail Counters. If you are a Korail Pass holder , then it is most advantageous. Also, you can easily check the departure and arrival schedule from their booking page .

From Gapyeong Station, Nami Island is only 2.2 km away, and you can easily grab a taxi to get there. The taxi ride is 10-15 minutes, according to the traffic.  

Travel Time : 1 hr

Ticket price : ₩6,000-₩9,500

2.  Subway

The next option to reach Nami Island is by using Subway. Although cheaper than ITX-Cheongchun, Subway would take much more time to get you to Nami Island. First of all, you will have to reach Hoegi station, where you can easily get on a subway on its way to Gapyeong Station. This subway journey will be a little longer than one hour. Now from Gapyeong station, all you have to do is get on a taxi to reach the ferry port.

Travel Time : 1.5 hr

Ticket price : ₩2,000-₩2,900

3. Bus+Train

Another way you can reach Nami Island is by making a one-hour bus journey from Dong Seoul Bus Terminal to Cheongpyeong , where you have to first get to Cheongpyeong Station. Then at Cheongpyeong Station, you can get on the ITX-Cheongchun Yongsan, which will take you to Gapyeong Station in mere seven minutes. Afterwards, it’s only another small journey to the ferry port via taxi.

The important thing to keep in mind if you decide to pick this method to reach Gapyeong is that you have to be very mindful of the bus and ITX-Cheongchun schedules. Otherwise, you will end up wasting a lot of your precious time waiting for the next bus or train.

Travel Time : 2 hr

Ticket price : The bus ride will cost you ₩6,359, and the train ticket will cost you something between ₩1,200 and ₩2,300.

4.  Shuttle Bus to Nami Island

A really convenient and economical way to make this journey is to take a Shuttle bus to Nami Island. You get to reach your destination without any headaches of dealing with traffic or following the public transportation schedule. Your shuttle bus driver will take you on a round-trip from the centre of Seoul (Myeongdong, Dongdaemun and Hongdae) straight to Nami Island and then back.

Since Shuttle buses don’t stop at different locations during their journey like public buses, you will end up saving a lot of time too. Also, most Nami Shuttle Bus services have the entrance fee to Nami Island included in their tickets. This makes travelling by shuttle bus even more beneficial because you will not have to stand in the queue at Nami Island’s ticket counter. Might I add that this queue is more than often quite long and busy!

By opting for the shuttle bus, All you need is to show up at the designated pick-up place and enjoy the rest of the journey sitting comfortably in your seat!

Ticket price : ₩24,000-₩26,000

5.  Taxi or Private tours

Another option you have is to travel by taxi or private tours from Seoul to Nami Island . It is indeed the fastest and the most convenient way but making such a long journey via taxi is also going to cost a lot more than using public transportation.

Ticket price: ₩80,000 to ₩100,000

But whatever the way you choose to reach Nami Island, make sure to have a lot of fun and make memories to bring home!

How to get onto Nami Island

Day-Trip-to-Nami-Island

Nami Island is surrounded by water, and there are only two ways by which you can get onto this Island.

1.  Ferry

The first and most popular way to get onto Nami Island is by taking a ferry. When you purchase the admission ticket for Nami Island, the ticket includes the fee for the ferry, for both the ride to and from the Island. The ferry service is regular, and you can easily consult the ferry schedule available there.

Price for the ferry on Nami Island : Included in the Nami Island Visa/ticket.

2.  Zipline

But if you have an adventurous streak like me, you should definitely go onto Nami Island by Zipline. Skyline Zipwire is a one-way ride to Nami Island that runs every day of the week. On normal days with good weather, zipline service starts at 9 am and till 6 pm.

If you come with your camera, all with a wrist strap or necklace or any tool to uphold your camera or even your phone, you get to record your zipline experience! Keep in mind that you are solely responsible for your recording equipment.

Price for Zipline on Nami Island : ₩49,900 per person

Best Time to Visit Nami Island, South Korea

Best-Time-to-Visit-Nami-Island

Nami Island is lovely to visit at any time of the year. Every season will show you something special here. So, you can either plan your day trip to Nami Island from Seoul during your favourite season or read on to find out what to expect on Nami Island during different seasons.

1.  Autumn Season at Nami Island, South Korea

I love the autumn season, and that’s why I really hope that you plan your day trip to Nami Island from mid-September to November when it’s autumn here. The Island is covered in shades of red, orange and brown with dry leaves of trees like Metasequoia, Korea Pine and Maple trees falling around charmingly.

Baekpungmilwon Garden becomes the most incredible sight on Nami Island, and everyone from little kids to adults to animals here will rejoice!

The average temperature during the Autumn season on Nami Isla nd is 3°C to 18°C

2. Spring Season at Nami Island, South Korea

For all spring lovers, Nami Island will welcome you with the most amazing view of cherry blossoms. Spring comes and goes by really quickly, so make sure that you check an eye out on the weather reports of Nami Island to maximize your chances of catching the cherry blossom season here!

The average Temperature during the Spring season on Nami Isla nd is 2°C to 12°C

3.  Summer Season at Nami Island, South Korea

If you love the summer season, you should most definitely visit Nami Island, when all the trees turn luscious and green and the whole Island becomes vibrant and lively. Many amazing spots appear where you can have picnics under the shade of the trees. Also, summers are probably the best time to rent a bike from the bike centre and tour the Island.

The average temperature during the summer season on Nami Isl and is 12°C to 28°C

4.  Winter Season at Nami Island, South Korea

Another great time to visit Nami Island is during the Winter season when the entire Island is covered in snow and truly resembles a Winter Wonderland. Everything from trees to ground is covered in pristine fluffy snow.

Also, for the fans of ‘Winter Sonata’, visiting Nami Island during the winter is a must. Not only are winters the time when this k-drama’s most popular poster consisting of Bae Yong Joon and Choi Ji Woo on Metasequoia Lane was captured, but the iconic statue of the couple located in the Gongsaengwon Garden also becomes the focus of attraction.

Average Temperature during the Winter season on Nami Island : (-7°C) to 2°C

Restaurants and Cafés to try on Nami Island

Restaurants-and-Cafes

After walking around the Island, if you find yourself peckish, worry not because Nami Island has some really amazing places where you have delicious food. After all, good food with beautiful scenery is bound to make anybody’s day!

1.  Sonata Café

One of the most popular locations for food on Nami Island, Sonata Café is well-known for serving snowman-shaped food and seasonal drinks. You can also click some really cute pictures with the snowman statues here while munching on their Snowman Hotteok, their specialities.

Location : Nearby Metasequoia Lane

2.  Asian Family Restaurant Dongmoon

This Asian restaurant is the perfect place to have a full meal for couples and families. They are halal-certified and serve halal food, something which is really crucial for Muslim visitors. You must try out their Beijing Sweet & Sour Chicken and Soft-Shell Crab Curry, one of their specialties.

Location : 1st Floor, Baplex building

3.  Book Café

Another great place to enjoy the scenery of Nami Island with delicious food is Book Café. This cafe is the perfect place to enjoy a light meal before continuing touring around the Island. All the walls of this cafe are filled with books which are tastefully decorated. Book Café serves amazing beverages and desserts, and their Natural Ice Cream is a must-try.

Location : Baplex building

4. Seomhyanggi

If you love Korean BBQ, then Seomhyanggi is the perfect restaurant for you to have your meal on Nami Island. It is a self-serving restaurant where you have to order from the cashier and find your own table. You must try out their Dak-galbi, one of their specialities.

Location : Centre of Nami Island across Unchi Garden

5. Swing Café & Bakery

Next on this list is Swing Cafe and Bakery, which is a fantastic Song Museum-themed Cafe. The best thing about this place is its excellent dessert, coffee, music, and overall peaceful and cosy atmosphere. They also have really amazing exhibitions and stage performances. Make sure to try their Pine nuts flavoured gelato and freshly baked bread too!

Location : Near the entrance of the Island, 1st Floor of the Song Museum

6.  Yeongajiga Lunch Box

Another place to have great food on Nami Island is Yeongajiga Lunch Box. Here, they serve a Korean-style lunch box called ‘Dosirak’. One of their specialities is Spicy tteokbokki, a dish that everyone loves. If you are looking for a cheap place to have a meal, Yeongajiga Lunch Box is the best option for you.

Places to Visit Near Nami Island

After you are done roaming around Nami Island, you must visit these very special locations which are located nearby.

Garden of Morning Calm

Garden-of-Morning-Calm

The first stop you should make after getting off your ferry from Nami Island is at Garden of Morning Calm. A truly paradisiacal location, Garden of Morning Calm is the perfect place for you to visit if you are a botanist, horticulturist or photographer.

You can enjoy a relaxing, peaceful walk while listening to jazz playing on the speakers here. It has 26 themed gardens that are full of gorgeous, gorgeous flowers and plants. Garden of Morning Calm holds seasonal exhibits that you must visit while here.

For example, in Summers, the entire place is full of lovely Iris, Roses and Blue Hydrangeas. For autumn, Maple trees and Chrysanthemums colour the whole place in charming shades of red and brown. If you are here in spring, you will find the entire place pink and covered with flowers like Magnolia, Azalea, and Cherry Blossoms.

If you wish to see a perfect winter wonderland truly, come and visit Garden of Morning Calm during the winters and enjoy seeing this picturesque location look absolutely magical, lightened with artificial light and covered in snow.

Make sure to visit the Garden of Morning glow while on a day trip to Nami Island because it is absolutely worth it!

Entrance fee : ₩9,500/pax

Timings : 8:30 am – 6:00 pm. However, the closing timings might vary during the festival season.

Petite France

Petite-France

The next stop on your day trip to Nami Island should be a French cultural village called Petite France . The whole place is full of amazing vintage stuff like century-old European dolls and puppets, musical instruments, furniture and many beautiful antiques that will amaze you greatly. You might also recognize Petite France from k-dramas like Secret Garden, Beethoven Virus and My love from the stars.

When you visit Petite France, Don’t forget to enjoy its several free performances like Marionette, Orgel Demonstration, Czech String Puppet show and accordion performances by the street musicians. Also, while you are wandering around here, you get to click some really awesome pictures with colourful facades as the background.

You must visit Petite France to get transported to an entirely different era!

Entrance fee : ₩10,000/pax

Timings : 9 am – 6 pm, with the last entry accepted at 5 pm.

Nami Island Ticket Info

Naminara-Republic-VISA

Nami Island is a self-declared independent country, and every visitor needs a Naminara Republic VISA to get inside the Island. This Visa is essentially a ticket that includes both the entrance fee as well as the ticket price for the ferry ride you need to get to the Island. There are basically three kinds of tickets sold here:

Regular Tickets : A regular ticket costs ₩16,000 per person.

Discount Tickets : For students (both middle schoolers and high school students) and senior citizens above the age of 70, the ticket price is ₩13,000.

Special Tickets : There is also a special ticket, sold at only ₩10,000, for children above the age of 3 years and elementary school and people who purchase the ticket before 8 am. This special discount is also applicable when the ticket is purchased after 06:01 pm from December to March and after 06:31 pm from April to November months.

You can also acquire a Nami Island passport here. This Passport allows you free entrance to the Island for a year. With this Passport in hand, there is absolutely no limitation on the number of visits you make. So, if you are planning to stay in Seoul or any other place in South Korea for a couple of years, getting yourself a Nami Island-issued password would be a really good idea. This way, you will always know what place to visit in South Korea on any random day!

Here is a list of the five types of Passports of the Naminara Republic you can acquire:

Naminarian Passport : If you are an adult, the passport fee you need to pay is ₩58,000.

Pet-friendly Passport: if you have a pet that you wish to bring along to Nami Island, this Passport is the one you need to get. The fee for a Pet-friendly Nami Island Passport is ₩59,000.

Child-friendly Passport : if you have kids, you should get a child-friendly passport on Nami Island, which allows you and your child free entrance to the Island. The fee for a Child-friendly Passport is ₩69,000.

Senior Naminarian Passport:   If you are a senior citizen above the age of 70 years, you need to get a Senior Naminarian passport, for which you will be required to pay ₩49,000.

Lifetime Passport : If you are a contributor to the Art and Culture, you will get a Lifetime Passport for Nami Island, which is a permanent passport. No fee is charged for this type of Passport.

If you are a fan of visiting fantastical locations, one which reminds you of a faerie forest, Nami Island is somewhere you don’t want to skip visiting while in South Korea. Nami Island is also kids-friendly so if you have kids, bring them here too. Nami Island is a wonderful day trip destination where you spend your time enjoying a calm atmosphere and captivating scenery.

This crescent moon-shaped island is a paradise filled with lovely tree lanes, riverside walks, little bunnies and squirrels where you can witness what a faery forest might look like.

Don’t you want to be surrounded by the most beautiful scenery and relax away from the daily race of your life?

If you enjoyed reading about Nami Island, then make sure to check out our other travel inspiration blog. Also, do drop your comments and share your experience with us. We would love to hear all about your adventures too!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Nami Island worth visiting?

Yes, Nami Island is worth visiting, and you will not regret coming here. Not only for k-drama fans but for any person visiting South Korea , Nami Island is a wonderful place to visit where you can spend quality time with your loved ones and even by yourself in the lap of nature. Rabbits and peacocks are a common sight, and it is simply lovely here all around. Nami Island is just that magical!

How much does it cost to go to Nami Island?

The admission fee for Nami Island is 13,000 won for adults, and 7,000 won for children. However, prices may vary depending on the season and any ongoing promotions. To get to Nami Island, you can take a ferry from Gapyeong Wharf, which costs 8,000 won for a round-trip ticket.

Do you need passport for Nami Island?

No, you don’t need to bring your Passport to get to Nami Island. What you do need is an ‘Entry Visa, ‘ which is basically your ticket to enter Nami Island. This ticket covers both your entrance fee as well as the ferry ride.

How do I get tickets for Nami Island?

You can easily purchase tickets to Nami Island on the spot; though being such a popular location, there is often a long queue at the ticket counter. But you can just as easily buy tickets online from their website and enter Nami Island by showing your mobile voucher.

Are pets allowed on Nami Island?

Yes! You can even bring your pets to Nami Island. However, you have to make sure that your pet(s) is always under our supervision. They should be on a leash at all times while in public places, and your pet is solely your responsibility.

Which is the best month to visit Nami Island?

Nami island is beautiful all year round, and it isn’t easy to pick one month. However, if you wish to enjoy the best weather, then visit Nami Island in May, June and September.

How much time does it take to get to Nami Island from Seoul?

If you travel by car or taxi, it would take only 1 hour for you to reach here. Via train and Subway, it would usually take 1.5 hours to 2 hours, respectively, to reach Gapyeong from Seoul.

Can you stay overnight at Nami Island?

Yes, you can stay overnight at Nami Island. There is a popular boutique hostel called Jeonggwan Hotel here where you can stay at night and enjoy Nami Island’s beauty when there is no crowd.

How long is Gapyeong from Seoul?

The distance between Seoul and Gapyeong is 67 kilometres, and depending on your mode of transportation, you can easily reach Gapyeong from Seoul within 1 to 2 hours.

Is there a Cherry Blossom season on Nami Island?

Yes, on Nami Island, you get to enjoy Cherry Blossom in springtime. In fact, Cherry Blossom season is one of the most popular seasons for day trips on Nami Island.

Is Nami Island its own country?

Nami Island or Namiseom is a micronation that declared its independence as ‘The Republic of Naminara’ in March 2006. It is described as a tourist destination that aims to create and live a fairy tale. Nami Island even has its own currency, stamp and flag too!

Nami Island Itinerary with Expenses

If you’re visiting Nami Island on a day trip by yourself, below is a sample 1 Day itinerary with a breakdown of expenses. This itinerary from Seoul to Nami Island goes as follows:

Travel from Seoul to Gapyeong

Depending on which mode of travel you choose, your expense can vary, with the cheapest way to reach Nami Island being Subway (₩2,000-₩2,900) and the most convenient being taking a shuttle bus to Nami Island, in which entrance fee to Nami Island is included (₩24,000-₩26,000).

Travel time- 1 to 1.5 hours

Taxi to Ferry Terminal

From Gapyeong Station, you have to take a taxi to the Ferry terminal, where Nami Island’s entrance fee is also sold. It is pretty easy to get a taxi here.

Taxi fare-₩6,000 to ₩7,500

Travel time- 5 to 15 minutes

Arrive on Nami Island

To reach Nami Island, you can either ride on the ferry, which will bring you to the Island in 5 minutes. You can also be adventurous and opt for Zipline, which will bring you onto Nami Island in 2 minutes.

Ferry Expense- Included in the Entrance ticket

Zipline Expense- ₩49,900

Explore Nami Island

There are many beautiful locations on Nami Island that you must visit. Take a long walk through central Korean Pine tree lane, Ginkgo Tree Lane and Metasequoia Lane. Visit Winter Sonata’s Special spots like visiting the life-size figures of Kang Joon-sang and Jeong Yoo-jin,  Maple Lane of True Love, and First Kiss Glass Sequoia Bridge. Also, don’t forget to rent a bike and ride on the UNICEF Charity Train!

Time: 2- 3 hours are sufficient to explore every place mentioned above.

Grab Lunch or a Quick Snack

There are many great cafes and even a halal-certified restaurant where you can grab a quick snack or have a proper meal. Check out the list of cafes and Restaurants that I have mentioned in this article. There are also some souvenir shops here, so if you are interested in taking a memento back from Nami Island, you can shop while grabbing food.

Expense– ₩10,000- ₩15,000 suggested budget.

Take Ferry Back to Mainland

When you are done exploring Nami Island and with your lunch, get a ferry back to the mainland, Gapyeong. Ferry service is available every 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the season.

Travel Time- 5 minutes

Visit Petite France

After you return to the city, you can take a taxi from the ferry terminal to Petite, France. This is a small cultural theme park inspired by the classical book ‘The Little Prince, and you can explore it all and catch a few performances in one hour.

Taxi fare-₩19,000 to ₩24,000

Entrance fee: ₩10,000/pax

Travel time- 15 to 20 minutes

Visit Garden of Morning Calm

After Petite France, you can get a taxi to Garden of Morning Calm, the last location of the day. You can take a tranquil walk around this exquisite garden and explore Cloud Bridge, Pond Garden, Millennium Juniper and Sunken Garden. It will all take you around 2 hours.

Taxi fare-₩31,000 to ₩37,000

Entrance fee: ₩9,500/pax

Travel time- 25 to 30 minutes

Taxi to Catch the Train

After you are done exploring the Garden of Morning Calm, it will be time to return to Seoul. You can take a taxi from Garden of Morning Calm to Daeseong-ri Station, where you can either get the subway or the ITX-Cheongchun.

Travel to Daeseong-ri Station:

Taxi fare-₩25,000 to ₩31,000

Taxi Travel time- 20 minutes approximately

From Daeseong-ri Station to Seoul:

Train fare- ₩5,200- ₩9,000

Subway fare- ₩3,100-₩3,400

Taxi Travel time- 1 hour approximately

Of course, you can always make adjustments as per your needs. Depending on your budget, you can spend more or less on food, travel and souvenirs. But in the end, make sure you are spontaneous and have a lot of fun!

Related Posts

The best 10-day south korea itinerary: budget and how to plan, exploring the wonders of korea: korea itinerary 7-days, the ultimate seoul itinerary: unveiling the gems of south korea’s capital, top 15 places to visit in korea: a blog all about going to south korea.

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NAMI ISLAND TRAVEL GUIDE with Budget Itinerary

NAMI ISLAND TRAVEL GUIDE with Budget Itinerary

By continuing to read this article, you agree to double check with the authorities or other concerned entities for the latest updates.

It started with a drama series.

Like most of us, I learned about Nami Island when it was used as a setting for Winter Sonata , a Korean drama that became a phenomenal hit in many Asian countries, adding more fuel to the already unstoppable Korean wave that took the world by storm. But injecting another Korean dose to global pop culture wasn’t the only thing this romantic flick has done. It has also sparked interest in Nami Island as a major tourist destination, with the number of tourists skyrocketing from 270,000 in 2001 to over 650,000 in 2002 to over 3 million in 2014.

But what is Nami Island really? Other than its lanes of metasequoia and ginkgo trees, what else awaits in this cinematic piece of paradise?

WHAT'S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?

Understanding Nami Island

Although part of Chuncheon’s territory, Nami Island or Namiseom is most easily accessible from a wharf in Gapyeong County, its main gateway and jump-off point.

Before it became most famous as a Winter Sonata filming location, it is best known as the final resting place of General Nami, a controversial historical figure in the Joseon Dynasty. He rose to fame in the mid-1400s when he led a victorious campaign to crush a massive rebellion. At age 25, he was honored by King Sejo, who gave him a top position in the government. But when King Sejo died, his successor falsely accused him of being a traitor, which led to his and his family’s execution. It wasn’t until almost 400 years later when he was exonerated.

Winter Sonata in Nami Island

Nami Island covers an area of 430,000 square meters. This half-moon shaped island in the middle of the Han River was an almost barren patch of land with only a handful of chestnut trees. But when retired Bank of Korea governor Minn Byeong-do purchased the island in 1965, he reforested and transformed the island into the resort town that it is today. Over the past decades, it has hosted many events promoting art, culture, and environment-related causes.

Because of its proximity to Seoul, Nami Island easily became a popular day tour destination.

best nami island tour

How to Get to Nami Island from Seoul

Nami Island Ferry

There are many ways to reach Nami Island, but these are the most popular options.

Seoul to Nami Island by Train

  • Travel by train to Gapyeong Station.
  • Walk or take a cab from the station to the ferry wharf.
  • At the wharf, buy tickets to the island, which costs ₩13,000.

The 13,000-won fee already covers both the entrance fee and roundtrip ferry fare.

There used to be a discounted rate for foreigners, ₩8000 per person. But the rate increased in January 2018 to ₩13,000.

Seoul to Nami Island by Bus

  • Reserve a bus seat by emailing [email protected] or calling +82-2-753-1247. Roundtrip fare is ₩15,000.
  • Catch the shuttle bus in Insadong (near the West Gate of Tapgol Park) or Sungnyemun Square Bus Stop in front of Namdaemun Market. Bus leaves at 9:30am. This will take you to the wharf in Gapyeong.
  • Board the ferry to Nami Island. Entrance Fee: ₩13,000.

Where to Stay Near Nami Island

There are no hotels in the island itself. The closest is Gapyeong, where the Nami Island ferry picks up passengers. In my personal opinion, however, one day is enough to experience most of what Nami Island has to offer. Hence, if your main destination is Seoul, you might want to visit Namiseom on a day trip. Whatever your decision is, below are the top budget hotels in Seoul and Gapyeong.

Winter in Nami Island

Top Budget Hotels in Seoul

Staz Hotel Myeongdong II

  • Staz Hotel Myeongdong II . Check Rates & Availability .
  • Makers Hotel . Check Rates & Availability .
  • GS Hotel Jongno . Check Rates & Availability .
  • Youngbin Hotel . Check Rates & Availability .

Top Hostels in Seoul

YE4 Guesthouse

  • YE4 Guesthouse . Check Rates & Availability .
  • Gateway Korea Guesthouse . Check Rates & Availability .
  • Brownie Guesthouse . Check Rates & Availability .
  • Hostel HARU . Check Rates & Availability .

Search for more Seoul Hotels

Top hotels in gapyeong (near nami island).

Egg House Namisum Guesthouse - Hostel

  • Egg House Namisum (Nami Island) Guesthouse – Hostel . Check Rates & Availability .
  • Iris Hotel . Check Rates & Availability .

Sample Nami Island Itinerary and Expenses

If you’re visiting Nami Island on a day tour as part of a bigger trip to Seoul, below is a sample 5-day/4-night itinerary with breakdown of expenses. This assumes the following:

  • You are a group of two.
  • You will be staying in a twin room at a hostel.
  • You will be using a T-Money card (T-Card) in exploring Seoul.
  • Your meal allowance is limited to only ₩5000 for breakfast and ₩15000 for lunch and dinner. It’s actually too much for me considering that you will find a bowl of delicious bibimbap for only ₩5000. But I think it’s better to overestimate so let’s leave it at ₩15,000. I’m not a breakfast person, either. But fine, let’s still include breakfast for good measure.

Just make necessary adjustments to suit your needs.

Nami Island Statue

Pre-trip expenses Hotel booking – ₩116,000 (₩58,000 x 4 nights divided by 2pax)

Day 1: ARRIVAL + GYEONGBOKGUNG 01:00pm – Airport to Jongno-3ga – ₩4150 + ₩1250 02:20pm – Check in at hostel 03:00pm – Gyeongbokgung Palace – ₩3000 06:30pm – Cheonggyecheon Stream 08:00pm – Gwangjang Market – ₩15,000 budget 10:30pm – Sleep!

Day 2: ANGUK AREA + MYEONGDONG 08:00am – Wake up 09:00am – Grab breakfast – ₩5000 09:30am – Bukchon Hanok Village 11:30am – Lunch – ₩15,000 01:00pm – Changdeokgung Palace – ₩3000 06:00pm – Subway to Myeongdong – ₩1250 06:20pm – Dinner – ₩15,000 budget 09:30pm – Back to Hotel

Day 3: NAMI ISLAND 07:00am – Wake up 08:00am – Grab breakfast – ₩5000 08:30am – Subway to Gapyeong Station – ₩2250 10:00am – Taxi to ferry wharf – ₩3000 10:20am – Buy Nami ticket – ₩13,000 10:50pm – Explore Nami Island 01:30pm – Lunch – ₩15,000 budget 02:30pm – Continue exploring Nami Island 04:00pm – Ferry back 04:30pm – Taxi back to Gapyeong Station – ₩3000 05:00pm – Subway back to city – ₩2250 06:30pm – Dinner – ₩15,000 budget 09:00pm – Sleep

Day 4: HONGDAE & SINCHON 09:00am – Wake up 10:00am – Brunch + Insadong – ₩15,000 budget 01:00pm – Subway to Ewha Women’s University – ₩1250 01:30pm – Ewha Women’s University 02:30pm – Subway to Hongik University – ₩1250 02:45pm – Seoul Trick Eye Museum – ¥15,000 05:00pm – Explore Hongdae 08:00pm – Dinner – ₩15,000 budget 10:30pm – Back to hotel – ₩1250

Day 5: PACK UP + DEPARTURE Train back to Airport – ₩5400

This itinerary will cost you ₩292,000 (USD 256, EUR 226, SGD 355, PHP 13,700), excluding the airfare.

You can still bring down the cost by staying in a dorm (and there are great options in the city), skipping the Trick Eye Museum (it’s not really unique to Seoul), or cutting down on your food budget (Please don’t. Korean food is awesome!)

If you’re coming from Manila and you’re able to snag PHP7700 fare, the total cost of this trip is PHP 21,400 .

For my first trip, I got my plane tickets from a SEAT SALE and paid only PHP 6000, hehe. Add the travel tax (which was being collected separately at the time) and the total is pretty much the same.

2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣9️⃣ • 3️⃣ • 1️⃣8️⃣ – last update 2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣7️⃣ • 2️⃣ • 1️⃣8️⃣ – first up

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guest

Hi! Good day! Great blog. Very helpful and informative, anyways just want to ask about your I.T in nami island, Where does the Nami island entrance fee here in the budget computation? Secondly, The 8000 won ferry ticket is back and forth? thank you. Hope for you response.

Day 3: NAMI ISLAND 07:00am – Wake up 08:00am – Grab breakfast – ₩5000 08:30am – Subway to Gapyeong Station – ₩2250 10:00am – Taxi to ferry wharf – ₩3000 10:20am – Buy ferry ticket – ₩8000 10:50pm – Explore Nami Island 01:30pm – Lunch – ₩15,000 budget 02:30pm – Continue exploring Nami Island 04:00pm – Ferry back 04:30pm – Taxi back to Gapyeong Station – ₩3000 05:00pm – Subway back to city – ₩2250 06:30pm – Dinner – ₩15,000 budget

Yosh Dimen

Hi Anthony, the ₩8000 ferry ticket already covers entrance fee. It was discounted for foreigners.

HOWEVER, this was written last year. Apparently, the entrance fee + RT ferry ticket already changed this year. It’s now 13,000.

We’ll update the post. :D

Jam

15,000 won po ba talaga ang descent price per meal sa Sokor? That is around 675 pesos per meal.

Hi Jam, meron kang mahahanap na mas mura pero pinad lang namin to be safe.

Anna

Hi when would be the best date in october to see the peak foliage of nami island?

Justine

There is a hotel in Nami Island itself.

Pang

Hi! Thanks for this blog, very informative. May I ask lang on your Day4 itinerary, kasama ang Ehwa Women’s University. What can you do in the university and are tourists allowed to just go around the campus? Can you just come anytime? Thanks!

Hi Pang. Yep, tourists are allowed inside, last time I checked.

More on sightseeing — architecture and if around autumn, ok din ang foliage. Marami ring shopping street na mura outside if mahilig ka mag-shopping. :)

melissa

Day 1: ARRIVAL + GYEONGBOKGUNG 01:00pm – Airport to Jongno-3ga – ₩4150 + ₩1250

Incheon Airport po ba yan? and yung fare rate po ba taxi po ba or subway? we are planning po kasi to take a taxi midnight po kasi ang dating namin sa Incheon Airport and our hotel is in Jongno-3ga. thank you for your kind reply.

Hi Melissa,

It’s AREX All Stop train. But I think the fare now is ₩4750, but they don’t operate past midnight.

Taking a taxi from Incheon Airport all the way to Jongno can be very expensive. If I remember correctly, there is a late night bus from Incheon Airport to Seoul every hour from midnight.

Hello Yoske,

Thank you for your kind reply, yes i have read that also in some articles but it wasn’t clear to me because it was mentioned late night bus from Seoul to Incheon Airport and not the other way around but then i have checked now again, and yes there is. :) thank you and really appreciate your reply.

No prob, Melissa! Enjoy your trip!

If you have time after the trip, hope you could share your experience with us especially if may details sa post na ‘to that needs to be updated lalo na yung prices. :D

Drei

This is really helpful, lalo na we are planning to have a tour this coming this Dec 2020 and will used this Itinerary of yours, sana ung iba updated na ang mga prices para alam namin ung quatation ng budget namin i budget.. and same with ms melissa we will arrive Incheon past 10pm :-(

Myra

Wow! Thanks for your generous work here, Yosh. Appreciate it. Very helpful as I plan to visit SoKor in April.

You’re welcome! But note that some details might have changed already since we last visited. Happy planning!

Mielle

hello po, yung taxi fare po ba kayang icover na ang 4 pax? planning to visit po kasi nami island and garden of the morning calm. if magtake po kami ng bus, 32000 won po lahat.. if magtaxi po kami baka half the fare lang po nun?

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3 Best Ways to Get to Nami Island from Seoul (2024 Guide)

Nami Island Guide

Want to know how to get to Nami Island from Seoul, Myeongdong, Hongdae and Dongdaemun easily? Let me share with you in step-by-step on how to get there.

Basically, there are 3 efficient ways to go to Nami Island which are ITX train , shuttle bus and private car service .

Aside from these 3 methods, you also have another choice to reach Nami Island which is via subway but it can be time-consuming . Don’t worry, I’ll walk you through all these methods in detail including how to ride subway to Nami Island.

Not only that, in this blog, I’ll show you the key differences between these 4 transport modes so you won’t have a hard time choosing the right option.

All in all, this comprehensive guide will help you to reach Nami Island easily and also give you a better idea of how to pick the right transport mode according to your needs and budget.

Let’s get started.

3 Ways to Get to Nami Island from Seoul:

  • Take ITX Train   (A Step-by-step Guide)
  • Take a Direct Shuttle Bus   (Easiest and Save Time – Highly Recommended)
  • Take a Private Car or Van   (Fastest)

Additional Method: Subway   (Not so recommended – Slowest)

A Guide to Visit Nami Island and Nearby Attractions:

How to Visit Nami Island and Petite France in One Day

How to visit nami island, petite france and the garden of morning calm in one day, how to get to nami island from seoul by itx train.

ITX Train

The most standard way of getting to Nami Island is by taking ITX train . There are 2 train stations in Seoul for you to ride ITX train to Nami Island. These 2 stations are Cheongnyangni Station and Yongsan Station .

To make your trip to Nami Island more successful and easier, I’m going to share with you the guides below to save your research time.

  • How to take ITX train to Nami Island
  • How to book ITX train ticket online
  • How to cancel your ITX train ticket and get a refund
  • How far is Nami Island
  • How much does a trip to Nami Island cost
  • How to go back from Nami Island

So, let’s start with the first one.

How to take ITX train to Nami Island (In 5 Steps)

Seoul to Nami Island by ITX Train

Step 1. Take Subway to Cheongnyangni Station or Yongsan Station

Cheongnyangni and Yongsan Stations

The first step is to take subway to ITX train station. There are 2 ITX train stations for you to ride the ITX train to Nami Island which are Cheongnyangni Station or Yongsan Station .

So, let me share with you which ITX train station you should go if you plan to depart from Seoul Station, Myeongdong, Hongdae and Dongdaemun.

I would suggest you to take ITX train at Cheongnyangni Station if you plan to visit Nami Island from Myeongdong or Dongdaemun . This is because the travel time to Nami Island is shorter if you take ITX train from Cheongnyangni Station compared to Yongsan Station.

Conversely, if you plan to depart from Hongdae or Seoul Station to Nami Island, then you should ride the ITX train at Yongsan Station .

Now, let’s start knowing which subway line to take for you to reach ITX train stations – Cheongnyangni Station and Yongsan Station.

i. Seoul Station to Yongsan Station

Seoul Station to Yongsan Station

  • Ride the Line 1 from Seoul Station Yongsan Station.
  • After leaving the subway at Yongsan Station, you just need to follow the direction boards over there to ride the ITX train. The ITX train is located inside the Yongsan Station too.

Single Trip Fare = 1,400 won Travel Time Required = 5 minutes

ii. Myeongdong to Cheongnyangni Station

Myeongdong Station to Cheongnyangni Station

  • Take the Line 4 from Myeongdong Station to Dongdaemun Station.
  • Alight at Dongdaemun Station and the change to Line 1 .
  • Catch the Line 1 from Dongdaemun Station to Cheongnyangni Station.
  • After you get off the subway at Cheongnyangni Station, you should go out the Exit 4.
  • Then, walk to Cheongnyangni Station (ITX train station). It’s located just on the right-side of the Exit 4.

Single Trip Fare = 1,400 won Travel Time Required = 20 minutes

iii. Dongdaemun to Cheongnyangni Station

Dongdaemun Station to Cheongnyangni Station

  • Alight at Cheongnyangni Station and then head for the Exit 4.
  • After you go out the Exit 4, you should turn right and then walk to Cheongnyangni Station (ITX train station) in less than 1 minute.

Single Trip Fare = 1,400 won Travel Time Required = 7 minutes

iv. Hongdae to Yongsan Station

Hongdae Station to Yongsan Station

  • Take the Gyeongui-Jungang Line from Hongik University Station to Yongsan Station.
  • After you get off the subway at Yongsan Station and just follow the ITX direction boards to ride the ITX train. The ITX train is located inside the Yongsan Station as well.

Single Trip Fare = 1,400 won Travel Time Required = 10 minutes

Step 2. Purchase ITX train ticket at Cheongnyangni Station or Yongsan Station

ITX Train Ticket

Proceed to ITX ticketing counter when you reach Cheongnyangni Station or Yongsan Station. You can purchase the ITX train ticket at the ticketing counter over there.

Often than not, the earlier time slots sell fast especially peak season and school holiday. So, better book the train ticket online to secure the morning time slot for ITX train.

If you book the ITX train ticket online, you can skip the ticketing counter and board the train directly. So, if you want to know how to book ITX train ticket online, simply refer here .

Cheongnyangni Station to Gapyeong Station: Single Trip Fare = 5,700 won Travel Time Required = 40 minutes

Yongsan Station to Gapyeong Station: Single Trip Fare = 6,900 won Travel Time Required = 60 minutes

Step 3. Board the ITX train from Cheongnyangni Station or Yongsan Station to Gapyeong Station

Board ITX Train to Gapyeong Station

If you purchase from ticketing counter, simply show your physical ticket to the staff at the boarding gate for you to take the ITX train.

Conversely, if you book online, you just need to show printed ticket or soft copy ticket (e-ticket) from your smartphone to the staff over there for you to board the ITX train. It’s just that simple.

Since, the nearest train station to Nami Island is Gapyeong Station . So, remember to take ITX train to Gapyeong Station. From there, simply take a bus or taxi to Nami Island in 5 minutes . Now, let’s proceed to the next step to know in detail on how to reach Nami Island from Gapyeong Station.

Step 4. Hop aboard the Gapyeong City Tour Bus from Gapyeong Station to Gapyeong Wharf (Ferry Terminal to Nami Island)

Gapyeong Station

When you reach Gapyeong Station, you have 2 options to get to Nami Island.

Option 1: Gapyeong City Tour Bus

Gapyeong City Tour Bus

The first option is to hop on the Gapyeong City Tour Bus to Gapyeong Wharf. From there, you can take a zip-wire or ferry to Nami Island. You’ll know more about these in the next step.

Here are the Gapyeong City Tour Bus ticket prices.

The bus fares of Gapyeong City Tour Bus: Adult: 8,000 won Child: 6,000 won Child (Below 3 years old): Free

➢ You can purchase the ticket from driver when you on board the bus. The bus fare can be paid by cash or T-Money Card. ➢ The Gapyeong City Tour Bus ticket allows you unlimited rides on the Gapyeong City Tour Bus and yes, you can hop on and off at any stop you want.

The travel time from Gapyeong Station to Gapyeong Wharf (for Nami Island) via Gapyeong City Tour Bus is about 5 minutes .

For your easy reference, below are the schedules of Gapyeong City Tour Bus. This tour bus not only take you to Nami Island, but also can bring you to nearby attractions such as Petite France and Garden of Morning Calm.

Gapyeong City Tour Bus Schedule 1

Take Notes:

  • The label of “Nami Island” from the schedules of Gapyeong City Tour Bus is represents “Gapyeong Wharf”.
  • The label of “Morning Calm Arboretum” from the schedules of Gapyeong City Tour Bus is represents “The Garden of Morning Calm”.

Option 2: Taxi

Taxi Stand at Gapyeong Station

Another option is to take a taxi from Gapyeong Station to Gapyeong Wharf (for Nami Island) and the taxi fare is about 6,000 won .

Where to take the Taxi and Gapyeong City Tour Bus

The taxi stand and the bus stop of Gapyeong City Tour Bus are very easy to locate. Because these 2 waiting areas are located just in front of the Gapyeong Station.

Step 5. Take a Skyline Zip-wire or ferry from Gapyeong Wharf to Nami Island

Gapyeong Wharf

When you reach Gapyeong Wharf, you have 2 options to get to Nami Island .

Option 1: Ferry

Ferry to Nami Island

The most common way of getting to Nami Island from Gapyeong Wharf is by taking a ferry .

Ticketing Counter at Gapyeong Wharf

You can purchase the ferry ticket at Gapyeong Wharf. So, here are the round-trip ferry fares and schedule.

Nami Island Entrance Fee and Round-trip Ferry Fares: Adult (18 – 69): 16,000 won Senior (70 and above): 13,000 won Teenager (13 – 17): 13,000 won Child (3 – 12): 10,000 won Child (Below 3 years old): Free

Recommendation: Buy your Nami Island tickets online . You will receive e-tickets via email, which can simply be shown on your phone for access to the island. This approach helps you skip the long queues at the ticket counter.

➢ The ferry costs are already included the admission fee to Nami Island.

Ferry Schedule (From Gapyeong Wharf): 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM (Depart every 30 minutes) 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Depart every 10 to 20 minutes) 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM (Depart every 30 minutes)

➢ Just a 5-minute ferry ride from Gapyeong Wharf to Nami Island. ➢ The Nami Island opening hours is same as ferry schedule.

After purchasing ferry ticket, you can proceed to board the ferry which is just beside the ticketing counter.

Option 2: Zip-wire

Skyline Zip-wire to Nami Island

If you’re looking for an exciting way to get into Nami Island, then you can consider to take the Skyline Zip-wire . It can give you to see the entire view of the island when you transfer from Gapyeong Wharf to Nami Island.

Zip-wire Cost: 49,900 won

➢ The zip-wire ride from Gapyeong Wharf to Nami Island is about 1 minute. ➢ Kindly take note that the zip-wire is only one-way, you need to take a ferry when you want to go back from Nami Island. ➢ The price is already included admission fee to Nami Island and a return trip ferry ticket. ➢ For zip-wire ride, you need to meet these criteria – height is between 140 cm and 200 cm & weight is between 35 kg and 120 kg.

Zip-wire Operating Hours: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM (April to October) 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (November to March)

How to Book ITX Train Ticket Online

The ITX train will be crowded during peak season and school holiday. Furthermore, reserved seats on ITX train may even be fully booked especially on weekends, so I would suggest making reservations in advance.

Now, let me walk you through 5 simple steps to book your ITX train ticket online.

Step 1. Visit Korail Website

Visit Korail Website

First, visit the Korail website here . Then, follow the steps below to assist you search the ITX train to Gapyeong Station.

  • Travel Type – Normal Type
  • Travel Path (Direct/Transfer) – Direct
  • Date of Departure – Select your preferred date and time to visit Nami Island. You may set the “Hour” as 0 if you want to see a full list of departure times.
  • Departure / Arrival – Set departure as “Cheongnyangni”/ “Yongsan” and arrival as “Gapyeong”
  • Type of Train – ITX-Cheongchun
  • (Type and Number of) Passengers – Total people to ride the train
  • Click on “Inquiry” button.

➢ If you stay in Myeongdong or Dongdaemun, then you should choose departure as “Cheongnyangni”. On the other hand, you should choose “Yongsan” as departure if you stay in Hongdae or near Seoul Station.

Step 2. Check ITX Train Departure Times

ITX Train Departure Times

Now, you will see a full list of information like ITX train departure times, arrival times and so on. You can click on the “Magnifying Glass” icon to know the train fare.

Once you have confirmed your preferred departure time, you can click on the “Select” link.

Step 3. Fill in Your Personal Details

Fill in Your Personal Details

Fill in your personal details together with password. The password is used for cancelling your train ticket or re-print it. But you can also cancel your train ticket or re-print it by using your email address.

After you’ve finished fill in your detail, click on “Next” button.

Step 4. Make a Payment for Your ITX Train Ticket

Make a Payment for ITX Train Ticket

Now, it’s time to make a payment for your train ticket via credit card.

If you depart from Cheongnyangni , the train fare is 5,700 won (Previously was 4,800 won) for adults and 2,800 won for children . On the other hand, if you depart from Yongsan , the train fare is 6,900 won for adults and 3,400 won for children .

Step 5. Print out Your ITX Train Ticket

Print out ITX Train Ticket

After you make the payment successfully, you will receive an e-ticket immediately. Just print it out or save it to your smartphone. You can board the ITX train directly via soft copy ticket from your smartphone or physical ticket that you have printed out.

How to Cancel Your ITX Train Ticket and Get a Refund

If you change your mind and want to take a shuttle bus to Nami Island , then here’s how to cancel your train ticket and then get a refund, step-by-step.

Step 1. Visit Korail website and then look for REISSUE/REFUND tab

REISSUE or REFUND tab on Korail Website

The first thing you should do is to go to REISSUE/REFUND tab on Korail website. Then, choose “Refund” option and fill in your name, email address/password/credit card number and nationality. After done, proceed to click on “Inquiry” button.

*The “Reissue” option is used for re-print the train ticket.

Step 2. Proceed to cancel your ITX ticket and then request for a refund

Cancel ITX Train Ticket

Select the ticket you wish to cancel and then click on “Refund” button. It’s just that simple. You may refer this link to know how much you can get a refund.

How Far is Nami Island

Thinking on Travel Time to Nami Island from Seoul

The average travel time to Nami Island via ITX train, Gapyeong City Tour Bus and ferry is about 60 minutes.

So, here is a detailed breakdown of travel times (approximated) to Nami Island by public transports for your easy reference. These tables will show you how long does it take to go to Nami Island from these 4 locations – Seoul Station, Myeongdong, Dongdaemun and Hongdae.

From Seoul Station

Seoul Station to Nami Island Road Map

From Myeongdong

Myeongdong to Nami Island Road Map

From Dongdaemun

Dongdaemun to Nami Island Road Map

From Hongdae

Hongdae to Nami Island Road Map

How Much Does a Trip to Nami Island Cost

Travel Cost

If you are planning to visit Nami Island, you may wonder how much you need to spend during your trip.

So, let’s refer the tables below to know how much does a round-trip cost to Nami Island via ITX train, Gapyeong City Tour Bus and other necessary transport modes.

Seoul Station to Nami Island Round-trip Route

How to Go Back from Nami Island

Most people only share with you the way of getting to Nami Island. But, how about the return trip? Did you know how to go back from Nami Island to Seoul?

If your answer is NO, then let me share with you in here for the return trip. 😊

Below is a step-by-step guide to teach you how to go back from Nami Island to Seoul.

How to Go Back from Nami Island to Seoul

  • Hop on the ferry from Nami Island to Gapyeong Wharf.
  • Ride a Gapyeong City Tour Bus from Gapyeong Wharf to Gapyeong Station.
  • Take ITX train from Gapyeong Station to Cheongnyangni Station/ Yongsan Station.
  • From Cheongnyangni Station/ Yongsan Station, you can take subway go back to your staying place.

➢ If you stay in Myeongdong or Dongdaemun, I would suggest you to get off the ITX train at Cheongnyangni Station to save your travel time. ➢ If you stay in Hongdae or near Seoul Station, then you should leave the ITX train at Yongsan Station.

How to Get to Nami Island by Shuttle Bus

Nami Island Shuttle Bus

If you don’t have enough time to plan a trip to Nami Island, you can pick a shuttle bus . This is the easiest option for you if you don’t prefer train transfers because it is a direct shuttle bus to Nami Island from the downtown Seoul.

There are 3 assembly locations for you to get on the bus that are Myeongdong , Dongdaemun and Hongdae . Know more about the departure times, assembly locations and the latest price through the link below.

  • Check out the shuttle bus price here

Nami Island, Petite France, Garden of Morning Calm and Gangchon Rail Bike

Do you want a convenient and stress-free day trip to Nami Island, Petite France, Garden of Morning Calm and Gangchon Rail Bike?

You can join a bus tour to visit Nami Island and its surrounding attractions.

Check the table below for popular bus tours from Seoul to Nami Island. It includes package prices, meeting locations, pick-up times, and tour itineraries for your convenience.

I suggest taking a bus tour for visiting Nami Island and other sights. It’s easier than going by yourself and you won’t get lost.

The tour includes bus rides, ferry tickets, and entrance fees . It’s good for everyone, whether you’re alone, with friends, family, kids, or elderly .

The bus picks you up from convenient locations near Myeongdong, Hongdae, and Dongdaemun subway stations.

For tour prices, look at the table above. This way, you can enjoy your day without any stress.

My Popular Post: 17 Best Things to Do in Nami Island (Be sure to check out this article where I will share the must-see spots in Nami Island. Also, from this article you can find out what to do and see at Garden of Morning Calm, Petite France, and Gangchon Rail Bike.)

How to Go to Nami Island by Private Car or Van

Nami Island Private Car

If you’re looking for the fastest way to get to Nami Island, then simply book this private car or van service .

With this private car or van service, you can choose the places you want to visit, how long to stay in there and also when to go. In addition, you’re able to plan your own itinerary that tailor your interests, needs and time frame.

Nami Island Private Car Seats

Aside from this, there will be hotel pick-up and drop-off services . So, all you have to do is sit back, relax, and wait for your arrival at Nami Island.

Another impressive feature of choosing private car or van service is you’ll be accompanied by a local professional guide that will assist you all day long. He or she can help you all the ins and outs of the attractions that you wish to visit.

You can consult and ask for recommendations , from the best photo opportunities to famous food spots.

To top it all, the local expert guide can speak English and Chinese . So, if you have any questions about your trip to Nami Island, you can simply ask them.

Because of these advantages, it’s suitable for those travelling by group or families with kids and senior parents.

Planning to avail of the private car or van service? Click here to see the prices.

How to Go to Nami Island by Subway

Seoul Subway

If you’re on a tight budget, the cheapest way to get from Seoul to Nami Island is by taking subway .

However, do take note that this is not a high-speed train, so this option can be time-consuming . The average travel time to Nami Island by subway is about 100 minutes .

Did you know that you can take ITX train to Nami Island other than subway? You can read my guide here to know how to ride the ITX train to Nami Island which is much faster than using subway.

Now, it’s time to go back to the main topic on how to take subway from:

  • Myeongdong to Nami Island
  • Seoul Station to Nami Island
  • Hongdae (Hongik University Station) to Nami Island
  • Dongdaemun to Nami Island

So, let me show you in detail how to reach Nami Island by subway through the guide below.

1. Myeongdong to Nami Island

Myeongdong to Nami Island by Subway

  • Catch the Line 4 from Myeongdong Station to Dongdaemun Station.
  • Alight at Dongdaemun Station and the transfer to Line 1 .
  • Board the Line 1 from Dongdaemun Station to Hoegi Station.
  • Alight at Hoegi Station and then change to Gyeongchun Line .
  • Take the Gyeongchun Line from Hoegi Station to Gapyeong Station.
  • The subway takes about 102 minutes to reach Gapyeong Station and single trip fare is 2,400 won.
  • After you get off the subway at Gapyeong Station, you can take a taxi or Gapyeong City Tour Bus from Gapyeong Station to Gapyeong Wharf. The Gapyeong City Tour Bus costs 8,000 won.
  • At Gapyeong Wharf, take a ferry to Nami Island for 5 minutes. The ferry fare is 16,000 won (round-trip).
  • The one-way journey takes about 112 minutes and costs 26,400 won .

2. Seoul Station to Nami Island

Seoul Station to Nami Island by Subway

  • Hop on the Line 1 from Seoul Station to Hoegi Station.
  • Alight at Hoegi Station and then transfer to Gyeongchun Line .
  • Catch the Gyeongchun Line from Hoegi Station to Gapyeong Station.
  • The single journey takes about 108 minutes and costs 2,400 won from Seoul Station to Gapyeong Station.
  • After you leave the subway at Gapyeong Station, you can take a Gapyeong City Tour Bus (8,000 won) or taxi to Gapyeong Wharf.
  • At Gapyeong Wharf, just board a ferry to Nami Island (5 minutes,  16,000 won – round-trip tickets).
  • The single journey takes about 118 minutes and costs 26,400 won .

3. Hongdae (Hongik University Station) to Nami Island

Hongdae to Nami Island by Subway

  • Catch the Gyeongui-Jungang Line from Hongik University Station to Mangu Station
  • Alight at Mangu Station and then change to Gyeongchun Line .
  • Take the Gyeongchun Line from Mangu Station to Gapyeong Station.
  • The subway fare is 2,500 won and it takes 95 minutes to Gapyeong Station.
  • Alight at Gapyeong Station and then take a Gapyeong City Tour Bus (8,000 won) or taxi from there to Gapyeong Wharf.
  • At Gapyeong Wharf, hop aboard a ferry (5 minutes, 16,000 won) to Nami Island.
  • The total travel time is about 105 minutes and single trip fare is 26,500 won .

4. Dongdaemun to Nami Island

Dongdaemun to Nami Island by Subway

  • The travel time from Dongdaemun Station to Gapyeong Statio is 97 minutes and subway fare is 2,400 won.
  • After you leave the subway at Gapyeong Station, you can take a taxi or Gapyeong City Tour Bus (8,000 won) from there to Gapyeong Wharf.
  • Lastly, take a ferry to Nami Island from Gapyeong Wharf, which will take 5 minutes only. The ferry fare is 16,000 won for round-trip.
  • The single trip takes around 107 minutes and costs 26,400 won .

Nami Island and Petite France

Are you planning a day trip to Nami Island and Petite France?

To help you, here’s a detail guide to visit Nami Island and Petite France from Seoul by ITX train and Gapyeong City Tour Bus.

A Step-by-step Guide to Visit Nami Island and Petite France by ITX Train

Visit Nami Island and Petite France by ITX Train

  • Hop aboard the ITX train from Cheongnyangni Station or Yongsan Station to Gapyeong Station.
  • After leaving the ITX train at Gapyeong Station, you should walk to the bus stop of Gapyeong City Tour Bus. It’s located just in front of the Gapyeong Station.
  • Hop on the Gapyeong City Tour Bus from Gapyeong Station to Gapyeong Wharf (Ferry Terminal to Nami Island).
  • Board a ferry to Nami Island when you arrive at Gapyeong Wharf.
  • After finishing your visit in Nami Island, walk to Nami Wharf for taking a ferry back to Gapyeong Wharf.
  • Hop on the Gapyeong City Tour Bus from Gapyeong Wharf to Petite France.
  • After completing your tour at the Petite France, you should take the Gapyeong City Tour Bus to Cheongpyeong Station.
  • From there, you can take the ITX train go back to Cheongnyangni Station or Yongsan Station.

*You may wonder why go back from Cheongpyeong Station instead of Gapyeong Station for your return trip. This is because Cheongpyeong Station is nearer to Petite France compared to Gapyeong Station. You may refer the Gapyeong City Tour Bus schedule below to know the answer. 😊

Gapyeong City Tour Bus Schedule

Nami Island to Petite France Bus Timetable

Take Note: The label of “Nami Island” from the schedule of Gapyeong City Tour Bus is represents “Gapyeong Wharf”.

Travel Time

Nami Island and Petite France Travel Time

Take notes: For those who want to take the ITX train at Yongsan Station instead of Cheongnyangni Station, then here are the travel times: 1. Depart – Yongsan Station to Gapyeong Station = 60 minutes 2. Return – Cheongpyeong Station to Yongsan Station = 52 minutes

Total Travel Expenses + Entrance Fees

Nami Island and Petite France Travel Cost

Take notes:

  • The ferry costs are already included the entrance fee to Nami Island.
  • The Gapyeong City Tour Bus ticket allows you unlimited rides on the Gapyeong City Tour Bus and yes, you can hop on and off at any stop you want.
  • For those who wish to take the ITX train from Yongsan Station to Gapyeong Station, then the ITX train fare is 6,900 won.
  • For those who want to take the ITX train back to Yongsan Station from Cheongpyeong Station, then the ITX train fare is 5,700 won.

Petite France Entrance Fee: Adult: 12,000 won Teen (Middle and High school): 12,000 won Child (3 years old to Elementary): 10,000 won

The total cost to visit Nami Island and Petite France = Total Transport Cost + Petite France Entrance Fee = 34,200 won + 12,000 won = 46,200 won

Nami Island, Petite France and Garden of Morning Calm

If you’re planning a DIY trip to Nami Island, Petite France and The Garden of Morning Calm from Seoul by ITX train, you’re in the right place.

Let me show you in step-by-step on how to visit these 3 famous attractions via the detailed guide below.

A Step-by-step Guide to Visit Nami Island, Petite France and The Garden of Morning Calm by ITX Train

Visit Nami Island, Petite France and Garden of Morning Calm ITX Train

  • Board the ITX train from Cheongnyangni Station or Yongsan Station to Gapyeong Station.
  • After you get off the ITX train at Gapyeong Station, head for the bus stop of Gapyeong City Tour Bus. It’s located just in front of the Gapyeong Station.
  • Hop aboard the Gapyeong City Tour Bus from Gapyeong Station to Gapyeong Wharf (Ferry Terminal to Nami Island).
  • Take a ferry to Nami Island when you reach Gapyeong Wharf.
  • After completing your visit in Nami Island, walk to Nami Wharf for boarding a ferry back to Gapyeong Wharf.
  • Hop aboard the Gapyeong City Tour Bus from Gapyeong Wharf to Petite France.
  • After finishing your tour at the Petite France, just take the Gapyeong City Tour Bus to The Garden of Morning Calm.
  • When you finish you tour at The Garden of Morning Calm, ride the Gapyeong City Tour Bus to Cheongpyeong Station.
  • Then, take the ITX train from Cheongpyeong Station back to Cheongnyangni Station or Yongsan Station.

*You may ask why you should go back from Cheongpyeong Station instead of Gapyeong Station for your return trip. This is because Cheongpyeong Station is nearer to The Garden of Morning Calm compared to Gapyeong Station. You may refer the 2 nd schedules below to know the answer. 😊

Gapyeong City Tour Bus Schedules

Nami Island to Morning Calm Garden Bus Timetable

Take notes: For those who plan to ride the ITX train at Yongsan Station instead of Cheongnyangni Station, then here are the travel times: 1. Depart – Yongsan Station to Gapyeong Station = 60 minutes 2. Return – Cheongpyeong Station to Yongsan Station = 52 minutes

Nami Island, Petite France and Garden of Morning Calm Travel Cost

  • For those who plan to ride the ITX train from Yongsan Station to Gapyeong Station, then the ITX train fare is 6,900 won.
  • For those who wish to ride the ITX train back to Yongsan Station from Cheongpyeong Station, then the ITX train fare is 5,700 won.

The Gardens of Morning Calm Entrance Fee: Adult: 11,000 won Teen (Middle and High school): 8,500 won Child (3 years old to Elementary): 7,500 won

The total cost to visit Nami Island, Petite France and The Garden of Morning Calm = Total Transport Cost + Petite France Entrance Fee + The Garden of Morning Calm Entrance Fee = 34,200 won + 12,000 won + 11,000 won = 57,200 won

I completely understand that it might be difficult to plan a proper Nami Island trip, especially if you’re a first-time visitor. Or, because of your busy work schedule might cause you don’t have enough time to do a proper research on how to go to Nami Island.

Hopefully, my sharing information in here can lessen your research time and make your Nami Island trip to be more convenient and memorable.

And if this blog has helped you, don’t forget to share this guide with your travel buddies through Facebook , Twitter , Pinterest , Gmail , or WhatsApp .

Wishing you a comfortable and wonderful trip to Nami Island! 😊

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26 thoughts on “3 best ways to get to nami island from seoul (2024 guide)”.

Hi 🙂 I would just like to ask if the price list on your blog is updated? Thank you.

The price will keep fluctuation and it’s depend on the season and promotion. But, you can check the latest price of Nami Island Day Tour in here.

If you like to know the latest entrance fees of Nami Island, Petite France and The Garden of Morning Calm, you can check the price from the official website links.

I have provided the attractions official website links on this page so that easier for you to check the latest prices.

Hope this can help you.

Wish you have an enjoyable holidays in Seoul and Nami Island 🙂

Regards, Josh

Hi, we are thinking to visit Nami Island next month with 2 kids. We would like to know how difficulty to reach Nami Island? Is there any subway directly go to Nami Island from Seoul? So, I don’t need to buy train tickets in advance.

Would appreciate for your answers. Thanks.

Great! Nami Island is a must-go place if you visit Seoul.

Unfortunately, there is no direct subway from Seoul to Nami Island.

If you prefer taking a public transport to Nami Island, I would suggest you to take ITX train instead of Subway because of shorter travel time.

Better book the ITX Train tickets in advance if you want to go to Nami Island by ITX train. Worried that no seat available if you only buy train tickets on that day.

You can read my step-by-step guide to Nami Island here to know how to book ITX Train ticket online and also how to get there via Gapyeong Tour Bus.

Alternative, you can join Day Tour to Nami Island if you want simple and easy ways to Nami Island.

You will be surprise that the Nami Island Day Tour is slightly cheaper than you take public transport to there.

Hope that my answers able to help you. 🙂

Thank you so much for your detailed information. Do we need to book the entrance tickets in advance or buy the tickets on the spots?

Thanks for your kind words, Jessie. Hope that my guide able to help you to plan a day trip to Nami Island.

The entrance tickets don’t need to book in advance and you can buy on the spots.

After read through your blog, we are planning to visit Nami Island, Petite France and The Garden of Morning Calm in the Autumn.

Thank you so much for sharing such useful information. Truly informative!

You are welcome, Mei Chi. I hope that my guide in here able to help you solve the doubt about how to go to Nami Island.

Most people didn’t aware that there are popular spots near to Nami Island such as Petite France and The Garden of Morning Calm.

Actually, they can visit those places with Nami Island in one day and then back to Seoul.

Hope that my sharing in here able to help you all plan a well trip to those places.

Have fun and happy holidays in South Korea!

I planning to Nami Island this December. When I made my train ticket reservation at Korail website, instead of Passport Number, it ask for Password. So I keyin a password number and not my passport number. When I fill in my credit card number and click Next, it said My Payment is complete without asking for TAC number. I’m afraid later when I go to the station to collect my ticket they won’t give it to me because it’s not same with my passport number.

By the way, the Password column only accept number and not alphabet and number. That’s why I didn’t keyin my passport number.

When I try to contact Korail, there is no email address on their website. Only Korail Customer Service Center number.

For precaution, I’m planning to cancel my ticket for refund with KRW400 penalty as my ticket is on Sunday and reserve a new ticket again.

Any idea how to solve my problem? Thanks

Hi Christopher,

For me, I think it should be fine. Since the system is asking the Password number instead of Passport number. Make sure that your name and email address are correct.

You can tell them your system is requesting Password number instead of Passport number when you redeem the train ticket. May be you can screenshot the page that asking Password number and show them if they said not same as passport number.

If you worry that your reservation are not valid, you may contact Korail Customer Service Center. I think this is the only way to approach them.

Hi, just to update you. I just booked the ITX from Yongsan to Gapyeong and was issued with the actual Korail train ticket! Last time you need to bring the confirmation slip and collect the ticket at the train station but now no need as they issue the actual train ticket after payment is made. Fyi 🙂

Thanks a lot for your update information. Travelers are more convenient to board the train by just print out the tickets after done the payment at Korail website.

That’s truly great and they don’t need to line-up for claiming physical tickets at ticket counter of ITX train station.

I will update the information in my blog post so that readers can get latest information of booking ITX train to Gapyeong Station.

Once again, thank you very much for your information. 🙂

Wish you have an enjoyable holidays in Nami Island and Seoul!

Hi Josh Thanks so much for the info and lovely photos. Hope you can help a bit. We’re planning to go Nami Island, Petite France and Morning Garden in Feb 2019, we’ll be going from Myeongdong. Instead of taking ITX, can we take the metro all the way to Gapyeong? And which place would you visit first and last for transport convenience? TIA

Kind regards Vanessa

Thank you Vanessa for your kind words. 🙂

Yes, you can take metro from Myeongdong to Gapyeong Station. But it will take longer time to reach Gapyeong Station compared to ITX Train. At least 24 stops from Myeongdong to Gapyeong Station.

Great for visiting Nami Island, Petite France and The Garden of Morning Calm!

Try to catch the first Gapyeong City Tour Bus to Nami Island so that you have more time to enjoy in Nami Island.

Since February 2019 is Winter Season, here is my suggested route for you: Nami Island > Petite France > The Garden of Morning Calm.

I would suggest to visit The Garden of Morning Calm at last stop so that you can see the colorful LED lighting in the evening and night-time.

After visiting The Garden of Morning Calm, you can take the Gapyeong City Tour Bus to Cheongpyeong Station. Then, take the metro back to Myeongdong.

For me, I would suggest you to take ITX Train instead of metro. So, you have more time to spend at the attractions.

But, you still can get there by metro.

Have a great holidays in Nami Island and Seoul! 🙂

I’m so glad to have found your blog, it is very detailed and informative.

We are planning to visit Nami sometime this October. We will be traveling with 2 young kids, a teenager and 3 adults. We plan to stay overnight at Nami Island, I believe there is only one hotel to book. Anyway, I’m quite confuse how to get there. The Day tour you mentioned with the arranged tour bus is usually same day round trip right? I mean, this does not apply staying overnight there? I’m quite confuse with the ITX train you mentioned, we will probably be staying in Myeongdong.. is it easy to find or board the ITX train from there? or is there a bus ride from myeongdong that goes directly to Nami without train transfer, etc..?

Your suggestions are highly appreciated. Thanks and Regards.

You’re most welcome Monica. 🙂

The Nami Island Day Tour Bus is same day round trip and without staying overnight.

You should take the subway from Myeongdong Station to Cheongnyangni Subway Station and then walk to Cheongnyangni Train Station to board the ITX train to Gapyeong Station.

There is no ITX train station at Myeongdong.

Sorry, I’m not sure whether got Public Bus to Nami Island or not.

If you want to stay overnight, you can plan to use ITX train.

Hope that my information can help you.

Wish you have an enjoyable holidays in Nami Island, Monica! 🙂

if i want to go back to seoul from nami, is there any gapyeong tour bus available? i mean the journey from nami island jetty to gapyeong station. for your information, i will go to nami island under the university programme which consists of 24 students plus one liaison officer. I still need to think which transport is the best

Yes, you can take the Gapyeong Tour Bus from Nami Island Jetty to Gapyeong Station.

Then, take the ITX Train back to Seoul.

If you want convenient way to Nami Island without transferring, you can consider taking round-trip shuttle bus to Nami Island from Seoul.

The shuttle bus will bring you directly to the Jetty of Nami Island.

Here is the link for you to check: Nami Island Round-Trip Shuttle Bus Price

Wish you have a great holidays in Nami Island! 🙂

Thanks for the detailed information. Do you suggest to buy train ticket in advance also for return trip from Garden of Morning Calm to Seoul?

I personal think that better book the ITX train ticket in advance together with return trip.

This can help you to secure a seat.

Wishing you a very happy holiday in Nami Island. 🙂

I would like to make an inquiry about private car charter for Nami Island + Petite France + Morning Calm for 8 persons (All Adults). If you could get me information about the price and the duration of the tour, it would be a pleasure.

You may check out the given link below to know the actual price and duration of the tour for 8 persons.

Click here to see the Private Tour Price and Information

Hope this can help you. 🙂

Wish you have an enjoyable holiday in Nami Island. 🙂

Hi, I want to ask if the day tours to Nami island is inclusive of round trip tickets from Central Seoul? And where can I see the departure and arrival timings? Thanks in advance.

Hi Valerie, yep. It’s a round-trip bus from the central Seoul. For the departure and arrival timings, you can check out from this website . 🙂

Hi Josh, thanks for the guide.

I’ve bought 5 tickets from Cheongnyangni to Gapyeong. But the all the tickets only show my name. Can we just use it or need to change the name?

Hi Syareeza, you can simply use the tickets; the names on them are not crucial. 🙂

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The best swimming with pigs tours in the bahamas.

Discover how to responsibly swim with pigs in the Bahamas.

Swimming With Pigs in the Bahamas

Swimming pigs of the Bahamas in the Out Islands of the Exuma

Getty Images

Reels of people frolicking with pigs on a beach in the Caribbean have more than likely surfaced on your TikTok and Instagram feeds at one point or another. After all, millions of people partake in this quintessential Bahamas experience each year, and the attraction is so popular that it's been replicated in other destinations.

If swimming with pigs in the Bahamas is on your bucket list, read on to discover the best tour options as well as what to consider when you visit.

Which Bahamas island has swimming pigs?

Located in the Exumas, Big Major Cay – commonly known as Pig Beach – is the original Bahamas island with swimming pigs. It is accessible from several islands in the Bahamas as well as Florida. Most swimming pig tours include other tourist attractions and experiences, including snorkeling in Thunderball Grotto (a filming location for two James Bond movies) and swimming with nurse sharks at Compass Cay.

How to get to Pig Beach from the Exumas

Staniel Cay: Staniel Cay is the closest inhabited island to Big Major Cay. Guests of Staniel Cay Yacht Club can take a short boat ride to Pig Beach via a local charter. 3N's Vacation Services and Staniel Cay Adventures are both reputable companies that offer such options.

Great Exuma: The largest island in the Exumas, Great Exuma houses some of the best resorts in the Bahamas , including the family-friendly Grand Isle Resort & Residences and the adults-only Sandals Emerald Bay . To get to Pig Beach from Great Exuma, it's best to book directly with your hotel. You'll have the option to take a full-day tour (with a roughly two-hour boat ride to the attractions from Great Exuma) or fly to Staniel Cay and take a short boat ride to Big Major Cay from there.

How to get to Pig Beach from Nassau

Pig Beach is reachable from Nassau via plane and/or boat. Below are some of the top-rated swimming pig tours from the Bahamas' capital city:

3N's Vacation Services: Swimming Pigs Flight & Tour

Price: From $675 per person Duration: 3.5 to 4 hours

This full-day, all-inclusive tour transports passengers from Nassau to Staniel Cay by plane, where you'll continue your excursion via boat. The tour includes several stops and activities:

  • Swimming with pigs and feeding them tour-provided food at Pig Beach
  • Swimming with nurse sharks at Compass Cay
  • Snorkeling at Thunderball Grotto
  • Visiting the iguanas of Guana Cay
  • Strolling along a stunning sandbar
  • A stop near Pablo Escobar's mysterious sunken plane on Norman's Cay

Snacks, lunch, soft drinks, beer and water are covered in tour rates; snorkel gear and towels are provided. Children ages 2 and younger are free, though this tour is not recommended for young kids. While tour groups are limited to 12 guests at maximum, private tours are available for a more intimate experience. Recent reviewers say they enjoyed this tour, though some expressed mixed feelings about the captains.

Check prices & availability on:

Born Free Charters: Exuma Island Hopping and Swimming Pigs

Price: From $439 for adults; $329 for kids ages 2 to 6 Duration: 9 hours

This tour departs from Paradise Island by high-speed powerboat and stops at the following destinations:

  • Allen Cay, to visit Bahamian rock iguanas
  • Compass Cay, for swimming with the nurse sharks
  • Great Exuma, for a Bahamian-style lunch buffet (included in tour rate)
  • Norman's Cay, for snorkeling
  • A sandbar for some beach time

Recent travelers highly recommend this tour, praising the guides, the lunch and the overall experience. Per the tour provider, this tour isn't recommended for children younger than 2, pregnant women, or those suffering from chronic back and/or neck pain.

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How to get to Pig Beach from Florida

There are a few reputable companies that offer Pig Beach tours from Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Below is a well-rated option:

Bahamas Air Tours: Miami to Bahamas Day Trip

Price: From $949 per person Duration: 12 hours

This full-day tour starts with private transportation from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport. It also includes in-destination transportation to Pig Beach, Guana Cay, Thunderball Grotto, Compass Cay and the sandbars at Staniel Cay. Both alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages are included in the price as well. Recent travelers rave about this experience, with some noting it's the best tour they've ever taken.

Note that passports are required for this day trip, and that while children are permitted on the tour, it's not ideal for young kids. This excursion is also ill-suited for pregnant women, and the tour operator requires a doctor's clearance for expectant mothers. Tours are limited to nine guests (but require a minimum of five participants); private charters are also available.

Is Pig Beach ethical?

Even though the Bahamas limits the number of tour operators allowed to visit Pig Beach per day, there's some controversy surrounding the island and whether or not it's ethical to visit.

In 2017, several pigs were found dead after an influx of tourists left snacks on the beach, causing the pigs to ingest too much sand. Also, travelers can be aggressive with the pigs, often chasing them, picking them up or even trying to ride them.

In recent years, a number of safety measures have been put in place to protect both the pigs and tourists. Per the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, they include the following:

  • A trough provides a designated feeding place for the pigs.
  • Signage communicates rules to tourists, including what you can and cannot feed to the pigs. The pigs are restricted to a diet of fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, grapes, watermelon, apples and lettuce, and many guides supply these items for tourgoers. Some tour guides will provide bread as well, though processed food is not ideal for these animals.
  • A local taskforce of caretakers is on the ground daily to ensure visitors and tour operators are engaging with the pigs responsibly.

While the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism maintains that the attraction is sustainable, know that there aren't any legal limitations protecting the pigs at this time.

How to be a responsible traveler at Pig Beach 

All tour guides are expected to share the following protocols with travelers; whether they do or not, it is important to respect these rules for both the safety of the pigs and you: 

  • Remain calm at all times.
  • Do not chase, pick up or ride the pigs.
  • Do not engage with the pigs without supervision.
  • Only use approved food from your tour operator, and do not feed the pigs alcohol.
  • If you do not have feed, hold your hands up to show the pigs you do not have anything.

What to pack for your excursion

Pack a beach bag , dry bag or backpack with the following items:

  • Reef-safe sunscreen
  • Beach towel
  • Camera and/or phone
  • Waterproof phone pouch with lanyard
  • Change of clothing
  • Windbreaker or light jacket (in case of rain and because it gets chilly on the water)
  • Cash and/or credit card (for tour guide tip and other purchases)

It's best to wear a swimsuit and a cover-up or T-shirt with sandals for the trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are several theories about the origin of the swimming pigs. The most logical is that when the Exumas gained popularity with the rich and famous in the 1980s and '90s, the resident pigs were too smelly to stay and were hence moved to the uninhabited island of Big Major Cay.

It is generally safe provided you're respectful of the animals. However, you should keep in mind that the pigs are known to bite if they're hungry and think you might have food you're not sharing. Because Big Major Cay is their home, they also defecate on the shoreline and in the water.

Most tour operators do not allow children under age 2 on these excursions, and based on our experience, we don't recommend bringing toddlers and young children in general — even if rates are free or discounted for them. Wait until your kids are a bit older.

Swimming with pigs on Big Major Cay – the original Pig Beach in the Bahamas – will cost you several hundred dollars – in part because Big Major Cay is a remote destination only accessible by boat. Of course, it is also pricey because of its popularity. Copycat experiences like swimming with the pigs on Rose Island are cheaper, but less authentic.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Amanda Norcross previously visited Pig Beach during a press trip to the Bahamas. Disheartened by tourists' mistreatment of the pigs, she aims to educate travelers on how to visit Big Major Cay and other animal-centric destinations responsibly.

You might also be interested in:

  • The Best Caribbean Vacations
  • The Best All-Inclusive Caribbean Resorts
  • The Best International Travel Insurance

The Best Zoos in the U.S.

Young girl looking at a hippo at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

Tags: Travel , Tours

World's Best Places To Visit

  • # 1 South Island, New Zealand
  • # 4 Bora Bora

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Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month | Memphis group hosts Asian restaurant tour

A Memphis group is hosting a tasty tour around the city for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

While the community makes up only about two percent of the people here in Memphis, they are still making their presence known with a month full of celebrations.  

Throughout May,  The Hungry Tiger Memphis will host a food tour highlighting Memphis' Asian ethnic communities, visiting different restaurants around the city. You can find a schedule for the tour below.

Cafe India - Friday, May 3 at 12:30 p.m.

Lotus Thai - Tuesday, May 7 at 7:00 p.m.

Casarap - Friday, May 10 at 12:30 p.m.

Petals of a Peony - Monday, May 13 at 7:00 p.m.

MOCHI & MI  (inside Rio Grande Market)  -  Friday, May 17 at 12:30 p.m.

Sen Trang - Monday, May 20 at 6:30 p.m.

Ryu Sushi & Pho - Friday, May 24 at 12:30 p.m. 

Mosa Asian Bistro   - Friday, May 31 at 12:30 p.m.

No pre-registration is required to attend these events.

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month | Memphis group hosts Asian restaurant tour

IMAGES

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  2. BEST of Nami Island. Nami Island & Garden of Morning Calm One Day

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  3. An Ultimate Guide to Nami Island (Namiseom) in Korea

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  4. An amazing day trip to Nami Island

    best nami island tour

  5. Nami island! The Best Places to visit near Seoul

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  6. Nami Island full-day tour from Seoul

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VIDEO

  1. Nami Island Autumn Season 🇰🇷

COMMENTS

  1. Ultimate Guide to Nami Island Tours from Seoul [2024]

    The Nami Island Only Tour includes return shuttle bus from Seoul to Nami Island and Nami Island Entrance Fee. Coach tour collection and drop off points include the following options: Namdaemoun. Myeongdong. Insadong (peak dates only) Check out the Nami Island Round Trip Transfer and Admission Ticket through Klook.

  2. An Ultimate Guide to Nami Island (Namiseom), Korea

    ★Tip: Lightweight jackets or light, layered clothing work the best. Check Out Spring Special Nami Island Tours: Seoraksan + Nami Island + Cherry Blossom 1 Day Tour; 2. Summer. When summer brings lush greenery to the island, take a stroll along with a thick stand of pine trees and redwoods. ★

  3. The Ultimate Nami Island Itinerary & Garden of Morning Calm

    The Best Nami Island Day Tours. Nami Island, Garden of Morning Calm, and Gangchon Rail Bike Tour: This tour includes the two must-do activities in Gapyeong - Nami Island and Gangchon Rail Bike. You also have the chance to replace the Garden of Morning Calm with Petite France if you'd prefer. If you only have one day to explore, this is the ...

  4. The Ultimate Guide to South Korea's Nami Island

    Located near Seoul, Nami Island is a beautiful island that is among the most popular attractions in South Korea. The island is located in Gapyeong (가평), around 1-2 hours from Seoul. The island features beautiful tree lanes, woodlands, riverside walks, and many more! It is the perfect place for nature lovers, which offers picture-perfect ...

  5. Namiseom (Nami) Island , South Korea

    On this full-day tour with round-trip travel from Seoul included, travel by air-conditioned minivan and ferry with your guide and hit the sites in comfort. Follow hiking trails around Mt. Seorak, stroll among native cherry and ginko trees on Nami Island, and embrace South Korea's great outdoors. 14 hours.

  6. Nami Island / Alpaca / Railbike / Petite France / Morning Calm Tour

    Save to wishlist. US$ 27.55US$ 39.95. Select options. Enjoy a convenient day tour at Korea Drama Shooting Locations! (Winter Sonata, Beethoven Virus, My Love from the Star) Explore a range of tours combining Nami Island, Petite France, railbikes, and more.

  7. Nami Island tours + Free Pickup (2024)

    Nami Island Winter Tour. 5.00 out of 5. ₩ 99,000 Choose options. 195,000. 70,000. 135,000. 110,000. On our Nami Island tours eat a delicious stir fried lunch & choose between Rail Biking, Strawberry Picking or a visit to Garden of Morning Calm. SEE OPTIONS.

  8. Private Tour Nami Island with Petite France 'and/or' The ...

    Immerse in the world of K-drama "Winter Sonata" on this small-group door-to-door day trip to pretty Namiseom (Nami) Island. Exploring in a group of maximum 11, learn about contemporary Korean culture from your guide as you travel and explore Nami. Along the way, enjoy a stop at Petite France, a slice of rural France translated into the Korean countryside, and savor an included lunch.

  9. Nami Island, Cable Car, Garden of Morning Calm Panoramic Tour

    Overview. Visit Nami Island and the Garden of Morning Calm on a 9-hour tour from Seoul. See where the drama 'Winter Sonata' was filmed on Nami Island, and walk through one of the most famous gardens in Korea. Includes guide, entrance fees, all transportation, and hotel pickup. Includes entrance fees, ferry tickets, and hotel pickup.

  10. Nami Island and Mt. Seorak Day Tour

    Gallery. US$ 73.45. Select options. Explore Nami Island, the half-moon shaped island known for its attractive landscapes. Visit the filming location for the famous Korean drama "Winter Sonata". Enjoy Seoraksan Mountain, the third highest mountain in South Korea.

  11. Day Trip Guide to Nami Island, Garden of Morning Calm ...

    Nami Island has the interesting shape of a leaf with 5km circumference.It is surrounded by Cheongpyeong Lake.. The island was formed with the construction of Cheongpyeong dam and named after General Nami, a notable figure in Korean history.. Nami Island is well-known worldwide as the filming location of the hugely popular Korean TV drama, Winter Sonata (2002) by Bae Yong-joon and Choi Ji-woo.

  12. Best of Best Nami Island Tours in Korea

    Nami Island + Gangchon Rail Bike + Hyvaa Finland 1 Day Tour. 4 ( 2) SOLD OUT. US$ 74 72.5. Chuncheon 6.9k. Join this perfect 1-day tour to Hyvaa Finland, Nami Island, and Gangchon Rail Bike. Hyvaa Finland is a beautiful ranch where you can feed and interact with animals! Located just 90 mins from Seoul, Nami Island is an adorable half-moon ...

  13. Nami Island Day Trip from Seoul: How to Cover the Best of Gapyeong

    If you're exploring Nami on your own, there's a Gapyeong City Tour Bus that runs hourly from 9AM - 7PM. It starts at Gapyeong Station and covers Nami Island's popular attractions.. For a flat rate of ₩8,000 (~S$9), purchase the Gapyeong Bus Pass from the bus captain for unlimited rides within a day.

  14. Nami Island 10-Hour Private Tour from Seoul

    Korea - Seoul , Gangwon , Gyeonggi. 4.7 (152) | Sold 500+. KKday Best Route. Duration:10 hr (s) Guided language: 中文/English. Free cancellation 3 day (s) prior to selected date. Present e-voucher on-site. Visit the best attractions in all of South Korea as you have an immersive adventure around Nami Island!

  15. A Guide to Nami Island: The Best Day Trip from Seoul!

    3. Snack on a hotteok. Image credit: celine. This Korean red bean pancake is a favourite among locals and tourists alike, and is a must-try when visiting South Korea! It is served fresh and hot and makes for a great snack to take along while exploring the rest of Nami island. 4. Walk down Metasequoia Lane.

  16. Nami Island + Garden of Morning Calm / Petite France

    Had a wonderful time exploring Petite France, Italian Village & of course Nami Island. Tour guide, Hyunji Ssi is very friendly, cheerful & accommodating. She shared with us the historical facts and background of each places we visited. She also shared some good tips and teach us basic Korean cultures & phrases.

  17. Ultimate Guide on a Day Trip to Nami Island, South Korea- Plan the Best

    10. Rent a Bike to tour Nami Island. Another adventure you can have on Nami Island is going cycling around the Island. Nami Island is really small, and you can finish one round around the Island in 1-2 hours, depending upon your speed. Trust me when I say that you get major 'Main Character' vibes riding on your bike through this magical place!

  18. NAMI ISLAND TRAVEL GUIDE with Budget Itinerary

    Seoul to Nami Island by Bus. Reserve a bus seat by emailing [email protected] or calling +82-2-753-1247. Roundtrip fare is ₩15,000. Catch the shuttle bus in Insadong (near the West Gate of Tapgol Park) or Sungnyemun Square Bus Stop in front of Namdaemun Market. Bus leaves at 9:30am.

  19. Day Trip to Nami Island with The Garden of Morning Calm

    Special Private Tour Nami Island, Rail Bike, Petite France. 18. from $104.00. Price varies by group size. Seoul, South Korea. DMZ Full Day Tour with Suspension Bridge. 361. ... Best DMZ Tour Korea from Seoul (Red Suspension Bridge Optional) 17,784. Free Cancellation; English; 7 hours 30 minutes; from $55.00. Day Trips.

  20. 17 Best Things to Do in Nami Island Korea You Can't Miss

    2. First Kiss Glass Sequoia Bridge: Romance in Every Step on Nami Island. The First Kiss Glass Sequoia Bridge probably is one of the main reasons why Nami Island became very popular. From the name itself, this is where the lead characters shared their first kiss in the hit Korean drama series, Winter Sonata.

  21. Nami Island / Alpaca / Railbike / Petite France / Morning Calm Tour

    Save to wishlist. S$ 37.65S$ 54.49. Select options. Enjoy a convenient day tour at Korea Drama Shooting Locations! (Winter Sonata, Beethoven Virus, My Love from the Star) Explore a range of tours combining Nami Island, Petite France, railbikes, and more. Suitable for solo explorers, couples, families, and groups to experience the unique beauty ...

  22. Is It Worth Visiting Nami Island? Here's How to Plan a Day ...

    That being said, autumn around the end of October and November is the peak season to visit Nami Island. The boat runs every 15-30 minutes and only 10 minutes to get to the island. After collecting the ferry ticket, our guide gave us a heads-up about the best walking routes, the best things to do, food spots, and returning time.

  23. 3 Best Ways to Get to Nami Island from Seoul (2024 Guide)

    3 Ways to Get to Nami Island from Seoul: Take ITX Train (A Step-by-step Guide) Take a Direct Shuttle Bus (Easiest and Save Time - Highly Recommended) Take a Private Car or Van (Fastest) Additional Method: Subway (Not so recommended - Slowest) A Guide to Visit Nami Island and Nearby Attractions:

  24. The Best Swimming with Pigs Tours in the Bahamas

    Snacks, lunch, soft drinks, beer and water are covered in tour rates; snorkel gear and towels are provided. Children ages 2 and younger are free, though this tour is not recommended for young kids.

  25. Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

    You can find a schedule for the tour below. Cafe India - Friday, May 3 at 12:30 p.m. Lotus Thai - Tuesday, May 7 at 7:00 p.m. Casarap - Friday, May 10 at 12:30 p.m.