The Cheapest and Fastest Way to Get to Nami Island from Seoul
A complete guide on how to get to Nami Island! From taking the subway + bus for ₩8,000 to convenient tours, I'll share my actual experiences.
In this post, I'll share various ways to get to Nami Island from Seoul. nami-island.jpg3.75 MB
The Cheapest Way: Subway + Bus (About ₩8,000)
Honestly, if you want to go the cheapest way, public transportation is the answer. It takes a bit longer, but you can definitely save money.
Route: Subway → Gapyeong Station → Bus → Nami Island
Subway: From Yongsan Station, take the ITX-Cheongchun to Gapyeong Station (about 1 hour 20 minutes, ₩5,500)
Bus: Bus from Gapyeong Station to Nami Island (about 15 minutes, ₩1,200)
Ferry ticket: Includes Nami Island entrance fee + ferry fare (₩13,000)
The total cost is about ₩20,000, but if you only count transportation, it's around ₩8,000. ITX-Cheongchun has assigned seating like KTX, so it's a good idea to book in advance on weekends.
The Fastest Way: Tour Bus
If time is money, take a tour. Tours that pick you up from Myeongdong range from ₩60,000 to ₩120,000, and they're convenient because they pick you up and drop you off right at your door.
Especially if you're with family or elderly people, this is much better. It's better to just sleep on the bus and arrive than to transfer and do all that. Plus, you can visit Alpaca World or Petite France along with Nami Island, making it a fulfilling day trip.
Real-life Tips from My Visit
The circumference of Nami Island itself is 5km. You can see it all in 2-3 hours even if you walk slowly, but the problem is that there are more things to see than you think. It's not just about looking at trees and taking pictures; there are photo zones, lots of food, and things to experience everywhere.
Must-sees:
Winter Sonata Filming Location - If you go to the right end from Naminara Wharf, there are statues of Bae Yong-joon and Choi Ji-woo.
Metasequoia Lane - Beautiful in all seasons, but autumn is truly the best.
잣나무길 (Pine Tree Lane) - Great for taking a walk while breathing in phytoncides.
Nami Island is located in the middle of Cheongpyeong Lake, so you have to take a boat to get in. This ferry fare is included in the admission fee, and it's surprisingly fun for about 5 minutes. Kids especially love it.
When is the Best Time to Go?
It feels completely different depending on the season. Cherry blossoms in spring, lush green trees in summer, fall foliage in autumn, and snow-covered scenery in winter. Winter is the most famous thanks to Winter Sonata, but honestly, the autumn foliage season is the prettiest.
Weekdays are much quieter and better than weekends. There are too many people on weekends, making it hard to take pictures. Especially in front of the Winter Sonata statue, you have to wait in line to take a picture.
What to Eat on Nami Island?
There are quite a few restaurants on the island. Dakgalbi (spicy stir-fried chicken) is famous, but it's a bit pricey. If you want to eat something simple, there are many snacks like ho떡 (sweet pancake) or bungeoppang (fish-shaped bread), and there's also a convenience store, so you don't have to worry.
Personally, I also recommend packing a lunch box. Eating a lunch box while looking at the lake is surprisingly delicious.
Important Notes
Nami Island is bigger than you think. Comfortable shoes are a must, and the wind is extremely cold in winter. The wind feels stronger because it's an island on a lake. Be sure to bring a coat.
And don't forget to check the last ferry time. It's really embarrassing if you miss the ferry. Usually, the last one is around 6 PM, but it varies depending on the season, so check in advance.
It's an artificial island created by the construction of Cheongpyeong Dam, but now it's completely in harmony with nature and really beautiful. It's called Nami Island after General Nami, and it has history and many things to see, so it's worth investing a day.
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