How to Go Nami Island from Seoul, South Korea

Nami Island, or Namiseom Island, is one of the best places to enjoy beautiful fall foliage in South Korea, from end of October through November. We visited this tourist attraction on 22nd October 2015, and glad to be welcomed with colourful early autumn scenery, a mix of maples in green, yellow, orange, red and some, in the shades of changing into autumn maple.

 A little bit about what is Nami Island..

Nami Island is located 63KM from Seoul, South Korea, in the direction of Chuncheon. From map, it looks like a leaf floating gracefully on top of Cheongpyeong Lake, in the middle of Han River.

The island covers an area of ~460,00 square metres, about 4KM in diameter, forming half-moon shape isle. No mountains, a place mostly made up with pebbles and sand. Tall trees, grassy gardens, animals add beauty to the island in all four seasons. Nami Island is named after General Nami, an important person in Korean history, who courageously fought in battles but passed away at young age.

Seasonal rain used to transform the land into island. During construction of Cheongpyeong dam, rising water of North Han River inundated the land, building Nami Island which is now an all-year-long isle. In 1965, founder of Nami Island, Mr Byeong-Do Minn, initiated the planting of flowers and trees on the island, cultivating it to a better place while preserving the nature. Today, Nami Island is a popular attraction for locals and foreign visitors, the home for Naminara Republic citizens.

How to reach Nami Island Immigration/ Ticket Office from Seoul?

Which transportation you use to reach Nami Island from Seoul, is very personal. It can be cab, shuttle bus or subway. To us, we prefer to reach by subway. We took our ride from Hong Dae Station -> Sangbong -> Gapyeong  -> Taxi -> Nami Island Ticket Office. How long you need? About 2 hours journey in total. Suggest to wake up early so that you can have more time in Nami Island.

Korea Subway:
From your current line → MTR Gyeongchun Line Sangbong (J,7,G) → Gapyeong Station (P134)
Time: Travel time for your initial station + 50 minutes

MTR Gyeongchun Chuncheon (P140) → Gapyeong Station (P134)
Time: about 28 minutes

ITX-Cheongchun Subway:
Yongsan → Gapyeong Station (about 60 min.)
Cheongyangni → Gapyeong Station (about 42 min.)
Chuncheon → Gapyeong Station (about 20 min.)

We suggest to use the first MTR route for visitors using T-Money card, as T-Money is not allowed to use on ITX-Cheongchun, and you need to purchase ticket separately. When you reach Gapyeong Station, the fastest way to reach the Immigration site is by taxi, which is about 5 minutes, 3KM, around 5000won.

If your are lucky enough that your reaching time at Gapyeong Station is match with Gapyeong Tourist Bus, then just wait at the bus stop in from of the station. Walk is another option too, about 20-30 minutes but we think it is better to save some energy, as you still have a lot to walk for the rest of the day.

By Car:
Address: 1024, Bukhangangbyeon-ro,
Gapyeong-eup, Gapyeong-gun,
Gyeonggi-do, Korea
Name Search in Navigation App: Nami Island Ticket Office/Nami Island Dock
Parking Fee: 4,000won/day

Shuttle Bus:
Insa-dong/Namdaemun ↔ Nami Island Direct Shuttle Bus (Mon-Sun)
Seoul Insa-dong 09:30(Nearby the West Gate of Tapgol Park)
Seoul Namdaemun 09:30(Sungnyemun Square Bus Stop in front of Namdaemun Market)
Nami Island 16:00(Parking lot in front of ticket office)

Shuttle Bus Fare:
Adult 15,000won (round-trip)/7,500won(one-way)
Child 13,000won(round-trip)/6,500won(one-way)

How to go to into Nami Island from Immigration/ Gapyeong Wharf?

You will ended up at Immigration centre first before going into Nami Island, regardless you come by subway + bus, subway + taxi, or tour bus.

You have to purchase an entrance fee/VISA fee 8000won for foreign visitors, from the ticket counter.

After that, you can pass the immigration and wait to board the ferry. We were there around 10AM, surrounded by people but it didn’t take us long to board the ferry. Two-floors, mostly standing place. You will reach Nami Island within 15minutes. For those adventerous, you can “FLY” into Nami Island through Zip-wire. Looks fun though.

Transportation to reach Nami Island & VISA entrance fee:

1) Ferry

Price (2015): 10000won / ~9USD (regular), 8000won/ ~7USD  (foreigner),
4000won / ~4.5USD (visitors aged between 3 & 13, vistors after 6.10PM (Dec-Mar)/7.10PM (Apr-Nov))

Ferry Schedule between Gapyeong Wharf – Nami Wharf:
7.30AM – 9AM (Every 30 minutes)
9AM – 6PM (Every 10-20 minutes)
6PM – 9.40PM (Every 30 minutes)

2) Zip Wire

Price (2015): 38000won/~32USD including entrance fee to Nami Island
Hours of Operation: 9AM-7PM (Apr-Oct)/ 9AM-6PM (Nov-Mar)
Contact: 0315828092
*Operations may cease without prior notice due to bad weather such as rain, snow, heavy winds, etc.

FURTHER READING: WHAT TO DO IN NAMI ISLAND? THE BEAUTIFUL AUTUMN! 

Summary of Our 6D5N Trip