In this guide
💡 The Short Version: Take the ITX-Cheongchun train from Yongsan (55 minutes) or Cheongnyangni (40 minutes) to Gapyeong Station for ₩6,900 on Korail, followed by a short taxi to Gapyeong Wharf. Entry to Nami Island is ₩16,000 on namisum-en.com including the roundtrip ferry, or arrive via the ₩49,900 Skyline Zip Wire via namisum-en.com. Combine it with the Garden of Morning Calm (₩11,000 entry on morningcalm.co.kr; famed for its winter illuminations) and the Gangchon Rail Bike (₩35,000 for a two-seater). If combining all three sites in one day, an organised coach tour from Seoul on GetYourGuidead eliminates complicated bus timetables. Discover other regional excursions in our guide to Day trips from Seoul. Or book a tour: public transit requires multiple train and local bus transfers, so booking the Seoul: Nami Island and Garden of Morning Calm with Optional Railbikead (from ₩73,754, 4.7 stars from 1,362 reviews) provides direct round-trip coach travel from Myeongdong or Hongdae.
Nami Island: ferries, zip wires, and tree lanes
Nami Island (Namiseom) is a half-moon-shaped river island sitting in the Han River in Gapyeong, roughly 63 kilometres east of Seoul. In 2006, the island declared its cultural independence as the whimsical “Naminara Republic”, issuing its own decorative stamps, passports, and entry visas.
Getting onto the island
Visitors arrive at Gapyeong Wharf (Gapyeong Naru), where two transport methods cross the river:
- The Ferry: Included in standard general admission. Large double-deck passenger ferries run back and forth across the 900-metre water channel every 10 to 20 minutes from 08:00 to 21:00. The crossing takes approximately 5 minutes.
- Skyline Zip Wire: For an aerial entrance, an 80-metre launch tower stands at the wharf. The Family Course zip wire carries riders along a 940-metre steel cable across the river at speeds up to 56 km/h, landing directly on Nami Island in about 90 seconds. The ticket costs ₩49,900 and includes your island entry visa and the return ferry boat back to the mainland.
| Ticket / Activity | Price | What is included |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Entry Pass (Adult) | ₩16,000 | Island admission and roundtrip ferry crossing |
| Standard Entry Pass (Youth) | ₩13,000 | Middle and high school students (with ID) |
| Standard Entry Pass (Child) | ₩10,000 | Children aged 36 months to primary school age |
| Skyline Zip Wire | ₩49,900 | Zip wire descent, island entry, and return ferry |
| Bicycle Rental (Single) | ₩5,000 / hour | Standard pedal bicycle rental at the island bike centre |
| Tandem Bicycle Rental | ₩10,000 / hour | Two-person tandem bicycle rental |
| UNICEF Charity Train | ₩4,000 one way | Miniature scenic railway running from the ferry wharf to the island centre |
Famous walking avenues
The island features wide unpaved avenues bordered by towering mature trees:
- Metasequoia Lane: The signature avenue of Nami Island, lined with towering redwood trees that turn deep russet in late autumn and form leafy green arches in summer.
- Ginkgo Tree Lane: Becomes a carpet of golden yellow leaves from mid-October through early November.
- Central Korean Pine Lane: A shaded avenue through fragrant pine groves leading past art galleries, handicraft shops, and craft restaurants.
- Winter Sonata filming spots: Plaques, photo stands, and bronze statues mark the exact spots used in the 2002 television drama, including the First Kiss bench and the lovers’ bicycle route.
The Garden of Morning Calm
Located approximately 25 kilometres west of Nami Island in the foothills of Chungnyeongsan Mountain, the Garden of Morning Calm is South Korea’s oldest private botanical garden. Founded in 1996 by horticultural professor Han Sang-kyung, the 330,000-square-metre grounds display over 30,000 plants, including 1,000 species of native Korean flora.
- Admission: ₩11,000 for adults, ₩8,500 for youths (13 to 18), and ₩7,500 for children (3 to 12).
- Themed Gardens: The grounds are split into more than 20 individual themed zones, including the Sukgeun Garden (shaped like the Korean Peninsula), the Korean Garden (centred on a traditional hanok tile-roofed pavilion and lotus pond), and the Moonlight Garden (planted with white-flowering perennials and miniature church sculptures).
- Winter Lighting Festival: From early December through late March, the entire botanical park transforms into an illuminated spectacle. Millions of multicoloured LED fairy lights wrap around the trees, lawns, and pergolas, turning on at sunset and operating until 21:00 on weekdays and 23:00 on Saturdays.
Guided day trips from Seoul
Reaching Gapyeong by commuter rail requires taking the ITX-Cheongchun train followed by local taxis or rural shuttle buses that run on limited schedules. Organised day tours provide seamless round-trip coach transport directly from central Seoul.
Seoul: Nami Island & Garden of Morning Calm with Optional Railbike
From ₩73,754 · 4.7 stars from 1,362 reviews · 10 - 12 hours · coach, ferry & garden admission
Seoul: Nami Island and Garden of Morning Calm opt Railbikead: Depart from Hongdae or Myeongdong on an air-conditioned coach. Includes ferry passage to Nami Island, admission to the Garden of Morning Calm, and an optional Gangchon Rail Bike ride along the Bukhangang River.
Nami, Petite France and Garden of Morning Calm tour from Seoul
From ₩47,733 · 4.3 stars from 38 reviews · 10 hours · three destinations in one day
Nami, Petite France and Garden of Morning Calm tour from Seoulad: Covers Nami Island, the French cultural village of Petite France, and the botanical landscapes of the Garden of Morning Calm with guide commentary.
Seoul to/from Nami Island Shuttle Service
From ₩34,791 · 4.5 stars from 87 reviews · 9 - 10 hours · direct round-trip coach
Seoul to/from Nami Island Shuttle Servicead: Direct highway coach transfer from central Seoul to the Gapyeong ferry wharf, bypassing subway transfers and taxi lines.
Official ticket or tour: the prices side by side
Independent travel versus day tours.
| Option | Official admission | Tour cost | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independent ITX train + ferry + taxis | ~₩45,000–₩55,000 per person | — | ITX-Cheongchun train, local taxis, ferry ticket, garden admission |
| Direct round-trip shuttle bus | Ferry separate | From ₩34,791 | Direct highway coach transfer from Myeongdong/Hongdae to wharf |
| Nami Island & Morning Calm guided tour | Admissions included | From ₩47,733 | Coach transport, Nami ferry ticket, Garden of Morning Calm entry |
| Combined tour with Gangchon Rail Bike | Admissions included | From ₩97,416 | Coach transport, ferry, botanical gardens, and 2-person railbike |
The pond and pavilion at the Garden of Morning Calm. Photo: Koonk, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Gangchon Rail Bike
Many travellers combine Nami Island with the Gangchon Rail Bike at Gimyujeong Station, located a short 15-minute train ride further east along the Gyeongchun line.
Pedalling specially designed four-wheeled rail cycles along an abandoned section of the historic Gyeongchun railway line, riders travel an 8.5 km scenic route along the Bukhangang River valley:
- Distance & duration: 6 km of pedalling on gentle downhill gradients (approximately 30 to 40 minutes), followed by a transfer onto the open-air “Romantic Train” for the final 2.5 km leg to Gangchon Station.
- Themed tunnels: The track passes through four repurposed railway tunnels equipped with light-and-sound shows, including a disco tunnel with laser strobes and dance music, a bubble tunnel, and a simulated starfield tunnel.
- Pricing: ₩35,000 for a two-seater rail bike; ₩48,000 for a four-seater rail bike. Advance reservations are essential during autumn and spring weekends, as departure slots regularly sell out.
How to get there from Seoul
Method 1: Independent train and public bus
- Korail ITX-Cheongchun train: Board the double-deck ITX express train at Yongsan Station (55 minutes, ₩6,900) or Cheongnyangni Station (40 minutes, ₩5,900). Book seats in advance via the official Korail website or the KorailTalk app. Standard subway trains on the Gyeongchun Line also run from Sangbong Station to Gapyeong, taking roughly 60 minutes for ₩2,450.
- Gapyeong Station to the Wharf: From the station taxi rank, a 5-minute taxi to Gapyeong Wharf costs roughly ₩5,000.
- Gapyeong City Tour Bus: To connect Nami Island to the Garden of Morning Calm, buy a day ticket for the Gapyeong City Tour Bus (Course A) directly from the driver for ₩8,000 (cash or Korean card). It circles between Gapyeong Station, Gapyeong Wharf, Petite France / Pinocchio Village, and the Garden of Morning Calm. Buses depart roughly once every one to two hours, so keep a photo of the posted timetable to avoid long waits.
Method 2: Organised coach day tours
If you intend to visit Nami Island, the Garden of Morning Calm, and the Gangchon Rail Bike on the same day, booking a seat on an organised day tour is far more practical than navigating rural bus timetables.
- Pick-up points: Most tours offer convenient morning departures from Hongdae (Exit 4), Myeongdong (Exit 2 or 3), and Dongdaemun History & Culture Park (Exit 10).
- Pricing: Full-day packages including roundtrip coach transport, island entry ferry, botanical garden admission, and a reserved rail bike seat typically range between ₩55,000 and ₩85,000 on GetYourGuidead.
- Timing: Tours depart Seoul around 07:30 to 08:00 and return to central Seoul between 18:00 and 19:30.
For more inspiration on regional day itineraries beyond Gapyeong, consult our comprehensive guide to Day trips from Seoul.
Common questions
How much does it cost to enter Nami Island?
An entry pass (styled as an 'entry visa') costs ₩16,000 for adults, ₩13,000 for middle and high school students, and ₩10,000 for children aged 36 months to primary school age. The ticket price includes the roundtrip 5-minute ferry crossing between Gapyeong Wharf and the island.
How does the Nami Island Zip Wire work?
The Skyline Zip Wire launches from an 80-metre tower at Gapyeong Wharf, carrying riders down a 940-metre steel cable at speeds up to 56 km/h directly onto Nami Island in about 90 seconds. The ticket costs ₩49,900 per person and includes island admission and the return ferry journey.
How do you reach Nami Island from Seoul independently?
Take the ITX-Cheongchun express train from Yongsan Station (55 minutes) or Cheongnyangni Station (40 minutes) to Gapyeong Station for ₩6,900. From Gapyeong Station, take a 5-minute local taxi (around ₩5,000) or the Gapyeong City Tour Bus to Gapyeong Wharf, where ferries depart every 10 to 20 minutes.
What is the Winter Lighting Festival at the Garden of Morning Calm?
Held annually from early December through March, the Lighting Festival covers the 330,000-square-metre botanical gardens with millions of eco-friendly LED lights, illuminating tree silhouettes, flower beds, and illuminated tunnels every evening from dusk until 21:00.
Is an organised day tour better than public transit?
If you only want to visit Nami Island, independent travel by ITX train is fast and straightforward. If you want to combine Nami Island, the Garden of Morning Calm, and the Gangchon Rail Bike in a single day, an organised coach tour from Seoul is significantly easier, as the three attractions lie in separate rural valleys with infrequent local buses.
