How to get to Nami Island at a glance
From Seoul, how to get to Nami Island comes down to four simple choices.
ITX-Cheongchun or Gyeongchun Line (subway) to Gapyeong Station → from the station take bus 10-4 or a taxi to the ferry terminal (Nami Island “immigration”) → ride the ferry onto the island. Typical times: Yongsan→Gapyeong about 60 min (ITX), Cheongnyangni→Gapyeong about 42 min. Gapyeong Station to the terminal is roughly 1.5 km (20 min walk or 5 min by bus/taxi).
Seoul–Nami direct shuttle bus (daily): paid round-trip buses from Hongdae, Myeong-dong, and DDP go straight to the terminal with no transfers.
Car: set your navigation to “Nami Island Ticket Office / Gapyeong Wharf.” Use the official or nearby public parking lots. Parking details below.
Day tour packages: many operators bundle Nami Island with Petite France or The Garden of Morning Calm in a one-day loop.
For families with kids, I find the direct shuttle or car the easiest when you have lots of gear. If your priorities are photos, cafes, and long walks, ITX + local bus is an efficient, low-stress combo. The real-world flow is clean and simple: depart → Gapyeong Station → ferry terminal → ferry → island walking. The ferry terminal address is 1024 Bukhangangbyeon-ro, Gapyeong-eup, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, while the island’s administrative address is 1 Namiseom-gil, Namsan-myeon, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province.
How to get to Nami Island in detail: train, shuttle, car
ITX and subway for a crisp, predictable trip
For how to get to Nami Island by public transit, the backbone is the ITX-Cheongchun (from Yongsan/Cheongnyangni) and the Gyeongchun Line (from Sangbong). ITX has wider seats and decent luggage space—great for folding your stroller; the Gyeongchun Line runs frequently, which helps with timing. As a rule of thumb, plan about 60 minutes Yongsan→Gapyeong on ITX, ~42 minutes Cheongnyangni→Gapyeong, and ~50 minutes Sangbong→Gapyeong on the Gyeongchun Line. From Gapyeong Station, hop on bus 10-4 or a taxi for 5 minutes to the ferry terminal.
Direct shuttle from Seoul
If you want the simplest version of how to get to Nami Island, use the direct shuttle. It departs daily from central Seoul locations like Hongdae, Myeong-dong, and DDP, leaves in the morning, and returns late afternoon. With kids, no transfers and guaranteed seats make life easier. (Check each operator for current prices and pickup points.)
Driving and parking tips
Among how to get to Nami Island options, driving gives the most freedom. The parking lots are labeled P1–P4. As a baseline, small cars 6,000 KRW / large 10,000 KRW, with 1,000 KRW per hour after 12 hours. Some seasons have app-based discounts (e.g., 4,000 KRW) when pre-registered—worth checking during busy weekends. If you are staying at the on-site hotel (Hotel Jeonggwanru), front desk validation may waive extras. Follow on-site staff guidance if lots show “full.”
Tickets and the ferry: one VISA-style pass covers everything
Tickets include round-trip ferry
Nami Island uses a playful “Naminara Republic VISA” ticket. Your entry ticket includes the round-trip ferry. Typical list prices are Adult 19,000 KRW, Discount 16,000 KRW (middle/high school, 70+), Special 13,000 KRW (ages 36 months–elementary, plus early-bird before 08:00 or certain night slots). Families and groups of 20+ get 10% off. We’ve even taken the early bird ferry before 08:00 to save money and beat the crowds.
Ferry schedule and ride time
At the terminal you board via marked lanes, and you can keep your stroller open. Standard hours run first ferry 08:00, last 21:00, with every 10–20 minutes 09:00–18:00 and every 30 minutes outside those times. In the 2025 fall foliage window (roughly mid-September to late November), operations often extend (e.g., 07:30 first, and 21:30 last on some weekends/holidays). The ride takes about 5 minutes. Even in light rain, ferries generally run on schedule; bring a compact umbrella or rain jacket and enjoy the moody riverside scenery.
Fall walking inside the island: stroller-friendly flat paths
The moment you step onto the island, kids naturally drift toward the riverfront boardwalk and leaf-carpeted lanes. Paths are overall flat and gently graded, so pushing a stroller is easy and comfortable. Accessibility on the official map shows multiple accessible restrooms around the island and free wheelchair rental, which indirectly guarantees smoother stroller mobility too. My youngest actually slept through a long stretch—the deck and fine-packed paths don’t bounce much.
In fall, ginkgo, metasequoia, and birch color up in waves, so every lane feels different. Down by the river, foliage reflections shimmer on the water; performances, exhibitions, and kid activities pop up as you stroll, turning your walk into a little treasure hunt. Children love the storybook playgrounds, open lawns, and small ride-on attractions; adults warm up with tea or hot chocolate in cozy cafes and let time slow down.
Why fall is special and where to shoot beautiful photos
The logistics of how to get to Nami Island are wonderfully simple, but the real star is the color palette of October–November. On the river walk, shoot slightly against the light through the leaves to get warm silhouettes of your child. Along perfectly straight tree lanes, switch your phone to 2x and wait for a quiet second; a centered composition delivers the classic Nami Island shot. From 3–4 PM, long metasequoia shadows add depth and cinematic texture.
With kids, plan your day by time blocks
If you have children, break how to get to Nami Island into time blocks and pace the island accordingly.
Morning (09:30–12:00): Catch an early ferry, then start with the ginkgo and birch lanes while it’s uncrowded—strollering is effortless.
Lunch (12:00–13:00): Head to the central cafe/restaurant zone. Kid-friendly picks include curry, udon, and simple rice dishes.
Afternoon (13:00–16:00): Look for hands-on programs (pottery, hanji crafts, woodworking—seasonal), then open-play on the lawns. If a nap kicks in, stroll the quiet river path and let the wheels do the work.
Return (after 16:00): Aim for one or two ferries before the last to avoid queues. Transitions are smoother and kids stay cheerful.
Restrooms are frequent and accessible around the island, and free wheelchair loans at the information desk make multi-generation trips easier. For families with strollers, that’s as reassuring as it gets.
Quick facts for location and operations
Ferry terminal (immigration) address: 1024 Bukhangangbyeon-ro, Gapyeong-eup, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
Island administrative address: 1 Namiseom-gil, Namsan-myeon, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province
First/last ferries and frequency: first 08:00, last 21:00, every 10–20 min by day and every 30 min off-peak; fall season may extend (e.g., 07:30 first, 21:30 last on weekends/holidays). One-way 5 minutes.
Parking fees: small cars 6,000 KRW, large 10,000 KRW; +1,000 KRW per hour after 12 hours. Some app registrations offer discounted 4,000 KRW periods—check on arrival.
ITX sample times: Yongsan→Gapyeong ~60 min, Cheongnyangni→Gapyeong ~42 min.
Gapyeong Station → terminal: 1.5 km (20 min walk), bus 10-4, or 5 min taxi.
Sample budget for a family of three
When choosing how to get to Nami Island, budget helps. For tickets (ferry included), two adults plus one child (elementary) comes to 19,000 × 2 + 13,000 = 51,000 KRW. ITX round-trips vary by seat and time but are typically in the mid-ten-thousand-won range per adult. Shuttles are operator-priced. If you drive, plan on parking 6,000 KRW (sometimes 4,000 KRW with app discounts) plus tolls and fuel. Prices can change with season and promotions, so check the official page for updates.
Why foreign visitors love it
Foreign travelers adore Nami Island because it’s effortless to enjoy: how to get to Nami Island is simple, the island itself is walkable and language-light, and culture flows year-round—performances, installations, and nature co-star in every season. Winter Sonata nostalgia gives it that extra romantic glow. For first-timers, the soft landing—clear maps, friendly signage, and frequent ferries—removes friction and lets you focus on the experience.
Practical tips for kids, strollers, and rainy days
Go early: If you plan how to get to Nami Island with an early start, the terminal and lanes are calmer. Strollers glide with room to spare.
Rain is fine: Decks and well-packed paths mean you can walk even in light rain. Ferries usually keep the timetable. Rain gear equals mood-boosting photos.
Reverse-count from the last ferry: Lines get longer right before closing. Aim to arrive 30–60 minutes before the last ferry.
Parking choices: Watch lot signs P1–P4 and follow staff directions. If an app discount is live, register beforehand.
A real walking loop I love: Ferry ginkgo lane river deck cafe metasequoia
Here’s my go-to family loop. After the ferry, follow the crowd to the ginkgo lane first. We crunch through yellow leaves while pushing the stroller, and my kid collects fallen leaves to make heart shapes. Drift down to the river deck to watch the sparkle on the water, then warm up at a central cafe with herbal tea and hot chocolate. Around golden hour, head to the metasequoia lane and take a centered family shot. Because the paths are flat and wide, you rarely run out of breath, and it’s easy to pause right at photo spots without blocking others. Seasonal performances and craft programs add pleasant surprises along the way.
One last reminder: you enter Nami Island by ferry
The most important line bears repeating. How to get to Nami Island always ends with the ferry. First-timers sometimes think there’s a bridge—you actually board at the “immigration” terminal, show your ticket, and take a five-minute ferry to set foot on the island. During peak foliage, schedules often extend; verify the day’s first and last sailings and, if possible, pre-buy the VISA ticket online or at the terminal for smooth boarding.