The Seoul City Tour Bus Guide: What To See & Do When You Hop On Hop Off

If you’ve never joined a City Tour Bus, Seoul is the place to do it. City Tour Buses are a great way to see a city and not have to worry about transportation. See the hot spots of Seoul from the upper level of a bright red bus. I rode my first City Tour Bus in New York City and absolutely loved the experience. It’s just something that is so touristic and fun.

Don’t waste money on taxi fares and buses. Don’t get confused in the subway. For your first trip to Seoul, take the time to ride this bus and get views of the city while getting a lay of the land. 

PS, if it’s your first trip to Seoul, check out this guide to Seoul for first-timers. It’s epic and will ensure you don’t miss anything.

The Seoul City Tour Bus, though, will not only show you the biggest must see places in Seoul, but it’ll give you a good idea of how Seoul is laid out and how to get around easier when you want to go off on your own. This is the fastest and cheapest way to get around to the Seoul tourist sites including Namsan Tower/N Seoul Tower, Gangnam, Lotte Sky Tower, a Seoul palace and so much more. Use it if you don’t have a ton of time and don’t want to waste the time you do have figuring out transportation.

Skip around and check out what is in this post:

• What To Know
• Basic Information
• Seoul City Tour Bus Routes
  • Route A: Downtown Palace Namsan Course
  • Route B: Panorama Course
  • Route C: Around Gangnam Course
  • Route D: Night Course
• Package Routes

(This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.)

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What To Know

The Seoul City Tour Bus is a government run system launched in 2000 to help visitors to get around Seoul and see the attractions with ease. The buses are super comfortable and clean and really convenient for everyone. There are twelve language audio guide options including English, Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Korean, Russian, German, French, Spanish, Indonesian, and Malay.

Buses depart from a central location in Seoul every 30 minutes to an hour depending on the route and passengers can choose from the single-level and double-decker buses. You can choose just one route, or there are package options where you can combine two different routes. This is a great otpion since there are day and night bus routes.

The city tour bus is a great way to get around but if you want to hop off and back on again, it’s important to know what is really feasible within a day and that’s where this guide comes in. There are plenty of areas that you can just drive through and you don’t really need to get off to get the picture BUT there are some spots I would recommend getting off to see. At the same time, some spots you could easily spend a whole day seeing and that’s important to know too.

With that in mind, I’ve included the admission, departure points and route info and recommendations for where to get off on each route. Buses come to each stop in 30 minute intervals so you could get off for just 30 minutes and get on the next arrival or stay at a spot for an hour and a half and hop back on again later. If you want to make the most of the day, get that first bus at 9:00am!

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Basic Information

Hours: 9:00am ~ 5:30pm for day routes. Different time for night tours listed with that route.

Days: Route A is open all year round. Route B & C is closed on Mondays.

Routes: There are four different routes: Downtown Palace Namsan Course, Panorama Course, Night Course, Around Gangnam City Tour Course

Bus Options: There are three different bus options to choose from for the routes and they include the standard 1-story bus, a double-decker open top bus, and a trolley bus.

Where To Purchase Ticket: There are various ways to get tickets for this trip so read through them all and check out what works best for you. Also of note, ticket purchase can also depend on your departure point. They recommend that you book in advance if you’ll be riding during vacation season or on a weekend as the routes can have higher demand at those times.

• Gwanghwamun has a City Tour Bus booth specifically for ticket purchase if you want to rock up on the day and get them then. To note though, you can also rock up to any stop on the route and purchase a ticket directly from a bus driver with cash. I have not tried getting the ticket mid-route and have only done it from start to finish but have read from other reviews that they did it and it worked out fine so that’s something to be aware of if you want to start someplace closer to your hotel/home. If you are starting from a different location rather than the departure point, note that the first bus won’t get to you until it’s regularly scheduled time though and those will be listed on the bus stand.
• Pre-Purchase: You can pre-purchase tickets on Klook. The Night Course can fill up and on the flip side won’t run until at least 10 people buy tickets so you should book this one in advance if you want it. OR you could pre-purchase your tickets using Trazy. Both services will allow you to pre-purchase. I’d just choose whichever site you’re booking other various tours/experiences on. Pre-purchasing on those sites will also get you discounts so look into the best option for you.

Discounts: There are some possible discounts that you can get on tickets. Note that Klook and Trazy mentioned above already offer discounted tickets, but here are some other discounts you can look out for. Choose whichever one is best for you.

• You can get 1 free pass for a child under 5 that is accompanying an adult.
• There is a 10% discount available for parties of 10 or more.
• For foreigners with a KR Pass, you can get a 15% discount.

Guides & Attendants: There are tour guides on each bus. They do not get off the buses but stay on to help you as you get on and off. If you’re unsure about the stops, let them know where you want to get off and they can remind you when it’s time.

Seating: The seats are unassigned so sit anywhere you want… as long as no one is in the seat.

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Seoul City Tour Bus Routes

Route A: Downtown Palace Namsan Course

This route has 22 stops and starts and ends at Gwanghwamun Square just south of Gyeongbokgung Palace in central Seoul. It takes visitors past some of the city’s historical highlights and some of the must-see Seoul tourist spots. Some things to note about this route though: the bus will NOT stop at Deoksugung Palace on Saturdays and national holidays. This course is run on a single-decker bus.

• Departure Point: Gwanghwamun Subway Station, exit 6 near Koreana Hotel.
• Admission: Adults: W18,000; Children 5- 17: W12,000
• Stops: Gwanghwamun -> Deoksugung Palace -> Namdaemun Market -> Seoul Street -> The War Memorial of Korea -> Yongsan Station -> National Museum of Korea -> Itaewon -> Myeongdong -> Namsangol Korean Town/ House of Korea -> Sofitel Ambassador Hotel -> Shilla Hotel -> Namsan Tower Hotel -> Hyatt Hotel -> Dongdaemun Market -> Daehakro -> Changgyeonggung Palace -> Changdeokgung Palace -> Insadong -> Cheongwadae (The Blue House) -> The National Folk Museum of Korea -> Sejong Center for the Performing Arts -> Gwanghwamun

Where To Get Off: There are a lot of good stops on this route and some that I’d recommend just driving on by as well as some that you should see, but can probably and will probably see at another time so let’s dig on. If I don’t mention it below, it’s because I think you should just drive by. Some I’ll mention just so you know WHY I think you can forgo the stop though.

• Deoksugung Palace: This is a gorgeous palace area that is actually not as large as others and contains a variety of different architectural styles. Deoksugung Palace very unique in that it has some more modern structures. If you’re not interested in a more modern look of a palace, stay on the bus here and stop at another palace. The thing with this route though is that you actually have three palaces on the route and I wouldn’t recommend seeing them all in the same day. So if you choose this one, then pass the other two. But do note, that Changgyeonggung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace are also on this route.
• Seoul Street: This is where Seoul Station is and where the Seoullo Walkway is. This one you could get off and check out Old Seoul Station and Seoullo, but I think I’d pass this one because most likely you’ll be at Seoul Station at some other point in your trip. This where the KTX Train Station is and the train to get back out to the airport as well so there may be a variety of reasons you’d stop here at another point in your itinerary. If you won’t be back around Seoul Station later in your itinerary, then definitely check out the old station which often has an exhibition and Malli-dong at the end of Seoullo.
• The War Memorial of Korea: This is a fascinating museum that houses a substantial number of war related relics including planes and military machines outside as well as a ton of memorabilia indoors as well. You could get off here, but do note that you could potentially spend hours here if you’re a history buff or interested in the wars that ravaged Korea. Thirty minutes to an hour wouldn’t really be enough time to see everything here so if you’re REALLY interested in this, go another day when you can spend more time there. Here’s more information about what can be found at the War Memorial of Korea so you can decide.
• National Museum of Korea: The National Museum of Korea is another spot that is REALLY HUGE and isn’t feasible to see in just 30 minutes to an hour. There’s a beautiful outdoor park and lake here as well as a children’s museum and the Hangul Museum (Korean language) here too. You could spend the entire day seeing everything that is here. Or get off and just check out the Hangul Museum which is in a separate building from the National Museum of Korea or check out the museum and choose one section to focus on.
• Myeongdong: This is a shopper’s paradise and has a lot in terms of restaurants and cafes too. Stop in for a bite to eat whether it’s in a restaurant OR make multiple street vendor stops because some of the best street food is found here in Myeongdong.
• Namsangol Korean Town/House of Korea: If you want to walk into a historic Korean village and take a look at some of the old hanok style houses, this is the place to do it. It’s a beautiful place to visit and they often host activities and experiences for visitors.
• Changgyeonggung Palace: This is one of the lesser visited palaces in Seoul so if you want to walk through the beautiful grounds of a palace with less people, then head here. Another great thing about this palace is that it features a beautiful greenhouse that was added during the Japanese colonization period in Korea. It’s just something unique and different to see. Learn more about Changgyeonggung Palace here.
• Changdeokgung Palace: This palace is famous for featuring the secret garden. What’s important to note, however, is that you need to be there at a very specific time in order to enter the secret garden. This palace usually requires you to get there and get tickets in advance and you can’t just rock up because of the tour situation there so that’s important to note if you want to see Changdeokgung Palace.
• Insadong: Insadong is the most popular district for tourists as it houses a substantial number of traditional tea cafes, restaurants, and lots of traditional souvenirs as well. Take a walk in the area and enjoy a rest at one of my favorite cafes in Insadong. It’s not a big area so you can get in and out pretty quickly.
• Cheongwadae (The Blue House): This is the president’s house in Korea and you can’t just rock up and go in so I mention it so you know to get a seat on the top of the bus and just take a picture as you pass. That’s about all you can do anyway.

Route B: Panorama Course

This route has 16 stops but do note that on weekends and holidays, the bus doesn’t stop at Saebit Island. This route takes visitors to some of the best spots to get views of the city and you can see from city center to Han Riverside in one route. This course is run using the double-decker buses and trolley buses.

• Departure Point: Gwanghwamun Subway Station, exit 6 near Koreana Hotel.
• Admission: Adults: W18,000; Children 5- 17: W12,000
• Stops: Gwanghwamun -> Myeongdong -> Seoul Animation Center -> Namsan Cable Car -> Millennium Seoul Hilton Hotel -> Namsan Public Library -> Grand Hyatt Hotel -> Gangnam Station -> Sebitseom* -> 63 City/Hangang Cruise -> Yeouinaru Station -> Hongik University -> Airport Railroad Hongik University Station -> Sinchon Station/ Ewha Woman’s University -> Museum of Agriculture -> Seoul Museum of History -> Gwanghwamun

Where To Get Off: This route gets you all around the city and includes some spots that are pretty difficult to get to on public transportation or require a separate trip to get out of the way a bit so it’s good to get to some of those spots that require separate taxis. Spots to check out include:

• Myeongdong: This is a shopper’s paradise and has a lot in terms of restaurants and cafes too. Stop in for a bite to eat whether it’s in a restaurant OR make multiple street vendor stops because some of the best street food is found here in Myeongdong.
• Seoul Animation Center: This stop is fun if you’re interested in the domestic cartoon and animation industry. If you have kids, they’ll definitely enjoy the stop.
• Namsan Cable Car: Since this is the panorama course, you definitely need to get that panoramic shot! Take the cable car up and take in the view from Namsan Tower/N Seoul Tower. It’s a pretty romantic spot in the city and provides just gorgeous views.
• Gangnam Station: Gangnam became super famous after Psy’s world-famous song. The area is home to a ton of business buildings so if you’re heading there, make sure you check out my guide to Gangnam so you know what to see.
• Sebitseom: This is one of those spots that is a bit more difficult to get to on your own, so if you are interested in the view of the three glowing islands that brighten the Han River, definitely get off here. Their architecture is cool and there are cafes, restaurants, and some cool things to be found on them. This wouldn’t need to be a super long stop, but it is cool for photos.
• 63 City/Hangang Cruise: Though the 63 building isn’t my personal favorite for views, the Hangang Cruise stop is an awesome way to enjoy the Han River. Take a walk in the Yeouido Han River Park and then take a little ride on the water before heading back to the bus stop.
• Hongik University: Hongdae is one of the most popular areas for cafes, restaurants, and fun. There are Kpop dancers, bands playing live, street art, and really just all manner of fun in the artsy district of Hongdae. Check out this guide to things to do in Hongdae.

Route C: Around Gangnam Course

This route has 21 stops and takes visitors to the historical highlights of Gangnam as well as the KPop and KBeauty must sees. It’s a mixture of new and old which is exactly what Gangnam is.

• Departure Point: Gangnam Station
• Admission: Adults: W15,000; Children 5- 17: W12,000
• Stops: Gangnam Station -> Le Meridien Seoul, Novotel Hotel -> Samjung Hotel -> Seolleung & Jeongneung Royal Tomb, Ramada Seoul Hotel -> Bongeunsa Temple, Casino, Lotte Duty Free -> COEX/SMTOWN -> Lotte World -> Lotte World Tower -> Olympic Park -> Jamsil Sports Complex -> Samseong Station -> K-POP Entertainment Company -> Korean Wave Star Street -> Apgujeong Rodeo Street -> Gangnam Tourist Information Center/Hyundai Department Store -> Garosu-gil Road -> Some Sevit -> Express Bus Terminal/Shinsegae Department Store -> Seorae Village -> Seoul National University of Education -> Gangnam Station

Where To Get Off: So you want to see all there is to see and do in Gangnam. There is a lot on this route and it will get you all over the district. If you want to add some specific cafes and spots on your route, check out this guide to Gangnam for some ideas.

• Bongeunsa Temple, Casino, Lotte Duty Free: Get off here if you want to check out one of the most beautiful Buddhist temples in Seoul, Bongeunsa Temple. Or head into the casino, but be careful because you can lose all track of time in there.
• COEX: If you’ve heard about the world’s largest underground mall and want to see it for yourself, check out COEX. It’s easy to get twisted, and turned around inside though, so head in for a bit and then find your way out again. There are plenty of places to eat here and an aquarium too.
• Lotte World Tower: This tower features the BEST and HIGHEST views of the city of Seoul. It is absolutely stunning and as the tallest building and observatory in Korea, it’s really a must-see. Definitely get off here! Additionally, if you hope off here, you’re also right outside of Lotte World if a theme park is on your destination list.
• Olympic Park: This park is gigantic and beautiful and one of the best things to do in Jamsil. There are flower fields and paths, and a lot to see if you want to get out and just enjoy a bit of a walk on your day out in the area.
• Garosu-gil: This road is really popular for cafes, restaurants, and shopping. It can be more expensive in this area than others though, so keep that in mind. It’s popular for good reason though. A lot of hot places in one area.
• Some Sevit: This is one of those spots that is a bit more difficult to get to on your own, so if you are interested in the view of the three glowing islands that brighten the Han River, definitely get off here. Their architecture is cool and there are cafes, restaurants, and some cool things to be found on them. This wouldn’t need to be a super long stop, but it is cool for photos. You might also make this a later stop in the day to see the Banpo Bridge Moonlight Rainbow Show.
• Express Bus Terminal: While I wouldn’t usually recommend this spot unless you’re headed somewhere, the Express Terminal actually has a hidden rooftop that people don’t often visit and it is great for some epic photos if you can find it!

Route D: Night Course

This route has 12 stops and is a great way to get the gorgeous view of the massive city of Seoul in the sparkling night lights. There must be at least ten people that sign up for this tour to go ahead. Also note that the bus only stops at Some Sevit on the weekends. This route stops at vistas high above the city as well as sightseeing spots right on the Han River. Get lights and action from every vantage point on this route.

• Departure Point: Gwanghwamun Station, exit 6 in front of the Koreana Hotel.
• Departure Time: Once a day at 7:30pm; 8:00pm in July and August. The entire route takes 1.5 hours.
• Admission: Adults: W15,000; Children: W9,000
• Stops: Gwanghwamun -> Mapo Bridge -> Seogang Bridge -> Gangbyeon Expressway -> Banpo Bridge -> Somesevit -> Dongjak Bridge -> Seongsu Bridge -> Hannam Bridge -> N Seoul Tower -> Namdaemun Market -> Cheongye Plaza
• What To Know: The night course is a bit different in that you get all around the city but don’t stop as much as the day trip ones. It’s more about getting across the numerous bridges on the Han River and seeing the lights dazzle. The bus will stop at either Some Sevit OR at Dongjak Bridge depending on the day. You can also get off for 15 minutes at Namsan Tower/N Seoul Tower. This route is run with the double-decker open top buses and trolleys.

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Package Routes

Route E: 1 Day 2 Courses

• This course is a combination of Route B and Route C.
• Admission: Adult: W24,000; Child: W18,000

Route F: 2 Days 2 Courses

• This course is a combination of Route A and Route B.
• Admission: Adult: W28,000; Child: W20,000

Route G: 2 Days 3 Courses

• This course is a combination of Route A, Route B, and Route C.
• Admission: Adult: W35,000; Children: W22,000

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The hop on hop off bus is a great way to get your bearings in the massive city of Seoul, Korea. Take a seat and see what you can see. I’ve taken the bus with multiple family members while they’ve visited and whether you just want a relaxing trip around the city or if you want a fun way to get from spot to spot, it’s definitely a great option to have here.

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