18 Cable Cars You Can Find In Korea

When it comes to getting mountain top views in Korea, it’s a lot easier than you might think. Sure, you could hike to the top of those gorgeous mountains, but taking a cable car in Korea is another great option and there are plenty to choose from. Koreans love their mountains and there are suspension bridges and cable cars that make it easier than ever to get up to and enjoy the views.

Much like the suspension bridge building boom that has happened over the past decade, cable cars are now prevalent around South Korea.

There are some more popular cable cars in Korea than others, and some that take more planning to get to, but with this list, you will be able to plan a trip to some super Instagrammable places. You could add a cable car ride to almost every trip you take in Korea if you plan right.

Yeosu Maritime Cable Car (여수 해상케이블카), Yeosu, Jeollanam-do, Korea

We haven’t been to them all yet, but every time I find one, I tag it to add to my next roadtrip across the country. Don’t you want to do that too?

The best cable cars in Korea to find and add to your itinerary:

(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.)

N Seoul Tower, Seoul, Korea — Photo by Seoul Metropolitan Government/Penta Press

The Best Time To Take a Cable Car Ride

A cable car ride is worth it no matter the season if you ask me, but there are times when they are more popular than others. Here is the season play by play when it comes to riding cable cars in Korea.

Autumn: Cable cars is very popular in the autumn when everyone is looking for mountainous foliage views. The red, yellow, and purple leaves are vibrant and everyone wants to see them. The avid hikers hit the trails and everyone else heads to the cable cars which means there may be lines and waits. But they are worth it! Check out this guide to fall in Korea for more information.
Winter: Cable car rides aren’t as popular in the winter but that means fewer people in lines. You can still get great views out over the mountainous areas, but they might be a little brown. That is unless you get to a cable car after the snows have fallen. Now that is breathtaking and some of these cable cars are well known for getting you up to the top just for those snow covered views.
Spring: Not as popular as the summer, but still a great season. Look out for the mountains that are covered in cherry blossom trees so you can take in the pink and white fluff coverage from above. Check out this guide to spring in Korea for more information.
Summer: Summer is the most popular season to take a cable car ride as the landscape is filled with lush greens from top to bottom. With the heat and humidity, a cable car ride is an ideal way to get to the top of a mountain. Check out this guide to summer in Korea for more information.

What To Know

Most cable cars in Korea are only open for daylight hours and can have longer waits on the weekends and even more on holidays. If you want to take a cable car ride during peak times, especially during high fall foliage periods, plan to get to the cable car ticket offices right when they open in the morning. You may have to purchase tickets and then wait for a designated time later in the day.

Additionally, cable cars may close do to bad weather so make sure to check what the weather is looking like when you hope to go.

Cable Cars To Visit In Korea

Namsan Cable Car (남산케이블카)

The most popular cable car in Korea because it’s super accessible in the heart of Seoul, the Namsan Cable Car is popular with both locals and tourists. Namsan Tower can easily be tacked on to any trip to the city because it really is so easy to get to so do NOT miss this beautiful site as you flit from here to there seeing what there is to see in Seoul.

The tower was built and opened in 1971 but it wasn’t opened to the public until 1980. Established as a broadcast tower to send out TV and radio signals, the tower is 480 meters above sea level and is now one of the most iconic sites in the capital of Seoul. It was the first tourist friendly tower in the country and by 1990 had been visited by over 10 million tourists.

Hop On/ Hop Off Bus: If you’ll be traveling via the Seoul City Hop On/Hop Off Bus, know that it also stops here. You can buy the ticket for this bus here. And to get more information about the bus, here is a guide to the Hop On/ Hop Off Bus In Seoul.
By Subway: You can take a short walk from Myeongdong Station to the cable car entrance. From Myeongdong Station exit 1, walk up and around to the right. You’ll follow along the main road and find the cable car. OR, you can go out of exit 2 or 3 and you can follow the backstreets up the cable car. Basically just head up and you’ll find it. The walk only takes about 10 minutes.
Observatory Hours: Saturday: 10:00am ~ 12:00am; Sunday – Friday: 10:00am ~ 11:00pm (Last admission 30 minutes prior to closing.)
Admission: Buy your tickets in advance here to make it easier and faster to get up.
- Tower Only: Adults: W10,000 & Children: W8,000
- Ssentoy Museum & Showroom: Adults: W8,000 & Children W7,000
- Helly Kitty Island: Adults: W8,000 & Children W7,000
- Package with all three above: Adults & Children: W15,500
- Visitors eating at N. Grill have free admission to the observatory w/ advance reservation
Namsan Cable Car Hours: 10:00am ~ 11:00pm
Cable Car Admission: Adult Round Trip: W8,500 & Children Round Trip: W5,500
Amenities: restrooms, restaurants, baby stroller rental

Samaksan Cable Car (삼악산 호수케이블카)

This one is super popular right now. It was just opened recently and is now the newest and longest cable car in the country. Out in Chuncheon (춘천) and taking visitors over Uiamho Lake (의암호) and up to Samaksan Mountain (삼악산), the cable car ride is 3.6km long and 440meters up.

I went out to check this one out, got there around noon and the entire day’s worth of tickets were sold out. Hopefully, they open up reservations online but when we stopped there, they said there was no way to get tickets online or reserve in advance unfortunately. You can only purchase them in person. The staff told us that you need to arrive at 8:30 am if you want to be sure to get a ticket.

Honestly, we were taken aback because it’s Korea and everything is online usually. And if there is a limited number per hour, you’d think they would have reservations online so people aren’t going out and being turned away. Suffice to say we weren’t the only ones complaining. I noticed that Klook has a tour that includes the Samaksan Cable Car along with the also difficult to get to without a car Alpaca World so that might be the way to go for this one right now as it is popular.

Samaksan Cable Car (삼악산 호수케이블카), Chuncheon, Korea — Credit: https://samaksancablecar.com/

They only sell 300 tickets to be used per hour, so if you get there early you might also end up with tickets for the 4:00 pm time slot if the other time slots have been filled. All of this to say, you’d want to have a backup plan for what to do in Chuncheon and options for what to do in the vicinity while you’re waiting to get a ride if you DO get tickets.

The area is gorgeous though so a ride would be pretty spectacular I think. Personally, I’ll probably wait until they get some online ticketing system up and running to be assured that the 2-hour drive ends with the cable car ride. I wanted to share our experience though with anyone else that has seen the new tourist attraction and thought about going. Just plan plan plan ahead.

Address: 245 Sportstown-gil, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do (392-10 Samcheon-dong) (주소 : 강원도 춘천시 스포츠타운길 245 (삼천동 392-10))
Directions:From Chuncheon Intercity Bus Terminal, ride for 3 stops (20 mins) until you reach Chuncheon Samaksan Lake Cable Car.
Hours: 9:00am ~ 8:00pm
Admission: Adults: W23,000 ~ W28,000; Children: W17,000 ~ W22,000
Website: https://samaksancablecar.com/home/index.php

Imjingang Cable Car (임진강 케이블카)

A fairly new cable car that was just opened at the end of 2020. If you’ve been out to Imjingang but haven’t gone in a while, it might be time to go back. Though not long, the Peace Gondola takes visitors 850 meters just over to the other side of the Imjin River. Since the ride does go beyond the civilian control line, you are required to have an ID with you to take this trip.

Cross the river and then take a path around and up to find the Peace Observatory which is inside the Civilian Control Zone which makes this a very unique place to visit. Like the other places in the Imjingang area, this is meant to be a time and place of reflection on the history and the future of Korea.

This area is nice as there’s also a large park and historical relics and artifacts to see too so there’s quite a bit to enjoy in one little area. Learn more about this and other places in the DMZ that you can visit even without a tour. You do need an ID to ride this one so be prepared.

Address: 148-73, Imjingak-ro, Munsan-eup, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 파주시 문산읍 임진각로 148-73)
By Metro: Take the Gyeonggi Central Line to Imjingang Station. Then, travel for 8 minutes until you reach the location.
Hours: 10:00am ~ 7:00pm
Admission: Adults: W11,000 ~ W14,000; Children: W9,000 ~ W12,000
Website: http://www.dmzgondola.com/main/main.html

Seoraksan Cable Car (설악산 케이블카)

The Seoraksan Cable Car is another one of the more popular cable cars in Korea. This is a popular ride in the autumn as it takes visitors quite a distance up into the Seoraksan National park (설악산국립공원). Many people head to Seoraksan in the autumn to get the views out over the mountains from the nearly 2300-foot summit. Once Gwongeumseong Fortress (권금서), today, visitors can find a viewpoint and picnic area with a view after a 10-minute ride on this cable car.

Climb up just 10 minutes from the cable car drop off and you can see Seoraksan National Park on one side and Sokcho City on the other.

Seoraksan Cable Car (설악산 케이블카), Seoraksan, South Korea

The Seoraksan National Park also has other sites to see like the Sinheungsa Temple (신흥사) and if you do want to a hike a bit, you could head in to find the Biseondae Rocks (비선대). The hike to the rocks is pretty flat and good for beginners or those people just looking for some nature time. It’s just a 2 km walk that starts from the temple.

If you’re an avid hiker, you can continue on to the Geumganggul Cave (금강굴) or to the Biryong Falls (비룡폭포). Both will require a bit more leg-burning hiking, but are worth the trek.

Address: 1137 Seoraksan-ro, Seorak-dong, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do (강원도 속초시 설악동 설악산로 1137)
By Bus: From Sokcho take the Seoul Yangyang Expressway for two hours until you come upon the Seoraksan Parking Lot
Hours: 9:00am ~ 6:00pm
Admission: Adults: W13,000; Children: W9,000
Website:https://www.sorakcablecar.co.kr/

Geumosan Cable Car (금오산케이블카)

The Geumosan Cable Car is 805 meters long and the cars themselves are quite different from a lot of the other cable cars you’ll find around the country. They look sort of cool and retro. You’ll get a great view of the mountains below, the valley, and the Geumosanseong Fortress. There’s a temple to visit and a beautiful forested area. Spend a day here picnicking and just enjoying nature.

Address: 419 Geumosan-ro, Gumi-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do (경북 구미시 금오산로 419)
Hours: 9:00am ~ 5:00pm (Cable cars depart four time an hour at the start of the hour, 15 minutes past, 30 minutes past, and 45 minutes past)
Admission: Adults: W10,000; Children: W6,000

Cheongpung Lake Cable Car (청풍호반케이블카)

Reach the observation deck that overlooks Jecheon Lake (제천호수) and the mountain range in Woraksan National Park (월악산) via the Cheongpung Lake Cable Car. It takes visitors straight up to the top for 360-degree views of the area that features water and mountain views. The cable car runs 2.3 km and the observation platform at the top has three platforms which also feature some artistic installations to enjoy too if the views aren’t enough… though they will be so it’s just icing on the cake.

A benefit of visiting this area if you are headed for the views is that you can enjoy the cable car and the lookout over and beyond, but you can also take the monorail (청풍호관광모노레일) up the side of the mountain if you want to see the foliage from beneath too. That ride takes about 23 minutes.

Address: 166 Munhwajae-gil, Cheongpung-myeon, Jecheon-si, Chungcheongbuk-do (충청북도 제천시 청풍면 문화재길 166)
By bus: Take the bus from Chungju train station for 2 and a half hours (2 buses) or Jecheon train station for an hour and a half (1 bus).
Days: Closed on Mondays or during bad weather.
Hours: 10:00am ~ 6:00pm
Admission: Adults: W17,000 ~ W18,000; Children: W13,000 ~ W14,000
Website: https://www.cheongpungcablecar.com

Daedunsan Cable Car (대둔산 케이블카)

One of the most popular cable cars in South Korea on Instagram, the Daedunsan Cable Car provides spectacular views out over the trees and in the autumn they’re a vibrant red so get ready for the crowds then. From the cable car that takes you up into the mountains of the Daedunsan National Park, you can then hike across the cloud bridge, another popular Instagram spot in Korea. Float from mountaintop to mountaintop… well hike, but you’ll get some great floaty feelings up on the tops of the mountains.

Address: 55 Daedunsangongwon-gil, Unju-myeon, Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do (전북 완주군 운주면 대둔산공원길 55)
Hours: 9:00am ~ 6:00pm
Admission: Adults: W14,500; Children: W11,000

Sacheon Beach Cable Car (사천바다케이블카)

One of the longest cable cars in Korea, this provides some just gorgeous views out over the Busan skyline. It is the first cable car to connect the islands, sea, and the mountains as they say. It is the first cable car to operate along three stops in the country. Soar above Busan to take in some gorgeous ocean skyline views. Head there at sunset for some spectacular colors across the sky. It’s beautiful and fun and is one of the longest cable car rides in Korea.

Address: 18 Sacheondae-ro, Sacheon-si, Gyeongsangnam-do (경남 사천시 사천대로 18)
Admission: Adults: W15,000 ~ W20,000; Children: W12,000 ~ W17,000
- They also sell combined tickets that include a ticket to the cable car and the aquarium if you want to do more when you go.
Website: http://scfmc.or.kr/cablecar/

Apsan Cable Car (앞산케이블카)

In Nam-gu, Daegu, the Apsan Cable Car takes you up to the Apsan Observatory where you can get views out over Daegu. This is a popular destination for locals and tourists to the area. If you’re headed to Daegu this summer, take in the views from the city on up. The ride takes 5 minutes.

Address: 574-114, Apsansunhwan-ro, Nam-gu, Daegu (대구광역시 남구 앞산순환로 574-114)
Admission: Round Trip: Adults: W10,500; Children: W7,500; One Way: Adults: W7,500; Children: 5,500
Website: http://www.apsan-cablecar.co.kr/

Palgongsan Cable Car (팔공산 케이블카)

Another cable car in the Daegu area. On our trip there last time, we opted for this ride. Grab a ticket and take the cable car up to the top of Mt. Palgong which is a sacred site in northeastern Daegu. There are Buddhist temples, Confucian traces, and even Catholic religious sites on this mountain. The cable car will take you up to the top of Sinnimbong Peak of Palgongsan Mountain. Check out what else you can do nearby with this guide to Daegu.

Address: 51 Palgongsan-ro 185-gil, Dong-gu, Daegu (대구 동구 팔공산로185길 51)
Hours: Tuesdays – Sundays: 9:30am ~ 5:00pm-7:00pm. The closing time changes depending on the season.
Admission: Adults: One way: W7,500; Round Trip: W11,000; Children: One Way: W4,000; Round Trip: W6,000

Yeosu Maritime Cable Car (여수 해상케이블카)

Yeosu is a great city to take a visit to with some great views. The Yeosu Cable Car is a must have experience on a trip to the city in the south and has a lot to see and do on either side. The cable car runs between Jasan Park (자산공원) and Dolsan Park (돌산공원). Passengers can choose either the standard cabin or the crystal cabin. The crystal cabins have a see-through floor, but honestly, the standard cabin is juuuuust fine.

The trip is 13 minutes one-way and 26 minutes round trip but you’ll get off at the other side no matter what. Get out and walk around a bit. We really enjoyed the ride and definitely recommend this major touristic draw.

Address: 3600-1 Dolsan-ro, Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do (전라남도 여수시 돌산읍 돌산로 3600-1 (돌산읍))
Admission: Standard Cabin: Adults: W15,000; Children: W11,000; Crystal Cabin: Adults: W22,000; Children: W17,000
Hours: Weekdays, Holidays, & Sundays: 9:00am ~ 8:30pm; Saturdays: 9:00am ~ 10:30pm

Samcheokhaesang Cable Car (삼척해상케이블카)

Running from Yonghwa-ri, Geundeok-myeon to Jangho-ri, you can travel the 874 meters in the Sunshine Car or the Sunrise Car. Enjoy the natural landscape from above that looks out over the coastal scenery. If you visit this cable car, you can also enjoy an ocean rail bike, a fishery village experience, and a marine ropeway.

Address: 2154-31 Samcheok-ro, Geundeok-myeon, Samcheok-si, Gangwon-do (강원 삼척시 근덕면 삼척로 2154-31)
Hours: April – October: 9:00am ~ 8:00pm; November – March: 9:00am ~ 6:00pm
Days: Closed on the 18th of every month. If the 18th falls on a holiday, then the following weekday will be closed.
Admission: Adults: W10,000; Children: W6,000
Website: https://www.samcheokcablecar.kr/

Songdo Cable Car/ Busan Air Cruise (부산 송도해수욕장 케이블카가)

Another popular cable car in Busan, the Songdohaesang Cable Car also takes you out over the water on the southern coast. If you’re planning a trip to Busan, stay in the Songdo area. It’s a great family-friendly spot with a nice beach, a cable car, and other great things to do. You could stay in the area and have a great time. The cable car in Songdo was a restoration project to revive a cable car that had been there some 30 years prior.

Songdo Beach, Busan, Korea: The Cloud Bridge

Opened in 2017, the Busan Air Cruise, the new name for the previous Songdo Cable Car, though really known by both, has 39 cable cars that can hold up to 8 people each. They run 1.62 kilometers from Songnim Park to Amnam Park and back again. The trip has visitors taken 86 meters above the sea and offers beautiful views of the Songdo seaside, Cloud Bridge, sparkling water, and rocky cliffs. The trip isn’t long and gets you across in just under 10 minutes but we absolutely loved the trip.

Address: 171 Songdo Haebyeon-ro, Seo-gu, Busan (부산 서구 송도해변로 171)
Hours
- May – June & September – October: Sunday – Thursday & Public Holidays: 9:00am ~ 10:00pm: Friday & Saturday: 9:00am ~ 11:00pm
- November – April: Sunday – Thursday & Public Holidays: 9:00am ~ 9:30pm: Friday & Saturday: 9:00am ~ 10:00pm
- July – August: Every day: 9:00am ~ 11:00pm
Admission: There are a couple options depending on what kind of cabin you’re looking to ride.
- Air Cruise (Standard Cabin): Roundtrip: Adults: W15,000; Children: W11,000; One Way: Adults: W12,000; Children 9,000
- Crystal Cruise (Glass Cabin): Roundtrip: Adults: W20,000; Children: W15,000; One Way: Adults: W16,000; Children: 12,000
- * Notes: Children under 3 are FREE and adults are considered anyone 14 years of age or older.
- Discounted Tickets: Purchase tickets on Klook for discounted tickets to the Busan Air Cruise.

Duryunsan Cable Car (두륜산케이블카)

There are a lot more cable cars in Korea than people realize and a lot of them aren’t well known at all, which makes them pretty appealing. Duryunsan Cable Car is one of those. Duryunsan is a famous mountain in Jeollanam-do and is home to numerous temples and other historic sites. To get to the top of the mountain, you can trek for three hours, or take the cable car from the entrance of Daeheungsa Temple. This cable car takes 8 minutes and from the summit you can get a gorgeous view of the southern sea. You can even see as far as Hallasan Mountain on Jeju Island on clear days.

Address: 88-45 Daeheungsa-gil, Samsan-myeon, Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do (전남 해남군 삼산면 대흥사길 88-45)
Hours: Summer: 9:00am ~ 6:00pm; Winter: 9:00am ~ 5:00pm
Admission: Adults: W11,000; Children: W8,000 (Tickets are only available for purchase in person.)

Wangpicheon Cable Car (울진 왕피천 케이블카)

Take this cable car up to get a view out over the coast and the East Sea in Uljin. Located in Wangpicheon Estuary, you can take in the natural ecosystem, see birds that live in and migrate through the area and more. Take the crystal cabin with a transparent floor to get 360 degree views and see it all! The ride lasts about 6 minutes. Take it up, enjoy the views and look around and then take it back down again.

Address: 25 Expo-ro, Geunnam-myeon, Uljin-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do (경북 울진군 근남면 엑스포로 25)
Hours: April – June: 10:00am ~ 6:00pm; July – August: 10:00am ~ 7:00pm; September – October: 10:00am ~ 6:00pm; November – March: 10:00am ~ 5:30pm
Admission: General Cabin: W10,000; Crystal Cabin: W12,000 (Get your tickets on Trazy to take advantage of their discounted rates.)

Dokdo Island Observatory Cable Car (독도전망대 케이블카)

Taking a trip to Ulleung-do Island is not easy but oh is it worth it. If you want to go someplace that is truly a hidden gem and a trek to get to, find out more about Ulleung-do. Take a cable car to the top of Manghyangbong Peak in the Dodong Yaksu Park for a bird’s eye view of the island as well as catch a glimpse 92 kilometers out to see Dokdo Island on clear days.

Address: 99 Yaksuteo-gil, Ulleung-eub, Ulleung-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do (경북 울릉군 울릉읍 약수터길 99)
Admission: Adults: W7,500; Children: W3,500
Hours: April – October: 8:00am ~ 6:00pm; November – March: 8:00am ~ 5:00pm

Mokpohaesang Cable Car (목포 해상케이블카)

Providing views out over the downtown area of Mokpo, this cable car is one of the longest in the country at 3.23km and is 155meters high. At one time it was both the longest and highest cable car in Korea. Much like the race to build the longest suspension bridge though, the cable cars similarly continue to outpace each other. This cable car has become one of the biggest highlights for visitors to Mokpo in the southern region of Korea.

Address: 240 Haeyang Daehak-ro, Mokpo-si, Jeollanam-do (전남 목포시 해양대학로 240)
Hours: March – October: 9:00am ~ 10:00pm; November – February: 9:00am ~ 9:00pm
Admission: Adults: W22,000; Children: W16,000
Website: www.mmcablecar.com

Tongyeong Cable Car (통영케이블카)

Tongyeong has become a popular destination for people looking to head south but not head to Busan and more popular spots. There is a lot to do there if you haven’t been yet. Take this cable car, and take a look out over an archipelago of islands. It’s a breathtaking view out over the ocean. Once you’re at the top, take a walk up to the viewpoint nearby and take in the stunning 360 degree view of the area. Oh, and this is a pet-friendly cable car so if you’re traveling with your dog, feel free to take them aboard.

Address: 205 Balgae-ro, Tongyeong-si, Gyeongsangnam-do (경남 통영시 발개로 205)
Hours: October – March: 9:30am ~ 4:00pm; April & September: 9:30am ~ 5:00pm; May – August: 9:30am ~ 6:00pm
Closed: The 2nd and 4th Monday of every month.
Admission: Adults: W14,000; Children: W10,000
Website: https://cablecar.ttdc.kr/

I think you’re ready for an adventure in Korea! There’s much to see and explore so enjoy it!

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