Daytrips From Seoul: The Popular Nami Island

Nami Island is one of the most popular destinations to get away from Seoul, Korea for a day trip. It’s easy to get to Nami Island from Seoul with multiple transportation options and tours and quite a bit to do. The island was made even more famous when Winter Sonata was filmed there.

Whether you’re looking for the perfect day trip from Seoul, a K-drama filming location, or just a fun artistic spot with activities to partake in for adults and children, this is definitely an island in Korea that should be on the list. What’s better, it’s a great destination from winter to summer. Each season offers a slightly different view but all of them are gorgeous.

After arriving in the area, a ticket is necessary to ride the ferry across the water to the island. For those extreme types, there is also a zip wire now running to the island from the main land as well. This has been one of my favorite spots to get away to for awhile and we’ve visited in various months and various seasons and always found Nami Island appealing.

A nation centered on people and nature co-existing, based on the ideas of a Mr. Minn Byeong-do back in the 60s, has transformed a once desolate island into a very prosperous endeavor.

Get ready for a daytrip to Nami Island:

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How To Get To Nami Island

There are quite a few options to get to this beautiful island including by car, shuttle bus, or even subway/train and it’s often included on tour itineraries for super easy access. Once you arrive at the port, you’ll have to take a very short trip on a ferry.

Address: 198 Bangha-ri Namsan-myeon, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do (강원도 춘천시 남산면 방하리 198)

The ferry runs from Gapyeong Wharf every 30 minutes between 7:30am to 9:00pm. The ferries run more often during peak periods though.

BUT, if you’re adventurous take the Nami Island Skyline Zipline! While most people take the ferry to an from the island, you can also take a zipline which runs between 9:00am and 3:00pm. The zipline is at the same spot as you’d load the ferry so you can’t miss it. If some people in your group want to take the ferry and some want to take the zipline, you can definitely do that. Get your tickets in advance through Klook and choose a time to ensure you can take the ride especially during peak travel season. It can definitely get booked up so don’t miss your chance.

By Car: If you have a car, plug in the address above and head out to to the island. It will take about an hour and a half to two hours depending on where in Seoul you start. The great thing about driving is that you can also stop into the other popular places in the Gapyeong area. Check out Alpaca World if you’re headed out there for something a little different.

Parking Fees: W4,000 for up to 12 hours and then an additional W1,000 per hour.

By Private Car: We have used Klook’s private car options when traveling a few times and have always had a great experience and they are NOT as expensive as you might think. Don’t want to deal with trains or shuttle times? Definitely book a private driver. You can book a driver to take you out as well as return on Klook. This is a great option for families or groups. Book Your Trip Here!

Travel By Shuttle Bus: Nami Island offers a shuttle bus from Seoul to the island and back again year round Monday through Sunday.

Departure pick up times and locations are:

9:30am (8:30am*) in Insadong: Near the West Gate of Tapgol Park
9:30am (8:30am*) in Namdaemun: Sungnyemun Square Bus Stop in front of Namdaemun Market
9:45am (8:45am*) in Myeongdong: Back alley of Shinsegae Department Store (Main)

Return times & locations:

4:00pm* in the parking lot in front of the Nami Island ticket office. Buses depart for Insa-dong, Namdaemun, and Myeongdong separately so be sure to find the correct bus. They are all together.
NOTE: Buses to Insadong leave at 4:00 year round, but buses to Namdaemun and Myeongdong leave at 5:00 from May 1 to November 9.

Shuttle Bus Fees: W15,000 roundtrip for adults & W13,000 roundtrip for children (You can also book a shuttle bus option through Trazy.)

Travel By Subway: Take the subway out to Gapyeong Station on the Gyeongchung and ITX- Cheongchun Line. From Gapyeong Station, you can choose to walk the 1.9 kilometers about 20 minutes or get a taxi which will take about 5 minutes.

Where To Stay Near Nami Island

Club Inner Hotel & Resort

This resort is gorgeous and will make any quick weekend away worth it. Enjoy the nature and the surrounding area, or just take a dip and enjoy the sun all day long. This is one of the nicest spots in the area. Don’t miss a stay if you need a weekend away from the city and a great place to enjoy the rest with some beautiful views.

Book a stay here on Booking.com or on Agoda.com.

Club Inner Hotel & Resort, Gapyeong, Korea

Admission Fees

Regular Price: W13,000
Seniors Over 70 & Middle School/High School Students: W10,000
Children 36 months – Elementary School Age: W7,000
Children under 36 months: FREE

A Brief History Of Nami Island

The island gets its name from a General Nami, who lived from 1441 to 1468. He became general at the young age of 17 under King Sejo. At the age of 26 he became the Minister of War after displaying courage and strength by containing the Riot of Yi Si-Ae and conquering Gyeongju. His life was cut short however when he was wrongfully convicted of high treason during the reign of King Yejong and was executed. The exact place of his burial is unknown, but a mound of rocks on Nami was believed by the villagers to be his grave.

They believed that anyone who removed a rock from this place would bring bad luck to their family and so today there is a monument in this place for General Nami. His monument is the first thing that can be seen after getting off the ferry and walking into the park on the island.

Made as a result of the Cheongpyung Dam and cultivated over time, Nami Island (남이섬) successfully brings together nature and culture in a way that will leave all of your senses thrilled. I love visiting islands in Korea because they have such different vibes and often they’ve been cultivated by private citizens.

If you like these kinds of things too, definitely look into taking a trip to Oedo Botania, the island that has been turned into a botanical garden, and Ulleung-do which is one of the most difficult islands to get to, but one of the most beautiful places I’ve been to in Korea.

Though the island offers some rides and activities to take part in, it is in no way a theme park. The island should be enjoyed by relaxing and taking in the nature as it was intended.

What To Do On Nami Island

We often take our daughter to the Han River Parks to get away from the hustle bustle for a bit and Nami Island is just an amazing step up with even more fun. Families can enjoy concerts, paddle boats, a small train that goes around the island and numerous recycling exhibits but these are hardly amusement park rides.

The island that has a circumference of 5 kilometers only takes a few hours to cover. A whole day can easily be spent here enjoying the atmosphere and possibly a paddle ride and a game of frisbee. Enjoy all of the rides and the fun and of course get pictures in in all of the best Winter Sonata spots. Aside from the main tree lined road made famous by the drama Winter Sonata where all of the exhibits and stages and rides can be found the rest of the island is rather quiet.

There are fields where people can get together for a good game of whatever you enjoy and paths taking you in and out of different themed areas. There are benches and picnic tables everywhere to take in the beauty around you.

There are also numerous birds, such as ducks and ostriches, rabbits, and more animals to happen upon as you meander around. There are some playground areas for the little kids too but they can really climb up and around on pretty much everything on the island anyway.

This island is popular year round for good reason. In the winter, snow blankets the island and the white scene is magical. In the spring, cherry blossoms cover this island and the rest of Korea. In the summer, it’s green and playful and in the autumn, the foliage is bursting in so many colors.

Rent A Bike: Between 9:00am and 6:00pm, visitors can rent single, couple, or family style bikes to make their way around the island. If it’s a bit hot, or you have kiddos that don’t like to walk, it’s a great option to take in the island quickly so you can go back to whichever bit you want after you return the bikes.

Rental Fees:
- Single Rider Bikes: W4,000 for 30 minutes, W8,000 for 1 hour
- Couple Rider Bikes: W8,000 for 30 minutes, W16,000 for 1 hour
- Family Bikes: W15,000 for 30 minutes and W5,000 charged for every 10 minutes beyond that.

Forest Adventure TreeGO: This is a great experience for those with children visiting the island. There are two courses, the Discovery Course and the Family & Adventure Course. These are courses designed for the thrill seekers an allow visitors to walk high above the ground from tree to tree and experience nature in maybe more exciting way than just wandering down the beautiful tree lined lanes. The ropes course looks like a ton of fun and we can’t wait until our little lady is just a bit older so we can get involved in the fun.

Fees: Discovery Course: W20,000; Family & Adventure Course: W25,000

Motorboat: Available for up to five people, if you want to feel the wind in your hair and maybe some water in your face, this seek out this fast experience while on the island.

Fee: W40,000

Ride The UNICEF Charity Train: The train which runs between the entrance of The Song Museum and the central station in the island’s main square is a fun little trip if you have little ones that like to hear that chugga chugga choo choo. The proceeds from the train ride are donate to the Korean Committee for UNICEF to help children in need.

Nami Island Tours

Rather than figuring out all of the transportation, getting back and forth and making sure you’ve got the time down pat on your own, why not join a tour? There are actually a few awesome spots all in the Gapyeong area and if you take a tour, it’s super easy to see them all in one day.

If you’re trying it on your own, the only way to really do it is if you have a car or are going to rent one. Otherwise, join a tour so that you can hop on and hop off at the spots you NEED to see. In all seriousness, if you want to see any of these spots, I highly recommend doing them as a tour because you’ll actually save money overall on transportation back and forth.

Garden of the Morning Calm, Gapyeong, Korea

The deals on Klook are really great so take advantage of them. Here are some of the great options that I would suggest:

Go To Nami Island, Petite France & Ride the Gangchon Rail Bike With Klook: With Klook you can do just the first two or choose to do all three spots. The tour starts at 7:30 in the morning and gets back at 5:30/7:30 in the evening. It’s a day with plenty of time at all of these scenic spots in the Gapyeong area. Make the most of the day and enjoy the nature, a scenic French village, and a fun activity to get your blood pumping. Book on Klook
Visit Nami Island & Garden Of The Morning Calm: Enjoy the activities on Nami Island and then visit the spectacularly beautiful Garden of The Morning Calm. This cultivated and beautiful garden is the oldest private garden in Korea and a wonderful addition to the day. It is the perfect spot to have a last breather in nature what with its 5,000 kinds of plants and 2 distinctive themes before heading back to the city. Book this tour on Klook. Also, while a garden may sound like something only worth visiting from spring through autumn, this garden also features a fabulous Lighting Festival from December to March. A MUST SEE!
Adventurers Should Head To Nami Island & the Gapyeong Zipline Experience: Before heading to Nami Island, take this tour that will take you out to the Gapyeong Zipline course. This isn’t just one zipline, but a course where you can take a high flying ride from one zone to the next. Get in a thrill, before you head to Nami Island for the fun there. Book this tour on Klook.

Extra Info That’s Good To Know

Baby Strollers are available for rental and cost W3,000.
Wheelchairs are available for free.
Many of the animals roam free on the island including the ostriches unless it’s really busy and they might be in a pen. Do be aware.
You can check out their website at www.namisum.com
After seeing all that can be seen, as the area is famous for its dakgalbi (닭갈비), or spicy stir fried chicken, there are numerous restaurants around the ferry dock offering this specialty. Get a ride back to the mainland on one of the frequently running ferries and take your pick of restaurants. Dalkgalbi is a combination of chicken, cabbage, spicy red pepper sauce, rice cakes and sweet potatoes stir fried right on the table. It’s a personal favorite and should always be eaten when visiting the Chuncheon area that made this dish famous. There are restaurants on the island, but they’re a bit overpriced and quite a few western options. Trust me, you’ll enjoy the local delicacy much more.