Ultimate Guide on a Day Trip to Nami Island, South Korea- Plan the Best Day Trip to Gapyeong

If you want to go on a one-day trip from Seoul, then Nami Island is the perfect location for you. Located in Gapyeong city, you can spend a relaxing day at this gorgeous river island that’s only one and a half hours away from Seoul!

A popular tourist attraction, Nami Island is also the shooting location of various fan-favourite Korean Dramas like Winter Sonata, Secret Garden, my love from the stars and Running Man. Many people love to come here to reminisce about their favourite k-drama.

Honestly, Nami Island is one of my favourite places to visit when I was visiting Seoul. It is not only because of its picturesque scenery of manicured gardens and tree lanes surrounded by the blue water of Cheongpyeong lake.

But I also come for the peaceful atmosphere here, where I can take a long walk around the whole Island in one go and meet cute rabbits and peacocks on my way too! There are so many amazing things to do here that it would be a shame if you missed out on anything. That’s why I have prepared a complete guide on planning the best Day trip to Nami Island, South Korea.

Top 10 Things to do on Nami Island

If you are wondering what things to do on the magical Nami Island, here is a list of the top 10 experiences you must have on a Day trip to Nami Island from Seoul!

1. Walk along Central Korean Pine Tree Lane

The first thing you must do at Nami Island is take a walk around the Island. Nothing is better than walking along the Central Korean Pine tree lane while enjoying the clean and calming air under the shades of the towering trees.

By chance, if you decide to stay on Nami Island for the night, you must do this walk under the Island’s hanging lights because the entire Island gets transformed into a place akin to a fairy tale location!

2. Visit the Ginkgo Tree Lane for an afternoon stroll

Just like Central Korean Pine tree lane, Ginkgo Tree Lane is a beautiful avenue of perfectly aligned ginkgo trees. This tree lane is so magnificent and wonderful to come for an afternoon walk after grabbing a snack or meal at the Island’s various cafes and restaurants.

Also known as the maidenhair trees, Ginkgo trees are regarded as living fossils, and the considerate plantation of these trees here makes walking through these trees even more so special!

3. Go on a Nature Trip at Metasequoia Lane

Another location where you must go for a long walk with nature is Metasequoia Lane. This place is filled with soaring trees of Metasequoia, which are so majestic and alluring. It is another great location on Nami Island, where you must get your picture clicked with these gorgeous redwood trees in the background!

4. Stroll through the Dodam Sambong Garden

One of the main attractions of Nami Island is the Dodam Sambong Garden. This garden is a miniature replica of the Dodam Sambong Peaks, a popular tourist attraction of Danyang County, South Korea. There is a beautiful lotus pond around which you can have a great picnic.

You can very easily get captivated by the beauty of this place, so visiting Dodam Sambong Garden is a must!

5. Visit the Life-Size Statue of Winter Sonata’s Couple

If you are a fan and want to visit Nami Island, especially to reminisce about your favourite scenes from the drama, then visiting the life-size figures of Kang Joon-sang and Jeong Yoo-jin should be on top of your list.

The queue to get here can be long, but it is worth it when you click a picture of yourself with your comfort characters. You will also find loads of memorial pictures hanging here on a wall created here dedicated to the k-drama.

6. Reminisce Winter Sonata moments along the Maple Lane of True love

After visiting the very popular Winter Sonata Statue, you should head on to the Maple Lane of True Love to reminisce more about Winter Sonata. As the name suggests, this place is full of maple trees under whose shade you can sit and wind down while enjoying the lovely view. They also serve as the best background to take Instagram-worthy pictures.

7. Visit the First Kiss Glass Sequoia Bridge

Another place that a diehard Winter Sonata fan must visit is the First Kiss Glass Sequoia Bridge. In fact, this bridge is one of the most popular locations on Nami Island. As the name explains, this bridge was where the lead couple Kang Joon-sang and Jeong Yoo-jin share their first kiss in Winter Sonata.

If you happen to visit Nami Island with your partner, you must get a picture of you both clicked, but no kissing because such a public display of affection is frowned upon in South Korea.

8. Make friends with Rabbits, Peacocks and Ostriches!

At Nami Island, you can also visit Ostriches and see peacocks wandering around. Little animals like rabbits and squirrels are common sights. They roam around here peacefully and are mild-mannered. You can click your picture with them and even try your luck at petting a rabbit but be respectful of these creatures because Nami Island is their home.

9. Ride on the UNICEF Charity Train

One of the best experiences on Nami Island should have to hop aboard the UNICEF Charity Train. You can board this charming train from Nami Wharf Train Station as well as the Central Train Station. This train will take you around Nami Island, and you will get to enjoy the beautiful scenery while sitting comfortably on board. The fare is only ₩3,000 per person, and this train ride is worth every penny!

10. Rent a Bike to tour Nami Island

Another adventure you can have on Nami Island is going cycling around the Island. Nami Island is really small, and you can finish one round around the Island in 1-2 hours, depending upon your speed. Trust me when I say that you get major ‘Main Character’ vibes riding on your bike through this magical place!

You can easily rent a bike from the Bike centre for ₩4,000 for 30-minutes and ₩7,000 for an hour. You can also grab a couples’ bike for ₩8,000 for 30-minutes and ₩14,000 for an hour. If you are visiting Nami Island with family or a group, you should rent a family (quadruplet) bike for ₩10,000.

How to go to Nami Island from Seoul

If you have decided to get on this journey to Nami Island, then here are the four different ways you can get to Nami Island. You can easily choose whether you want to travel via a bus or train, or taxi according to your budget and travel time. To visit Nami Island, you have first to reach Gapyeong Station from Seoul if you pick up public transportation. Here are the best ways to get to Gapyeong Station most conveniently.

1. ITX- Cheongchun

I would recommend travelling via ITX-Cheongchun to get to Nami Island. It is a more direct and convenient option that will take you to your destination in less than an hour. To purchase your ticket to ride on ITX, you will need to go to Korail Counters. If you are a Korail Pass holder, then it is most advantageous. Also, you can easily check the departure and arrival schedule from their booking page.

From Gapyeong Station, Nami Island is only 2.2 km away, and you can easily grab a taxi to get there. The taxi ride is 10-15 minutes, according to the traffic.  

Travel Time: 1 hr

Ticket price: ₩6,000-₩9,500

2. Subway

The next option to reach Nami Island is by using Subway. Although cheaper than ITX-Cheongchun, Subway would take much more time to get you to Nami Island. First of all, you will have to reach Hoegi station, where you can easily get on a subway on its way to Gapyeong Station. This subway journey will be a little longer than one hour. Now from Gapyeong station, all you have to do is get on a taxi to reach the ferry port.

Travel Time: 1.5 hr

Ticket price: ₩2,000-₩2,900

3. Bus+Train

Another way you can reach Nami Island is by making a one-hour bus journey from Dong Seoul Bus Terminal to Cheongpyeong, where you have to first get to Cheongpyeong Station. Then at Cheongpyeong Station, you can get on the ITX-Cheongchun Yongsan, which will take you to Gapyeong Station in mere seven minutes. Afterwards, it’s only another small journey to the ferry port via taxi.

The important thing to keep in mind if you decide to pick this method to reach Gapyeong is that you have to be very mindful of the bus and ITX-Cheongchun schedules. Otherwise, you will end up wasting a lot of your precious time waiting for the next bus or train.

Travel Time: 2 hr

Ticket price: The bus ride will cost you ₩6,359, and the train ticket will cost you something between ₩1,200 and ₩2,300.

4. Shuttle Bus to Nami Island

A really convenient and economical way to make this journey is to take a Shuttle bus to Nami Island. You get to reach your destination without any headaches of dealing with traffic or following the public transportation schedule. Your shuttle bus driver will take you on a round-trip from the centre of Seoul (Myeongdong, Dongdaemun and Hongdae) straight to Nami Island and then back.

Since Shuttle buses don’t stop at different locations during their journey like public buses, you will end up saving a lot of time too. Also, most Nami Shuttle Bus services have the entrance fee to Nami Island included in their tickets. This makes travelling by shuttle bus even more beneficial because you will not have to stand in the queue at Nami Island’s ticket counter. Might I add that this queue is more than often quite long and busy!

By opting for the shuttle bus, All you need is to show up at the designated pick-up place and enjoy the rest of the journey sitting comfortably in your seat!

Travel Time: 1.5 hr

Ticket price: ₩24,000-₩26,000

5. Taxi or Private tours

Another option you have is to travel by taxi or private tours from Seoul to Nami Island. It is indeed the fastest and the most convenient way but making such a long journey via taxi is also going to cost a lot more than using public transportation.

Travel Time: 1 hr

Ticket price: ₩80,000 to ₩100,000

But whatever the way you choose to reach Nami Island, make sure to have a lot of fun and make memories to bring home!

How to get onto Nami Island

Nami Island is surrounded by water, and there are only two ways by which you can get onto this Island.

1. Ferry

The first and most popular way to get onto Nami Island is by taking a ferry. When you purchase the admission ticket for Nami Island, the ticket includes the fee for the ferry, for both the ride to and from the Island. The ferry service is regular, and you can easily consult the ferry schedule available there.

Price for the ferry on Nami Island: Included in the Nami Island Visa/ticket.

2. Zipline

But if you have an adventurous streak like me, you should definitely go onto Nami Island by Zipline. Skyline Zipwire is a one-way ride to Nami Island that runs every day of the week. On normal days with good weather, zipline service starts at 9 am and till 6 pm.

If you come with your camera, all with a wrist strap or necklace or any tool to uphold your camera or even your phone, you get to record your zipline experience! Keep in mind that you are solely responsible for your recording equipment.

Price for Zipline on Nami Island: ₩49,900 per person

Best Time to Visit Nami Island, South Korea

Nami Island is lovely to visit at any time of the year. Every season will show you something special here. So, you can either plan your day trip to Nami Island from Seoul during your favourite season or read on to find out what to expect on Nami Island during different seasons.

1. Autumn Season at Nami Island, South Korea

I love the autumn season, and that’s why I really hope that you plan your day trip to Nami Island from mid-September to November when it’s autumn here. The Island is covered in shades of red, orange and brown with dry leaves of trees like Metasequoia, Korea Pine and Maple trees falling around charmingly.

Baekpungmilwon Garden becomes the most incredible sight on Nami Island, and everyone from little kids to adults to animals here will rejoice!

The average temperature during the Autumn season on Nami Island is 3°C to 18°C

2. Spring Season at Nami Island, South Korea

For all spring lovers, Nami Island will welcome you with the most amazing view of cherry blossoms. Spring comes and goes by really quickly, so make sure that you check an eye out on the weather reports of Nami Island to maximize your chances of catching the cherry blossom season here!

The average Temperature during the Spring season on Nami Island is 2°C to 12°C

3. Summer Season at Nami Island, South Korea

If you love the summer season, you should most definitely visit Nami Island, when all the trees turn luscious and green and the whole Island becomes vibrant and lively. Many amazing spots appear where you can have picnics under the shade of the trees. Also, summers are probably the best time to rent a bike from the bike centre and tour the Island.

The average temperature during the summer season on Nami Island is 12°C to 28°C

4. Winter Season at Nami Island, South Korea

Another great time to visit Nami Island is during the Winter season when the entire Island is covered in snow and truly resembles a Winter Wonderland. Everything from trees to ground is covered in pristine fluffy snow.

Also, for the fans of ‘Winter Sonata’, visiting Nami Island during the winter is a must. Not only are winters the time when this k-drama’s most popular poster consisting of Bae Yong Joon and Choi Ji Woo on Metasequoia Lane was captured, but the iconic statue of the couple located in the Gongsaengwon Garden also becomes the focus of attraction.

Average Temperature during the Winter season on Nami Island: (-7°C) to 2°C

Restaurants and Cafés to try on Nami Island

After walking around the Island, if you find yourself peckish, worry not because Nami Island has some really amazing places where you have delicious food. After all, good food with beautiful scenery is bound to make anybody’s day!

1. Sonata Café

One of the most popular locations for food on Nami Island, Sonata Café is well-known for serving snowman-shaped food and seasonal drinks. You can also click some really cute pictures with the snowman statues here while munching on their Snowman Hotteok, their specialities.

Location: Nearby Metasequoia Lane

2. Asian Family Restaurant Dongmoon

This Asian restaurant is the perfect place to have a full meal for couples and families. They are halal-certified and serve halal food, something which is really crucial for Muslim visitors. You must try out their Beijing Sweet & Sour Chicken and Soft-Shell Crab Curry, one of their specialties.

Location: 1st Floor, Baplex building

3. Book Café

Another great place to enjoy the scenery of Nami Island with delicious food is Book Café. This cafe is the perfect place to enjoy a light meal before continuing touring around the Island. All the walls of this cafe are filled with books which are tastefully decorated. Book Café serves amazing beverages and desserts, and their Natural Ice Cream is a must-try.

Location: Baplex building

4. Seomhyanggi

If you love Korean BBQ, then Seomhyanggi is the perfect restaurant for you to have your meal on Nami Island. It is a self-serving restaurant where you have to order from the cashier and find your own table. You must try out their Dak-galbi, one of their specialities.

Location: Centre of Nami Island across Unchi Garden

5. Swing Café & Bakery

Next on this list is Swing Cafe and Bakery, which is a fantastic Song Museum-themed Cafe. The best thing about this place is its excellent dessert, coffee, music, and overall peaceful and cosy atmosphere. They also have really amazing exhibitions and stage performances. Make sure to try their Pine nuts flavoured gelato and freshly baked bread too!

Location: Near the entrance of the Island, 1st Floor of the Song Museum

6. Yeongajiga Lunch Box

Another place to have great food on Nami Island is Yeongajiga Lunch Box. Here, they serve a Korean-style lunch box called ‘Dosirak’. One of their specialities is Spicy tteokbokki, a dish that everyone loves. If you are looking for a cheap place to have a meal, Yeongajiga Lunch Box is the best option for you.

Location: Baplex building

Places to Visit Near Nami Island

After you are done roaming around Nami Island, you must visit these very special locations which are located nearby.

Garden of Morning Calm

The first stop you should make after getting off your ferry from Nami Island is at Garden of Morning Calm. A truly paradisiacal location, Garden of Morning Calm is the perfect place for you to visit if you are a botanist, horticulturist or photographer.

You can enjoy a relaxing, peaceful walk while listening to jazz playing on the speakers here. It has 26 themed gardens that are full of gorgeous, gorgeous flowers and plants. Garden of Morning Calm holds seasonal exhibits that you must visit while here.

For example, in Summers, the entire place is full of lovely Iris, Roses and Blue Hydrangeas. For autumn, Maple trees and Chrysanthemums colour the whole place in charming shades of red and brown. If you are here in spring, you will find the entire place pink and covered with flowers like Magnolia, Azalea, and Cherry Blossoms.

If you wish to see a perfect winter wonderland truly, come and visit Garden of Morning Calm during the winters and enjoy seeing this picturesque location look absolutely magical, lightened with artificial light and covered in snow.

Make sure to visit the Garden of Morning glow while on a day trip to Nami Island because it is absolutely worth it!

Entrance fee: ₩9,500/pax

Timings: 8:30 am – 6:00 pm. However, the closing timings might vary during the festival season.

Petite France

The next stop on your day trip to Nami Island should be a French cultural village called Petite France. The whole place is full of amazing vintage stuff like century-old European dolls and puppets, musical instruments, furniture and many beautiful antiques that will amaze you greatly. You might also recognize Petite France from k-dramas like Secret Garden, Beethoven Virus and My love from the stars.

When you visit Petite France, Don’t forget to enjoy its several free performances like Marionette, Orgel Demonstration, Czech String Puppet show and accordion performances by the street musicians. Also, while you are wandering around here, you get to click some really awesome pictures with colourful facades as the background.

You must visit Petite France to get transported to an entirely different era!

Entrance fee: ₩10,000/pax

Timings: 9 am – 6 pm, with the last entry accepted at 5 pm.

Nami Island Ticket Info

Nami Island is a self-declared independent country, and every visitor needs a Naminara Republic VISA to get inside the Island. This Visa is essentially a ticket that includes both the entrance fee as well as the ticket price for the ferry ride you need to get to the Island. There are basically three kinds of tickets sold here:

Regular Tickets: A regular ticket costs ₩16,000 per person.

Discount Tickets: For students (both middle schoolers and high school students) and senior citizens above the age of 70, the ticket price is ₩13,000.

Special Tickets: There is also a special ticket, sold at only ₩10,000, for children above the age of 3 years and elementary school and people who purchase the ticket before 8 am. This special discount is also applicable when the ticket is purchased after 06:01 pm from December to March and after 06:31 pm from April to November months.

You can also acquire a Nami Island passport here. This Passport allows you free entrance to the Island for a year. With this Passport in hand, there is absolutely no limitation on the number of visits you make. So, if you are planning to stay in Seoul or any other place in South Korea for a couple of years, getting yourself a Nami Island-issued password would be a really good idea. This way, you will always know what place to visit in South Korea on any random day!

Here is a list of the five types of Passports of the Naminara Republic you can acquire:

Naminarian Passport: If you are an adult, the passport fee you need to pay is ₩58,000.

Pet-friendly Passport: if you have a pet that you wish to bring along to Nami Island, this Passport is the one you need to get. The fee for a Pet-friendly Nami Island Passport is ₩59,000.

Child-friendly Passport: if you have kids, you should get a child-friendly passport on Nami Island, which allows you and your child free entrance to the Island. The fee for a Child-friendly Passport is ₩69,000.

Senior Naminarian Passport:  If you are a senior citizen above the age of 70 years, you need to get a Senior Naminarian passport, for which you will be required to pay ₩49,000.

Lifetime Passport: If you are a contributor to the Art and Culture, you will get a Lifetime Passport for Nami Island, which is a permanent passport. No fee is charged for this type of Passport.

Conclusion

If you are a fan of visiting fantastical locations, one which reminds you of a faerie forest, Nami Island is somewhere you don’t want to skip visiting while in South Korea. Nami Island is also kids-friendly so if you have kids, bring them here too. Nami Island is a wonderful day trip destination where you spend your time enjoying a calm atmosphere and captivating scenery.

This crescent moon-shaped island is a paradise filled with lovely tree lanes, riverside walks, little bunnies and squirrels where you can witness what a faery forest might look like.

Don’t you want to be surrounded by the most beautiful scenery and relax away from the daily race of your life?

If you enjoyed reading about Nami Island, then make sure to check out our other travel inspiration blog. Also, do drop your comments and share your experience with us. We would love to hear all about your adventures too!

FAQs

Is Nami Island worth visiting?

Yes, Nami Island is worth visiting, and you will not regret coming here. Not only for k-drama fans but for any person visiting South Korea, Nami Island is a wonderful place to visit where you can spend quality time with your loved ones and even by yourself in the lap of nature. Rabbits and peacocks are a common sight, and it is simply lovely here all around. Nami Island is just that magical!

How do I get tickets for Nami Island?

You can easily purchase tickets to Nami Island on the spot; though being such a popular location, there is often a long queue at the ticket counter. But you can just as easily buy tickets online from their website and enter Nami Island by showing your mobile voucher.

Are pets allowed on Nami Island?

Yes! You can even bring your pets to Nami Island. However, you have to make sure that your pet(s) is always under our supervision. They should be on a leash at all times while in public places, and your pet is solely your responsibility.

Which is the best month to visit Nami Island?

Nami island is beautiful all year round, and it isn’t easy to pick one month. However, if you wish to enjoy the best weather, then visit Nami Island in May, June and September.

How much time does it take to get to Nami Island from Seoul?

If you travel by car or taxi, it would take only 1 hour for you to reach here. Via train and Subway, it would usually take 1.5 hours to 2 hours, respectively, to reach Gapyeong from Seoul.

Do you need a passport to go to Nami Island?

No, you don’t need to bring your Passport to get to Nami Island. What you do need is an ‘Entry Visa, ‘ which is basically your ticket to enter Nami Island. This ticket covers both your entrance fee as well as the ferry ride.

Can you stay overnight at Nami Island?

Yes, you can stay overnight at Nami Island. There is a popular boutique hostel called Jeonggwan Hotel here where you can stay at night and enjoy Nami Island’s beauty when there is no crowd.

How long is Gapyeong from Seoul?

The distance between Seoul and Gapyeong is 67 kilometres, and depending on your mode of transportation, you can easily reach Gapyeong from Seoul within 1 to 2 hours.

Is there a Cherry Blossom season on Nami Island?

Yes, on Nami Island, you get to enjoy Cherry Blossom in springtime. In fact, Cherry Blossom season is one of the most popular seasons for day trips on Nami Island.

Is Nami Island its own country?

Nami Island or Namiseom is a micronation that declared its independence as ‘The Republic of Naminara’ in March 2006. It is described as a tourist destination that aims to create and live a fairy tale. Nami Island even has its own currency, stamp and flag too!

Nami island tour package

1. Nami Island & Garden of Morning Calm & Gangchon Railbike Tour
2. Day Trip to Nami Island with Petite France and Garden of Morning Calm
3. Day Trip to Nami Island and Gangchon Elysian Ski Resort from Seoul

Nami Island Itinerary with Expenses

If you’re visiting Nami Island on a day trip by yourself, below is a sample 1 Day itinerary with a breakdown of expenses. This itinerary from Seoul to Nami Island goes as follows:

Travel from Seoul to Gapyeong

Depending on which mode of travel you choose, your expense can vary, with the cheapest way to reach Nami Island being Subway (₩2,000-₩2,900) and the most convenient being taking a shuttle bus to Nami Island, in which entrance fee to Nami Island is included (₩24,000-₩26,000).

Travel time- 1 to 1.5 hours

Taxi to Ferry Terminal

From Gapyeong Station, you have to take a taxi to the Ferry terminal, where Nami Island’s entrance fee is also sold. It is pretty easy to get a taxi here.

Taxi fare-₩6,000 to ₩7,500

Travel time- 5 to 15 minutes

Arrive on Nami Island

To reach Nami Island, you can either ride on the ferry, which will bring you to the Island in 5 minutes. You can also be adventurous and opt for Zipline, which will bring you onto Nami Island in 2 minutes.

Ferry Expense- Included in the Entrance ticket

Zipline Expense- ₩49,900

Explore Nami Island

There are many beautiful locations on Nami Island that you must visit. Take a long walk through central Korean Pine tree lane, Ginkgo Tree Lane and Metasequoia Lane. Visit Winter Sonata’s Special spots like visiting the life-size figures of Kang Joon-sang and Jeong Yoo-jin,  Maple Lane of True Love, and First Kiss Glass Sequoia Bridge. Also, don’t forget to rent a bike and ride on the UNICEF Charity Train!

Time: 2- 3 hours are sufficient to explore every place mentioned above.

Grab Lunch or a Quick Snack

There are many great cafes and even a halal-certified restaurant where you can grab a quick snack or have a proper meal. Check out the list of cafes and Restaurants that I have mentioned in this article. There are also some souvenir shops here, so if you are interested in taking a memento back from Nami Island, you can shop while grabbing food.

Expense– ₩10,000- ₩15,000 suggested budget.

Take Ferry Back to Mainland

When you are done exploring Nami Island and with your lunch, get a ferry back to the mainland, Gapyeong. Ferry service is available every 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the season.

Travel Time- 5 minutes

Visit Petite France

After you return to the city, you can take a taxi from the ferry terminal to Petite, France. This is a small cultural theme park inspired by the classical book ‘The Little Prince, and you can explore it all and catch a few performances in one hour.

Taxi fare-₩19,000 to ₩24,000

Entrance fee: ₩10,000/pax

Travel time- 15 to 20 minutes

Visit Garden of Morning Calm

After Petite France, you can get a taxi to Garden of Morning Calm, the last location of the day. You can take a tranquil walk around this exquisite garden and explore Cloud Bridge, Pond Garden, Millennium Juniper and Sunken Garden. It will all take you around 2 hours.

Taxi fare-₩31,000 to ₩37,000

Entrance fee: ₩9,500/pax

Travel time- 25 to 30 minutes

Taxi to Catch the Train

After you are done exploring the Garden of Morning Calm, it will be time to return to Seoul. You can take a taxi from Garden of Morning Calm to Daeseong-ri Station, where you can either get the subway or the ITX-Cheongchun.

Travel to Daeseong-ri Station:

Taxi fare-₩25,000 to ₩31,000

Taxi Travel time- 20 minutes approximately

From Daeseong-ri Station to Seoul:

Train fare- ₩5,200- ₩9,000

Subway fare- ₩3,100-₩3,400

Taxi Travel time- 1 hour approximately

Of course, you can always make adjustments as per your needs. Depending on your budget, you can spend more or less on food, travel and souvenirs. But in the end, make sure you are spontaneous and have a lot of fun!