Nami Island | Must-visit Day Trips from Seoul | Travel Guide

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Our day 4 in Seoul was dedicated to a side trip to Nami Island, one of the most popular tourist destination in South Korea.

Nami Island (Namiseom), is a half-moon shaped island located on Bukhan river located in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province. It became a popular tourist destination after being featured in one K-drama.

We visited Nami Island during winter. Although it wasn’t snowing, the temperature ranges between 3°C and 5°C, which was still quite cold.

Our trip started from Myeongdong, we travelled northeast for about 1.5 hours to Gapyeong Wharf, the jump-off point to Nami Island.

One unique feature of Nami Island is that it operates like a “micronation”. Visitors must pass through its own Immigration, where visa fee includes the admission ticket and the round-trip ferry ride.

The ferry ride to Nami Island is short but scenic. Visitors can either sit inside the ferry cabin or stand on the outdoor deck to enjoy the view of the surroundings.

A unique map of Nami Island.

There are several restaurants, cafes and gift shops within Nami Island. During this trip, we didn’t try any of them since our tour package included lunch at another restaurant, but I remember trying one during my previous visit.

The most iconic attraction in Nami Island is the tree-lined paths. The island has several scenic path but I think the Central Pine Tree Path is the longest.

Aside from strolling around Nami Island, visitors can also enjoy other activities such as: Zipline, Nami Island Museum, Charity Train, Story Tour bus, Forest Adventure area and renting a bike. This is the most popular one and most efficient way of exploring the Island. Photo is from our previous visit

During this experience, we didn’t fully explored Nami Island because it is part of a tour package, and we were traveling at a more relaxed pace. Most of our time was spent along the tree-lined paths, taking family photos and enjoying a winter scenery.

However, Nami Island has many attractions and scenic spots, and exploring the island would easily take at least a full day. Nami Island is a must-visit spot in South Korea, especially for first-timers.

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WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT NAMI ISLAND

The best time to visit Nami Island is during autumn, when the foliage creates a colorful scenic foliage atmosphere. Winter is also a good option of you want a snowy palace experience.

WHAT ARE THE THINGS TO PACK TO SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – Winter Edition

Clothes for cold weather
Jacket
Comfortable shoes/ sneakers/ boots
Backpack
Camera / gear
Powerbank
Toiletries
Tumbler

WHERE TO STAY IN SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA

These are the accommodation/s I’ve tried and would recommend to you. If interested, you can book via Agoda by clicking the link below:

Myeongdong Area
1. Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Namdaemun

HOW TO GET TO TO NAMI ISLAND FROM MYEONGDONG

The fastest way is by taxi or thru ride-hailing apps. Although this option can be more expensive.

Another good option is by subway/train:

From Myeongdong Station, take the ITX-Cheongchun Train to Gapyeong Station.
From Gapyeong Station, take a taxi or a local bus to Gapyeong Wharf.
Travel time is around 2 hours.

One convenient option is to book a round-trip shuttle bus from Myeongdong to Nami Island via Klook. Cick here Nami Island Shuttle

NAMI ISLAND BUDGET AND ITINERARY

The estimated budget for a visit Nami Island is around ₩50,000.00 - ₩60,000.00 per pax. This estimates is based on the entrance fee and in consideration of lunch, snack and transportation fee.

Entrance Fee:

Adult: 19,000 won
Students/Seniors: 16,000
Free admission for children under 36 months
There’s a special fee rate: 13,000 (refer to the image above)

NOTE: Prices may change without prior notice.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN VISITING NAMI ISLAND – Winter Edition

Nami Island Information
- Website: https://namisum-en.imweb.me/
- Address: 1 Namiseom-gil, Namsan-myeon, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do, South Korea
- Contact number: +82 31-580-8114
- E-mail: namitour@naminara.com
Nami Island Schedule
- Ferry Schedule
  - First Trip: 8:00 AM
  - Last Trip: 6:30 PM (April-October), 5:30 PM November-March)
- Island Schedule
  - 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM (April-October), 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (November-March)
Nami Island Amenities and Activities:
- Bike Rental
  o Location: at the center of the island near Unchi Garden.
  o Bike options available: Single, Tandem, Family, Electric Tri-way, EZ-Bike and Sky Bike
- Hanbok Rental
  o Location: near the Nami Island Wharf
- Charity Train
  o Route: From The Song Museum to the main square
  o Fare: ₩4,000 (one-way)
- Story Tour Bus
  o    Guided bus tour around the island.
  o    Boarding point: near Nami Wharf.
  o    Fare: ₩10,000
- Forest Adventure
  o A fun activity in Nami Island that includes the TreeGo and TreeCoaster
  o Entrance Fee: ₩13,000 per pass
- ZipWire
  o A zipline from Gapyeong Wharf to Nami Island.
  o Price: ₩55,000, includes the Entrance fee to Nami Island and the return ferry ticket.
- Other Amenities
  o    Restaurants
  o    Cafes
  o    Lockers
  o    ATM
  o    Hanbok rentals available near the palace
Designated parking areas for visitors in Gapyeong Wharf
Download essential apps such as: Google Translate, KakaoT or Uber, Naver Map for navigation.
Rent a pocket Wi-Fi or eSim in advance. This way you’ll have data as soon as you land in Seoul. I’ve tried pocket Wi-Fi during our vacation and encountered no issues on connections or signal. You can find the link for the pocket Wi-Fi here.
Nami Island is pet-friendly

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA TRAVEL TIPS

Secure your passport
Be sure to have a credit card for emergency
If you’re not used to cold weather, moisturize regularly to help prevent winter rash and dry skin.
When available, reserve seats in advance, especially for trains and tours, to avoid inconvenience.
Instead of buying bottled water, bring a reusable tumbler. Many hotels and public places have refill stations.
Exploring Seoul often involves a lot of walking, so wearing comfortable, well-cushioned shoes is essential.
Schedule your visit at Nami Island during weekdays for a less crowded palace setting.

IMPORTANT TIPS FOR PARENTS TRAVELING TO SEOUL WITH BABIES

During winter, as a general rule, babies should wear one extra layer compared to adults.
Bring a basic medicine kit recommended by your pediatrician, as familiar medicines may not always be available.
Not all underpasses and subway stations in Seoul have elevators or escalators, so it’s more practical to use a baby carrier instead of a stroller.
While there are ramps available within Gyeongbokgung Palace, navigating the palace grounds with a stroller can still be challenging due to the uneven stone floors.
For breastfeeding moms, lactation rooms can be difficult to find when exploring the city. Bringing a nursing cover allows you to breastfeed comfortably and conveniently anywhere.
We opted for a guided tour for convenience since we were traveling with a baby. However, one downside is having to follow a fixed schedule, which can be challenging with feeding times and naps. If possible, a DIY itinerary with handpicked destinations may be a better option, allowing you to travel at your own pace and enjoy the experience more fully.
Stroller rental and Nursing room available in Nami Island.