Nami Island (남이섬, Namiseom) is one of South Korea’s most visited destinations, drawing millions of visitors each year with its tree-lined avenues, river scenery, and year-round seasonal beauty. Located in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, about 80 km east of Seoul, it is easy to reach as a day trip and pairs naturally with several nearby attractions that make the journey even more worthwhile, and it can also be slotted into a longer 3-day Seoul itinerary for visitors with more time.
Getting to Nami Island and Buying Tickets
The most straightforward route from Seoul is the ITX-Cheongchun train from Yongsan or Gapyeong stations to Gapyeong Station, a ride of about 70 minutes. From Gapyeong Station take a local bus (Bus 33, around 1,000 KRW) or taxi (around 4,000–5,000 KRW) to the Nami Island ferry dock. The ferry crossing itself takes roughly five minutes and runs continuously throughout the day.
Entry to Nami Island is handled through a combined ferry and admission ticket. As of 2024, the standard adult admission is 13,000 KRW, which covers the round-trip ferry. Children aged 3–12 pay 10,000 KRW. Tickets can be purchased at the dock booth or in advance on the Nami Island official website. The island is open daily from 09:00 to 21:00, with the last ferry departing at 20:30.
Once on the island, entry is free to roam. The main Metasequoia Lane — the long avenue of towering dawn redwoods — is the most photographed spot and is located just minutes from the ferry terminal. Other highlights include the Birch Tree Road, the Gingko Tree Road (brilliant gold in October and November), open lawns along the Han River, small art installations, and several cafes and restaurants. Plan at least two to three hours to walk the island comfortably.
Nearby Attraction: Petite France
About 10 km from the Nami Island ferry dock is Petite France (쁘띠프랑스), a French-themed cultural village perched on a hillside overlooking Cheongpyeong Lake. Admission is 12,000 KRW for adults and 8,000 KRW for children. The village is famous as a filming location for the Korean drama My Love from the Star and features replicas of traditional French architecture, a Saint-Exupéry museum dedicated to The Little Prince, and regular puppet and mime performances on weekends.
Shuttle buses and local taxis connect Petite France with Gapyeong Station and the Nami Island dock. Many visitors combine both in a single day by visiting Nami Island in the morning, taking a taxi to Petite France for the early afternoon, and returning to Seoul by the late afternoon ITX train. Budget an extra 1–2 hours at Petite France.
Nearby Attraction: Garden of Morning Calm
The Garden of Morning Calm (아침고요수목원) in Gapyeong is one of Korea’s largest private gardens, covering about 330,000 square meters on the slopes of Chungnyeong Mountain. Admission is 11,000 KRW for adults and 8,000 KRW for children, though prices increase slightly during the winter illumination festival (late November through January), which draws large crowds after dark.
The garden is divided into several themed sections including the Korean Traditional Garden, the Alpine Garden, the Bonsai Garden, and the Heavenly Blue Garden. Spring sees azaleas and tulips in bloom, summer brings lush green foliage, autumn delivers spectacular maple colors, and winter transforms the grounds with thousands of LED lights. The shuttle bus from Cheongpyeong Station (Line 경춘선) runs directly to the garden entrance, making it easy to add as a stop before or after Nami Island.
Practical Tips for the Full Day Trip
- Start early: take the first ITX-Cheongchun from Yongsan (around 06:30) to beat the crowds at Nami Island, especially on weekends.
- Bring cash: small food stalls and the local Bus 33 around Gapyeong do not always accept card payment.
- Best seasons: late October to mid-November for autumn foliage on Nami Island’s tree avenues; late March to mid-April for cherry blossoms around Gapyeong.
- Food on the island: Nami Island has a food court near the main entrance serving bibimbap (around 9,000 KRW), dak-galbi (spicy chicken, 12,000 KRW), and corn dogs. Alternatively, pack a picnic — the island has many open lawn areas perfect for eating outside.
- Combination itinerary: Nami Island (09:00–12:00) → Petite France (12:30–14:30) → Garden of Morning Calm (15:00–17:00) → ITX back to Seoul (depart ~18:00 from Gapyeong). If you have another free day, a DMZ tour from Seoul makes a good contrast to the nature-focused Nami Island trip.
- Total budget estimate per adult for the full day: ITX train round trip ~14,800 KRW, Nami Island 13,000 KRW, Petite France 12,000 KRW, Garden of Morning Calm 11,000 KRW, meals ~20,000 KRW — approximately 70,000–80,000 KRW all in.
Admission Prices and What to Expect at the Gate
Entry to Nami Island includes the ferry ride both ways. As of 2026 — verify before visiting — the standard admission fee is approximately ₩16,000 for adults and ₩8,000 for children. This covers unlimited time on the island, so there is no pressure to rush. The island operates year-round, and peak seasons (spring cherry blossom season in April and autumn foliage in October–November) see the longest queues at the ferry dock. Arriving before 10:00 a.m. on weekdays noticeably reduces wait times.
Budget travelers should note that food and souvenir prices inside the island run higher than on the mainland — a simple meal at the island’s restaurants costs roughly ₩10,000–₩15,000 per person as of 2026. Bringing a packed lunch from Gapyeong town is a practical alternative that most visitors overlook.
Nearby Attractions Worth Combining in One Day
Nami Island pairs exceptionally well with two nearby spots that require little extra travel time, turning a half-day outing into a full and varied day trip from Seoul.
- Petite France (쁘띠프랑스): A French-themed cultural village about 20 minutes from Gapyeong by taxi or shuttle. Entry is around ₩12,000 for adults as of 2026 — verify before visiting. It is compact but makes for a visually distinctive stop, especially popular for photography.
- Garden of Morning Calm (아침고요수목원): One of Korea’s most celebrated botanical gardens, roughly 30 minutes from Nami Island by car. Admission is approximately ₩11,000 as of 2026. The garden rewards slower-paced visitors and is stunning during the winter light festival (December–February).
- Gapyeong town itself: The riverside town near the ferry dock has affordable dakgalbi (spicy stir-fried chicken) restaurants — a Chuncheon regional specialty — with most sets priced around ₩10,000–₩13,000 per person as of 2026.
A practical tip: if you plan to visit both Nami Island and one of the gardens, take Nami Island first in the morning when energy is high and crowds at the ferry are lighter, then move to the garden in the early afternoon — and if you are combining this trip with more time in the capital, check the Discover Seoul Pass guide for transport and ticketing options. Renting a bicycle on the island (approximately ₩3,000–₩7,000 per hour as of 2026 — verify before visiting) lets you cover the full tree-lined avenues in about 40 minutes, leaving plenty of day left for nearby stops.