As early summer draws people outside, Yeouido offers things to do on land, sea and sky

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As early summer draws people outside, Yeouido offers things to do on land, sea and sky

Published: 29 May. 2026, 07:00 Updated: 29 May. 2026, 17:30

WOO JI-WON
[email protected]

Audio report: written by reporters, read by AI

Passengers ride the Hangang Bus ferry on May 19. [SEOUL TOURISM ORGANIZATION]

Early summer in Seoul nudges people outdoors. Before long, the day becomes a choice between heading for the water or chasing the sky.

In western Seoul’s Yeouido, though, there is no need to choose. Instead, you can cut through the Han River aboard the Hangang Bus ferry before soaring upward on Seouldal, the city’s giant tethered hot-air balloon.

After arriving at the Hangang Bus’s Jamsil dock in Songpa District, southern Seoul, on a Tuesday, the wide-open Han River stretched out before the eyes. With 10 minutes left before departure, people were already waiting excitedly on the platform as the ferry, capable of carrying up to 199 people, slowly pulled in.

A Hangang Bus ferry is docked at Jamsil Dock in Songpa District, southern Seoul. [SEOUL TOURISM ORGANIZATION]

Launched last September to expand public transportation beyond land, Hangang Bus is a river-based ferry service connecting seven stops along the Han River: Jamsil, Ttukseom, Oksu, Apgujeong, Yeouido, Mangwon and Magok.

Although the service was introduced as an affordable form of everyday transportation, it is increasingly becoming one of Seoul’s must-try attractions, with many passengers, from locals to foreign tourists, treating it more as a sightseeing experience.

“It’s really nice traveling on the river,” said Cristtel Ramirez, who was taking photos with her friends on the ferry’s deck. “I’m having a really relaxing time.”

Cristtel Ramirez, right, and her friend pose for a photo during a ride on the Hangang Bus ferry on May 19. [WOO JI-WON]

Beyond the scenic views, what surprised her the most was the ticket price. “In my country [Mexico], it would cost a lot more,” she said. The ride costs a maximum of 3,000 won ($2) and becomes cheaper if a person needs to transfer on their way.

On another part of the deck, Yang Jin-kyung was filming a TikTok to a song by the boy band Cortis.

“I didn’t come planning to film,” Yang said. “But the scenery was so nice that I decided to anyway. It’s fun but a little scary to go under bridges.”

More than 270,000 people have used the Hangang Bus service so far, with daily ridership now averaging around 2,000 passengers, according to the Seoul Tourism Organization. After experiencing operational issues during its early months, one of the two routes was temporarily suspended, but both have been running normally since March.

Riders sit inside a Hangang Bus ferry. [SEOUL TOURISM ORGANIZATION]

Few passengers have boarded the ferry for its original intended purpose. Lee Nu-rim boarded alone at Apgujeong while heading home to Yeouido during a break from his military service.

“I saw it online and thought that it looked fun, and the route happened to line up with my way home,” he explained. Still, he was unsure whether he would use it regularly as a means of transportation. “It’s definitely worth trying once for the experience, but I don’t know if I’d ride it often.”

Part of the hesitation comes from the travel time. The ferry, moving at roughly 29 kilometers (18 miles) per hour, takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes from Jamsil to Yeouido dock. On the subway, that journey takes about 40 minutes.

But for those hoping to enjoy Seoul’s iconic river without spending much, the ferry’s slower pace is part of its charm. The Hangang Bus currently runs two round-trip routes — Yeouido-Jamsil and Yeouido-Magok — with 16 ferries operating daily from 10 a.m. to 8:27 p.m. Single tickets can be purchased at ticket machines located at each dock.

The tethered hot-air balloon Seouldal rises into the sky on May 19. [WOO JI-WON]

Just a 15-minute walk from the Yeouido dock awaits another of Seoul’s hottest attractions: Seouldal, a giant moon-shaped balloon floating 130 meters (426.5 feet) above the city.

For a tourist named Militia and her boyfriend, it was the very first thing that they wanted to do in Seoul.

“We just arrived last night,” the German visitor said. “I’m excited to see the city view and all the tall buildings.”

The tethered hot-air balloon Seouldal rises into the sky.[SEOUL TOURISM ORGANIZATION]

Less than two years after opening, Seouldal has already welcomed around 100,000 riders, with foreigners accounting for 44 percent of visitors.

Located in the heart of Yeouido Park, Seouldal lifts visitors into the sky for 15 minutes at a time. During the ride, passengers can see the Han River, dozens of skyscrapers and the National Assembly Building, with even Jamsil’s Lotte World Tower visible in the distance for a truly panoramic view of the capital. Another equally beautiful scene unfolds at night, when the skyline sparkles with city lights — which explains why the balloon sometimes serves as a backdrop for marriage proposals.

Riders on the Seouldal hot-air balloon take photos of the view. [WOO JI-WON]

While tickets — 25,000 won for adults and 15,000 won for children — are available on site, it is highly recommended to make reservations online through Klook and Kkday due to the hot-air balloon’s popularity.

Seouldal currently operates from noon to 10 p.m. on weekdays and from 10 a.m. to midnight on weekends. Slots may be canceled or changed depending on weather conditions.

Beyond the ferry and balloon rides, Yeouido itself is full of activity. Picnics, perhaps the area’s most iconic pastime, are currently at their peak. While simple mats can be rented at Yeouido Hangang Park, located near exit 6 of Yeouinaru Station, for around 5,000 won, shops in the area offer more aesthetic picnic setups for about 15,000 to 20,000 won.

A group of people enjoy a picnic at Yeouido Hangang Park on May 18. [WOO JI-WON]

A couple rides on a family-sized bike at Yeouido Hangang Park on May 18. [WOO JI-WON]

Grab ramyeon, or instant noodles, at a nearby convenience store, where you can cook it on-site using a ramyeon maker, or enjoy chimaek, the beloved combination of chicken and beer, at a bb.q restaurant on the second floor of the Yeouido Hangang Bus dock.

It is also the perfect season for biking along the river. People can rent bikes at Yeouido Hangang Park starting at 3,000 won an hour for solo bikes, with children’s bikes and even family-sized options available. For those seeking a slower-paced activity, outdoor yoga sessions also take place sporadically in the park. Yoga instructor Yogahemni is set to hold one on Wednesday.

An outdoor yoga session takes place at Yeouido Hangang Park on May 18. [WOO JI-WON]

More activities are planned every weekend through June 14 as part of Hangang Wellness Week, organized by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. This Saturday’s programs include music therapy, tea therapy and singing bowl meditation. Sunday’s schedule features interactive performances and wellness-themed concerts along the river. More information is available on the Hangang Wellness Week website.

BY WOO JI-WON [[email protected]]

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As early summer draws people outside, Yeouido offers things to do on land, sea and sky

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