During my recent self-driving trip in South Korea, as I made my way from Seoul to Busan, I stopped in Gangneung, a beautiful city on the East Coast. It was incredibly fun and photogenic, so it’s no surprise that many people specifically plan a Gangneung day trip from Seoul.
This article summarizes transportation, attractions, itinerary suggestions, and food recommendations for anyone planning to visit Gangneung!
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Where is Gangneung? Only Two Hours from Seoul!
Gangneung is located on the East Coast of South Korea, in the south-central part of Gangwon-do, right next to the East Sea. It is one of the most popular seaside cities in Korea. Whether you take the high-speed rail (KTX), drive yourself, or take a bus, you can easily reach it from Seoul, making it a highly popular Gangneung day trip choice for locals on weekends.
Gangneung has four distinct seasons: cherry blossoms in spring, swimming and sea views in summer, and in autumn and winter, it can be combined with nearby Pyeongchang or Seoraksan for skiing or mountain adventures, offering a wide variety of ways to play.
Transportation for a Gangneung Day Trip from Seoul
KTX High-Speed Rail (Approx. 1 hr 50 mins)
Taking the KTX from Seoul Station or Cheongnyangni Station to Gangneung Station is one of the most recommended methods. The journey takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. After arriving, you can transfer to local buses, taxis, or rent a car. It is highly recommended to book your tickets on the official website at least two weeks in advance to avoid tickets being sold out!
If you plan to take the KTX more than three times or visit other nearby cities, purchasing a KR PASS (Korea Rail Pass) might be more cost-effective.
👉 Check KR PASS Prices: KKday, Klook
Express Bus (Approx. 2.5–3 hours)
You can take a direct bus from Seoul Express Bus Terminal to Gangneung. It takes longer but is cheaper, making it suitable for budget-conscious travelers. The drop-off point is usually the Gangneung Express Bus Terminal. While you can buy tickets on the official site, I recommend purchasing via Klook. The English interface is easy to use, and the QR code provided can be used to board directly without needing to exchange it at a machine.
👉 Buy Express Bus Tickets from Seoul to Gangneung: Klook
Self-Driving (Approx. 2.5 hours)
If you prefer driving, like I did, you can take the highway from Seoul. It takes about 2.5 hours to reach Gangneung. This allows for a flexible itinerary where you can also visit cities like Chuncheon or Sokcho along the way.
👉 Check Korea Car Rental Options: KKday, Klook
Join a Gangneung Day Trip Tour
The most worry-free way to enjoy a Gangneung day trip is to join an organized tour! Simply meet at the designated location in the morning, and the driver will take you to all the top spots without any planning on your part. For more flexibility, consider a private car charter where you can decide the attractions and let the driver handle the logistics—ideal for families with children or seniors.
Recommended Gangneung Day Trip Tours:
👉 K-pop x K-drama Gangneung Day Tour | Arte Museum x Jumunjin x BTS Bus Stop
👉 Gangwon-do Cherry Blossom Tour | Gyeongpodae Festival & Namsan Park
👉 BTS Bus Stop & Arte Museum Valley Gangneung Private Day Tour
👉 Gangneung Hotspots! BTS Bus Stop / Goblin / Haslla Art World / Coffee Street Tour
👉 Gangwon-do Coast Day Tour | Gangneung + Donghae + Samcheok Private Charter
Bonus Recommendation: Foreigner Tourist Taxi (Gangneung Area)
If you don’t want to drive or navigate Korean bus routes, the “Foreigner Tourist Taxi” service launched by the Korea Tourism Organization is a fantastic option for a Gangneung day trip!
This service can currently be booked in the Gangneung area. One taxi can seat up to 4 people, and drivers provide basic communication in English, Japanese, or Chinese. The price is incredible: the base rate is 60,000 KRW (approx. $43.20 USD) for 3 hours, but passengers only pay 20,000 KRW (approx. $14.40 USD) due to subsidies. Essentially, you can charter a car for 3 hours for only 20,000 KRW—an amazing deal.
📍 This service requires advance booking. For instructions, please refer to: Visit Korea Official Guide | Foreigner Tourist Taxi
Top Attractions in Gangneung
Gangneung Attraction #1 | Gyeongpo Lake and Gyeongpodae Pavilion
Gyeongpo Lake is an iconic lake in Gangneung. It is wide and surrounded by lush greenery. Whether it’s for cherry blossoms in spring, silver grass in autumn, or just a relaxing bike ride, it’s a very comfortable spot. There are well-maintained walking and cycling paths around the lake, and bicycles are available for rent.
Located on a hill overlooking the lake, Gyeongpodae Pavilion is a historic Korean pavilion where you can see both the lake and the distant East Sea. It is said to be a place where scholars once gathered to admire the moon. It is a very popular photo spot during the cherry blossom season!
Gangneung Attraction #2 | Anmok Coffee Street
No Gangneung day trip is complete without visiting Anmok Coffee Street! This area was originally a fishing port, but it evolved into a row of seaside cafes. Sitting by a floor-to-ceiling window with a cup of coffee while watching the waves is the most relaxing part of any Gangneung itinerary.
There are countless cafes to choose from, ranging from chains to independent shops. I visited Bossa Nova Coffee Roasters, which has four floors and plenty of seating. The rooftop terrace is perfect for catching the sea breeze on a clear day.
Gangneung Attraction #3 | Ojukheon and Seongyojang House
If you are interested in traditional Korean architecture or history, I recommend spending an hour at Ojukheon and Seongyojang House. These ancient residences are perfectly preserved and offer a glimpse into the lives of the Joseon Dynasty nobility.
Ojukheon is the birthplace of the famous Korean scholar Yi I. His mother, Shin Saimdang, is the historical figure depicted on the 50,000 KRW (approx. $36 USD) banknote. The complex is quiet and perfect for a slow stroll. Seongyojang House is much larger and is a designated National Folklore Cultural Heritage site often used as a filming location for K-dramas.
Gangneung Attraction #4 | BTS Bus Stop
ARMYs will definitely know this spot! Located on the beach in Jumunjin, this bus stop is the filming location for the “You Never Walk Alone” album cover. Although the original was removed, a replica was later installed due to popular demand, making it one of the hottest photo spots in Gangneung.
The backdrop is the endless blue sea, and even if you aren’t a fan, it’s worth a photo! There is even a tripod provided at the site so solo travelers can take great pictures.
Gangneung Attraction #5 | Jumunjin Beach (Goblin Filming Site)
K-drama fans have their own pilgrimage site here! The famous scene from “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God” (Goblin), where Gong Yoo and Kim Go-eun first meet by the breakwater, was filmed at Jumunjin Beach in Gangneung.
Actually, there are several similar-looking breakwaters here. If the line for the official filming spot is too long, any of the surrounding ones will look just as good in photos!
Gangneung Attraction #6 | Arte Museum Valley Gangneung
Arte Museum is a popular immersive media art exhibition, similar to TeamLab. The Gangneung location uses elements like nature, the East Sea, and poetry combined with light and sound to create a powerful sensory experience. This is a perfect indoor backup plan for a Gangneung day trip if it rains or is too cold outside.
👉 Book Arte Museum Valley Gangneung Tickets: KKday
Recommended Gangneung Day Trip Itineraries
Although attractions in Gangneung are somewhat spread out, moving between them by car or taxi is very easy. If you arrive by KTX or bus, you can use the tourist taxi or a private charter to make your day more flexible.
Here are two different styles of itineraries for your reference:
Itinerary A | The Artistic & Scenic Route
| Time | Itinerary |
|---|---|
| Morning | Start at Gyeongpo Lake, walk or rent a bike. Then visit Arte Museum Gangneung for the exhibition. |
| Noon | Head to Anmok Coffee Street. Pick a seaside cafe for brunch or light snacks. |
| Afternoon | Visit Gangneung Central Market for local street food and souvenirs. Finish at Ojukheon or Seongyojang House. If time permits, visit Jumunjin Beach. |
Itinerary B | The K-Drama & K-Pop Fan Route
| Time | Itinerary |
|---|---|
| Morning | Head straight to the BTS Bus Stop for photos, then catch the view at Gyeongpodae Pavilion and visit Arte Museum. |
| Noon | Move to Jumunjin Beach to relive the “Goblin” scene. Eat at Gangneung Central Market, famous for fried squid and tteokbokki. |
| Afternoon | End your Gangneung day trip at Anmok Coffee Street for coffee with a view, or take a final stroll around Gyeongpo Lake. |
Food Recommendations in Gangneung
Soontofu Gelato (Jumunjin Beach Branch)
This is a popular dessert shop with several branches. I visited the Jumunjin Beach branch, located right across from the Goblin breakwater. Each floor features large windows with stunning ocean views, and there is a parking lot for those driving.
Their specialty is gelato made from Gangneung’s famous Chodang soft tofu (초당순두부). The tofu flavor has a subtle soy aroma and a light, creamy texture that isn’t too sweet—definitely worth a try.
Hyeongje Kalguksu
This spicy kalguksu (knife-cut noodles) shop is a local legend visited by many celebrities. The menu is simple: spicy or non-spicy noodles, and dumplings.
The non-spicy version is milder, while the spicy broth is rich and heavy. The noodles are very chewy and satisfying. It’s a carb bomb, as it also includes pumpkin and potato, so you’ll leave feeling very full!
Gangneung Central Market
The Central Market is a must-visit food hub in Gangneung. You can find everything from squid sundae to dakgangjeong (fried chicken). However, I particularly recommend the Ox Head Soup (Somaeori-gukbap).
There is a whole alley dedicated to this dish. I chose Gwangdeok Restaurant, which is foreigner-friendly with English ordering kiosks. I recommend the “Ox Head + Tofu” soup. The beef is tender, and the tofu is soft—a healthy, protein-packed meal.
Chodang Tofu Village
The Chodang area is famous for its tofu village. The tofu here is made using seawater from the East Sea, giving it a smooth texture and rich soy flavor. Several restaurants specialized in tofu stew, cold tofu noodles, and tofu soup are located on this street. Gangneung tofu tastes quite different from what you find elsewhere!
I absolutely loved my Gangneung day trip, even though the weather was a bit overcast! I will definitely visit Gangneung again on my next trip to Seoul.
Check some hot tours in Busan:
📌 Seoul | Gyeongbokgung Palace Seohwa Hanbok Rental: KKday
📌 Seoul | Lotte World & Lotte World Aquarium Tickets: KKday｜Klook
📌 Everland Theme Park Admission Ticket: KKday｜Klook
📌 N Seoul Tower Ticket: Klook
📌 Korea SIM/eSIM Daily/Unlimited Data: KKday｜Holafly
📌 Korea | NAMANE Card (Customizable Prepaid Card): KKday｜Klook
📌 Incheon Airport (ICN) AREX Express Train Ticket to Seoul Station: KKday｜Klook
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