N Seoul Tower sits on top of Namsan Mountain, right in the middle of Seoul. It's easy to see from almost anywhere in the city, but working out how to actually get up there can be confusing. Should you take the bus, the cable car or walk? Can you drive? What about a stroller?
We went up with our 33-month-old and took the bus. Here's a simple guide to every way up, with what worked for us as a family.
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| The Namsan Seoul Tower bus stop, a few minutes' walk below the tower |
Quick answer: the 3 ways up
- Bus 01A / 01B (our pick): cheapest and easiest. About 10 minutes from Chungmuro Station, then a 7-minute walk.
- Namsan Cable Car: the scenic option. A 10-minute uphill walk from Myeongdong Station, then a 3 to 5 minute ride. Weekend lines can be long.
- Walking: free and pretty, but steep in places. Best for older kids and good weather.
- Driving: not possible to the top. Regular cars can't use the summit road.
Option 1: Namsan Circular Bus 01A / 01B (best for families)
Where to catch it
The easiest stop is Chungmuro Station (충무로역), Exit 2, on Subway Lines 3 and 4. Come out of Exit 2 and walk straight ahead. The bus stop is right there.
Staying in Myeongdong? You can also walk a few minutes to the first stop of the route, the Namsan Yejang Bus Transfer Parking Lot (남산예장버스환승주차장), and board there. Dongguk University Station (Line 3) is another stop on the route.
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| Boarding the 01B at Chungmuro Station Exit 2.(yellow circle) The stops are listed on the side of the bus |
Which bus?
Both 01A and 01B stop at Namsan Seoul Tower (남산서울타워), so take whichever comes first.
- 01A: roughly every 5 to 12 minutes
- 01B: roughly every 10 to 18 minutes
- Hours: about 6:30 am to 11:00 pm
- Fare: about 1,400 won per adult with a T-money card
Important: these buses don't take cash. Load your T-money card at a convenience store or subway station before you go, and tap it on the reader as you board.
The buses come in different colors, so look for the route number rather than the color. Some are wrapped inside and out with Hechi, Seoul's cute mascot. Our son was thrilled to ride one.
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| Inside a Hechi bus. Tap your T-money on the reader as you board |
From the bus stop to the tower
The ride takes about 10 minutes. Get off at the Namsan Seoul Tower stop and walk straight up the road. It's about 300 meters, or 7 minutes. The slope is gentle, and there's a restroom on the way. Our 33-month-old held our hands and walked the whole way up. To go back down, catch the bus from the same stop.
Option 2: Namsan Cable Car
The cable car is the classic way up, and the views on the way are lovely. It's also the most expensive option, and weekend and sunset lines can be long.
- Where: the lower station is about a 10-minute uphill walk from Myeongdong Station, Exit 3 (Line 4)
- Hours: about 10:00 am to 11:00 pm
- Fares: adults about 15,000 won round trip or 12,000 won one way. Children (36 months to 12 years) about 11,500 won round trip or 9,000 won one way.
- Ride time: about 3 to 5 minutes
Tip for strollers: the walk from Myeongdong Station to the cable car is steep. Near Exit 4, there's a free inclined elevator called the Namsan Oreumi (남산오르미) that takes you most of the way up. It's closed on Mondays.
A good combo: ride the cable car up for the view, then take bus 01A or 01B back down. It saves money and skips the downhill queue.
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| Watching the cabins come in at the cable car station. Note the stairs: easier with a carrier than a stroller |
We rode it on an earlier winter visit, and our son was glued to the cabins swinging in and out of the station. There are stairs inside the station, so we carried him rather than bringing the stroller.
Option 3: Walking up
Namsan has several paved walking paths, including routes past the old Seoul City Wall. It's free and beautiful, especially in spring and autumn. But some sections are long and steep, so it's best for older kids, good weather and families who like a hike.
With a toddler or a stroller, we'd skip the full walk up. Take the bus to the top, then walk down part of the way if you want a stroll.
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| The paved path near the top is wide and gentle enough for little legs, with mountain views all the way |
Can you drive to N Seoul Tower?
No. Regular cars can't drive up to the summit. There are parking lots near the cable car and around Namsan Park, but they fill up fast on weekends and you'll still need to take the bus, cable car or walk. If you're traveling Korea by rental car, leave it at your hotel for this one.
Which way is best?
- With a toddler or stroller: bus 01A / 01B
- On a budget: bus, or walk if you're up for it
- For the view on the way: cable car up, bus down
- Older kids on a nice day: walk part of the way
Tips before you go
- Load your T-money card. The circular buses are cash-free.
- Go early on weekends. We arrived just after 9 am and it was already busy with runners and cyclists.
- Bring a light jacket. It's windier and cooler at the top, especially in the evening.
- You don't have to buy a tower ticket. The plaza in front of the Palgakjeong pavilion has a great free view over the city.
- Check prices and hours before you go. Fares and opening times can change.
Visiting in autumn? See our guide to Namsan autumn leaves. For more ideas, check out Seoul with a toddler and our list of easy day trips from Seoul.
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