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South Korea

Seoul

Old and new Seoul face each other across the Han River, tied together by one of the world's largest metro networks.

Hangang Bus (한강버스)

Fully cashless - and a bank card won't tap you aboard: ride on T-money or a kiosk single ticket (card only). A flat 3,000 won, but high water and weather cancel sailings often, so check the day's status first.

Updated on July 30, 2026

How to ride

  1. 1
    Get a T-money card first
    Buy a T-money card at a convenience store and top it up with cash beforehand - the piers take no cash at all.
  2. 2
    Check the day's sailing status
    Check the day's sailing status on the official site the morning you ride - high-water and weather cancellations are common.
  3. 3
    Check the timetable, then head to the pier
    Check the timetable before you go - boats run roughly hourly. All eight piers are a short walk from a subway station.
  4. 4
    Take a number, then tap and board
    Take a numbered ticket; when your turn comes, tap your T-money at the reader (single tickets: scan the code) and board.
  5. 5
    Change at Yeouido for end-to-end trips
    Change boats at Yeouido for end-to-end trips - same direction is free (backtracking costs a new fare).
  6. 6
    Tap off when you land
    Tap out when you get off - within 30 minutes it earns the transfer discount to subway or bus.

Fares

Single fares1

Single ride (flat fare)
Youth (13-18) 1,800, children (6-12) 1,100 won; card and single ticket same price
3,000 KRW ≈ $2

Card itself1

T-money card purchase
Card cost at convenience stores and stations; top-up separate, non-refundable. Price varies by design
2,500〜3,000 KRW ≈ $2

Estimates use exchange rates as of November 4, 2026

No reservations - boarding is first-come by numbered ticket handed out at the pier (boats hold 199 or 155 depending on the vessel; the next boat's numbers go out once the previous one departs).

Payment

Tap to ride
No open-loop tap to board; kiosks do take cards for single tickets
IC card
T-money-family cards only; top-ups usually cash
Paper tickets
Valid same day, purchase pier only; kiosks card-only, no transfer discount
Cash
Completely cashless - even the kiosks refuse cash

Quick facts

Hours
11:00–21:30
Frequency
Roughly hourly
Fares from
3,000 KRW+

Heads-up

  • Sailings are often cancelled for high water or weather

    Sailings are frequently cancelled for high water or bad weather - pre-emptively when Paldang Dam releases water, with several days lost to the July 2026 downpours. Check the official site the day you ride.

Timetable

Operating hours 11:00–21:30
Typical duration About 50 minutes Magok-Yeouido, 85 minutes Yeouido-Jamsil
Check the official site for the latest times and service status
Editor Naotaka