NAMI ISLAND DIY TRAVEL GUIDE 2026: How to Go, Expenses, Itinerary, What You Need to Know

Just a few hours away from Seoul, South Korea is a picturesque half-moon-shaped island — Nami Island. While it has gained international popularity after being featured in several Korean dramas, Nami Island’s charm— its tree-lined paths and scenic river views has never failed to lure tourists in.

They say you’ve never really been to South Korea without visiting Nami Island. And as someone who has experience the charm of Nami Island during its peak of autumn season, I can definitely say Nami Island is worthy of its description as a “must-visit destination in Korea.”

So whether you are planning to go to Nami Island to (1) beat the crowd or (2) you’re on a tight budget, this guide: Nami Island DIY Travel will surely help you!

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Table of Contents

Best Month to Visit Nami Island, Temperature, What to Wear

What’s really nice about destinations with 4 seasons like Korea, the destination’s charm changes as season change. From cherry blossoms in Spring to fiery autumn foliage and snowy winter wonderland. This reason alone makes it an all year-round destination. Its appeal doesn’t disappear when season changes.

Choosing the best month to visit will be depending on your personal preference. You can pick from the months below depending on what season you want to see. As for me, I’ve always been a fan of autumn, so I always go for the autumn season!

Spring months: March to May with early to mid April for cherry blossom peak. The weather is pleasant and mild (around 15-18°C in April/May) which is ideal for outdoor activities before summer. Wear comfortable and breathable light jackets in the morning/evening.
Autumn months: September to November with early November for peak of autumn where leaves are turning bright yellow/orange/red. Moreover, the temperature drops around 0°C to 9°C which makes layering helpful for the cold weather.
Winter months: December to March is when Nami Island turns into a winter wonderland. The temperature can drop to -10°C or lower. Make sure to dress in multiple warm layers focusing on heattech as your base, layer it with sweathers/hoodies and then thermal jackets. Gloves and earmuffs can help protect your hands and ears from the cold weather too.

Note: if you are eyeing for scenic views, I would skip summer season and go for Spring, Autumn or Winter instead.

What You Need to Know Before Going to Nami Island

Below are practical tips I jotted down before you go to Nami Island to make sure your trip is smooth, budget-friendly, and enjoyable especially if you’re doing it DIY!

BEAT THE CROWD! Be early and catch the earliest ferry to Nami Island at 7:30AM. Tourists from arranged tours arrive in Nami Island port at 9-10AM. So make sure to be there first to enjoy the island with less tourists.
BOOK A DISCOUNTED FERRY TICKET TO NAMI ISLAND – make sure to book this on Klook and use my code JOANSFOOTPRINTSKLOOK to get a discount. The ticket includes roundtrip ferry and environmental fee. The price of the ticket on the spot is Php770 while on Klook is Php530!
Choose the best month to visit! Nami Island’s charm changes as season change. Go for the peak of spring, autumn or winter for scenic views.
How to get around the island? Most tourists walk as it is easy and scenic. There is also an option to rent a bike for KRW9,000 per hour.
Make sure to spend the whole day in Nami Island if you have the whole day, or at least half day to fully enjoy and see the whole island. Wear comfortable sneakers as well since you will be doing a lot of walking.
Things to do in Nami Island: walk to the iconic tree-lined paths, rent a bike, dine in restaurants and cafes, visit Winter Sonata filming locations, enjoy art installations, enter via Zipline, and watch cultural performances.
Is it kid-friendly or senior-friendly? Yes. There are playgrounds and a lot of rest areas for kids and senior citizens.
Around the island you will see a lot of squirrels and spotting them is part of the island’s charm. We were lucky to see rabbits around too!

How to Go to Nami Island DIY Way + Expenses

Step 1: From Seoul Station or Your Hotel to Cheongnyangni Station

Download Naver Map app, then go to the nearest subway from your hotel and ride a train to Cheongnyangni station (Line 1 / dark blue line). The fare is around KRW1,550/PHP62.

Step 2: Ride the ITX From Cheongnyangni to Gapyeong Station

From Cheongnyangni station, go to the ITX ticket machine and buy an ITX ticket from Cheongnyangni Station to Gapyeong Station. ITX frequency is every hour and the travel time is 40 minutes while the fare is KRW5,700/PHP230.

Step 3: From Gapyeong Station to Nami Island Port

From Gapyeong Station, go outside and ride a taxi to Nami Island wharf for about 2-3 minutes and the fare is KRW4,000-7,000/PHP160-280.

Step 4: Buy Ferry Ticket to Nami Island

From Nami Island wharf, buy ticket on the spot for KRW19,000/PHP770 which includes entrance fee and roundtrip ferry tickets to Nami Island. Or you can purchase your tickets on Klook for only Php530 per pax if you use my code JOANSFOOTPRINTSKLOOK to get a discount! BOOK DISCOUNTED FERRY TICKETS HERE.

Watch our full Nami Island trip on Youtube!

READ MORE KOREA TRAVEL GUIDES HERE

Help me improve my guide: Nami Island DIY! By commenting suggestions in the comment section below, I am very open to new ideas.
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