A Han River Cruise Even Seoul Residents Tried for the First Time - A Review of a Small Urban Vacation

A Friend Kept Recommending It, So I Finally Tried the Han River Cruise

I was curious about the Han River cruise that I kept seeing on Instagram lately! A colleague at work kept recommending it, so I finally set out to find the cool Han River breeze on a hot summer day. Even though I live in Seoul, I had never been on a Han River cruise, so I decided to take this opportunity to experience it properly.

I arrived in Yeouido around 5 PM on a Saturday, and there were already quite a few people. The weather was perfect, and the place was bustling with people wanting to take the sunset cruise.

Debating Between Yeouido vs Jamsil, I Chose...

You can take the Han River cruise from two main locations: Yeouido E-Cruise and Jamsil E-Cruise. I chose Yeouido because it was more accessible!

From Booking to Boarding, It Was Simpler Than I Thought

I bought the sunset cruise ticket in advance through Naver Reservation. You can buy it on-site, but it might sell out on weekends, so better to book early!

The price for the sunset cruise was about 24,000 KRW for adults. Special programs like the Moonlight Music Cruise or Starlight Cruise are a bit more expensive, while the regular Han River tour is relatively cheap at about 15,000 KRW!

Just show your ID at the ticket office and fill out the boarding report, and you're done! The procedure was simpler than I thought, which was nice.

Finally Boarding! First Impressions?

Wow... the ship was much bigger than I expected! It had a three-story structure, with the first floor being indoors and the second and third floors being outdoor decks.

The indoor area was cool with air conditioning, and the outdoor deck had a really refreshing Han River breeze. I settled on the third deck, which was great for taking photos.

They also sold simple drinks and snacks on the ship, so I bought a beer before departure and was ready to go! The ship had clean restrooms and a snack bar, so the facilities were better than I expected.

40 Minutes of Han River Cruising, It Was Truly Healing

The course goes from Yeouido to Banpo Bridge and back. I thought 40 minutes would be short, but it was more fulfilling than I expected!

The Yeouido skyline was stunning as soon as we set sail. From the 63 Building to the National Assembly and IFC Towers, everything was visible at a glance.

Passing by the Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain was especially beautiful. I didn't know the fountain would look so grand from the water! It's even more spectacular if you go during the fountain show time.

I didn't realize the Han River was so wide and beautiful. It was a moment that made me truly proud of Seoul!

The Magic of Sunset Time

I boarded just in time for the sunset, and it was amazing. The sunset over the Han River was truly fantastic. There were plenty of photo spots to capture life shots, so my friend and I took tons of pictures!

The very front of the third deck is the best spot for taking photos. The wind is a bit strong, but the photos with the Han River and Seoul skyline as the background are truly life shots!

Once the sun completely sets, there's another charm. As the lights along the riverbank turn on one by one, the night view of Seoul unfolds beautifully.

Detailed Sailing Course and Sights

Here's a summary of the main course and sights based on departure from Yeouido.

The Hangang Railway Bridge section was particularly nice because you could see the urban landscape around Yongsan Station and Seoul Station at a glance. Seeing Seoul from the water was really refreshing.

Comparing Cruise Programs by Time

Each time slot has its own charm, so I was quite torn about which one to choose.

Curious About the Dinner Cruise, So I Looked Into It

This time I only took the sunset cruise, but I wanted to try the dinner cruise next, so I looked into it.

The dinner cruise is a 90-minute course and allows you to enjoy a buffet meal on board. It's a bit pricey, but it seems perfect for special days or anniversaries.

Facilities and Services

The facilities on the cruise were better than expected.

• Restrooms: Men's and women's restrooms on the first floor, well-maintained
• Snack Bar: Sells drinks, snacks, beer, etc. (slightly more expensive than outside)
• Air Conditioning: First-floor indoor area has strong air conditioning
• Sound System: Creates atmosphere with onboard announcements and BGM
• Safety Facilities: Equipped with life jackets, safety railings, and other safety equipment

Especially on the third-floor outdoor deck, windbreak glass is installed, so the wind isn't too strong, which is nice.

Preparation and Dress Tips

For first-timers, here's a list of things to prepare.

Recommended Attire

• Shoes: Sneakers or comfortable shoes recommended (high heels are dangerous)
• Clothing: Clothes that don't blow in the wind, pants recommended over dresses
• Accessories: Be careful with hats or earrings as they might blow away

Honestly, Some Disappointments...

40 minutes went by faster than I thought. Once you get settled and start taking photos, time really flies! I wished it was a bit longer.

Also, there are a lot of people on weekends, so it's hard to get a good spot. I recommend going on weekdays or at an earlier time if possible!

They do sell drinks and snacks on the ship, but they're a bit pricey. I recommend bringing your own!

If the weather is bad, outdoor deck access may be restricted, so it's good to check the weather in advance.

Overall: Even for Seoul Residents, a Must-Try!

Honestly, at first, I thought it was just a boat ride, but once I got on, it was a really unique experience. It was a great healing time for me, who was tired of the busy daily life.

Especially living in Seoul, it was nice to discover the beauty of Seoul anew. Seeing Seoul from the water is really different!

Next time, I want to try the dinner cruise. I want to come with my family, enjoy the night view, and have a delicious meal!

Recommended Nearby Courses

There are plenty of things to enjoy in Yeouido before or after the Han River cruise!

Yeouido Hangang Park

It's nice to take a walk or relax on a mat in Hangang Park before boarding the cruise. It's really beautiful during the cherry blossom season!

63 Building Observatory

After getting off the cruise, enjoy the view of Seoul from the 63 Building Observatory. It's a different charm from the view on the water!

IFC Mall, Times Square

There are large shopping malls nearby, perfect for shopping or dining as a day course.

Yeouido Food Tour

It's also nice to dine at a restaurant in Yeouido before or after the cruise. There are many restaurants with Han River views, so you can enjoy a meal with a great atmosphere.

Seasonal Recommendations

Recommended for These People!

• Couples looking for a date course: The romantic atmosphere is top-notch
• Families/friends touring Seoul: A unique way to see Seoul
• Stressed office workers: A short but sure healing time
• Those wanting to take life shots: A paradise for photo spots
• People who love Seoul's night view: The night view from the water is truly special
• Guiding foreign friends: Great for showing the beauty of Seoul
• Commemorating special occasions: Popular for birthdays, anniversaries, and proposals

I want to go again! Next time, I'm planning to try the Moonlight Music Cruise or the Dinner Cruise.