Ride a cable car to admire the beauty of Korea's landscapes — Top 10 scenic cable cars in Korea

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

No matter where you go, taking a cable car to enjoy the cityscape is an essential part of any trip. Recently,Korea Tourism Organizationcompiled a list of ten scenic cable cars across Korea. Each one offers unique views based on its location, showcasing the charm of Korea from different perspectives. Let’s take a look at these ten cable cars that highlight the beauty of Korea.

▲ Seoul Namsan Cable Car (Photo / Courtesy ofKorea Tourism Organization)

1. Seoul Namsan Cable Car
In operation since 1962, the Namsan Cable Car is one of the oldest in Korea. With its glass-paneled cabins, it offers panoramic views of Seoul in all directions. Visiting at night allows you to enjoy the city’s vibrant nightlife and illuminated skyline.

Operating Hours: 10:00–23:00 (may be extended on special holidays such as Christmas or New Year’s Eve)
Price: Adults round-trip 8,500 KRW / Adults one-way 6,000 KRW / Children round-trip 5,500 KRW / Children one-way 3,500 KRW
Transportation: Exit 3 of Myeongdong Station on Subway Line 4, walk about 10 minutes to the right toward the Pacific Hotel.
Website: http://cablecar.co.kr/
 

▲ Sokcho Seorak Cable Car (Photo / Courtesy ofKorea Tourism Organization)

2. Sokcho Seorak Cable Car
Riding the Seorak Cable Car lets you take in the dramatic cliffs of Seoraksan Mountain. In the distance, you can also see Sokcho city, the East Sea, Mt. Wolchulsan, and the Dudong Waterfall — a truly breathtaking experience. However, during peak season, expect a wait of over two hours, so plan your visit accordingly.

Operating Hours: Subject to daily changes; please refer to the official website
Price: Adults 6,000 KRW / Children round-trip 6,500 KRW (all prices are round-trip)
Transportation: Take bus No. 7 or 7-1 from Sokcho Intercity Bus Terminal or Sokcho Express Bus Terminal (about 30–50 minutes) and get off at Sogongwon Parking Lot.
Website: http://www.sorakcablecar.co.kr/

 

▲ Ulleungdo Dokdo Observatory Cable Car (Photo / Courtesy ofKorea Tourism Organization)

3. Ulleungdo Dokdo Observatory Cable Car
As the cable car ascends, you can enjoy views of one of Ulleungdo’s Eight Scenic Spots — the lights of fishing boats. On clear days, when you reach the observatory, you can even catch a glimpse of Dokdo. This is the first place in Korea to see the sunrise other than Dokdo itself, making it a must-visit spot for sunrise enthusiasts.

Operating Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to 22:00; Off-season – 08:00–20:00
Price: Adults 7,500 KRW / Round trip for children 5,000 KRW /
Transportation: About a 30-minute walk or a 5-minute taxi ride from Dodong Harbor at the main pier to Yakcheon Park

▲Daegu Palgongsan Cable Car (Photo / Courtesy ofKorea Tourism Organization)

4. Daegu Palgongsan Cable Car
The Daegu Palgongsan Cable Car is described as feeling more like an amusement ride. With a steeper slope compared to other cable cars and smaller cabins, it offers a bit more thrill. The natural surroundings of Palgongsan Mountain are beautiful, allowing you to breathe in plenty of phytoncides. At the summit, Sinrim Peak, you’ll find one of Korea’s most iconic sacred sites alongside the Great Buddha, drawing visitors who come to pray.

Operating Hours: 09:00–17:00 (last admission 18:50), with extended hours in summer
Monthly operating hours can be found on the official website
Price: Round trip for adults 9,000 KRW / One way for adults 5,500 KRW / Round trip for children 5,000 KRW / One way for children 3,000 KRW
Transportation: Exit the overpass outside Dong-daegu KTX Station, turn right, take Express Bus No. 1 (Hwapyeong Market), get off at Tonghwa Temple Facility Complex (terminal stop), about a 40-minute ride, then walk about 7 minutes to the Palgongsan Cable Car
Website: http://www.palgongcablecar.com/

▲Busan Geumgang Cable Car (Photo / Courtesy ofBusan Facilities Park)

5. Busan Geumgang Cable Car
Originally built for transportation, the Busan Geumgang Cable Car was later converted for tourism use. Geumgang Mountain attracts visitors year-round with its stunning scenery. The cable car ride takes just seven minutes to reach the summit, offering panoramic views of the entire Busan cityscape along the way.

Hours: 09:00–17:30 (extended to 18:00 on weekends and holidays)
Price: Round trip for adults 8,000 KRW / One way for adults 5,000 KRW / Round trip for children 5,000 KRW / One way for children 3,000 KRW
Transportation: About a 15-minute walk from Oncheonjang Station on Subway Line 1, or take Bus No. 46, 77, 80, 110, 110-1, 120, or 131 and get off at Geumgang Park Entrance
Website: http://geumgangpark.bisco.or.kr

▲Miryang Yeongnam Alps Ice Valley Cable Car (Photo / Courtesy ofKorea Tourism Organization)

6. Miryang Yeongnam Alps Ice Valley Cable Car
Named for its nine continuous mountain ranges that rival the European Alps in grandeur, this cable car features the largest elevation difference between start and end points in Korea. Riders can enjoy sweeping views of the vast mountain forests and visit the breathtaking natural wonders of the Yeongnam Alps, including the Heavenly Emperor Mountain Sky Park and the mysterious Sky Road.

Operating Hours: 09:00–17:00 (extended to 18:00 in summer)
Price: Round trip for adults 12,000 KRW / Round trip for children 9,000 KRW
Transportation: Take a bus bound for Ice Valley from Miryang Bus Terminal, about a 1.5-hour ride (6 buses per day)
Website: http://www.icevalleycablecar.com/

▲ Scenic Cable Car of Tongyeong Hallyeo Waterway. (Photo / Courtesy ofKorea Tourism Organization)

7. Scenic Cable Car of Tongyeong Hallyeo Waterway
Once selected as one of Korea’s Tourism Stars, the Hallyeo Waterway Scenic Cable Car is the longest (1,975 meters) automated circulating sightseeing cable car in Korea. It travels at four meters per second, so the entire ride takes just ten minutes. Upon reaching the mountaintop, you can enjoy views of the historic site of the Battle of Hansan, the Hallyeohaesang National Marine Park, as well as the expansive landscapes of Japan’s Tsushima Island, Cheonwangbong Peak of Jirisan Mountain, and Yeosu’s Tusa Island.

Operating Hours: 09:30–17:00 (extended to 19:00 in summer; please check the official website). Last ride is one hour before closing.
Fares: Round-trip adult 10,000 KRW / One-way adult 6,500 KRW / Round-trip child 9,000 KRW / One-way child 5,500 KRW
Transportation: Take bus No. 141 from Tongyeong Bus Terminal to the cable car station (approx. 40 minutes). By taxi, it takes about 20 minutes and costs around 10,000 KRW. Alternatively, take buses No. 101, 104, or 105 and get off nearby, then walk.
Website:http://cablecar.ttdc.kr/

▲ Jeongeup Naejangsan Cable Car. (Photo / Courtesy ofKorea Tourism Organization)

8. Jeongeup Naejangsan Cable Car
Naejangsan Mountain is a famous autumn foliage destination in Korea, attracting large crowds of visitors every fall, which makes the cable car especially important for managing the flow of people. But once you’re on the cable car, your eyes will be filled with vibrant red leaves—you might even forget how long you waited in line, because the scenery is truly worth visiting again and again.

Operating Hours: 09:00–17:00 (extended to 18:00 in summer)
Fares: Round-trip adult 7,000 KRW / One-way adult 5,000 KRW / Round-trip child 4,000 KRW / One-way child 3,000 KRW
Transportation: From Jeongeup Bus Terminal, take bus No. 171 or 171-1 to Naejang Bus Stop, then walk about 10 minutes to the Visitor Center.

▲ Yeosu Ocean Cable Car. (Photo / Courtesy ofKorea Tourism Organization)

9. Yeosu Ocean Cable Car
This is the first cable car in Korea to cross over the sea and the fourth of its kind in Asia. The bottom of the cabin is made of specially designed glass, allowing passengers to gaze directly at the beautiful ocean below. At night, as lights illuminate the area, the reflections on the water create a romantic atmosphere that enhances the cable car experience.

Operating Hours: 09:00–22:00
Fares: Round-trip adult 13,000 KRW / One-way adult 10,000 KRW / Round-trip child 9,000 KRW / One-way child 7,000 KRW (standard cabin)
Transportation: From the Intercity Bus Terminal, take buses No. 100, 102, 103, 105, 106, 109, 111, 112, or 113 toward Tusa, or take a taxi (approx. 15 minutes, around 7,000 KRW). From Yeosu EXPO Station, take bus No. 2 to Jinnamgwan and transfer to a bus bound for Tusa.
Website: http://www.yeosucablecar.com/

▲ Haenam Durobong Mountain Cable Car (Photo / Courtesy ofKorea Tourism Organization)

10. Haenam Durobong Mountain Cable Car
The Hainan Toulshan Cable Car has a total length of approximately 1,600 meters. As you ascend to the mountaintop via the cable car, it's as if you're putting the views of the multi-island sea—including Wando Bay, Gangjin Bay, and Jindo Bay—right in your pocket. Aside from the stunning scenery, you can also visit cultural landmarks such as the Gusan Yoon Seondo Green Rain Hall, the Nogyeong-ri Dinosaur Fossil Site, the USu Yeong Sightseeing Area, and the Domu Village for an intellectual journey.

Operating Hours: 08:00–17:00 (extended to 18:00 in summer)
Prices: Adults 9,000 KRW / Children 6,000 KRW
Transportation: Take a bus from Hainan Bus Terminal bound for Daeheungsa Temple (Daeheungsa), which runs every 30 minutes and takes about 15 minutes.
Website: http://www.haenamcablecar.com/