Getting Around Gangneung
Gangneung sits on South Korea's east coast in Gangwon State and serves as the economic centre of the Yeongdong region. It's a compact, coastal city known for attractions like Gyeongpo Beach, Anmok Coffee Street, and Jeongdongjin, and it hosted the ice events for the 2018 Winter Olympics. For a visitor, the good news is that the city is small enough to navigate easily, with a solid public bus network, plentiful taxis, and a high-speed rail link to Seoul.
Arriving by Rail
Gangneung Station is the city's main rail hub and the terminus for the Korail Donghae line. The KTX Gangneung Line is the high-speed service that most visitors use, running from Seoul and Cheongnyangni stations directly to Gangneung. The journey takes roughly two hours from Seoul Station and about an hour and a half from Cheongnyangni. There is also a slower conventional train connection to Cheongnyangni, but it takes a circuitous route through the mountains and is far slower, so the KTX is the practical choice.
KTX tickets can be purchased up to a month in advance, either at the station, through the KorailTalk mobile app, or on the official Korail website. Booking ahead is strongly advised during peak seasons such as summer and around winter sports events. A tourist information booth sits directly in front of Gangneung Station, which is a useful first stop for maps and local advice.
Arriving by Bus
Gangneung Bus Terminal connects the city to all major cities in Korea. Express and intercity buses run from Seoul Express Bus Terminal and Dong Seoul Bus Terminal, with frequent daily departures, and there are also services from cities such as Busan, Daegu, and Gwangju. Buses are generally cheaper than the KTX, though the trip takes longer and travel times can stretch with traffic. Gangneung is a popular weekend destination for people from the capital area, and since there is essentially one expressway corridor linking it to Seoul, traffic gets very heavy coming in on Fridays and leaving on Sundays.
The bus terminal also houses the main tourist information centre. Note that the city has separate express and intercity bus terminals, both of which act as hubs for local bus routes.
Getting Around by Bus
The public bus system in Gangneung is good and covers major neighbourhoods, beaches, and tourist spots. Many routes follow the coastal road, linking the beaches directly, and most signs on the buses include English. Fares are a flat rate for city routes when you pay cash.
Using a transportation card is cheaper and more flexible than paying cash. Card holders receive a discount off the regular fare and can transfer between buses — including between a regular bus and an express city bus — once for free. To transfer, you must tag your card at the terminal near the front or rear door, and you need to make the transfer within a set time window to avoid an additional fare.
- Prepaid cards (such as T-money) can be bought and topped up with cash at designated card sales and charging shops, and at convenience stores. T-money is valid on buses, taxis, and subways nationwide, including in Gangneung.
- Postpaid cards are credit or debit cards issued by banks or card companies that include a transportation card function.
- Cash is accepted on buses but comes without the discount and transfer benefits, so a card is worth having.
For real-time bus locations and routes, visitors generally rely on navigation apps such as Naver Map or KakaoMap. Newer buses have low-floor access, while some older buses may not be wheelchair-friendly; bus stops usually have ramps.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis in Gangneung are considered an affordable and convenient way to get around. You can hail one anywhere on the street, find them at taxi stands (including at the KTX station, bus terminals, and major hotels), or book by phone. All taxis charge by meter, and drivers accept cash, credit cards, and T-money. Fares are generally reasonable compared with Seoul.
For app-based hailing, Kakao T is the dominant taxi-hailing and ride-sharing app, showing your destination, an estimated fare, and driver tracking. Uber has only a limited presence in Korea, mainly through a partnership with Kakao T. Drivers generally understand basic English, but having your destination written in Korean is helpful.
One practical point: certain outlying areas — the Jumunjin area, Gangdong-myeon, and the Okgye area — are designated as exceptional zones where an extra charge applies to the fare.
Walkability
Downtown Gangneung is not very big — you can cross it on foot in about 15 minutes. Most streets have names and signs, which makes navigating on foot straightforward. Getting to other popular areas, such as the beaches and coffee street, typically takes less than 15 minutes by taxi from downtown.
Several areas are especially pleasant on foot, including the extensive paths around Gyeongpo Lake and Beach, the Anmok Coffee Street promenade, the Ojukheon House grounds, and the city centre, which has good sidewalks and gets crowded near Jungang Market.
Cycling
Cycling is a genuinely appealing option here. Dedicated cycling paths are well maintained, especially along the coast and around Gyeongpo Lake, and are marked and separated from vehicle traffic. The Anmok Beach bike trail runs along the shore with cafes en route, and the coastal routes form part of the East Coast Bicycle Road. Bike rental shops are common near the beach areas and key tourist spots, including around Gyeongpo Lake and Anmok Coffee Street, typically charging by the hour. Note that bicycles are prohibited on major highways.
Car Rental and Driving
Renting a car is useful if you plan to explore further afield, such as Seoraksan National Park or the winter ski resorts. Both international chains and local companies operate in Gangneung, and most offices offer GPS and English support. Foreign visitors should carry an International Driving Permit alongside their home-country licence, and it's wise to book in advance during peak seasons.
If you do drive, remember that Koreans drive on the right, speed limits are enforced by cameras, and seatbelts are mandatory for all passengers. Drunk driving is heavily penalised. Roads are generally excellent, but traffic gets heavy around major holidays and at rush hour. Paid parking is common in popular areas, and local driving is often described as assertive. Motorcycle and scooter rentals are limited for tourists and generally not recommended for those unfamiliar with the roads.
Getting There from the Airport
Gangneung no longer has its own airport — it ceased air service when passenger rights were transferred to Yangyang International Airport. For practical purposes, most international visitors arrive through Incheon International Airport.
From Incheon, the most convenient direct option is the "Airport Limousine" bus, which can be caught from the Gangneung Bus Terminal and runs to the airport, stopping at Gimpo Airport along the way. The trip takes about four hours. This is a straightforward, no-transfer way to connect the airport with the city, and it's worth checking current schedules and fares locally, as these can change.
Alternatively, you can take the KTX from Seoul, which means getting from the airport into Seoul first and then boarding a train to Gangneung Station. For domestic flights arriving at Yangyang International Airport or Gimpo, plan to arrive at the airport well ahead of departure, as is standard for Korean domestic travel.
Other Ways to Explore
Beyond the regular transport network, a few options are worth knowing about. A city tour bus runs themed tours to major attractions, which can be a convenient way to cover the highlights without planning your own route. The Jeongdongjin Rail Bike offers a pedal-powered ride along the coastal railway, and boat rentals are available on Gyeongpo Lake for recreation rather than transport.
For day trips by public transport or car, popular destinations include Seoraksan National Park, the Jumunjin Fishing Village with its seafood markets and coastal views, Odaesan National Park, and Sokcho City. Bus schedules are worth checking in advance, since some routes run less frequently on weekends and holidays.