Will Hangang Bus become must-do activity for tourists in Seoul?

Hangang Bus, Seoul's first waterborne public transport set to officially launch next month, operates during a trial period on the Han River in Seoul, July 1. Yonhap

On a warm Tuesday morning, the Yeouido pier hummed with joyful excitement, as families, older couples and foreign visitors gathered for one of the final trial runs of Seoul’s Hangang Bus.

At Yeouido Dock, just a three-minute walk from Exit 2 of Yeouinaru Station, staff in bright pink jumpsuits greeted arrivals as they passed through subway-style turnstiles. “Welcome to Hangang Bus,” they said, ushering passengers onto the city’s first-ever waterborne public transportation service.

The vessel used for Tuesday’s trial, Hangang Bus 101, was a single-deck, 150-ton boat built low to slip under the Han River's bridges. The boat featured 199 seats facing panoramic windows that frame the skyline and riverside parklands, each equipped with fold-out seat tables and life jackets.

Passengers, many with smartphones and cameras in hand, chatted and waved to others on the riverbank as the boat quietly pushed off toward Ttukseom, 18 kilometers away.

“Congratulations on being chosen from hundreds to join today’s trial!” a crew member announced over the speakers as the engines hummed quietly beneath the deck. The crowd whooped in excitement, looking out the window eagerly to catch a glimpse of the cityscape while the vessel traversed the river smoothly.

Passengers pose on Hangang Bus during its trial operation on the Han River in Seoul, Tuesday. Korea Times photo by Lee Hae-rin

During the trial rides, passengers were permitted to go out on the deck and enjoy the open river breeze. According to officials, this deck access was granted only for the test runs and, for safety reasons, will likely not be allowed after the official launch.

Hangang Bus, set for official launch in mid-September, is a key feature of Mayor Oh Se-hoon’s “Great Han River Project,” an urban development initiative intended to transform the Han River into a hub for recreation and tourism.

Inspired by London’s River Bus, Oh described the service as part of his vision for “a new era of water public transportation.”

“It will usher in a new era of water public transportation system. When the Hangang Bus begins operation, it will change the daily lives of Seoul citizens, make commutes easier and better respond to the climate crisis," Oh said. "Moreover, the Hangang Bus would be a charming asset to the city that will contribute to attracting 30 million tourists in Seoul and strengthen the city’s competitiveness.”

Hangang Bus is seen with BLACKPINK's Jennie, Seoul's honorary tourism ambassador for this year, in a promotion video by the organization. Screenshot from Seoul Tourism Organization's YouTube

Once it launches officially, the Hangang Bus will operate along two routes: a regular service stopping at seven piers — Magok, Mangwon, Yeouido, Apgujeong, Oksu, Ttukseom and Jamsil — and an express route connecting Magok, Yeouido and Jamsil in about 54 minutes.

Weekday service will see up to 68 daily runs, with 15-minute intervals during rush hours; weekends will run less frequently. A one-way ticket is priced at 3,000 won ($2.16), and unlimited rides are included for holders of the city’s Climate Card transit pass.

However, Hangang Bus has faced persistent controversy and criticism.

The initial launch was postponed multiple times, due mainly to delays in shipbuilding and delivery. As of August, only two of the planned 12 vessels had been delivered for pilot runs, raising questions about readiness and adequate safety checks. Budget overruns have also fueled public concern, with the total project cost rising to 150 billion won, nearly triple the initial estimates.

Problems with transit connections persist. Several piers, including Magok and Jamsil, are located a significant distance from the nearest subway stations, requiring additional walks or transfers that diminish the speed and convenience originally promised.

In response, the city plans to establish shuttle bus routes and place public bike stations near every dock, but concerns remain about the practicality for commuters.

Despite these controversies, Hangang Bus is increasingly being framed as a recreational and tourist activity rather than a daily commuting solution. Passengers on the pilot run cited the scenic experience and the ability to enjoy the city’s urban and natural landscapes uninterrupted by road congestion.

A passenger takes a photo of the Seoul skyline from Hangang Bus during its trial operation in Seoul, Tuesday. Korea Times photo by Lee Hae-rin

“I would highly recommend this (Hangang Bus) to my friends and family for a weekend activity. You can enjoy the cityscape from right in the middle of the river,” said a Seoul resident surnamed Kim, 55, adding that she is “not sure whether it will be appropriate as a means of public transportation” due to its slow speed and low accessibility.

Navena M, a 25-year-old student from India studying business management at Hanyang University, said she believes a Hangang Bus ride could become a “must-do activity for any visitor in Seoul.”

“I would highly recommend this to any foreign traveler or friends visiting Korea,” she said. “It’s smoother than Seoul ferries and you can enjoy such a magnificent view with a river breeze at 3,000 won a ride. It’s a bargain,” she said.

Each pier along the Hangang Bus route is equipped with facilities that give foreign visitors a taste of local culture, including convenience stores, a “K-ramyun zone” where passengers can enjoy instant noodles and BBQ Chicken outlets serving fried chicken and beer.

The K-ramyun zone is seen at the Hangang Bus Yeouido pier in Seoul, Tuesday. Korea Times photo by Lee Hae-rin

While the Yeouido pier is home to a riverside Starbucks Reserve exclusively serving cocktails and beer, the Ttukseom pier hosts “Vinyl,” a listening cafe where visitors can enjoy LP records. These varied amenities aim to make each pier a destination in its own right, adding leisure and cultural value to the river journey.

To enhance non-Korean passengers’ riding experience, the Seoul Tourism Organization plans to suggest the city provide multilingual information and safety broadcasts, which currently operate only in Korean.