Discover Seoul from sky to river with the perfect Yeouido travel combo

Tourists pose for a photo aboard a Hangang Bus boat, May 19. Courtesy of Seoul Tourism Organization

As spring blends into the early summer travel season, Korea is welcoming a historic influx of international visitors.

For travelers looking to experience Seoul from entirely new perspectives, two attractions have quickly emerged as definitive night and waterfront experiences: SEOULDAL, a tethered helium balloon that soars into the sky, and the Hangang Bus, a sleek boat cruising the iconic Han River.

Because both attractions share Yeouido as their central hub, they offer a seamless, one-stop itinerary that lets you experience the multidimensional beauty of Seoul by day and by night.

Located inside Yeouido Park, SEOULDAL is a vertical flight experience that takes passengers up to 130 meters into the air. It has rapidly become a bucket-list item for global travelers.

It operates daily from 12 to 10 p.m., though it opens at 10 a.m. on weekends during the peak seasons of April to June and September to November. Each flight, lasting approximately 15 minutes, is priced at 25,000 won ($16.50) for adults, with a 10 percent discount available for holders of the Climate Card, Seoul's unlimited transit pass. Travelers can easily book their rides through nine global online platforms including Klook, KKday and Trip.com.

During the day, SEOULDAL offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the Han River and the bustling Yeouido financial district. At night, it transforms into a romantic viewpoint for Seoul's glittering city lights, sending its popularity skyrocketing among foreigners. While international tourists made up just 24 percent of riders during its launch year in 2024, that number surged to 44 percent as of April. To date, it has carried more than 36,000 passengers into the Seoul sky.

SEOULDAL, a tethered helium balloon, readies to soar into the sky. Courtesy of Seoul Tourism Organization

If SEOULDAL owns the sky, the Hangang Bus rules the water. Since its launch by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, this eco-friendly river bus network connects seven major piers across the city: Magok, Mangwon, Yeouido, Apgujeong, Oksu, Ttukseom and Jamsil.

Cruising directly under Seoul's iconic bridges — including Wonhyo, Hangang and Banpo — the Hangang Bus offers an intimate look at the city's skyline from angles impossible to see from a car or subway. It has already surpassed 300,000 cumulative passengers, becoming a favorite among foreign tourists looking for an affordable yet scenic transit option.

The Hangang Bus offers a single-ride ticket for 3,000 won ($2) as well as unlimited rides for passengers using the Climate Card. It provides a highly efficient transit option across the city, taking only 30 minutes to travel from Yeouido to Jamsil via the express route.

The biggest advantage of these two attractions is their proximity. Yeouido Pier — a favorite stop for international visitors — is just a four-minute walk from Yeouinaru Station (Subway Line 5). The pier itself is the perfect environment to experience Korea's famous Hangang "chimaek" (chicken and beer) culture right by the water.

From the pier, you can enjoy scenic walks to nearby hotspots like Saetgang Ecological Park, Mulbit Square and Gangbyeon Seojae, a book cafe at the National Assembly.

Visitors can choose a scenic evening itinerary to experience Seoul's nightlife magic or a dynamic daytime route for an action-packed journey across the city.

If you opt for the evening journey, board the Hangang Bus and glide toward Yeouido just as the sky turns amber and violet, then step off at the pier and enjoy chimaek on the riverbank as the sun sets. Afterward, a short walk leads to Yeouido Park, where the SEOULDAL helium balloon lifts you high above the capital for a glittering view of the neon-lit skyline.

Alternatively, the daytime route begins aboard SEOULDAL for an early morning flight before taking the Hangang Bus express line to Gangnam's trendsetting southern districts, including the fashion boutiques of Apgujeong and the bustling entertainment hub of Jamsil.