Seoul to expand nighttime river bus operations starting Saturday

A Hangang Bus ferry glides past Yeouido in Seoul. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government

Seeking to turn its iconic river into a major nighttime destination, Seoul is expanding evening ferry services on the Han River. Municipal officials said Wednesday that the Hangang Bus will extend its late-hour service starting Saturday, adding key departures aimed at nighttime sightseers, evening leisure seekers and late commuters.

The schedule adjustments focus on the waterway's highest-demand areas.

Two extra ferries will run from the southeastern district of Jamsil to the financial hub of Yeouido at 6:50 pm and 7:20 pm, while two late departures will connect Yeouido westward to Magok at 8:25 pm and 8:55 pm. To improve daytime schedules and improve overall passenger convenience, city planners are also adding mid-afternoon trips in both directions, inserting extra runs from Magok to Yeouido at 3:00 pm and 3:30 pm, as well as Yeouido to Jamsil at 4:00 pm and 4:30 pm.

The expansion aims to capture a growing crowd of leisure riders, local residents and international tourists looking to catch a glimpse of Seoul's glittering skyline directly from the water. Passengers aboard the evening ferries will drift past iconic urban landmarks including the high-rise financial district of Yeouido, the illuminated spans of the city's major bridges and lively waterfront parks in Banpo and Jamsil as dusk turns into night.

City planners view the Hangang Bus as a vital component of Korea's broader push to invigorate the metropolitan nighttime economy. By encouraging passengers to travel along the river after standard business hours, officials hope to spur foot traffic and commercial spending in surrounding waterfront culture and entertainment districts.

The ferry service, which underwent an operational overhaul earlier this year to better handle seasonal demand, has steadily evolved from a public transit experiment into a popular urban attraction. Cumulative ridership recently approached nearly half a million passengers, signaling strong sustained interest from both locals and visitors.

"The Hangang Bus is quickly evolving from a daily transit route into a new way for people to experience the city," said Park Jin-young, head of the city’s Future Han River Headquarters.

With the added night sailings, municipal authorities said they aim to establish the river as a continuous, highly accessible public venue offering a cool, open-air perspective on Korea's bustling capital.

This article was published with the assistance of generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.