How much will Seoul raise Hangang Bus fares on weekends and holidays next year?

Seoul expects the fare to rise from 3,000 won to around 5,000 to 10,000 won on weekends and public holidays. The city said the higher pricing is meant to better distribute costs.

Why is Seoul planning to change Hangang Bus weekend fares?

A city official said weekend demand is higher, so the fare change is intended to better distribute costs. The city also said a final decision will be made in April next year after public hearings.

What changes does Seoul plan for the Hangang Bus service beyond the fare hike?

Seoul plans to increase the number of piers and ferries to cut waiting times to 15 minutes. Mayor Oh Se-hoon also said the city wants to diversify routes by adding an express service and expand the ferry into a form of public transit beyond a tourist attraction.

Seoul city to hike Han River ferry fares for weekends starting next year

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Summary

Seoul city government plans to raise weekend and public holiday fares for the Hangang Bus ferry service next year to better distribute costs. The fare is expected to rise from 3,000 won to 5,000 to 10,000 won, with a final decision due in April after public hearings. The service has carried more than 600,000 passengers since its Sept. 18, 2025 launch, and the city wants to expand it into a broader public transit option.

Key Facts

The Hangang Bus service marks its first anniversary on Friday.
The ferry service has carried more than 600,000 passengers since its launch on Sept. 18, 2025.
Seoul plans to increase the number of piers and ferries to reduce waiting intervals to 15 minutes.
The city also plans to diversify routes by introducing an express service.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 17, 2026 2:06 pm KST

A Han River ferry shuttle departs from Yeouido Pier in Yeongdeungpo District, Seoul, Mar. 1. Korea Times photo by Kang Ye-jin

The Seoul city government said Thursday it seeks to increase fares for its Han River ferry shuttle service on weekends and public holidays next year in a bid to better distribute costs.

The "Hangang Bus" service fare is expected to rise from the current 3,000 won ($2.17) to around 5,000 to 10,000 won on weekends and holidays next year, the city said, as the service marks its first anniversary Friday.

The ferry service links major points along the Han River that runs through the capital, and has carried more than 600,000 passengers since its launch on Sept. 18, 2025, according to the city government.

The city is pushing for the fare hike as there is more demand for the service on weekends, a city official said, adding that a final decision is expected to be made in April next year after public hearings.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said the city also plans to increase the number of piers and ferries to reduce waiting intervals to 15 minutes, while diversifying routes by introducing an express service.

The city government said it plans to expand the ferry service into a form of public transit beyond a tourist attraction.

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