The Namsan Cable Car Climbs 605 m in 3 Minutes, Changing Seoul’s Elevation from Myeongdong
Opened on May 12, 1962, the Namsan Cable Car is an urban aerial tramway in Seoul connecting the lower station in Hoihyeon-dong with the summit of Namsan. From Myeongdong Station, you can take a free shuttle or the Namsan Orumi inclined elevator. It is best to check the round-trip ticket options, last ticket issuance time, and whether service is suspended due to strong winds in advance.
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605 m connecting Hoihyeon-dong and Namsan since May 12, 1962
Namsan Cable Car opened on May 12, 1962. It was built to connect the lower station on the Hoihyeon-dong side with the Namsan ridge during a period when Seoul’s urban tourism infrastructure was rapidly expanding. According to current official information, the operating distance is approximately 600 m, and each cabin can accommodate up to 48 passengers.
The route crosses the Namsan slope between Hoihyeon-dong and Yejang-dong. A 2015 report listed the track length as 605 m and the elevation difference as 138 m. The cable car’s primary role is not simply short-distance transportation but connecting Myeongdong’s commercial district with the summit of Namsan in one trip. The first floor of the lower station has a ticket office, café, shop, lockers, ATM, and AED; the second floor has a waiting room and nursing room; and the basement level has a lounge.
Operating from 10:00 to 23:00, with final ticket sales until 22:30
Official operating hours are 10:00–23:00 every day, with no regular closing days. However, the final tickets are issued until 22:30, 30 minutes before closing, and service may be temporarily suspended or end early in strong winds or severe weather. If you plan to depart late, especially to see the night view, check the real-time operating information on the official website before setting out.
Tickets are purchased on-site rather than reserved online. Adult tickets, for ages 13 and over, cost 15,000 won round trip or 12,000 won one way. Children’s tickets, for ages 36 months to 12 years, cost 11,500 won round trip or 9,000 won one way. Seniors, national merit recipients, and people with disabilities qualify for the child fare when presenting supporting documents. Residents of Jung-gu and Yongsan-gu can pay 7,500 won round trip or 6,000 won one way by presenting identification that confirms their address.
How to take the free shuttle from Exit 1 of Myeongdong Station on Line 4
The address of the lower station is 83 Sopa-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul. If you are traveling by subway, you can access it from Myeongdong Station on Line 4. The official free shuttle runs between the Namsan Cable Car parking lot and Exit 1 of Myeongdong Station. From the cable car parking lot, the first shuttle departs at 12:00 and the last at 20:30; the ride to Exit 1 of Myeongdong Station takes approximately 10 minutes.
If you arrive before shuttle service begins or prefer to walk, you can also use Namsan Ormi near Exit 4 of Myeongdong Station. Namsan Ormi is an inclined elevator that reduces the effort of climbing Sopa-ro directly. The walk from Cygnus Parking Tower in front of Exit 2 of Myeongdong Station to the lower station takes approximately 7–8 minutes, so visitors carrying a lot of luggage or traveling with a stroller should compare the shuttle schedule with the Ormi route.
When comparing three nearby lots with the 22-space public Namsan Cable Car parking lot
A 22-space Seoul municipal on-street public parking lot for Namsan Cable Car is listed nearby, but public transportation is simpler on weekends and public holidays given the parking conditions on the city’s slopes. If you are driving, it is safer to check the operating conditions of nearby parking lots first rather than setting only the station as your destination.
Official information states that the La Luce wedding hall parking lot has space for approximately 100 vehicles, costs 2,000 won for the first 30 minutes and 1,000 won for each additional 15 minutes, is available only on weekdays, and is about a 7-minute walk from the station. Cygnus Parking Tower is a multi-story facility with space for approximately 150 vehicles; it costs 2,000 won for the first 30 minutes and 1,000 won for each additional 10 minutes, and is available after 20:00 on weekends and holidays. Namsandong Public Parking Lot costs 500 won per 10 minutes and is located at 2 Toegye-ro 20-gil; its phone number is 02-755-7004.
From the upper station to N Seoul Tower: who should and should not buy a round-trip ticket
After getting off at the upper station, you can continue toward N Seoul Tower, Palgakjeong Pavilion, and the locks area at the summit of Namsan. A round-trip ticket is convenient if you plan to take only the cable car and return the same way. However, if you plan to walk along the Namsan Ring Road or take a shuttle bus and get off elsewhere, the 12,000-won one-way ticket may be more suitable. Although the cable car route itself is approximately 600 m, it is realistic to allow at least 1.5 to 2 hours, including waiting, boarding, and a walk around the summit.
The lower station is some distance from the Namsan summit, which is 262 m above sea level, so arriving at the upper cable car station does not mean you immediately enter the tower observatory. The length of your stay depends on whether you visit the N Seoul Tower observatory, walk through Namsan Park, or combine the trip with a meal in Myeongdong. If your schedule includes tightly timed appointments, it is best to confirm the 22:30 ticketing cutoff and your transportation back down before heading up.
At sunset and at night, first factor in wind-related service status and on-site waiting times
Namsan Cable Car operates from 10:00 in the morning until 23:00 at night, allowing visitors to choose daytime city views, the sky around sunset, or the night scenery. However, strong winds or severe weather may cause service interruptions, and official information specifically advises visitors to check operating conditions on the website before visiting. If you aim to board just before sunset, an interruption or lengthy wait could delay your entire schedule.
Reviews and photographic materials clearly show that the cable car is often enjoyed together with Namsan’s night views, sunset scenery, and the N Seoul Tower route. On the other hand, if crowds and long waits are a concern, or if your main goal is a walk, consider Namsan Ormi, a circular shuttle bus, or a walking route as alternatives rather than immediately joining the cable car line from Myeongdong. Since the official information does not provide detailed standards for wheelchair and stroller access or boarding assistance, it is safest to inquire in advance by calling 02-753-2403 if needed.
Before You Go
- Address
- 83 Sopa-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
- Hours
- Every day, 10:00–23:00; final ticket sales until 22:30 (may close early depending on weather)
- Closed
- Open year-round (service may be temporarily suspended in strong winds or severe weather)
- Admission
- Adults: 15,000 won round trip, 12,000 won one way / Children and concession fares: 11,500 won round trip, 9,000 won one way
- Phone
- 02-753-2403
- Official site
- https://namsancablecar.com/
- Transport
- Free shuttle from Exit 1 of Myeongdong Station on Line 4 to the Namsan Cable Car parking lot (12:00–20:30, approximately 10 minutes). Namsan Ormi near Exit 4 of Myeongdong Station is also available.
- Parking
- A 22-space on-street public parking lot near Namsan Cable Car. La Luce wedding hall has space for approximately 100 vehicles (weekdays only); Cygnus Parking Tower has space for approximately 150 vehicles (available after 20:00 on weekends and holidays); Namsandong Public Parking Lot is also available.
- Time needed
- Allow 1.5–2 hours for a cable car round trip and a walk around the upper station
- Accessibility
- The lower station has access to Namsan Ormi, an inclined elevator. Detailed official standards for wheelchair and stroller access to the cabins have not been confirmed, so calling in advance is recommended.
The information above is current as of the time of writing. Check the official information again before visiting.
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