Hi guys! It’s your friendly local Korean friend, Yeda.
Today, I’ll show you exactly how to catch the Namsan Seoul Tower bus to reach the best views in Seoul!
If you watched my latest YouTube video, you know I recently went on a beautiful trekking trip up Namsan Mountain.
Namsan Seoul Tower is one of the most famous landmarks in Korea and offers some of the best panoramic views of the city.
But getting there can still be a little confusing for first-time visitors, especially if you rely only on Google Maps, which doesn’t always show the most practical walking or bus routes in Seoul.
You might also have read old travel blogs telling you to look for a “Yellow Bus” to go up Namsan.
That information is now outdated. In 2026, the Namsan shuttle system is more eco-friendly and is operated as the green/mint Namsan Seoul Tower buses 01A and 01B.
Today, I’m going to be your personal local guide.
I’ll show you the smartest, easiest way to get to Namsan Tower using public transportation.
Then I’ll walk you through exactly how to ride back down and head straight to Namdaemun Market for some amazing Korean street food.
Let’s dive into the ultimate Namsan logistics guide!
1. The Golden Rule of Namsan: No Direct Car Access to the Top
Here is the most important thing you need to know before you go.
You cannot just drive a regular taxi or Uber-style car right up to the very front of Namsan Seoul Tower.
Vehicle access to the top area is restricted to protect the environment and keep the mountain roads safe and peaceful.
Most regular cars and taxis have to stop at lower parking areas, and from there you still need to walk or transfer.
So, how do you actually get up to the tower area?
You have three main options: Walk, Cable Car, or Bus.
Option A: Walk / Trek (For Nature Lovers)
Option B: Namsan Cable Car (For the Romantic View)
This is the most famous and scenic option, especially at night. It is perfect if you don’t want to sweat but still want a bird’s-eye view of the city.
- Where to Board: Get off at Myeongdong Station (Line 4, Exit 3) and walk about 10–15 minutes uphill.
- Yeda’s Local Tip: Look for the “Namsan Oreumi”—a free outdoor slanted elevator that takes you right up to the cable car ticket office so you don’t have to walk up the steep hill!
- Ticket Price (As of 2026): Around 15,000 KRW for an adult round-trip, and 12,000 KRW for a one-way ticket.
- Keep in mind: The lines can get very long on weekends and holidays, so be prepared to wait!
Option C: Namsan Seoul Tower Bus (01A / 01B)
For most travelers, this is the cheapest, smartest, and most efficient way to go up and come back down. In this guide, we’ll focus mainly on this bus route!
This is what I did in my video! It is a great workout and offers beautiful forest views. There are three main trails you can choose from:
- Route 1: Baekbeom Square / Namsan Library Trail (The Stairmaster)
- Starting Point: Hoehyeon Station (Line 4) or Seoul Station.
- Difficulty: Moderate (Lots of stairs!)
- Vibe: Iconic stone stairs seen in K-dramas. Direct, beautiful tower views.
- Route 2: National Theater of Korea Trail (The Gentle Stroll)
- Starting Point: Dongguk University Station (Line 3, Exit 6).
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate.
- Vibe: Mostly paved and gradual incline through the peaceful forest.
- Route 3: Haneul Sup-gil / Sky Forest Trail (Yeda’s Pick! ⭐)
- Starting Point: Near the Namsan Southern Circuit Road (Southern Loop).
- Special Feature: A beautiful Wooden Deck Trail that feels like you are walking among the treetops.
- Why it’s special: This is a “barrier-free” path, meaning it’s very flat and easy to walk on without steep stairs. It offers a unique perspective of the city skyline through the pine trees. It’s the most “Instagrammable” forest path on the mountain!
2. The “Yellow Bus” Myth vs. the Green Reality
If you read older travel guides, you’ll see a lot of mentions of the “Namsan Yellow Bus.” Please forget that.
Seoul’s Namsan Seoul Tower Bus has been updated and reorganized.
The former “yellow” branding is gone, and now the official Namsan shuttle routes are called 01A and 01B.
These are Namsan Sunhwan (circular) buses that connect major subway stations with the Namsan area and the Namsan Seoul Tower stop.
The buses are eco-friendly low-floor models, often wrapped in green or mint tones.
They are clean, quiet, and designed to reduce emissions around the mountain.
So:
- Don’t look for a bright yellow “Namsan Bus” anymore.
- Look for buses labeled 01A or 01B heading toward Namsan Seoul Tower.
- If you stand at the bus stop waiting for a yellow bus, you might end up waiting forever.
3. How to Catch the Namsan Seoul Tower Bus (01A & 01B)
Riding the bus in Seoul is very easy if you have a transportation card like T-money or Korea Tour Card. You simply tap your card when you get on, and tap again when you get off.
This gives you distance-based fares and transfer discounts between bus and subway.
Here are some of the easiest places to catch the Namsan Seoul Tower bus from the subway:
| Bus | Where to Board (Subway Nearby) | Good For |
| 01A | Chungmuro Station (Line 3 & 4, Exit 2) Dongguk University Station (Line 3, Exit 6) City Hall / Namdaemun-side stops | Full loop that connects Namsan Seoul Tower with downtown (City Hall, Namdaemun side, etc.). |
| 01B | Dongguk University Station (Line 3, Exit 6) National Theater of Korea stop Chungmuro vicinity | Shorter, more direct loop focusing on Namsan-related sections. |
Yeda’s Local Tip:
For first-time visitors, I highly recommend catching Bus 01A or 01B from Chungmuro Station (Exit 2 area) or Dongguk University Station (Exit 6).
These stops are very close to the base of Namsan and feel intuitive even if you’re new to Seoul. The ride up usually takes about 15–20 minutes, and the winding road through the trees feels like a mini scenic tour.
When you get off at the “Namsan Seoul Tower bus” stop, you still have a short but noticeably steep uphill walk to reach the actual tower plaza, so definitely wear comfortable shoes.
Check the official Seoul City Website.
4. Can Foreign Credit Cards Be Used on the Namsan Seoul Tower Bus?
This is a very common question, especially in 2026.
Seoul is gradually introducing a system where you can tap overseas credit cards directly on public transport card readers (so-called “open-loop” payment).
Foreign credit cards are being introduced for direct transit payments on some routes, but it’s not fully universal yet.
For Namsan Seoul Tower bus, think of a T-money or Korea Tour Card as essential, and use your foreign credit card mainly to charge that transit card rather than tapping it directly on the bus.
5. Moving from Namsan to Namdaemun Market
You’ve reached the top, taken your beautiful photos, and enjoyed the views. Now, it’s time to eat.
Namdaemun Market is one of the largest and oldest traditional markets in Korea, famous for endless street food stalls, local restaurants, clothes, kitchenware, and more.
Getting from Namsan to Namdaemun is very straightforward using the same shuttle system.
Here is a step-by-step route:
1. Head back to the bus stop
From the tower plaza, walk back down to the Namsan Seoul Tower shuttle bus stop where you got off earlier. The same stop is used for the buses going back down.
2. Take Namsan Seoul Tower Bus 01A toward downtown
Check the direction and board Bus 01A heading toward City Hall / Namdaemun / downtown. Tap your T-money (or other transit card) when you get on.
3. Enjoy the ride down
The bus will wind down the mountain road and then continue into the city center. It’s a short but pleasant ride with a nice view over the city.
4. Get off near Namdaemun Market
Listen for the English announcements. Depending on the exact stop names when you visit, you can get off at a stop labeled “Namdaemun Market” or “Namdaemun Market Entrance”, or get off near “City Hall” and then walk about 3–5 minutes to the main market area.
5. Follow the crowds
Once you step off the bus and walk toward the market, you’ll immediately notice the change in atmosphere: narrow streets, food carts, hanging signs, and lots of people. Just follow the flow and you’ll be in the heart of Namdaemun in no time.
Overall, it usually takes under 20 minutes of bus time plus a short walk to go from the quiet mountain top to the lively market streets. It’s a perfect half-day itinerary: morning or afternoon at Namsan, then straight into street food heaven.
6. Quick Reminders for Your Trip
T-money (or Korea Tour Card) is essential:
Technically, some buses still accept cash, and open-loop payments with foreign cards are being rolled out. But as a visitor, treating a transit card as your main payment method will make your life much easier: fewer mistakes, easier transfers, and less stress.
Wear comfortable shoes:
Even if you take the bus up, there is still a short but steep walk from the bus stop to the tower plaza. Also, both Namsan trails and Namdaemun Market involve quite a bit of walking.
Check the weather:
Namsan can feel windier and a little colder than street level, especially in the evening or during shoulder seasons. Bring a light jacket or windbreaker so you can enjoy the view comfortably.
Next Up: The Ultimate Street Food Experience
Now that you know exactly how to navigate the Namsan buses like a true Seoul local—and how to use your T-money and foreign card smartly—you’re ready for the best part: the food.
Once you arrive at Namdaemun Market, there’s one thing you absolutely must try: Hotteok (Korean sweet pancake). Crispy on the outside, chewy and syrupy inside… it’s the perfect reward after your Namsan adventure.
In my next post, I’ll give you the ultimate guide to Namdaemun street food, including the exact spot where I found the crispiest, chewiest Hotteok in the city. Stay tuned for the next post!
And if you want to see my full Namsan trekking route and the amazing views, don’t forget to watch my latest YouTube video.
Stay safe, travel smart, and see you in Seoul!
Yeda
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