Hangang Bus in Seoul With Kids: Our Ttukseom to Yeouido Experience

Seeing Seoul From the Han River

We have taken the Hangang Bus several times with our children, and each ride has felt a little different. The number of passengers, where we were able to sit, and even the weather influenced the experience.

The view during one of our Hangang Bus rides with the children.

One of the most enjoyable parts of taking the Hangang Bus was seeing a familiar city from a completely different perspective. From the river, we could see Seoul's high-rise buildings, different parts of the skyline, and Namsan Seoul Tower in the distance.

Seoul's skyline and Han River scenery seen during different rides.

The boat moved at a comfortable pace, so we had time to look around and enjoy the changing scenery rather than simply passing everything quickly. On one of our rides, we were able to sit beside the large windows and enjoy the view throughout the journey. On another, there were many more passengers and we had to sit closer to the middle.

Where we sat and how crowded the boat was affected the view during each ride.

The weather also made a difference. Because so much of the experience is about looking out across the Han River and enjoying the city views, the scenery can feel quite different from one trip to another. Sunny or clearer weather naturally makes it easier to see farther across Seoul, while different weather gives the river and skyline a different atmosphere. This is one reason our photos from different rides do not all look the same.

Even when we couldn't get window seats, we still had a chance to experience the river more directly. During the journey, the doors were opened twice so that passengers could go outside, enjoy the view and take photos. Before going outside, we had to register ourselves using a QR code as part of the safety procedure.

Passengers were allowed to step outside twice during the journey to enjoy the river views.

Going outside was one of my children's favorite parts of the ride. They enjoyed standing toward the front of the boat, looking across the river and feeling the cool wind as we moved along. Sitting inside and watching through the windows was enjoyable, but being outside made the experience much more exciting for them.

Feeling the wind from the outdoor area was one of our children's favorite parts of the ride.

After taking the Hangang Bus several times, I have found that the weather and how crowded the boat is can change the experience. At the same time, that is part of what makes each ride a little different. For our children, being on the river and feeling the wind outside has remained one of the highlights.

From the Hangang Bus to Yeouido Park

After traveling from the Ttukseom side, we got off in the Yeouido area and continued our day there. This is one of the things I like about using the Hangang Bus this way. Instead of taking the boat simply for the experience and then returning immediately, we could use it as part of a larger family outing.

Our family outing continued in Yeouido after the Hangang Bus ride.

After getting off, we went to Yeouido Park, where we spent some time with the children. We walked around, looked at different events and activities taking place in the area, and stopped for some snacks. There were also restaurants and coffee shops nearby, so it was easy to take a break and get something to eat or drink.

We looked around the activities in Yeouido and stopped for snacks before going home.

It made the day feel nicely balanced. The Hangang Bus ride was an experience in itself, and afterward we could slow down, have something to eat, look around and simply enjoy the atmosphere in Yeouido.

We didn't need a complicated itinerary or a long list of attractions. Combining the Hangang Bus ride with some time in Yeouido was enough to make it an enjoyable family outing.

We didn't take the Hangang Bus back. After spending time in Yeouido, we simply took the subway home. I liked doing the trip this way because we didn't have to repeat the same journey in both directions. The Hangang Bus became one part of the day's experience, while the subway gave us a convenient way to return home.

For families in Seoul, this also makes the Hangang Bus quite flexible for a day out. You don't necessarily have to plan a round trip. You can take the Hangang Bus to another part of the city, spend some time there, and return by subway or another form of public transportation.

Is the Hangang Bus Good With Children?

Based on our own experiences, we enjoyed using the Hangang Bus with our children. For adults, it can be an interesting alternative way to travel through Seoul, but for children, simply being on a boat makes the journey feel more exciting.

What I liked most was that the transportation itself became part of the day's activity. The children had something to experience along the way—watching Seoul from the river, going outside when the doors were opened, and feeling the wind as the boat moved along.

It also worked well for a simple half-day family outing. Taking the Hangang Bus toward Yeouido, spending time there, and returning by subway was enough for us. It didn't require complicated planning, which is sometimes exactly what we want for a day out with children.

Practical Tips and Final Thoughts

After using the Hangang Bus several times, there are a few things I would keep in mind. First, check the departure time in advance and arrive with enough time to buy your ticket and prepare for boarding. This is especially helpful when traveling with children.

I also wouldn't assume that you will get a window seat. Seating was not assigned when we traveled, and passengers chose from the available seats after boarding. On one trip, we were able to sit beside a large window. On another, the boat was crowded and we had to sit in the middle.

Even without a window seat, however, we were still able to enjoy the scenery when passengers were allowed outside during the journey. So I wouldn't worry too much if the seats beside the windows are already taken when you board.

The weather is another thing worth considering. Since a large part of the experience is enjoying the Han River and the Seoul skyline, the view and the feeling of the ride can change depending on the weather.

For our family, the Hangang Bus was more than another way to get from one part of Seoul to another. It gave us a chance to slow down, enjoy the Han River, and turn the journey itself into part of our day together.

We got off in Yeouido, looked around the park and nearby activities, had some snacks, and eventually took the subway home. It wasn't a complicated day out, but that was part of what I liked about it. Sometimes a simple change in how we travel is enough to make an ordinary family outing feel a little more special.