Hangang Bus Guide: Riding from Ttukseom with a Baby, Plus Schedule, Route, and Fare
Lately, I’d been spotting the Hangang Bus all over the Han River.
Now that the weather has finally cooled off, I decided to try it myself with my 16-month-old baby.
I boarded at Ttukseom and only rode one stop to Seoul Forest, but honestly, it was more fun than I expected. Seeing Seoul from the river with the breeze coming in felt surprisingly refreshing.
That said, I assumed the first boat on a weekday would be easygoing, and I almost didn’t make it on..!
After trying it for myself today, I’m sharing everything you need to know about how to ride the Hangang Bus, including the schedule, route, fare, stroller access, and what it’s like onboardin detail.
1. How to Ride the Hangang Bus
The Hangang Bus is a water-based public transit servicethat runs along the Han River. It has piers at Magok, Mangwon, Yeouido, Apgujeong, Oksu, Ttukseom, and Jamsil, and there’s also a temporary Seoul Forest pier in operation right now. I boarded at Ttukseom and got off at Seoul Forest.
The Seoul Forest pier began operating on June 8, 2026, and is expected to run through the end of October.
The Hangang Bus does not use an advance reservation system. You need to arrive at the pier and pick up a boarding number ticket first— this part is important.
Once your boarding time comes up, just tap your transit card and board. You can use the same transportation card you normally use for the subway or city buses in Seoul, so there’s no need to buy a separate ticket. Postpaid transit cards work too, of course.
The adult fare is about $2, teens pay about $1, and children under age 6 ride free, so our 16-month-old baby boarded at no extra charge.
Also good to know: it’s not distance-based pricing. Whether you ride one stop or go all the way to the end, the fare is the same.
2. Hangang Bus Schedule and Route
The Hangang Bus schedule changes depending on direction, so I definitely recommend checking the timetable before you go.
Right now, the route is broadly split into the Jamsil-bound directionand the Magok-bound direction,and departure times vary by pier along the way.
So yes, you can absolutely use it for just one or two nearby stops, like the Ttukseom–Seoul Forest section I took.
That said, the Hangang Bus isn’t like a regular subway or city bus that shows up constantly. Operating times can also change depending on weather and service conditions, so it’s best to check the latest schedule before heading out.
Transfers are possible at Yeouido Pier, but the timetable chart makes that much easier to understand at a glance.
Honestly, doing a little “star forest” tour by Hangang Bus sounds pretty fun too.
3. Ttukseom Hangang Bus Tips
If you’re using the Ttukseom pier and driving there, Ttukseom Hangang Park Ttukseom 3 Parking Lotis the closest parking option.
In TMAP, it shows up simply as Ttukseom 3 Parking Lot,
so keep that in mind. If you’re taking public transportation, Jayang Station is also convenient, and it’s close to Exit 2.
I’ve heard Ttukseom is one of the easier piers to reach from a subway exit compared with the others, so if you’re planning to use public transit, this is a good one to look into first.
There are arrow signs for the Hangang Bus pier marked along the ground the whole way, so even if you’re terrible with directions, it’s easy to find.
That’s the pier over there, and the building has a convenience store, BBQ Chicken, and an LP café called Vinyl, so if your wait ends up being longer than expected, those are good backup options.
4. Even the First Weekday Boat Gets Busy
Since it was the first boat on a weekday, I naturally assumed it would be quiet.
The first departure from Ttukseom was at 11:17 a.m., and I got to the pier around 11:00, thinking I was playing it pretty safe(?).
But the boarding number tickets had already run out.
I asked a few people who had gotten tickets what time they arrived, and they said they had come at least 30 minutes early. So I thought we were out of luck,but there actually was still a way to get on
The Hangang Bus has a capacity of 150 passengers, and if people who boarded at earlier piers get off, anyone without a number ticket can still board as additional passengers if seats open up.
Luckily, quite a few people who had boarded in Jamsil got off when our boat arrived, so we were able to board as part of the extra group.
If it was this busy even for the first weekday departure, I’d definitely give yourself more time on weekends. I heard that if you show up right before departure on a weekend, there’s a very good chance you won’t get on.
I also heard there are usually fewer extra boarding spots on weekends, so if you can, aim for a weekday..!!
5. Riding the Hangang Bus with a Baby
It was actually more comfortable than I expected with a baby.
First of all, you don’t need to fold up your stroller. You can roll it straight from the pier onto the boat, and there are plenty of priority seats onboard for passengers who need extra assistance.
The boat isn’t huge, which actually works in your favor. No matter where you sit, you still get a good view of the Han River through the windows, so there’s really no need to rush for one specific seat.
The very front row is the most popular and people treat it like the best seat in the house, but is it really?
Once they open access to the outdoor deck, everyone heads out there and stands in front anyway, so the front view gets blocked. Honestly, the side window seats might be even better.
There are separate restrooms for men and women onboard, and the boat is equipped with safety gear including life jackets for emergencies.
A little after departure, they announce when the outdoor deck is open. Once the boat gets close to a pier again, everyone has to come back inside and sit down.
I headed outside the second they opened the door because the weather was just too good.
One thing to note: you can’t bring a stroller onto the outdoor deck.
There were so many people out with cameras, clearly there for a photo outing.
The Hangang Bus doesn’t move at a super fast speed, so the wind never felt too harsh. That made it comfortable enough to enjoy the view outside with a baby too. If the wind is too strong, it gets chaotic fast.
I’m used to looking at the river from Hangang Park, but seeing Seoul from out on the Han River made the city feel completely different.
From Ttukseom to Seoul Forest, the ride takes about 18 minutes. It was the perfect little intro to the Hangang Bus experience.
But if you think of it strictly as public transportation, it’s a different story. It’s not especially fast, and the intervals between boats are long, so if your only goal is getting somewhere quickly, the subway or bus is much more convenient.
The Hangang Bus makes more sense as a scenic outing on the Han River than as a fast way to get around.
When it was time to get off, we had parked the stroller near the door, so they let us exit first. Honestly, such a win.
6. Final Thoughts on the Hangang Bus
After riding it myself, I had way more fun than I expected, and on a nice day, I’d absolutely do it again.
Especially compared with peak summer or deep winter, I think spring and fall are the best seasons to ride the Hangang Bus, since you can actually enjoy the outdoor deck without it feeling miserable.
A short route like Ttukseom to Seoul Forest works really well too. There’s plenty to do around Ttukseom, so you can grab your boarding number, hang out while you wait, ride the Hangang Bus to Seoul Forest, explore the park, and then continue into Seongsu-dong. It makes a great one-day date course in Seoul, South Korea.
Before the weather gets cold, go see Seoul from the Han River with your baby at least once 🙂
