Seoul to Gangneung Travel Guide: East Coast Trip

Gangneung provides a seaside retreat on the East Sea coast that feels completely different from Seoul. Instead of skyscrapers and riverbanks, the city offers open ocean water, coastal pine scenery, and a dedicated roasting and cafe culture right against the beach.

• Who it suits: Coastal vacationers, cafe-hopping travelers, and food lovers seeking regional Gangwon culinary heritage.
• Best season to visit: Summer (July to August) is peak beach season for swimming, with waters open 09:00 to 18:00. Autumn brings pleasant coastal weather, fall colors along the rail corridor, and the annual Gangneung Coffee Festival in late October.

Gangneung features several iconic food districts and coastal landmarks within short transit rides of the city center:

• Anmokhaebyeon Beach & Gangneung Coffee Street: Spanning 500 meters of white sand, this coastal promenade evolved from 1980s coffee vending machines into a seaside avenue of specialty roasters. Beach grounds stay open 06:00 to 22:00.
• Chodang Dubu Village: Located near Gyeongpo, this historic enclave produces chodang sundubu (soft tofu) curdled using clean East Sea water instead of chemical coagulants. It also houses the birthplace of Joseon writers Heo Gyun and Heonan Seolheon.
• Local Food Specialties: Signature dishes beyond tofu include gamja ongsimi (chewy potato ball soup) and jang kalguksu (spicy red pepper and soybean paste noodle soup).
• Gangneung Coffee Festival: Held annually along Coffee Street and nearby venues, offering tastings and barista showcases.

Travelers have reliable public transit connections linking central Seoul to Gangneung:

• KTX Gangneung Line: Trains depart from Seoul Station and Cheongnyangni Station, traversing the 237.7 km route through Yangpyeong, Seowonju, and Pyeongchang before arriving at Gangneung Station. Tickets can be booked via korail.com, the KORAIL Talk app, terminal kiosks, or NAVER/KakaoT. Foreigners can also use the KORAIL PASS.
• Express and Intercity Buses: Depart from Seoul Express Bus Terminal (subway Lines 3, 7, and 9) or East Seoul Terminal. Tickets are purchasable online via TxBus (txbuse.t-money.co.kr), partner platforms like Klook or Hanpass, and physical ticket windows. Intercity luxury bus tickets booked at least 48 hours in advance can receive up to a 10% discount.

KTX is the fastest, smoothest option for most tourists, while express buses provide budget-friendly flexibility.

Getting around the city is straightforward using public transit, taxis, or tourist services:

• Local City Buses: Regular buses cost 1,530 KRW (approx. $1.09) with a transit card or 1,700 KRW (approx. $1.21) in cash. Seat buses cost 2,160 KRW (approx. $1.54) by card or 2,400 KRW (approx. $1.71) in cash. Transit card users receive up to two free transfers within one hour after tapping off.
• Reaching the Beach: Buses No. 300-1, 223-1, 225-1, and 314-1 travel from Gangneung Station to Anmok Beach in approximately 15 minutes. A taxi ride takes about the same time.
• Autonomous Tourist Vehicles: Gangneung operates free self-driving shuttles connecting major tourist spots, reservable on the same day via QR code.
• Continuing South on the Donghae Line: KTX-Eum trains connect Gangneung Station south to Donghae, Samcheok, Pohang, Gyeongju, and Busan (Bujeon Station in 3 hours 50 minutes).