The easiest way from Seoul to Seoraksan is an express bus to Sokcho (about 2 hours 20 minutes from Seoul Express Bus Terminal, about 2 hours 30 minutes from Dong Seoul), then Sokcho city bus 7 or 7-1 (₩1,700) to the last stop, Seoraksan Sogongwon. There is no train to Sokcho yet. Entry to the park is free — the national park fee ended in 2007 and temple cultural-heritage fees at national parks ended on May 4, 2023. The Seorak Cable Car to Gwongeumseong is ₩16,000 return for adults, sold only on the day at the station.
Key facts — As of 2026-10-30 · Sokcho City, Seorak Cable Car, Korea National Park Service, Korea Heritage Service
- From Seoul, take an express bus to Sokcho (about 2 hours 20 minutes from Seoul Express Bus Terminal), then Sokcho city bus 7 or 7-1 (₩1,700) to the last stop, Seoraksan Sogongwon.
- There is no entrance fee for Seoraksan: national park admission was abolished in 2007 and temple cultural-heritage fees in national parks were waived from May 4, 2023.
- The Seorak Cable Car to Gwongeumseong costs ₩16,000 return for adults and is sold only on the day at the station, with a set boarding time.
- The Korea National Park Service lists the Ulsanbawi trail from Sogongwon as 3.8 km and about 2 hours one way.
Seoul to Seoraksan, step by step
- Express bus to Sokcho. From Seoul Express Bus Terminal (Gyeongbu side, subway lines 3, 7, 9) or Dong Seoul Bus Terminal (Gangbyeon Station, line 2). On 11/02 our timetable showed 60 departures from Seoul to Sokcho, 06:00–23:30, fares ₩18,700–₩31,500, fastest 2h 20m. See today’s Seoul–Sokcho timetable.
- City bus 7 or 7-1 to Seoraksan. Both run from Sokcho to the last stop, 설악산소공원 (Seoraksan Sogongwon). The Seorak Cable Car’s own guide says to take them from the intercity bus terminal. ₩1,700 per ride, card or cash; tap your card when you get off for a free transfer within 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Walk in from Sogongwon. The cable car station, Sinheungsa Temple and the start of every short trail below are a short walk from the bus stop.
| Bus | Operator | First | Last |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 via Yeongnang-dong | Gangwon Yeogaek | 06:47 | 19:00 |
| Donghae Sangsa | 09:20 | 18:26 | |
| 7-1 via Sokcho Medical Center | Gangwon Yeogaek | 06:30 | 20:35 |
| Donghae Sangsa | 07:21 | 20:00 |
Times from Sokcho’s bus information system (checked 2026-10-30); the official timetable does not list how often the buses run or the stops in between, so allow extra time. Fares: adult ₩1,700, middle and high school ₩1,360, elementary ₩850.
Seorak Cable Car to Gwongeumseong
| Ticket (return only) | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult (middle school and older) | ₩16,000 |
| Child (37 months to elementary school) | ₩12,000 |
| Age 65 and over (not in peak season) | ₩14,000 |
| 36 months and under | Free |
- No reservations: tickets are sold only on the day at the 1st-floor ticket office, with a set boarding time.
- Cars leave every 10–15 minutes when quiet and about every 5 minutes when busy; the ride is about 5 minutes each way, and there is no walking path down.
- Operating hours change by day and are posted on the official site. Senior discounts do not apply in 2026 peak periods: 07-18 to 08-23 and 09-19 to 11-15.
- The cable car has no parking of its own; drivers use the paid Sinheungsa parking lot.
Trails from Sogongwon
Distances and times are one way, as the Korea National Park Service lists them. All start from Sogongwon except the Osaek route.
| Trail | Route | Distance | Time one way | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Towangseong Falls viewpoint | 소공원–육담폭포–비룡폭포–전망대 | 2.8 km | 1h 30m | Easy |
| Geumganggul Cave (via Biseondae) | 소공원–와선대–비선대–금강굴 | 3.6 km | 2h | Easy |
| Ulsanbawi Rock (via Heundeulbawi) | 소공원–신흥사–흔들바위·계조암–울산바위 | 3.8 km | 2h | Moderate |
| Daecheongbong summit (from Osaek) | 오색–대청봉 | 5 km | 4h | Hard |
| Daecheongbong traverse (from Seorak-dong, ends at Osaek) | 소공원–비선대–희운각–대청봉–설악폭포–오색 | 16 km | 10h 40m | Hard, usually 2 days |
Seoraksan closes parts of its high trails for wildfire prevention in spring and autumn, and in 2025 the low trails to Biseondae, Ulsanbawi, Towangseong Falls viewpoint and Gwongeumseong stayed open during the spring closure. Check the Korea National Park Service notices before a summit hike, and start the long Daecheongbong routes early — summit access follows set entry times.
Where it is
| Place | In Korean | Map |
|---|---|---|
| Sokcho Express Bus Terminal | 속초고속버스터미널 | Naver Map · Kakao Map |
| Sokcho Intercity Bus Terminal | 속초시외버스터미널 | Naver Map · Kakao Map |
| Seoraksan Sogongwon (bus 7 / 7-1 last stop) | 설악산소공원 | Naver Map · Kakao Map |
| Seorak Cable Car | 설악케이블카 | Naver Map · Kakao Map |
| Sinheungsa Temple | 신흥사 | Naver Map · Kakao Map |
Show the Korean name to a taxi driver or type it into a map app.
Is there a train to Sokcho?
Not yet. A Chuncheon–Sokcho railway is under construction, and its opening year has not been fixed in official statements. For now the bus is the direct way; you can also take the KTX to Gangneung and change to a bus there.
How this page works
Seoul–Sokcho bus numbers come from our daily express-bus timetable (TAGO, the national transport data service). City bus 7 and 7-1 times and fares are from Sokcho City’s bus pages, cable car prices from the Seorak Cable Car’s official guide, trail distances from the Korea National Park Service and the fee waiver from the Korea Heritage Service; we checked them on the date shown and do not invent what those pages leave out (bus frequency, parking fees, cable car hours). The page is rebuilt twice a day (around 09:15 and 21:15 Korea time) and republished only when the numbers change.
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FAQ
How do I get from Seoul to Seoraksan?
Take an express bus from Seoul Express Bus Terminal or Dong Seoul to Sokcho (about 2h 20m–2h 30m), then city bus 7 or 7-1 (₩1,700) to the last stop, Seoraksan Sogongwon.
Is there an entrance fee for Seoraksan?
No. National park admission fees were abolished in 2007, and cultural-heritage viewing fees at temples in national parks were waived from May 4, 2023. The cable car and parking are paid.
How much is the Seoraksan cable car?
₩16,000 return for adults and ₩12,000 for children, sold only on the day at the station, with a set boarding time.
Which bus goes to Seoraksan from Sokcho?
City buses 7 and 7-1 go to the last stop, Seoraksan Sogongwon. The fare is ₩1,700 for adults.
Can I do Seoraksan as a day trip from Seoul?
Yes for the short walks: about 2.5 hours by bus each way plus the city bus ride leaves time for the cable car or a 2–3 hour walk such as Towangseong Falls viewpoint or Biseondae. Take an early bus and check the last bus back on today’s timetable.
Is there a train to Sokcho?
Not yet; a Chuncheon–Sokcho line is under construction. Take the bus, or KTX to Gangneung and a bus from there.
Bus, cable car and trail facts checked on 2026-10-30 on the Sokcho City, Sokcho bus information, Seorak Cable Car and Korea National Park Service websites and the Korea Heritage Service notice of May 1, 2023. Seoul–Sokcho bus numbers come from our daily timetable (TAGO). Times and prices can change — check before you go.
Last updated 2026-11-05. Editorial policy
