Tour operator
Seoul Guided Walking Tours
Free walking tours run by the Seoul Metropolitan Government with volunteer guides, covering palaces, old alleys, the city wall and other heritage routes.
Seoul City Tour Bus
Hop-on hop-off sightseeing buses departing from Gwanghwamun, with a daytime palace and Namsan loop and a night course along the Han River.
At a glance
- Type
- Hop-on hop-off bus tour
- Area
- Gwanghwamun, Seoul, South Korea
- Official site
- seoulcitybus.com
Good to know
- Hop-on hop-off day loop
- Night course
- Departs Gwanghwamun
Why we recommend it
The Seoul City Tour Bus is the city's long-established sightseeing bus service, run by Seoul City Tour Bus Co. from a ticket office near Gwanghwamun. It is an easy way to cover a lot of ground in a short time, especially for first-time visitors, families with children and anyone who finds walking long distances difficult.
The main daytime course loops through downtown, past the palaces and up to Namsan, with around 15 stops. Tickets allow unlimited hop-on hop-off travel for the day, so you can step off at Gyeongbokgung, explore for a couple of hours and catch a later bus to the next stop. The route links many of the sights in this guide, from the palaces and Insadong to Myeongdong and N Seoul Tower, and it saves working out subway connections on a first day.
The night course is different. It is a non-stop ride of around 90 minutes that crosses to the Han River and returns via Namsan, with a stop of about 25 minutes at N Seoul Tower to look out over the lights of the city. It runs once a day, so book ahead in busy seasons. The company also offers themed packages from time to time, which have included a backstage tour and beauty-themed experiences.
The bus suits families, older travellers, first-time visitors and anyone with limited time. It is less useful if you prefer to explore neighbourhoods in depth, as traffic in central Seoul can be slow, particularly on weekend afternoons. On open-top buses, bring sun protection in summer and warm layers in winter, and expect the night course to be cold on the river even in spring and autumn.
A sensible plan is to ride the full loop once to get your bearings, then use the hop-on hop-off ticket to return to the two or three stops that interest you most.
Buy tickets at the Gwanghwamun ticket office or in advance, and check the current timetable, which can change with the season and for events. Departures leave from near Gwanghwamun, a short walk from Gwanghwamun Station on Line 5 and close to the Four Seasons, Gwanghwamun Square and Deoksugung. Arrive 10 to 15 minutes before departure, especially for the night course.
Seoul City Tour Bus FAQs
Where does the Seoul City Tour Bus depart from?
From Gwanghwamun, where the ticket office is located.
Can you hop on and off?
Yes. The daytime downtown, palace and Namsan course allows unlimited hop-on hop-off travel for the day.
How many stops are on the day route?
The daytime course has around 15 stops.
What is the night course?
A non-stop ride of about 90 minutes via the Han River and Namsan, with around 25 minutes at N Seoul Tower.
How often does the night course run?
Once a day, so book ahead in busy periods.
Is it good for families?
Yes. It is an easy way for children and older travellers to see the main sights.
Should you dress warmly?
Yes, on open-top buses and the night course, especially from autumn to spring.
How do you get to the departure point?
Walk from Gwanghwamun Station on Line 5.