N Seoul Tower Guide: Tickets, Hours, Cable Car and How to Get There
Quick answer
- Observatory: ₩29,000 for adults (13+), ₩23,000 for ages 3–12 and 65+. Open every day, 10:00–22:30 on weekdays and 10:00–23:00 on weekends and holidays; last entry 30 minutes before closing.
- Namsan cable car: ₩15,000 return or ₩12,000 one way for adults (13+), 10:00–23:00, pay on site only. A free shuttle bus from Myeong-dong Station runs from noon, with gaps in its timetable.
- Cheaper ways up: Namsan circulating buses 01A and 01B (transit card only, no cash) from Chungmuro or Dongguk Univ. stations, or a 30–40 minute walk.
N Seoul Tower's observatory costs ₩29,000 for adults (13 and over) and is open every day — 10:00–22:30 on weekdays, 10:00–23:00 on weekends and holidays, with last entry 30 minutes before closing. Our pick for the easiest way up Namsan is the cable car (₩15,000 return for adults); circulating bus 01A or 01B costs a regular bus fare, and walking is free.
Source: N Seoul Tower — hours and fees, and Namsan Cable Car (all Korean); checked Oct 28, 2026.
One tower, two names: YTN, which owns the tower, now calls it YTN Seoul Tower on its site, while the observatory and restaurants are run by CJ Foodville as N Seoul Tower. Signs and maps may use either. The observatory is the part with an admission fee; the love locks are outside on the plaza.
The short version
| Adult (13+) | Child (3–12) and 65+ | Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Observatory | ₩29,000 | ₩23,000 | Weekdays 10:00–22:30 · weekends & holidays 10:00–23:00 |
| Cable car, return | ₩15,000 | ₩11,500 | 10:00–23:00, every day |
| Cable car, one way | ₩12,000 | ₩9,000 | 10:00–23:00, every day |
| Bus 01A / 01B | Regular bus fare (transit card only) | 06:30–23:00 | |
| Walking | Free | Free | About 30–40 min, depending on the trail |
Source: N Seoul Tower fees, Namsan Cable Car and YTN Seoul Tower — bus (Korean); checked Oct 28, 2026.
Ticket details:
- Observatory: children under 36 months are free — one child per accompanying guardian; kindergarten groups pay the child fare. Ages 65 and over pay the child fare. There are disability discounts; see the fee page.
- Cable car: child fares are for ages 36 months to 12. Seniors and some other groups get the child fare with proof. Tickets are sold on site only.
- Both hours can change: the tower says weather and schedules may affect them, and the cable car may stop in strong wind. Check before you go.
Getting up Namsan
By cable car (our pick from Myeong-dong)
- From Myeong-dong Station Exit 4, walk straight to Hoehyeon intersection and turn left to the Namsan Oreumi (step 2). Or from Exit 3, walk up the side street for about 7–8 minutes to the cable car building, the cable car operator says. Or take the free shuttle bus, which stops in front of Myeong-dong Station Exit 1. Its timetable starts at 12:00 (last bus from Myeong-dong 20:50) and has gaps in the afternoon, so check the shuttle timetable before you go.
- The Namsan Oreumi inclined elevator lifts you to the cable car station (09:00–23:00; on Mondays it stops 09:00–14:00 for checks).
- Ride the cable car to the top. YTN puts the whole trip from Myeong-dong at about 15 minutes.
Opened on May 12, 1962, it was Korea's first passenger cable car, according to the operator; the line is about 600 m long and each cabin holds up to 48 people. The operator says mornings are quieter than afternoons and weekend waits can be long.
Source: YTN Seoul Tower — cable car and Namsan Cable Car (Korean); checked Oct 28, 2026.
By bus 01A or 01B (regular bus fare)
These circulating buses run one way round a loop and stop at YTN Seoul Tower. They're cashless: pay with a transit card (see how to get a T-money card).
| Bus 01A | Bus 01B | |
|---|---|---|
| How often | Every 6–9 min | Every 15–18 min |
| Hours | 06:30–23:00 (same on weekdays, Saturdays and holidays) | 06:30–23:00 (same on weekdays, Saturdays and holidays) |
| Easy subway stops | Chungmuro Station Exit 2 · Dongguk Univ. Station Exit 6 | Chungmuro Station Exit 2 · Dongguk Univ. Station Exit 6 |
| Also passes | Namdaemun Market, City Hall, Gyeongbokgung, Anguk (Insadong) | Namsan cable car stop |
Source: YTN Seoul Tower — bus (Korean); checked Oct 28, 2026.
From Chungmuro Exit 2 the stop is about a minute's walk straight ahead. From Dongguk Univ. Exit 6, follow YTN's directions to the stop.
On foot
| Start from | Time to the top (YTN estimate) |
|---|---|
| Namsan Library (south loop road) | About 30 min |
| National Theater (south loop road, or the stairs beside it) | About 30–40 min |
| The "Samsuni stairs" (near the Seoul Education Research & Information Institute) | About 40 min |
Source: YTN Seoul Tower — on foot (Korean); checked Oct 28, 2026.
Combine it with the Seoul subway or Naver Map to reach the trailheads.
At the top
- Observatory (Tower 5F): a 360-degree view over Seoul, with digital telescopes (also on 2F and 4F).
- Love locks: padlocks left by visitors on fences and tree-shaped frames on the plaza.
- Food: several restaurants and snack bars in the tower and plaza, with their own hours (most close earlier than the observatory).
A simple plan
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Late afternoon | Bus 01A from Chungmuro, or the cable car from Myeong-dong |
| Around sunset | Plaza and love locks, then the observatory |
| After dark | Night view, then down by cable car (runs until 23:00) and dinner in Myeong-dong |
Before you go
- Check today's hours — the observatory closes at 22:30 on weekdays, 23:00 on weekends and holidays.
- Bring a transit card if you're taking bus 01A or 01B.
- Taking the cable car on a Monday morning? The Oreumi elevator is off until 14:00 and the free shuttle doesn't start until noon — walk up to the cable car station, or take bus 01A or 01B instead.
- Buy cable car tickets at the station — they're sold on site only.
FAQ
How much is the N Seoul Tower ticket?
The observatory costs ₩29,000 for adults (13 and over) and ₩23,000 for children aged 3–12 and people 65 and over. Children under 36 months are free, one per accompanying guardian; kindergarten groups pay the child fare.
What are N Seoul Tower's opening hours?
The observatory opens every day at 10:00 and closes at 22:30 on weekdays and 23:00 on weekends and holidays. Last entry is 30 minutes before closing.
How much is the Namsan cable car?
₩15,000 return or ₩12,000 one way for adults (13 and over); ₩11,500 return or ₩9,000 one way for children aged 36 months to 12. Tickets are sold on site only, 10:00–23:00.
What's the cheapest way to N Seoul Tower?
Walking is free — about 30–40 minutes from the trailheads. Otherwise, circulating bus 01A or 01B costs a regular bus fare with a transit card, from Chungmuro or Dongguk Univ. stations.
Is N Seoul Tower the same as YTN Seoul Tower?
Yes. YTN owns the tower and uses "YTN Seoul Tower"; the observatory operator uses "N Seoul Tower."
- YTN Seoul Tower — Namsan attractions (Korean)
- N Seoul Tower (CJ Foodville) — Hours (Korean)
- N Seoul Tower (CJ Foodville) — Observatory fees (Korean)
- Namsan Cable Car — Fares, hours and shuttle (Korean)
- YTN Seoul Tower — Getting there by cable car (Korean)
- YTN Seoul Tower — Getting there by bus (Korean)
- YTN Seoul Tower — Getting there on foot (Korean)
Last checked Oct 29, 2026. Details can change — please confirm with the official source before you travel.
Photo credits
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