The Best Time to Visit Nami Island? It Really Depends on What You Want to See
For a lot of people, Nami Island gets added to a Korea itinerary after seeing just one photo. It’s usually the yellow ginkgo road in autumn or that long metasequoia-lined path in spring. Then suddenly, Nami Island is on the list.
Why I Actually Like May
May is probably my favorite time to walk around Nami Island. The trees are already green, but it still feels like summer hasn’t quite arrived yet.
When I went in April, I headed straight for the metasequoia path. The trees are tall and straight, and depending on the time of day, the sunlight comes through the branches in little patches.
The weather is a big part of why I like May. You can walk around for a few hours without feeling like you’re fighting the weather the whole time.
Then There’s Autumn
But if you want the Nami Island you see in the photos, autumn is hard to beat.
The Ginkgo Tree Road Near the Entrance
The ginkgo road, officially called Songpa Ginkgo Tree Lane, is one of the first places you’ll reach after getting off the ferry, just past the pine tree lane that starts at the dock. And if you’ve searched for Nami Island before your trip, there’s a good chance you’ve already seen it.
If you want a photo without a crowd behind you, I’d go early. Once the day-trip groups arrive, the path feels completely different.
When I went in April, I got there around 9 a.m., and there were hardly any people on the ginkgo road. That was in spring, though, so autumn weekends are probably busier.
The island also publishes its own garden and lane guide.
The White Birch Lane
Further into the island, you’ll find the white birch lane.
It’s also quieter than the ginkgo road. You have to walk a little further to get there, but that’s exactly why I prefer it.
The Central Lawn Area
Don’t skip the open lawn in the middle of the island either.
In autumn, the trees around it change color, and there’s enough space to actually sit down for a while. I like that part because you’re not constantly walking around other people trying to take the same photo.
What About Summer and Winter?
Summer wouldn’t be my first choice, mainly because of the humidity. The upside is that everything is incredibly green. If you don’t mind the heat, the island still looks great.
Winter is completely different, especially after a snowfall. The same paths look completely different without the leaves. And if you happen to visit after a snowfall, the whole island feels much quieter.
Getting There
The easiest way from Seoul is usually to take the ITX-Cheongchun to Gapyeong Station, then take bus No. 10-4 or a taxi to the ferry terminal. From there, it’s a quick boat ride across — the island itself is only reachable by ferry or, by the zip line that some visitors use just for the ride over.The ITX ride from Yongsan takes about an hour. Gapyeong Station is about 1.5 km from the ferry terminal, which is roughly a 5-minute taxi ride or a 20-minute walk, and the boat crossing takes about 5 minutes. Ferry times and ticket prices are listed on the island’s official website, and they can change by season.
If you’re coming during peak autumn foliage, I’d try to get there early. This year, from September 18 to November 22, the first ferry leaves at 7:30 every day. The rest of the year the first boat is at 8:00, and the last boat back from the island leaves at 9:05 p.m. Weekends can get very busy around the ferry terminal. Admission includes the round-trip ferry and is ₩19,000 for adults, ₩16,000 for middle and high school students and visitors 70 and over, and ₩13,000 for children. For other places to visit around Gapyeong, the Korea Tourism Organization’s VisitKorea site has an English guide.
Prices and times were checked on the island’s official site in October 2026 and can change, so look at the ferry schedule and admission pages before you go.
So, when is the best time to visit Nami Island? Honestly, I’d choose based on what I wanted to see.
For green trees and comfortable weather, May would be my pick. If the yellow ginkgo road and autumn colors are the reason you’re coming, I’d wait for fall.
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