Tips · South Korea
Gangneung's coast in a day: Jeongdongjin and Jumunjin
South to Jeongdongjin by KTX-Eum (about 14 min), north to Jumunjin by the coastal City Bus: a one-day Gangneung coast route with transport and weather.
Published · Updated
Short answer: train to Jeongdongjin in the south, bus to Jumunjin in the north
Gangneung's coast stretches north and south of the city centre. Jeongdongjin is about 18 km south of the city along the coast, and Jumunjin sits near the end of the City (SEA TEA) Bus route that runs along the shore. Take the KTX-Eum south and the City Bus north, and you can see both stretches of sea in one day.
The guide recommends 2 days if you want to add Jeongdongjin and Jumunjin. This article takes just the coast day and plans it in detail. The first day with Ojukheon, Seongyojang and Gyeongpo is in the 2-day article.
- Morning: Gangneung Station → KTX-Eum, about 14 min → Jeongdongjin Station → Jeongdongjin Beach (about 3 min on foot)
- Jeongdongjin: the Jeongdongsimgok Badabuchae Trail along the coastal terraces (3.01 km)
- Afternoon: Gangneung Station → Anmok Beach → City Bus north along the coast
- Evening: Jumunjin Port and Jumunjin Fish Market (07:00–20:00)
Morning: KTX-Eum from Gangneung Station to Jeongdongjin, about 14 min
This route starts with the train timetable. The KTX-Eum from Gangneung Station to Jeongdongjin takes about 14 min, but there are few trains. On the KTX-Eum Donghae Line there are 6 trains a day between Bujeon (Busan) and Gangneung (3 each way), and they stop at Jeongdongjin. Fix your Jeongdongjin return times first and fit the rest of the day around them.
Weekends and the summer holidays sell out fast, so book both ways ahead. Check timetables and fares on Korail (letskorail.com). If you are coming up from Bujeon in Busan by KTX-Eum (about 3 hr 50 min), the train passes Jeongdongjin, so you could also see Jeongdongjin first and then continue to Gangneung. Check ticket conditions with Korail.
- Gangneung Station → Jeongdongjin Station: KTX-Eum, about 14 min (few trains, check times)
- KTX-Eum Donghae Line: Bujeon–Gangneung, 6 trains a day (3 each way)
- Weekends and summer holidays: sell out fast, book ahead
- Timetables and fares: Korail (letskorail.com)
Jeongdongjin: the sea by the station and the Badabuchae Trail
The name Jeongdongjin means a ferry village due east of Gwanghwamun in Hanyang (old Seoul). Jeongdongjin Station is in the Guinness book as the train station closest to the sea in the world; the sea is right in front of it, and the beach is about a 3-minute walk away. It is also a famous New Year sunrise spot, and it is free.
Nearby is the Jeongdongsimgok Badabuchae Trail (3.01 km), which follows the coastal terraces. Check opening hours, how to enter and any weather closures in official information before you go. Decide your KTX-Eum time back first and then choose how much of the trail to walk, so you are not rushing for the train.
- Jeongdongjin Station → Jeongdongjin Beach: about 3 min on foot
- Jeongdongsimgok Badabuchae Trail: 3.01 km along the coastal terraces
- Trail hours and entry: check official info before you go
- Jeongdongjin: free, a New Year sunrise spot
Afternoon: the City Bus north along the coast from Anmok Beach
Back at Gangneung Station by KTX-Eum (about 14 min), take a city bus to Anmok Beach. It is about 15 min from Gangneung Station by city bus (Nos. 300-1, 223-1, 225-1, 314-1) or taxi. Route numbers can change, so check the bus information system (bis.gn.go.kr) or the Gangneung Station tourist information centre (033-642-8692).
From Anmok Beach the City (SEA TEA) Bus runs about 23 km along the coast via Songjeong, Gangmun, Gyeongpo, Sacheonjin, Yeongok, Yeongjin Port and Jumunjin Fish Market to Jumunjin Beach. Gangneung City says it runs daily from 08:00 every 40 minutes at the normal city bus fare, with transfers to and from city buses. A regular city bus costs KRW 1,530 by transit card (KRW 1,700 cash); with a card you get up to 2 free transfers within 1 hour of getting off onto a different route number, so always tap your card when you get off.
If you get off at Sacheonjin, the 'Sacheon Mulhoe Village' around Sacheonjin Port is known for mulhoe (cold raw fish soup). Anmok Beach hosts the Gangneung Coffee Festival in autumn; in 2026 it ran 21–25 October. City Bus service can change during events, so check notices on the bus information system, and check official information for the next year's festival dates.
- Gangneung Station → Anmok Beach: city bus or taxi, about 15 min
- City Bus: Anmok Beach → Jumunjin Beach, about 23 km along the coast
- Service: daily from 08:00 every 40 minutes, same fare as a city bus
- Regular city bus: KRW 1,530 by card (KRW 1,700 cash), 2 free transfers within 1 hour
- Stop on the way: Sacheonjin — Sacheon Mulhoe Village
Evening: Jumunjin Port and Jumunjin Fish Market
The City Bus passes Jumunjin Fish Market on its way to Jumunjin Beach. Jumunjin Port is a major east coast fishing port used by about 350 fishing boats, with large catches of squid, sand lance, pollack, herring and anchovy. The port is open at all times.
Jumunjin Fish Market is open 07:00–20:00, with live fish and dried seafood sections. Gangneung City notes that fish landed straight off the boats at Jumunjin Port is very fresh, so you can eat good-quality raw fish at a fairly low price. The market closes at 20:00, so plan your afternoon bus to arrive with time to spare.
Check bus times back to central Gangneung from Jumunjin on the bus information system or at a tourist information centre.
- Jumunjin Port: about 350 fishing boats, open at all times
- Jumunjin Fish Market: 07:00–20:00, live fish and dried seafood
- Raw fish: good quality at a fairly low price, says Gangneung City
- Bus back: check the bus information system or a tourist information centre
When to go: Gangneung station climate normals
By Korea Meteorological Administration normals (Gangneung station, 1991–2020), average highs are about 18°C in April, 23°C in May, 25°C in June, 25°C in September and 20°C in October. For a day of long coastal walks and bus waits, these five months are comfortable.
July to September is rainy: about 250 mm in July, 293 mm in August and 229 mm in September, and August is the wettest month of the year. January is the coldest month, with an average low of about -3°C. Jeongdongjin and Jumunjin are away from the station, so actual weather there can differ from these numbers; check the forecast just before you go.
- April: high about 18°C / low about 8°C / about 82 mm
- May: high about 23°C / low about 13°C / about 79 mm
- June: high about 25°C / low about 18°C / about 119 mm
- September: high about 25°C / low about 17°C / about 229 mm
- October: high about 20°C / low about 12°C / about 114 mm
- Swimming: only during each beach's official season
Flipping the order, and a checklist before you go
If the KTX-Eum times only work in the afternoon, flip the day. Jumunjin Fish Market opens at 07:00 and the City Bus runs daily from 08:00, so you can see Jumunjin in the north in the morning and take the train to Jeongdongjin in the afternoon. Jeongdongjin is a New Year sunrise spot, so in sunrise season compare hotel prices for your dates early.
Jeongdongjin and Anmok Beach are free, and Jumunjin Port is open at all times. Transport costs are the KTX-Eum return (check fares with Korail) and bus fares. Tourist information centres (Gangneung Station 033-642-8692, bus terminal 033-640-4537, Gyeongpo 033-640-4531) have staff who interpret English, Japanese and Chinese, and the tourist helpline is 1330. Entry rules for Korea depend on your nationality, so check official Korean government information before you travel.
- KTX-Eum to Jeongdongjin and back: check times first, book ahead
- Get a transit card (free transfers only by card; tap when you get off)
- City Bus notices: Gangneung bus information system (bis.gn.go.kr)
- Reach Jumunjin Fish Market before it closes at 20:00
- Badabuchae Trail hours and entry: check official info before you go
Plan your Gangneung trip
We never take payment — compare, then book on the official partner site.
FAQ
How long is the trip from Gangneung Station to Jeongdongjin?
About 14 min by KTX-Eum. There are few trains a day, so check the timetable first, and book both ways ahead for weekends and the summer holidays.
What time does Jumunjin Fish Market close?
It is open 07:00–20:00. The City (SEA TEA) Bus from Anmok Beach passes Jumunjin Fish Market on its way to Jumunjin Beach.
How long is the Jeongdongsimgok Badabuchae Trail?
It is 3.01 km, following the coastal terraces near Jeongdongjin. Check opening hours and how to enter in official information before you go.
How much is the City Bus?
The same as a city bus: a regular city bus is KRW 1,530 by transit card (KRW 1,700 cash). The City Bus runs daily from 08:00 every 40 minutes.
Related reading
ⓘ Photo credits
- Hwallaejeong Pavilion, Seongyojang · Christophe95 / CC BY-SA 4.0
- Gyeongpo Lake · Mobius6 / CC BY-SA 4.0
- Gyeongpodae Pavilion · Christophe95 / CC BY-SA 4.0