At 6:30 p.m. on the 1st, the Han River under a sunset settling over Banpo Bridge. With Gangbyeonbuk-ro and Olympic-daero jammed with rush-hour traffic, citizens and foreign tourists on the Han River bus stepped out to the bow to photograph the sunset and enjoy a leisurely spring evening.
Recently, the Han River bus has been drawing attention not just for sightseeing but as a new means of transportation. Rather than replacing existing subways or buses, interest is growing in whether it can take hold as an "alternative transport" option during congested commuting hours.
A young tourist who said they were visiting from Uzbekistan said, "I decided to take the Han River bus because I heard it offers a different way to see Seoul." When asked "how was the ride," the person smiled and gave a thumbs-up.
◇ Instead of the "hell train" Line 9? … "One more option to choose from"
About 100 citizens and tourists boarded the Han River bus-DDP (109), which departed Yeouido Pier at 6:05 p.m. That day. By feel, foreign tourists appeared to make up about 60%, outnumbering locals.
Front and window seats with good views of the riverside scenery filled up quickly. Inside the boat, there was hardly any noise or vibration, and the water was calm with no rocking. There was no characteristic fuel smell of ships either. A DDP crew member said, "Because it's an electric-propulsion vessel, there's little noise and odor."
After departing Yeouinaru, the boat headed toward Apgujeong at about 20 kph (11 knots). DDP captain Lee Chong-myeong said, "We can go up to 17 knots, but we operate at 11–12 knots for safety."
At 6:35 p.m., 30 minutes after departure, an announcement said, "We will arrive at Apgujeong Station shortly." It was notable that the term "station" was used instead of "pier."
A citizen preparing to disembark at Apgujeong Station said, "I traveled relatively comfortably during rush hour," adding, "It seems like a means of transportation you can choose when you have some leeway rather than something to take every day."
Considering that it takes about 40 minutes from Yeouido to Apgujeong by subway or bus, there is some competitiveness in terms of time as well. It's also seen as an advantage that another option has been added to avoid the crowded Line 9.
Afterward, the boat took on about 20 more passengers at Apgujeong and ran through Oksu and Ttukseom to Jamsilnaru. Travel time between major sections was around 10–20 minutes. Ttukseom Pier is a two-minute walk from Jayang Station on Line 7, making transfers relatively convenient.
◇ "3,000-won cruise" … From experience to "means of transportation"
On weekends, scenes of people lining up to board the Han River bus have played out. On Mar. 28, the entrance to Yeouido Pier was so crowded there was no room to step.
That day, crowds flocked to the Yeouido area as the "2026 Stroller Run" was held from Gwanghwamun Square to Yeouido Park. Around the pier, the orange T-shirts worn by event participants stood out everywhere.
A wide range of ages flocked to Yeouido Pier, from couples in their 20s to families with children and older adults. To board, you have to take a queue ticket, and some users who didn't know this turned back. An on-site staffer said, "We manage headcount with queue tickets to board according to capacity."
After boarding, there was competition for window seats. When the boat departed, many passengers moved to the bow to enjoy the Han River breeze. A person surnamed Kim who boarded with a child said, "Feeling the river wind for real, the speed feels faster than expected."
Most passengers expressed high satisfaction. The low fare was cited as a particular strength. The Han River bus fare is 3,000 won for adults, and when transferring from public transit, the effective burden is about 1,500 won. A person in their 70s surnamed Lee said, "The Suncheon cruise is 10,000 won, so this is much cheaper and more satisfying."
However, infrastructure at each pier is cited as a task. While Yeouido Pier is equipped with a variety of food options, some piers lacked amenities. A user in their 70s who came with a grandchild said, "At Magok Pier there's only a convenience store, so it was disappointing that there were few options besides a simple meal."
Some piers, including Magok, Apgujeong, and Jamsil, also need improved access to public transportation. The Seoul Metropolitan Government is preparing supplements such as operating shuttle buses, creating new bus routes, and installing "Ttareungyi" shared bicycles.
◇ 60,000 users in March … Rising demand from tourism to commuting
Han River bus users topped 62,000 in March. Demand that had shrunk during winter recovered quickly with spring. In particular, weekend users surpassed 10,000, showing concentrated demand.
Seat occupancy is also on the rise. Occupancy, which was around 30%–40% in early March, surpassed 55% after the third week. The Seoul Metropolitan Government views this as an early stage in which experience-focused demand is shifting to repeat use.
The increase in foreign tourists is also having an effect. The Seoul Metropolitan Government projected that foreign visits will continue to rise, spurred by increased demand for large performances and tourism.
Usage patterns also show signs of change. Cases of using it to move along specific sections, beyond simple sightseeing, are increasing.
This month, the Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to introduce express routes to improve on-time performance and raise utility as an option during commuting hours.
One user said, "Because of the term 'bus,' it feels like it replaces subways or buses that transport large numbers of people," adding, "Once I tried it, since it has routes, operating hours, and a transfer system, it seems it will become a complementary mode of transport that individuals can choose based on preference."