한국어
1-Night 2-Day Winter Trip to Nami Island
A Cozy Family Adventure
January 2026
About ten days after arriving in Korea, Liam had a week-long kindergarten break. Since we finally had some free time, I wanted to take a short family trip outside of Seoul. While searching for places to visit, Nami Island immediately caught my eye, and that’s how our 1-night, 2-day winter trip to Nami Island began just me, Liam, and my mom, the three of us traveling together.
Because it’s winter and spending the entire day outdoors can be tough, we decided to book a place to stay on the island. I found Jeonggwanru Hotel, located right inside Nami Island, and it looked absolutely charming.
To be honest, after staying there, I can confidently say this, if you’re visiting Nami Island, I highly recommend spending a night at Jeonggwanru. It’s worth it!
How to Get to Nami Island — Taking the ITX-Cheongchun Train
There are several ways to get to Nami Island, but for our 1-night, 2-day winter trip to Nami Island, we decided to take the ITX-Cheongchun train from Yongsan to Gapyeong.
It’s convenient even without a car and makes traveling with a child so much easier. You can also take the subway all the way to Gapyeong Station, but we wanted that “travel mood,” so we chose the ITX instead. Plus, it’s faster—about one hour from Yongsan to Gapyeong.
Our train was at 10:30 a.m., so we left home around 9 a.m.
One thing I loved was that at Yongsan Station, you can transfer directly from the subway to the ITX platform just by tapping your transit card, without exiting the station. The route is simple and convenient.
Because we arrived early, we ended up waiting about 50 minutes.
One thing to note: the ITX platform is outdoors, so it was quite cold.
We also assumed there would be a café inside the platform area, but there wasn’t—and since we had already tapped our card, we couldn’t exit to the cafés outside. Definitely something to remember for next time!
🚆 ITX-Cheongchun Fare (Yongsan → Gapyeong)
Adult: ~6,900 KRW
Child (ages 6–12): ~3,400 KRW
Under 6: Free without a seat (fare applies if you want a reserved seat)
Liam is only five, but I still booked him a child’s seat so we could travel comfortably.
Most people board at Cheongnyangni, but Yongsan is much closer to our home, so that’s where we departed from.
💡 ITX Booking Tips
Booking through the Korail app is the easiest and quickest.
At Yongsan Station, you can transfer straight to the ITX platform using your subway transit card, super convenient with kids or luggage.
Arriving at Gapyeong Station → Taking the Ferry to Nami Island
Once we arrived at Gapyeong Station, there were taxis waiting right outside, so it took only about five minutes to reach the Nami Island ferry terminal.
From there, we boarded a unique ferry decorated with flags from different countries, which made the short trip feel even more special. In about 10 minutes, we arrived on Nami Island.
The entrance fee to Nami Island includes a round-trip ferry ticket, which is convenient.
However, one thing to note is that even if you book a hotel on the island, like Jeonggwanru you still have to pay the entrance fee separately. It’s a small inconvenience but worth remembering when planning your trip.
🌳 Nami Island Admission Fee (Includes Round-Trip Ferry)
From Gapyeong Station, it’s just a short ride by shuttle bus or taxi to reach Nami Island. The great thing is that the admission fee already includes the round-trip ferry, so there’s no need to buy a separate boat ticket.
Adults: 19,000 KRW
Discounted (middle/high school students, seniors 70+, people with disabilities): 16,000 KRW
Children (ages 3–12): 13,000 KRW
Under 36 months: Free (proof required)
With the ferry ride included and beautiful paths all around the island, it’s the perfect spot for a relaxed stroll—and for kids, riding the boat makes the whole experience feel like a little adventure.
You can check admission prices, hotel reservations, and all official information on the Nami Island website.
First Impressions of Nami Island in Winter
Right at the entrance, we were greeted by a stunning ice fountain, instantly giving off full winter vibes.
I initially thought the entrance fee felt a bit pricey, but once we stepped inside, I realized it was absolutely worth it. Everywhere we walked, the island was beautifully decorated and well maintained. The entire island has a peaceful, nostalgic charm, while modern buildings blend in seamlessly—so as you explore, there’s never a dull moment.
Jeonggwanru Hotel Pickup Service
After getting off the ferry at Nami Island, you’ll see a bus stop on the right side. This is where you can use the Jeonggwanru Hotel pickup service. All you need to do is call the hotel while you’re on the boat, and they’ll send a vehicle to meet you as soon as you arrive. It was incredibly convenient, especially with luggage and a child.
Since check-in wasn’t until 3 p.m. and we arrived before noon, we simply dropped off our bags at the hotel and headed back out to find a place for lunch.
One thing I loved about Nami Island in winter is the abundance of fire pits scattered throughout the island. They’re perfect for warming up in the cold, and you can even roast marshmallows. The fire pit in front of Jeonggwanru Hotel was especially cozy, surrounded by soft evening lights, it created the perfect winter atmosphere.
It’s the kind of spot where you could easily sit down, enjoy a drink, and chat while warming your hands by the fire.
Food & Restaurants on Nami Island
Nami Island has plenty of restaurants and cafés, so you never have to worry about finding something to eat. If you get cold while walking around, you can easily pop into a nearby café for a warm drink. This makes the island perfect not only for a 1-night, 2-day winter trip to Nami Island, but also for families visiting on a simple day trip. During our stay, we chose to eat at the Korean restaurant “Nammoon (남문)”, which turned out to be a great choice for both adults and kids.
🍽 What We Ate – Korean Restaurant “Nammoon”
For lunch, we ordered the Bulgogi Lotus Leaf Rice Set
and for dinner, we went back and tried the Mini Braised Chicken (Jjimdak) and Stone Pot Bibimbap.
Nammoon had plenty of kid-friendly dishes, making it a great spot for families visiting Nami Island.
Aside from restaurants, Nami Island also has a wide variety of street food, steamed buns , fish cakes , hotteok, and more. You could easily fill up just by snacking around the island.
The small food stalls are designed with an old-fashioned, nostalgic look, making it feel like you’ve stepped back in time. It added a fun, charming element to the whole trip.
Winter Fun in the Snow – Nami Island
After finishing our meal, we finally began exploring Nami Island in earnest.
The first place we headed to was a snow-covered hill near the far end of the island. It must have snowed a few days earlier because patches of snow were still scattered all along the pathways.
The weather was cold enough that even areas that looked like grassy fields were completely frozen over, almost like a natural ice rink. Even without actual skates, we could slide around just by using our shoes, and we ended up playing there for quite a while.
It was one of those simple but memorable moments that made our 1-night, 2-day winter trip to Nami Island feel extra special.
Liam was absolutely thrilled, he finally got to see his first snowfall in Korea. It felt like every child on Nami Island had gathered in this one spot, building snowmen, having snowball fights, and laughing nonstop.
Liam had so much fun that he didn’t even want to move on to another place. I couldn’t help but think, “Snow on Nami Island… how magical is this?”
There were also many international visitors, and I saw plenty of people filming videos for social media or YouTube. It really made sense why winter on Nami Island is considered a paradise for photos.
The snow made Nami Island even more beautiful. In fact, one of the main reasons I chose this 1-night, 2-day winter trip to Nami Island was because I had seen pictures of the island covered in snow and seeing it in person, I knew I made the right choice.
Even without a car, it’s incredibly easy to access, making it perfect for a simple walking trip. And it’s the kind of place that brings joy to everyone kids, parents, and even grandparents.
I heard that Nami Island usually opens a sledding hill in winter, starting around January 3rd, and we were excited to try it. But unfortunately, the schedule was suddenly changed the day before our visit, so we didn’t get the chance to experience it this time.
Nami Island Playground & Library
After spending a long time playing in the snow, we headed over to the Nami Island playground.
The playground had a regular slide, but the highlight was definitely the mole tunnel, a wooden tunnel-like structure built into the ground. It matched the quiet, natural atmosphere of Nami Island perfectly and was such a fun spot for kids.
Liam had an especially great time here, he even met a random little friend and the two of them played together for ages. Moments like these always feel extra special when traveling.
To warm up after playing outside, we stepped into the modern Nami Island Library, located right next to the playground.
Inside, it was warm, cozy, and welcoming—kids could freely browse books, and there was even a small indoor play area, which was perfect for taking a break during a winter trip. The interior was beautifully designed and very clean. It looked like the second floor hosts various classes or programs, but when we visited, the doors were closed and no sessions were running.
Having spaces like this to retreat to made our 1-night, 2-day winter trip to Nami Island even more comfortable and enjoyable, proving that winter visitors have plenty of indoor options to relax in.
Relaxing at Jeonggwanru Hotel After Check-In
Around 4 p.m., we returned to Jeonggwanru Hotel, checked in, and finally settled into our room for a short rest. Spending about an hour in a warm, cozy room before dinner was exactly what we needed, it felt like all the winter travel fatigue just melted away.
Jeonggwanru’s exterior is designed in a traditional Korean giwa-style architecture, which leaves a strong first impression as soon as you see it. Each room has its own unique theme, and the one we stayed in featured artwork from a particular cartoonist, giving it a charming and artistic vibe.
Since I was traveling with Liam, I chose an ondol room instead of a regular bed, and that decision turned out to be perfect. The floor mattress looked thin at first, so I expected it to be a bit hard, but surprisingly, it was soft and very comfortable. We were able to relax completely and recharge before heading out again.
The walking paths around Jeonggwanru were beautifully maintained, making it easy to take a short stroll. But honestly, Nami Island as a whole feels like one giant scenic walkway, every direction you turn, there’s a pretty view waiting for you.
Thanks to these peaceful paths and the calm winter atmosphere, this 1-night, 2-day winter trip to Nami Island became a truly healing and refreshing experience for all of us.
After Sunset — Nami Island Becomes Even More Beautiful
Once evening arrives and the lights turn on, Nami Island transforms into a completely different place. When we finished dinner at the Korean restaurant Nammoon and stepped outside, the sun had already set, revealing Nami Island’s dreamy winter nightscape.
The island was illuminated with soft, beautifully arranged lights, making it feel as if we had entered an entirely different world. There’s something truly magical about winter nights on Nami Island—quiet, warm, and enchanting all at once.
By the time it gets late, most of the tourists have already left, and the island becomes wonderfully quiet, perfect for a peaceful winter night walk.
In front of Jeonggwanru, the fire pit was glowing with warm red embers, and we brought out the leftover marshmallows from earlier to roast again. It was such a simple moment, but so comforting.
The fire was much warmer than I expected; just sitting near it for a few minutes was enough to melt away the cold from the entire day. The combination of soft lights, crisp winter air, and the calmness of the island made the evening feel almost magical. It was one of those moments when you wish time would slow down.
Definitely one of the most memorable parts of our 1-night, 2-day winter trip to Nami Island.
Morning Walk on the Next Day
The next morning, we woke up around 7 a.m. and decided to go for a walk despite the chilly weather.
We were hoping to grab a warm cup of coffee somewhere, but none of the cafés were open yet, so we slowly walked toward the far end of Nami Island instead. Thinking back, we realized that the previous day had been spent mostly watching Liam play in the snow and the playground, so we hadn’t actually explored the whole island.
Morning on Nami Island felt completely different, quiet, calm, and almost untouched. With no tourists around, we saw little animals like rabbits and squirrels wandering freely along the paths. Liam had never seen them so close before, so he was fascinated and spent a long time happily chasing after them.
Nami Island truly feels like a place where every corner is a photo spot. Because it was winter, all the ponds were completely frozen, and Liam was so fascinated that he kept touching the ice, checking if it was really solid. I was a bit nervous that he might slip or fall in, but surprisingly, it wasn’t Liam who ended up getting wet.
We actually saw a foreign child playing near the edge and accidentally stepping through the ice up to their knees. In Korea, this might have caused panic or frustration, but their parents simply laughed, helped change the wet clothes, and turned it into a lighthearted moment. Watching that felt unexpectedly heartwarming.
The quiet morning atmosphere and the soft winter scenery blended perfectly together. It became another most memorable moments of our 1-night, 2-day winter trip to Nami Island.
A Simple Breakfast at a Café
After exploring some areas we missed the previous day, we finally spotted a few cafés opening for the morning. We went into the first one we saw and enjoyed a simple breakfast of warm bread and drinks.
Although Jeonggwanru offers breakfast, we’re not big morning eaters, so for this 1-night, 2-day winter trip to Nami Island, a light meal with fresh coffee felt just right.
The café was conveniently located right outside Jeonggwanru, making it an easy and relaxing way to start the day.
The End
As we planned this 1-night, 2-day winter trip to Nami Island, I realized it had been years, since high school, since I last visited. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but once we arrived, I instantly understood why Nami Island is loved by both kids and adults.
The whole island feels like one big playground where children can run freely, and in winter, the scenery becomes even more magical when it snows. Even without snow, Nami Island has a peaceful charm that makes it beautiful in its own quiet way.
One night was more than enough to feel satisfied, but next time, I’d love to stay for two nights and explore at an even slower pace. Even my mom said she wouldn’t get bored staying an extra night, which shows how enjoyable this trip was for all of us. It truly became a memorable family getaway, one that made us want to return again.
