Seoul City Tour Bus: The Easiest Way to See the City for First-Time Visitors
Seoul is a big city, and navigating it for the first time can feel like a lot. If you want to see the main landmarks without spending your first day figuring out the subway, the Seoul City Tour Bus is one of the most practical options available.
It’s a hop-on, hop-off double-decker that covers the key tourist areas — good for solo travelers, families, or couples who want a low-effort way to get oriented.
Why Take the Seoul City Tour Bus?
Seoul’s subway system is efficient, but let’s be honest—it can be complex and tiring when you’re just off the plane. The Seoul City Tour Bus offers a refreshing alternative. It’s a double-decker viewing deck that lets you see the city’s charming street life, historic gates, and towering modern buildings from a fantastic vantage point.
It gives you a solid overview of the city layout — palaces, gates, towers, and shopping districts — all in one ride. Useful context for any first-time visitor.
Plus, for your convenience and deeper understanding, the City Tour Bus provides an audio guide in 12 languages, including Korean!
Exploring Seoul’s Key Routes and Features
The bus primarily focuses on two or three popular themed routes, with the most famous being the Downtown/Palace/Namsan Course. This route takes you past iconic spots like Gwanghwamun, Deoksugung Palace, Namsan Seoul Tower, and the bustling Myeongdong district.
The best part? It’s a Hop-On Hop-Off system! You can jump off the bus at any designated stop to explore a market or a palace, and simply jump back on the next bus (they typically arrive every 30-40 minutes) when you’re ready to continue your journey.
Essential Tips for Tickets and Booking
You have two main options for getting your ticket:
Where to Buy Tickets
- In-Person (Gwanghwamun)
You can easily purchase your day pass at the ticket booth located at 100m from Exit 6 of Gwanghwamun Station on Line 5, or 300m from Exit 3 of City Hall Station on Subway Lines 1 and 2. - Online Booking (Budget Tip!)
Always book in advance on the official Seoul City Tour Bus site — online prices are lower than on-site rates. As of July 2026, the regular courses are priced as follows:
✔️ TOUR01 (Downtown, Palaces & Namsan) — Adult $22 / Child $16
✔️ TOUR04 (Han River Namsan Night Tour) — Adult $20 / Child $14.
✔️ Seasonal special tours (currently: Summer in Seoul, Backstage Tour, Glow Up in Seoul) are also available at similar price points.
Note: Same-day online reservations are not available. TOUR01 can be purchased on-site on the day of travel; for TOUR04, check remaining seats via the customer center before heading out.
When to Ride: Seasonal Tips
Seoul changes with the seasons, and so does the experience from the bus. Here’s a quick guide by time of year:
- Spring (late March–mid April)
Cherry blossoms line the route near Gyeongbokgung and Namsan. A morning ride during peak bloom is one of the best ways to see them without the foot traffic. - Summer (June–August)
A special Summer in Seoul course runs alongside the regular TOUR01 during this period. Mornings are cooler, but the evening is the better call — once the heat fades after sunset, the Han River views at dusk make the timing worthwhile. - Fall (mid-Oct to mid-Nov)
Board around 4:00–4:20 PM to catch autumn foliage, a Han River sunset, and the moment Seoul’s city lights switch on — all in a single ride. - Winter (Dec–Feb)
The open-top bus is cold, so dress accordingly. That said, the TOUR04 Night Tour has some of its best views in winter — palace illuminations and city Christmas lights stand out against the dark sky.
Whatever season you visit, the night tour (TOUR04) is worth booking at least once — Seoul after dark is a completely different city from the one you walk around in the daytime.
Planning Your Seoul Trip
Whether you’re here with family, a partner, or on your own, the Seoul City Tour Bus gives you a reliable, low-stress way to cover the major landmarks on your first day.
Looking for more tips on getting around Seoul? My First Korea Guide covers transportation, neighborhoods, and everything else you need for your first trip.