This blog provides travel information about the culture and nature of Korea.
Songdo Marine Cable Car: Gliding Over the Deep Blue Sea
During my trip to Busan, I visited the "Busan Air Cruise" (Songdo Marine Cable Car). Once famous as Korea's first marine cable car in the 1960s, it has been restored to become Busan's most modern and thrilling "must-try" activity.
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| Songdo Marine Cable Car |
A Thrilling Ocean Walk, Songdo Air Cruise🌊
Songdo Marine Cable Car is a 1.62km cable car ride that glides over the sea from Songnim Park on the east side of Songdo Beach to Amnam Park on the west, reaching heights of up to 86m. Tickets are slightly cheaper when booked online compared to purchasing them on-site. However, please note that online tickets cannot be used on the same day, so be sure to complete your reservation at least one day before your trip! (For international travelers, platforms like Klook or TripAdvisor are also useful.)
In the Songnim Park area, you'll find the 'Songdo Skywalk' connected to Turtle Island, and around Amnam Park, there is a cluster of attractions including the 'Yonggung Suspension Bridge', where you feel like you are walking on the ocean, and the lush 'Amnam Forest Trail'. If you have enough time, I recommend spending about half a day to leisurely explore this entire area.
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| Songdo Air Cruise |
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Pro-Tip : Today’s operating hours and flight status based on weather conditions are updated in real-time on the cable car website. Checking before your visit is a must!
[Click here to visit the Official Website]
Location, Parking & Transportation Information
🚩Location Guide
On the day I arrived, the Songdo Base Station parking lot was already full due to many tourists. I passed the parking lot entrance and used the 'Namhang Parking Lot', located about 500 meters away.
- Address : 171 Songdoheabyun-ro, Seo-gu, Busan (Songdo Base Station)
- Hours : Daily 09:00 – 21:00 (Ticket counter closes at 20:30)
- Closed : Open year-round (365 days a year)
- Parking Info : I recommend using the Namhang Parking Lot when it's crowded on weekends and public holidays! Cable car users get up to 2 hours of free parking (on weekends), allowing for a relaxed walk without worrying about fees.
🚩Transportation
🚌 Subway + Bus Combination (Highly Recommended!)
- Starting Point: Subway Line 1, Nampo Station (Exit 8) or Jagalchi Station (Exit 1)
Transfer Bus: Take bus No. 6, 26, 30, 71, or 96
Drop-off Point: Get off at the "Songdo Beach" stop
On Foot: After getting off the bus, walk toward the beach for about 5 minutes to find 'Songdo Base Station (Boarding Point).'
🚌 Direct from Busan Station(If arriving by train)
- By Bus : Take bus No. 26 from the stop in front of Busan Station to reach Songdo Beach in one go. (Takes about 20–30 minutes)
- Naver Map / KakaoMap : These two apps are the most accurate for Korean public transportation. They are much more sophisticated than Google Maps, so be sure to install them!
- Transportation Card : If you tap your card within 30 minutes when transferring from the subway to a bus, a transfer discount is applied, making it very economical.
- Taxi : Taking a taxi from Nampo-dong or Jagalchi Market will cost around 5,000 to 7,000 KRW. If you are in a group of 3 or more, a taxi is a great alternative.
A Thrilling Ride on the Marine Cable Car
I opted for the 'Crystal Cruise' for my ride. Unlike the 'Air Cruise' (standard cabin) which has a solid floor, the Crystal Cruise features a transparent glass floor. It allows you to enjoy a real-time view of the deep blue ocean unfolding right beneath your feet, making it well worth the extra cost. You’ll feel the incredible thrill of literally walking on water.
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| Busan Songdo Marine Cable Car |
The boarding area is buzzing and packed to capacity with countless domestic and international tourists visiting for the holidays. Hearing a mix of English, Chinese, Japanese, and other languages all around me, I could really feel that Busan has truly become a global tourism hub.
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| A constant stream of cable cars in motion |
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| In line for the cable car ride |
After about a 30-minute wait, our boarding numbers finally flashed on the screen. Instead of showing individual numbers, the display shows groups, like "Numbers 1004 to 1024, please proceed to the line." Since the queues for Crystal Cabins and Air Cruises (standard) are separate, you need to double-check before hopping in line. After a quick ticket check, it was finally time to board!
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| Boarding the Cable Car |
Clunk! The moment the cable car glides out of the station... that’s the most heart-stopping part. It feels a bit like a bungee jump, as if you’re dropping straight down for a split second.
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| That heart-stopping clunk at departure |
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| Crossing over the blue ocean |
The cable cars can accommodate up to 8 people, so during peak tourist hours, you’ll likely end up sharing the ride with other groups. It’s a bit of a shame because it can feel a little awkward to take photos freely or enjoy a private family moment. (If you’re looking for a more quiet and private experience, I highly recommend visiting on a weekday morning!)
Countless cable cars were suspended from thick steel wires, moving steadily. Since the weather was clear and there wasn't a breath of wind, the ride was incredibly stable without any swaying. I even had the playful thought, "It would be even more thrilling if it shook a little in the wind!" Looking down through the transparent floor, the calm ripples—resembling a textured marble surface—were shimmering like jewels in the sunlight.
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| The ocean waves as seen through the transparent floor |
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| Crossing over the blue ocean |
Once you arrive at 'Songdo Sky Park' on the other side, there's a unique joy in looking up at the cable cars from directly beneath them. The complementary color contrast between Busan’s deep blue sky and the vibrant red cable cars is absolutely stunning. You can get some incredible shots here, so be sure to press the shutter with the endless sky as your backdrop!
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| A view from directly beneath the cable cars |
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| A view from directly beneath the cable cars |
To reach the Songdo Yonggung Suspension Bridge, you have to descend a set of steep stairs toward the ocean. Although it was closed for the day and I couldn't go down, the sight of the bridge connecting to a tiny island in the middle of the sea was truly exotic and unique.
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| Songdo Yonggung Suspension Bridge |
The Forest Trail of Amnam Park Along the Coastal Cliffs
Perched atop the cliffs of Amnam Park, you can stroll along a lush forest path while catching glimpses of the blue ocean through the trees. This area is actually part of the 'Busan National Geopark.' The trail isn't too rugged, making it a perfect spot for a leisurely walk and a good chat. The air here feels incredibly refreshing, with the salty scent of the sea blending perfectly with the phytoncides from the forest.
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| The Forest Trail of Amnam Park |
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| The Forest Trail of Amnam Park |
While my family took a short break to rest, I decided to head down toward the coastal rock cliffs by myself. After walking along the forest trail, you have to descend about 50 meters of steep stairs.
True to its reputation as a geopark, you’ll be greeted by coastal rock formations that are both eerie and beautiful. However, the path down is quite steep, so you need to be extra careful.
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| Amnam Geopark: Where steep cliffs meet the deep blue sea |
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| Amnam Geopark: Where steep cliffs meet the deep blue sea |
The contrast between the sheer red cliffs and the deep blue ocean is truly mystical. This coastal masterpiece showcases various rock layers—including sedimentary rocks, pyroclastic rocks, and basalt—formed by volcanic activity and lava flows tens of millions of years ago. It’s essentially a "living geology textbook" where you can see the crustal deformation process of the Busan area at a single glance. Isn't the wonder of nature simply incredible?
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| Amnam Geopark: Where steep cliffs meet the deep blue sea |
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| Amnam Geopark: Where steep cliffs meet the deep blue sea |
"86 Meters of Thrills and Romance: Enjoying the Songdo Sea"
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| The Songdo Marine Cable Car, gradually glowing in the sunset red |
As the evening sunset gradually reveals itself, the cool, blue hue of the sea begins to transform into a warm orange glow. I can only imagine how much more beautiful the view from the cable car will be as the sunset settles over the city of Busan. I’ll definitely have to try riding it during sunset next time.
It was a wonderful trip, soaking in the thrilling joy with my family while gazing at the refreshing ocean scenery.
