Gangneung Travel Guide: KTX, Beaches, Coffee and Sunrise (2026)

The KTX-Eum stops at 강릉역Gangneung-yeokGangneung Station, inland. The coast lies a short bus or taxi ride east. From south to north the main coast stops are Anmok Beach and its coffee street, Gyeongpo Beach and Gyeongpo Lake, and the fishing port of Jumunjin. Jeongdongjin, the sunrise spot, is on the coast south of the city and has its own rail station.

Pick Gyeongpo for a first visit if you want to walk to the sea. See where to stay.

By KTX-Eum. In Korail's timetable from 1 November 2026, the 10 November sample day has 14 trains from Seoul Station, between 05:06 and 22:14. They take 111–131 minutes, and the median is 2 hours 3 minutes. From 청량리CheongnyangniCheongnyangni Station there are 17 trains between 05:27 and 22:34, taking 91–110 minutes, with a median of about 1 hour 40 minutes. Korail's fare table of 1 September 2026 lists ₩27,600 for a standard seat from Seoul Station and ₩26,000 from Cheongnyangni. The same table notes a higher "quasi-high-speed" fare of ₩30,900 from Seoul Station that would apply once speeds on the Jungang line improve, so the price may change. Booking is explained in KTX and trains. From Busan, the Donghae Line takes about 3 hours 50 minutes (VisitKorea, a page last updated in June 2025).

By bus. Express buses also serve Gangneung; check times and fares on KOBUS. This guide did not confirm Seoul–Gangneung bus times.

City buses

From the stop across from Gangneung Station, VisitKorea lists city buses 300-1, 223-1, 225-1 and 314-1 to Anmok Beach, about 15 minutes. A taxi takes about 15 minutes. Gyeongpo Beach is about 10 minutes by taxi from the station or the bus terminal. Gangneung city says buses 202 and 202-1 run to Gyeongpo Beach, but summer-only routes change from year to year. Check numbers on the Gangneung Bus Information System or in a map app (map apps). Transit cards work on local buses (T-money). For taxis, see taxis.

On foot and by train

월화거리wolhwageoriWolhwa Street is a 2.6 km path starting at Gangneung Station along an old railway line. Jeongdongjin Station is about 3 minutes' walk from Jeongdongjin Beach, and the train from Jeongdongjin to Gangneung takes about 14 minutes.

Anmok Beach and Coffee Street

안목해변Anmok HaebyeonAnmok Beach is a beach of more than 500 m, with a row of cafés facing the sea on the street known as the 커피거리keopigeoriCoffee street. Fishing boats unload at the small port in front of the beach. Hours: the beach is open 06:00–22:00, and swimming hours in July and August are 09:00–18:00. Address: 20-1 Changhae-ro 14beon-gil.

Gyeongpo Beach and Gyeongpo Lake

경포해변Gyeongpo HaebyeonGyeongpo Beach is a 6 km white-sand beach, open all year (Gangneung city). 경포호GyeongpohoGyeongpo Lake lies just behind it. The city describes a lakeside promenade of about 4 km and cherry blossoms in spring.

Ojukheon

오죽헌OjukheonOjukheon House is an early Joseon house in Jukheon-dong, close to Gyeongpo Lake.

• Hours: 09:00–18:00, with ticketing until 17:00.
• Admission: VisitKorea lists adults ₩3,000, teenagers ₩2,000, children ₩1,000, and free for ages 65 and over. The city page gives ranges of ₩2,000–3,000 for adults, ₩1,500–2,000 for youths and soldiers, and ₩500–1,000 for children.
• Closed: the sources disagree. VisitKorea says it is open all year; the city page lists 1 January and national holidays. Check before you go on 1 January, Seollal or Chuseok. Pets are not allowed.

Jumunjin

주문진JumunjinJumunjin is a fishing port in the north of the city. The city says about 350 fishing boats work from it and visitors can buy fresh raw fish.

• Jumunjin Fish Market: 07:00–22:00 on weekdays (VisitKorea); no weekend hours are listed.
• Pungmul Fish Market across the street: weekdays 08:00–19:30 and weekends 08:00–20:30, closed on the second Wednesday of the month.
• Jumunjin Beach: open 06:00–24:00. VisitKorea lists swimming at 06:00–18:00, while a 2025 city newsletter gave 09:00–18:00. Confirm on site.
• Food: Ask the price before you order, and see ordering at a restaurant.

• Jeongdongjin: VisitKorea calls it the best-known sunrise spot. It holds a sunrise festival on the beach from New Year's Eve to New Year's Day, and the Sandglass Park hourglass resets at sunrise on 1 January. It is crowded. Deungmyeong Beach nearby is a quieter option.
• Gyeongpo Beach: a sunrise festival is held here on the same night. Confirm the 2026–27 programme with the city or the 1330 Korea Travel Helpline.
• Anmok Beach: the beach is open from 06:00.

KASI gives 07:40 as the sunrise time in Gangneung on 1 January 2027 (KASI). Dress warmly and arrive well before dawn.

Cafés on the coffee street and fresh seafood at Jumunjin are the two draws. Restaurant tips and menu words are in ordering at a restaurant. Typical daily costs are in the budget guide.

• Spring: cherry blossoms around Gyeongpo Lake (Gangneung city).
• Summer: July and August are the swimming season, with set swimming hours at Anmok and Jumunjin. Crowds are largest then.
• Autumn: beach walks and coffee without swimming crowds.
• Winter: sunrise on 1 January draws large crowds. Wind off the sea is cold.

Monthly weather is in weather by month, and the New Year sunrise is covered in Korea in December.

Check the last KTX-Eum back to Seoul before you plan the evening. For a sunrise trip, stay overnight near Gyeongpo.

• Going to Jumunjin on a weekend for the fish market. VisitKorea lists only weekday hours.
• Expecting summer beach hours in October. Swimming hours apply in July and August.
• Forgetting that the station is inland. Plan a bus or taxi to the coast.
• Relying on an old bus number. Check the Bus Information System.