Seoul to Gangneung by KTX: Beach Day Trip Guide (2026)
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Gangneung is Seoul’s favorite east-coast escape: wide beaches, a coastline famous for café culture, and crisp sea air — all about two hours away by KTX.
Getting there by KTX
KTX trains run from Seoul (and Cheongnyangni) to Gangneung Station in roughly 2 hours. It’s one of the easiest beach trips from the capital — easy enough for a day, lovely for an overnight.
What to see
Gyeongpo Beach & Lake
Gangneung’s signature beach with a long sandy stretch, plus a scenic lake and walking paths just behind it.
Anmok Coffee Street
A seaside row of cafés that turned Gangneung into Korea’s “coffee city.” Grab a cup and watch the waves.
Jeongdongjin
Famous for sunrises right by the sea — and a train station practically on the beach.
When to go
Summer for the beach; spring and autumn for mild walks and quieter cafés. Winter brings dramatic, empty coastlines.
Related guides
- Best Day Trips from Seoul by Train — other easy escapes.
- Do You Need Data in Korea? — stay connected on the coast.
- How to Travel Korea by Train — the hub.
🔗 Affiliate disclosure: Some links on this site are affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend services we believe are genuinely useful for train travel in Korea.