With elementary kids, the key to the Seoraksan Cable Car isn’t online booking but checking the operating hours the day before and buying tickets on site early in the morning. There’s no dedicated parking lot, strollers aren’t allowed on board, and the rocks toward the beacon tower at the top can be slippery, so sort out kids’ shoes and how far you’ll go first.
Quick Summary
The Seoraksan Cable Car climbs from Sogongwon Park to Gwongeumseong at 699 m in about five minutes. Only same-day round-trip tickets are sold, with no reservations, and hours change with the weather.
As of 2026, round-trip fares were 16,000 won for adults and 12,000 won for children from 37 months through elementary school; under 36 months ride free. Two adults and one elementary child pay 44,000 won.
Who It Suits
It suits families who want to see Seoraksan’s granite peaks, Ulsanbawi Rock and views over Sokcho without a long hike. You can stay on the flat viewing area at the top and turn back whenever kids are tired.
If your child is afraid of heights or struggles with rocky footing, keep the time up top short.
Family Route
Arrive in Seorak-dong around 8 a.m., park at the paid Sinheungsa lot, use the Sogongwon restrooms, walk about five minutes from the park entrance to the ground-floor ticket office, stroll Sogongwon until your assigned time, wait on the second floor five minutes before boarding, ride up, enjoy the view from the top station, walk briefly toward the fortress ruins if kids are up for it, ride down, then visit Sinheungsa or Sogongwon and have lunch and coffee in Sokcho.
The last stretch to the beacon tower is bare rock. If it’s wet, stay around the top station.
Parking and Public Transport
Set your navigation to “Seorak Cable Car” or 1085 Seoraksan-ro, Sokcho. There’s no dedicated cable car lot, so use the paid Sinheungsa lot. The official site doesn’t post parking fees and refers you to the lot’s phone number (033-636-4050), so check the rate on the day rather than relying on old blog posts.
By bus, take No. 7 or 7-1 from Sokcho Intercity Bus Terminal to the Seoraksan parking terminus. Allow extra time in the holiday season.
Hours, Booking and Fares
Seoraksan Cable Car hours depend on wind and fog and are posted daily on the official website. There are no reservations; your boarding time is assigned when you buy tickets.
Regular round-trip fares are 16,000 won for adults and 12,000 won for children. In 2026, senior discounts didn’t apply from July 18 to August 23 and from September 19 to November 15; discounts for national merit recipients, people with severe disabilities and Sokcho residents apply with proof.
Full refunds are available up to 10 minutes before boarding; after that, refunds and time changes cost 20%. If service stops for strong winds or bad weather, unused tickets are fully refunded.
Tips with Kids
Leave strollers at the free storage outside the base building on the right. Wheelchair users can reach the platform by elevator. Use the restrooms at Sogongwon first.
A light packable kids’ windbreaker with a hood is handy for sudden wind at the top.
Wear non-slip sneakers or trail shoes, and pack water and small snacks in zip bags. Read the Gwongeumseong legend beforehand and ask kids to find traces of the fortress and the direction of the East Sea.
Food and Cafés
The top station has a snack corner and café on its first and second floors, but items and hours vary. It’s more reliable to eat after coming down, at Sogongwon or in Sokcho.
Pick one café in Seorak-dong or on the way to your stay. Check for a kids’ menu, restrooms, parking and space to deal with wet clothes, not just the view.
Estimated Costs
The Seoraksan Cable Car costs 44,000 won for a family of three. Add 70,000–120,000 won for meals and snacks, 20,000–40,000 won for cafés and 30,000–70,000 won for transport and fuel, for about 140,000–240,000 won per day, excluding parking and lodging.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Outer Seorak views without a long hike, and you can adjust your time up top to your kids’ energy.
Cons: with no reservations, waits are hard to predict; there’s no dedicated parking; and wind or fog can stop service. The path from the top station to the beacon tower isn’t fully flat.
Things to Note
Check the Seoraksan Cable Car’s live operating info and the KMA weather forecast the day before and the morning of your visit. If you ride the last car up, you may only get about 20 minutes at Gwongeumseong, and since there’s no hiking trail down, you must ride back.
FAQ
- Can I book in advance? No. Only same-day tickets are sold on site.
- How much for elementary kids? 12,000 won round trip; from middle school, the adult fare of 16,000 won applies.
- Can we bring a stroller? No; use the free storage outside the base station.
- Can we hike down? There’s no trail down, so you must take the cable car.
- Does it run in the rain? It depends on wind, fog and safety conditions rather than rain, so check the official operating info on the day.
Rules and details in this guide are as of August 2026. Check the latest official information before you travel.
More Family Trips on Yans World
- Cheorwon Goseokjeong Flower Garden: Autumn Festival Tickets, Parking and Family Tips
- Jeongseon Arirang Festival 2026 with Kids: A Two-Day Gangwon Trip with the Arirang Museum
- Warm Heated Pool at Gangwon-do Kids Pool Villa Pendant House
Schedules and prices can change, so check the VISITKOREA official tourism site before you go.