Haeundae and Gwangalli Beach are adjacent coastal areas connected by Busan Metro Line 2. Take Line 2 from Haeundae Station four stops west to Gwangalli Station. About 8 minutes and 1,400 won. Alternatively, walk the coastal path between the two beaches in about 30-40 minutes.
Quick Answer: Busan Metro Line 2 from Haeundae Station to Gwangalli Station: 8 minutes, 1,400 won, 4 stops. Exit 3 at Gwangalli Station is a 5-minute walk from the beach. One of the shortest inter-beach connections in Korea.
Best Route
Busan Metro Line 2 (recommended): Haeundae Station (Line 2, 131) westbound toward the Yangsan direction. 4 stops to Gwangalli Station (210). About 8 minutes, 1,400 won. No transfers.
Coastal walk: Walking from Haeundae Beach along the coastal path toward Gwangalli takes about 30 to 40 minutes. The route passes through Mipo and along the shoreline, with sea views throughout—a scenic option in good weather.
Taxi: About 10 to 15 minutes, 5,000 to 8,000 won.
Step-by-Step Directions
Subway route:
Step 1: At Haeundae Station (Line 2, 131), board Line 2 westbound toward the Yangsan direction. 4 stops to Gwangalli Station (210). Stations: Haeundae, Centurm City, Millak, Marine City, Gwangalli. About 8 minutes.
Step 2: Exit Gwangalli Station from Exit 3. Walk 5 minutes south toward the sea. Gwangalli Beach is directly ahead, with the Gwangan Bridge visible across the water.
Coastal walk route: From the eastern end of Haeundae Beach, follow the waterfront path toward Mipo. Continue along the coastal road west toward Gwangalli. The walk is mostly flat along the shoreline with good views throughout.
Cost
Subway: 1,400 won with a T-money card.
Walk: Free.
Taxi: 5,000 to 8,000 won.
Travel Time
Subway: approximately 13 minutes total (8 minutes train plus 5-minute walk to the beach). Coastal walk: 30-40 minutes.
Taxi Option
A taxi from Haeundae to Gwangalli costs approximately 5,000 to 8,000 won and takes 10 to 15 minutes. For such a short distance, the subway is clearly faster and cheaper. A taxi is most practical late at night, after the subway closes, or when moving luggage between the two beach hotels.
Best Option with Luggage: The subway is accessible with standard luggage. Both Haeundae and Gwangalli stations have elevators. A taxi is more comfortable with large suitcases when moving accommodation between the two areas.
Best Option Late at Night
Gwangalli has an active bar and cafe scene that stays open late. Busan Metro Line 2 from Gwangalli back to Haeundae runs until approximately midnight. After midnight, taxis between the two beach areas are readily available.
Nearby Guides
- Gwangalli Beach Guide
- Haeundae Beach Guide
- Haeundae Sky Capsule Guide
- Busan Station to Gwangalli Beach
- Busan Travel Guide
- Busan Planning Guide
FAQ
Is Gwangalli worth visiting from Haeundae?
Yes. Gwangalli has a fundamentally different character from Haeundae. While Haeundae is larger and more developed, Gwangalli has more local restaurants, better cafes, and the famous Gwangan Bridge illumination at night. The 8-minute subway connection makes a visit to Gwangalli very easy from a Haeundae base.
What is the Gwangan Bridge view like from Gwangalli?
The Gwangan Bridge (also called the Diamond Bridge) is illuminated every night and is visible from the entire Gwangalli beachfront. Sunset views with the bridge in the background are particularly striking. Evening is the best time to visit Gwangalli, specifically for this view.
What other attractions are accessible from Haeundae by subway?
From Haeundae Station on Line 2, you can also reach: Centum City (1 stop, large shopping mall and cinema), and continuing west to Seomyeon (5 stops, Busan’s main entertainment district). For the Busan Station area route,s see the
Gwangalli Beach has a very different character from Haeundae. While Haeundae is a well-developed resort beach with major hotels, Gwangalli is narrower, more intimate, and has a stronger cafe and bar culture. The beachfront is lined with independently owned coffee shops, seafood restaurants, and cocktail bars. Many locals consider Gwangalli the better of the two beaches for an evening out.
The Gwangan Bridge illumination is one of Busan’s most distinctive night scenes. The suspension bridge is lit in different colour combinations throughout the year and is visible from the entire Gwangalli beachfront. Arriving at Gwangalli around sunset and watching the sky and bridge light change together is a classic Busan experience that visitors from Haeundae should make the short trip for at least once.
From Gwangalli, you can also explore the surrounding Millak neighbourhood, which has a concentration of raw fish restaurants (hoe-jip) that are popular with locals. The neighbourhood is a 5-minute walk from Gwangalli Station and less expensive than the restaurants directly on the beachfront.
