From Hongdae, take Subway Line 2 to Dangsan, then transfer to Line 6 to Noksapyeong Station. Walk about 20 minutes uphill to N Seoul Tower or take a taxi from Noksapyeong. Total by subway: about 35 minutes. By taxi from Hongdae: about 25 minutes.
Quick Answer: Taxi from Hongdae to Namsan/N Seoul Tower: 25 minutes, approximately 8,000 to 13,000 won. More practical than the multi-transfer subway. Alternatively, Line 2 to Dangsan then Line 6 to Noksapyeong and walk 20 minutes uphill.
Best Route
Taxi (recommended from Hongdae): A direct taxi from Hongdae to the Namsan Cable Car base or N Seoul Tower costs approximately 8,000 to 13,000 won and takes about 25 minutes. The subway alternative involves two transfers and a 20-minute uphill walk, making the taxi clearly more convenient for this journey.
Subway Line 2 + Line 6 + walk: Line 2 from Hongdae (239) to Dangsan (234). Transfer to Line 6 at Hapjeong or Dangsan area. Line 6 to Noksapyeong Station (630). Walk uphill for 20 minutes to Namsan Tower. Total about 40 minutes, 1,500 won.
Step-by-Step Directions
Taxi route: Book via Kakao T from Hongdae. Give the destination as N Seoul Tower (N서울타워) or Namsan Cable Car (남산케이블카). The taxi takes the most direct route through Mapo or Itaewon, about 25 minutes.
Subway route:
Step 1: At Hongdae Station (Line 2, 239), take Line 2 eastbound 5 stops to Hapjeong (236) or Dangsan (234). Transfer to Line 6 (brown line).
Step 2: At Line 6, take the Itaewon/Yaksu direction. Ride to Noksapyeong Station (630). About 10 minutes from Hapjeong.
Step 3: From Noksapyeong Station Exit 2, walk uphill toward Namsan Mountain for about 20 minutes. Follow signs for N Seoul Tower. Alternatively, take city bus 05 from Itaewon toward the cable car base.
Cost
Taxi: 8,000 to 13,000 won.
Subway + walk: 1,500 won.
Cable car return: 14,000 won for adults (from the cable car base).
Travel Time
Taxi: approximately 25 minutes from Hongdae to the Namsan area.
Subway: approximately 35 to 40 minutes to Noksapyeong, plus a 20-minute walk; total about 55 to 60 minutes.
Taxi Option
For this particular journey, a taxi from Hongdae is the more practical choice. The distance is about 7 kilometres, and the fare is reasonable. The subway requires two transfers and a significant uphill walk, making the taxi more time-efficient for most visitors.
Best Option with Luggage
Taxi from Hongdae. Leave large bags at your Hongdae accommodation before the Namsan visit.
Best Option Late at Night
The cable car runs until 11 pm (midnight on weekends). Taxis from the Namsan area back to Hongdae run at all hours. The Itaewon area near Noksapyeong has late-night dining if you want to combine the two areas.
Nearby Guides
FAQ
Why is a taxi better than the subway from Hongdae to Namsan?
The subway requires two transfers (Line 2 to Line 6), followed by a 20-minute uphill walk from Noksapyeong. The total time is 55 to 60 minutes. A taxi covers the same distance in 25 minutes at a reasonable cost. When the subway time and transfer complexity exceed a certain threshold, a taxi becomes clearly more practical.
Can I combine Hongdae and Namsan Tower in one evening?
Yes. Visiting Namsan Tower for sunset and the city night view, then taking a taxi back to Hongdae for dinner and nightlife, is a popular Seoul evening activity. Leave Hongdae around 5 pm, reach Namsan by 5:30 pm, watch the sunset, and return to Hongdae by 8 pm to 9 pm.
Is there parking at Namsan Tower for visitors arriving by taxi?
Yes. Taxis drop off at the Namsan parking area near the cable car base. If you take a taxi directly to the summit area (more expensive), the drop-off is near the N Seoul Tower main entrance.
