What the cable car covers
Tongyeong Cable Car runs 1,975 metres from its lower station at 205 Balgae-ro to the upper station on Mireuksan. The ride takes about nine minutes. The upper station is not the summit: reaching higher viewpoints involves a separate uphill walk, so allow time for the trail, a rest and the return ride.
VisitKorea lists these current general fares:
- Round trip: adult ₩17,000; child ₩13,000; senior ₩14,000.
- One way: adult ₩13,500; child ₩11,000; senior ₩11,500.
Its general operating hours are 10:00–18:00 on weekdays and 09:00–18:00 on weekends. Last ticketing is 50 minutes before closing. The listing also notes that weather can change hours; check the operator’s current schedule and ticket notice for the actual date. General hours do not guarantee operation in wind, rain or poor visibility.
Decide whether to continue to the summit
After getting off, check the cloud and wind before starting the uphill section. VisitKorea describes roughly a 15-minute walk from the upper station toward the summit route; conditions and pace affect the time. If visibility is poor, the upper station still marks the end of the cable-car journey, but continuing uphill may add effort without a view. Keep enough time to return before the last ride.
For anyone who prefers to avoid the extra climb, make the cable car itself the viewpoint visit and return to the lower station. The ride and summit walk are separate choices; wear shoes suitable for uneven paths if you plan to continue.
Fit it into a harbor day
The station is south of central Tongyeong. Dongpirang Village and Jungang Market sit beside Gangguan Port, so connect the areas by checking the current bus or taxi option on the day. Avoid relying on an old route number or fixed transfer time. The market’s hours vary by shop; an evening harbor loop is a practical alternative if food stalls have closed.
For a weather fallback, remain in the harbor district rather than making a second trip to the mountain. DPIRANG, the nighttime light park at Nammangsan, is separate from Dongpirang Village and uses seasonal hours and ticketing. Confirm its official details before you go.
Before leaving, check the general cable-car information, the operator’s live service notice, Jungang Market listing and DPIRANG information.