Haeundae Blue Line Park Review: Sky Capsule vs Beach Train- which should you choose to enjoy the beautiful coastal scenery? Take the Sky Capsule if you want a better view of the ocean/ recreate what you see on TikTok/ social media, and the Beach Train if you want to either save money, spend less time in a hot cabin, or go to Songjeong Beach. This is one of my favorite things to do in Haeundae Beach, Busan, South Korea. There are some things you need to know before you go, so read on.
Opened in October 2020, Haeundae Blue Line Park 해운대 블루라인파크 used to be a closed part of the Donghae Nambu line that has since been rejuvenated into a tourist attraction. (Busan is great at revitalisation projects- just think Gamcheon Culture Village and Huinnyeoul Culture Villlage, 2 of the best things to do in Busan.)
It's basically fancy transportation between a few places in Busan: namely Mipo, Cheongsapo, and Songjeong Station. You can travel the Blue Line Park by means of:
- an elevated, private Sky Capsule (ticketed, basically a monorail)
- a Beach Train (ticketed, different pricing from the Sky Capsule)
- on foot along the boardwalk/ Busan Green Railway Coastal Walking Trail (free. A section was closed for maintenance when I was there in 2023, so you'll get diverted into the forest. About 3 hours, including the forest trail.)
One of my favorite things to do when I'm at Haeudnae Beach!
Why Visit
- Gorgeous: Haeundae Blue Line Park is 4.8 km long, with the best coastal views and the Sky Capsule is just too cute for words. It's so visually captivating, it's all over Tik Tok!
- Gets you to tourist attractions that are further away: It's not a ride to nowhere, but brings you to some Busan attractions that are a llittle more difficult to get to. You can travel between Mipo Harbor in Haeundae, Cheongsapo, and Songjeong while enjoying gorgeous oceanfront scenery.
- Eco-friendly: this is a sustainable project!
Personally I loved walking the Busan Green Railway. I recommend taking the Haeundae Blueline Park Sky Capsule or Beach Train ONLY IF you like seaviews, nature, taking photos, and DO NOT MIND QUEUEING! (If not, you may find it a bit boring. Also, you'll need a lot of patience to put up with how unfriendly to foreign tourists the set-up is.)
Stations
The Blue Line Park has 3 major stations where you can board and alight:
- Mipo Station: Sky Capsule and Beach Train
- Closest to Haeundae Beach and starting point for most people
- I recommend starting from here
- Cheongsapo Station: Sky Capsule and Beach Train
- Songjeong: Beach Train only
- Last stop
There are also 3 smaller stations that only the beach train goes to:
- Dalmaji Tunnel (Moonlight Tunnel)
- Daritdol Skywalk
- Similar to Songdo Skywalk (more metal grills than glass) and Oryukdo Skywalk, you can walk on a glass-floor 20 metres above the ocean. (This is a shorter walk though. It's free.)
- 600m walk from Cheongsapo
- Gudeokpo
- small fishing village
Note: only Mipo and Songjeong have manned ticket counters. The other 4 stations only have ticket kiosks, and you will need a Korean credit card.
Need to Know Before You Go
- You'll need a Korean credit card to make an online booking for the Busan Sky Capsule. Alternatively, book via Klook. I HIGHLY recommend making an online reservation before you go, because the lines are long!
- There is an option for a foreign card payment on the site, but nothing happens when I click on it. (From what I understand, it MAY accept a foreign Citi card.)
- You'll also need a Korean telephone number to make the booking (so your e-sim needs to be able to receive calls and texts.)
- Pets must be in a carrier.
Note: If you want to book the Sky Capsule in person at the ticket office and not online, go early, as the queues are heinous, especially on the weekend, and the tickets can sell out. (The Beach Train is less popular, so it's easier to get seats.) Most likely, your ride will depart some time after you buy the ticket, so you'll have some time to spare- there is a souvenir shop and eateries to keep you occupied in the vicinity. You will need to be at the "gate" at least 10 minutes before your departure time.
The return stations (Cheongsapo and Songjeong) are typically less crowded, so you could always book online for Mipo-Cheongsapo/ Songjeong, then buy a ticket at the station for the return journey. (That way you have a more free-and-easy day at the attractions.)
Alternatively there is a "package reservation" for which you get:
- a one-way ticket for Haeundae Sky Capsule
- an all-station boarding pass for the Haeundae Beach Train
- The ticket price is:
- For two people: ₩59,000 (~US$46 or S$61)
- For three people, it costs ₩78,000 (~US$61 or S$81)
- For four people, it costs ₩94,000 (~US$74 or S$98)
Note: if you're a family of 5, you need to take 2 Sky Capsules. An exception is made if 1 member is a kid under 7 years of KOREAN age (so 6 years for the rest of us.)
Sky Capsule vs Beach Train: Which to Take?
Note: I recommend taking the Sky Capsule one way and the Beach Train the other way, so you can enjoy the best of 2 worlds! (2 Sky Capsule journeys is a bit much.)
Sky Capsule
This is the little sky train that you've seen all over Tik Tok. Elevated 7-10m in the sky, it's cute and private, with each capsule housing up to 4 people.
It travels at a very slow speed- 4 km/h- so you'll have plenty of time to enjoy the beautiful water views. (The 2km ride will take around 25-30 minutes. Too much time for some people, to be honest.)
Obviousy, sunset is one of the most popular times to ride the Sky Capsule, as you'll get great views of the sun setting over the waters.
Tickets
There are 2-seater, 3-seater and 4-seater Sky Capsule tickets. The prices for a one-way journey are:
- 35,000 KRW for a 2-seater (about US$27 or S$36)
- You can travel solo, just pay for 2 people i.e. 30,000 Won
- 45,000 KRW for a 3-seater (US$35 or S$47)
- 50,000 KRW for a 4-seater (US$39 or S$52)
Note: it can be a bit hot in the Capsules in summer. (Summer is NOT my favorite time to be in Korea.)
If you want to take the Sky Capsule, I recommend booking the Mipo to Cheongsapo route, then walking or taking the beach train to Songjeong. If you walk, you can go at your own pace and you'll pass the Cheongsapo Daritdyool Observatory along the way. (The Mipo-Cheongsapo train is closer to the waterline, so you get a better view.)
From Cheongsapo, you can then:
- Return to Mipo
- By walking
- Taking the Sky Capsule (you need a 2nd ticket)
- Taking the Beach Train (You need a 2nd ticket)
- Head on to Songjeong Station
- By Walking
- By Beach Train
Final Boarding Time
The final boarding time for the Haeundae Sky Capsule varies according to season, as shown below:
| Sortation | Last Beach Train (Mipo) | Last Beach Train (Songjeong) | Last Sky Capsule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Season (November, December, January, February) | 19:00 | 18:30 | ~18:00 |
| Off-Season (March, April, October) | 19:30 | 19:00 | ~18:30 |
| High Season (May, June, September) | 20:30 | 20:00 | ~19:30 |
| Polar Season (July, August) | 21:30 | 21:00 | ~20:30 |
If you board the Sky Capsule at Mipo after 18:00, you may not be able to take the Beach Train back to Mipo.
Beach Train
This is the "back-up option." Seduced by TikTok, people usually book this when they can't get the Sky Capsule.
Take the beach train if you want to go to Songjeong beach or to the other 3 small stations (the Sky Capsule does not stop there- alternatively, you could also walk.)
It's pretty much a 4.8 km train ride along the waterline. It travels more quickly, at 15 km/h- which means you won't be cooped up for so long when it's hot out. (The entire journey- for 6 stations- also takes 30 minutes.)
However, it travels below the Sky Capsule, so you won't get the same elevated views and parts of the way will be blocked by pedestrians and foliage.
All seats are ocean-facing but there are 2 rows, so 1 row is closer to the ocean view, whilst the 2nd row is partially blocked by the 1st row of seats.
Tickets
There are 3 types of Haeundae Beach Train tickets (cheaper than Sky Capsule):
- the one-time boarding pass ₩7,000 (about US$5 or S$7): one-way, reboarding is not allowed
- two-time boarding pass ₩12,000 (about US$9 or S$12): you can reboard once after getting off
- all-station boarding pass ₩16,000 (about US$12 or S$16): can be used at all stations
- A two-time boarding pass and an all-station boarding pass are both a must for those who want a round trip.
Final Boarding Times
| Seasons | Last Beach Train (Mipo) | Last Beach Train (Songjeong) |
|---|---|---|
| Winter Season (November, December, January, February) | 19:00 | 18:30 |
| Off-Season (March, April, October) | 19:30 | 19:00 |
| High Season (May, June, September) | 20:30 | 20:00 |
| Polar Season (July, August) | 21:30 | 21:00 |
How to Book Tickets Online
- Visit the Haeundae Blue Line website.
- Choose the option you want: Beach Train OR Sky Capsule.
- Make sure it's departing from your preferred station.
- For Sky Capsule, I recommend departing from Mipo for better views.
- Choose the date and time of your journey
- See Screenshot below.
- Enter your personal details
- Enter your KOREAN credit card details
- Mobile tickets are sent to mobile phones: You also need a phone number that can received Korean domestic texts/ calls
For less hassle, book through Klook!
Each Sky Capsule departure time period is 30 minutes. I.e. a reservation for 12:00~12:30 does NOT mean the Sky Capsule departs at 12:00 and arrives at 12:30. Instead, it means that you board the Sky Capsule between 12:00~12:30. (The boarding time can also change if there are many passengers.) Remember to be at the gate at least 10 minutes before departure time.
Stops: Mipo, Cheongsapo, Songjeong
Mipo
This is the closest station to the main Haeundae area. It's about 10-15 minutes walk from the luxury hotel, Signiel Hotel. You'll walk down a nice romantic walkway before reaching the train station and ticket kiosks.
There are several seafood restaurants nearby.
Cheongsapo
Cheongsapo is in between Haeundae/ Mipo and Songjeong. There are lots of cool cafes and restaurants- the town is particularly famous for its fresh seafood, caught by the women divers (Haenyeo.) (However, I'm not a fan of Korean raw fish- it's much fishier than Japanese sashimi! Go for the grilled clams instead.)
Songjeong
This is one of Busan's 4 major beaches, along with Haeundae, Gwangalli, and Songdo. It's popular with surfers. At the end of the beach, you can visit Jukdo Park, where you will see many bamboo trees. Alternatively, Haedong Yonggungsa temple, one of the most beautiful temples in Korea, is closeby.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes but not during natural disasters.
The closest Busan Metro station to Mipo Station is Haeundae Station (Metro line 2). Take exit 7 and walk along the beach to the entrance, marked by some large arches. If you prefer a shorter walk, get out atJangsan Station (also Metro line 2) then take bus 200 to Mipo – Moontan Road Bus Stop. (Taking a bus in Busan is not for the faint hearted though- the buses jerk like crazy.)
Address
- Haeundae Blueline Park (Mipo Station)
13 Dalmagi-gil 62 beon-gil, Haeundae-gu, Busan
부산 해운대구 달맞이길62번길 13
Opening Hours: 9:30am-7pm- Closest to Haeundae Beach- most people start their journey here.
- The time of the last train can vary with the season.
- Cheongsapo
- Songjeong Station : 299-20 Songjeong-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan
- Songjeong is one of the more popular beaches in Busan.
Any questions about Haeundae Blue Line Park or what to see in Busan? Let me know in the comments!
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