Seoul Han River Cycling: Ddareungi vs Hangang Park Bikes for Families & Beginners

Seoul Han River Cycling Guide: Ddareungi vs Hangang Park Rental Bikes

Seoul’s Han River is perfect for a casual bike ride, family fun, and even summer splashes at the artificial swimming pools. We wanted to try both Hangang Park rental bikes and Ddareungi public bikes to see which works best for beginners, families, and tourists. Here’s our experience.

1. Hangang (Han River) Park Rental Bikes

Rental Locations

A total of 12 rental stations across Hangang Park

• Gangnam side: Gwangnaru, Jamsil, Jamwon, Banpo, Yeouido (Wonhyo Bridge, Yeouinaru, Mapo Bridge), Yanghwa, Gangseo

• Gangbuk side: Ttukseom, Ichon, Nanji (World Cup Bridge)

We rented from the Mapo Bike Rental shop in Yeouido. The staff were helpful, and the process was easy. There were various types of bikes and they were reasonably well-maintained. The quality wasn’t amazing, but it was more than enough for a short, casual ride along the river. For exact locations, opening hours, and facilities: Hangang Park Official Website.

We visited the Mapo Bike Rental shop located in Yeouido Han River Park.

A view of the bike rental shop.

Riding along the river, we passed by a Han River cruise ship.

A quiet and peaceful Han River view.

People are enjoying picnics on the grass

Bike Types & Rental Fees 

Bike Type	1 Hour	1.5 Hours	2 Hours
Single / Children (Standard)	₩3,300	₩4,950	₩6,600
Tandem	₩6,600	₩9,900	₩13,200
Child Seat Bike	₩5,000	₩7,500	₩10,000
Electric Bike	₩9,000	₩13,500	₩18,000
Multi-seat (3–4 people)	₩20,000	₩30,000	₩40,000
Premium Children	₩6,600	₩9,900	₩13,200
Premium Standard	₩7,000	₩10,500	₩14,000

How to Rent

• Buy a ticket at the kiosk and pick up your bike.

• Return it at the same station (some bikes allow weekday cross-return if reserved).

• Payment is mostly by card. Foreigners can use language settings on the kiosk; passport ID is recommended.

Family Bike with canopy : Safety & Rules

The multi-seat family bikes with canopies are great for a slow, relaxed ride with kids. They need wider paths and are slower than standard bikes, but perfect for a casual outing.

Note: that not every rental station has family bikes, so it’s best to check availability in advance if you plan to use one.

• Helmets required for everyone.

• Max 4 passengers; at least one adult if kids are onboard. - only the left handle in the front seat controls the steering.

• Left lever = rear brake, right lever = front brake. Brake gently.

• Ride only in the designated Yeouido section (East to 63 Building, West to National Assembly).

• No phone use, alcohol, standing, or leaning outside while riding.

• Family bikes operate only in daylight hours; rentals close by sunset.

Some parts of the path are shared by both pedestrians and cyclists, so you need to stay alert and slow down for safety.

Under the bridge, the paths are fully separated — one for bikes and one for pedestrians.

2. Ddareungi Seoul Public Bikes

Foreign Users Tips for Ddareungi

• Each person needs their own voucher, and only one card can be used per non-member. Everyone must register individually.

• English guidance is available on both the kiosks and the app, making it easy for foreign users.

• Minors without a credit card must first purchase a Discovery Seoul Pass to complete the payment.

• If the payment doesn’t go through in the app, you can complete the payment on the website instead activate it on the app before renting it. 

Activation & Usage

• After paying, enter the pass number in the app and tap ‘Use Pass.’

• You can pick up and return bikes at any station across the city.

Once you’ve made a payment, activating the app should be easy. Press ‘I already have a pass,’ enter the number you received after payment, and then tap the ‘Use Pass’ button at the bottom

A map showing Seoul Public Bike “Ddareungi” stations — there are so many across the city!

Ddareungi Fees

Ticket	1 Hour	2 Hours	24 Hours
Daily	₩1,000	₩2,000	₩5,000

3. Ddareungi vs Hangang Park Rental Bikes

Feature	Hangang Park Rental	Ddareungi
Convenience	Limited to rental stations	Pick-up & return anywhere
Route Flexibility	Bike paths within Han River Park	Free to ride throughout the city
Family-friendly	Good (multi-seat bikes available)	Multi seat bike not available, one bike for one person
Price	Varies by bike type	Affordable, ₩5,000 for 24 hours bike rental
Foreign-friendly	Kiosk language settings available	App & kiosk voice guidance
Cross-return	Yes (Premium MTB & group bikes only on weedkday)	Yes, Available at any station

4. Recommended Hangang Cycling Routes (Based on Naver Maps)

Route	Distance	Highlights	Points of Interest
Yeouido → Banpo	6.4 km	Flat, ideal for evening rides	Banpo Bridge, Moonlight Rainbow Fountain
Banpo → Nodeul Island	5 km	Flat, scenic	Nodeul Island, Han River views
Ttukseom → Jamsil	5.2 km	Well-maintained bike paths	Lotte World Tower, Jamsil Hangang Park
Seoul Forest → Jamsil	8.9 km	Nature & city skyline	Seoul Forest lake, trees, Jamsil skyline

Summer Family Fun: Hangang Artificial Swimming Pools

• 7 locations: Nanji, Jamwon, Ttukseom, Yeouido, Gwangnaru, Mangwon, Jamsil

• Perfect for post-ride cooling and family enjoyment

Early June: daytime temperatures start to rise, marking the beginning of summer. Children are already enjoying the water play areas along the river.

Picnic & Snacks

We couldn’t skip convenience-store ramen. Near the Mapo rental shop, there’s a small store in BHC Chicken Yeouido. We cooked cup ramen with egg, chicken breast, and sausage outdoors. Simple, satisfying, and somehow better because we were by the river.

No Han River trip is complete without instant ramen from a convenience store — it’s almost a modern Korean tradition. The nearest convenience store to our Mapo Rental Shop is located inside the BHC Chicken Yeouido Hangang Park Branch (2F, 343 Yeouidong-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul). You can find it easily by searching this address on Naver Map.

Cup ramen with egg, chicken breast and sausages - a simple yet satisfying meal. Eating outdoors with people made it taste even better!

Our Exprience in Han River

We rented a family bike with a canopy for about an hour. It was a hot day, so having the cover was great. The ride was easy and scenic, and the kids enjoyed it too. For adults without children, one hour is usually enough since the riding area is limited. Overall, it was a fun and relaxing way to spend time at the Han River.

*This review is based on my personal experience, and results may vary for others. Please take it as a friendly reference.