If you've spent time around Yeouido at night, you may have noticed something unusual floating above the city.
It's called SEOULDAL, a large tethered helium balloon that rises above Yeouido Park and gives passengers a panoramic view of Seoul.
Unlike a regular hot-air balloon, SEOULDAL doesn't fly across the city. It stays connected to the ground and rises vertically before coming back down.
I rode it at night, and the experience was quite different from simply looking at Seoul from an observation deck.
So, is SEOULDAL worth adding to your Seoul itinerary?
Here's what it's actually like — and what you should know before you go.
1. First, what exactly is SEOULDAL?
SEOULDAL opened in 2024 as one of Seoul's newer nighttime attractions.
The balloon rises up to approximately 130 meters above Yeouido, giving passengers a wide view over the surrounding city and the Hangang River.
Despite its appearance, this isn't a traditional hot-air balloon.
SEOULDAL uses helium and remains tethered to the ground throughout the experience, ascending and descending vertically from Yeouido Park.
That also means the experience feels more like a slowly rising outdoor observation platform than a balloon drifting through the sky.
2. What is the ride actually like?
Before boarding, passengers receive safety instructions and prepare to enter the balloon.
The actual flight takes about 15 minutes from boarding to disembarking, while the entire process including safety training and preparation takes roughly 30 minutes.
As the balloon begins to rise, the buildings around Yeouido gradually fall below you.
There isn't a sudden launch.
Instead, you slowly gain height until the streets, office buildings and lights of Seoul spread out underneath you.
3. The night view is the real reason to ride
For me, this was the most interesting part.
Once you're high above Yeouido, you aren't looking through the windows of a skyscraper.
You're outside, with Seoul spread out around you.
At night, the roads become lines of headlights and taillights, while office buildings and apartment towers fill the horizon with light.
You can also see the Hangang River and the surrounding Yeouido skyline from above.
One thing you will notice in the photos is the safety net surrounding the passenger area.
It naturally appears in your pictures, so don't expect completely unobstructed observation-deck-style photographs.
But in person, I didn't think that was the main point of the experience.
The unusual part is simply being outside, 130 meters above the city, looking across Seoul at night.
4. Should you ride during the day or at night?
SEOULDAL operates during both daytime and evening hours, but I rode it at night.
And based on that experience, night is the time I would choose again.
Yeouido is one of Seoul's major business districts, so seeing the office towers, roads and surrounding neighborhoods illuminated from above gives the experience much more atmosphere.
That said, daytime may offer clearer views if your priority is seeing the city itself rather than the nighttime atmosphere.
For photographs and atmosphere, though, I'd choose the night view.
5. How much does SEOULDAL cost?
As of 2026, the regular ticket prices listed by the Seoul Metropolitan Government are:
- Adults (19–64): ₩25,000
- Teenagers (13–18): ₩20,000
- Children (3–12): ₩15,000
- Seniors (65+): ₩20,000
There are also discounts for certain eligible visitors, so check the current rules when booking.
Online booking options may also be available for international travelers, so it's worth checking the official SEOULDAL information before your visit.
6. Where is SEOULDAL?
SEOULDAL is located inside Yeouido Park, next to the Yeouido Park Office.
The official address is:
68 Yeouigongwon-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, it's approximately a 7-minute walk from Exit 3 of National Assembly Station (Line 9) or a 13-minute walk from Exit 3 of Yeouido Station (Lines 5 and 9).
For most travelers already exploring Yeouido, it's relatively easy to add to an evening itinerary.
7. Check the weather before you go
This is probably the most important practical tip.
SEOULDAL is very dependent on weather conditions.
Because it's a tethered balloon, strong winds, heavy rain and other unfavorable conditions can affect whether it operates, and the final decision can be made based on real-time weather conditions.
So even if SEOULDAL is part of your itinerary, don't treat it like an indoor attraction that is guaranteed to operate.
Check the operating status before heading to Yeouido.
That can save you a wasted trip.
8. How long should you plan for?
The balloon ride itself isn't particularly long.
The official flight time is around 15 minutes, with approximately 30 minutes needed when safety training and preparation are included.
So I wouldn't necessarily plan an entire evening around SEOULDAL alone.
Instead, it makes more sense to combine it with other things around Yeouido.
You could visit Yeouido Park, walk toward the Hangang River, have dinner nearby, or explore the area before taking a nighttime ride.
9. Is SEOULDAL worth it?
If you're looking for the highest observation point in Seoul, this isn't it.
And if your only goal is taking perfectly clear skyline photographs without anything in front of the camera, a conventional observation deck may suit you better.
But that's not really why I'd recommend SEOULDAL.
The experience itself is unusual.
You're standing outdoors in a balloon above Yeouido while the city lights stretch out around you.
It doesn't take very long, and it gives you a perspective on Seoul that's quite different from looking through the windows of a tower.
If you've already visited some of Seoul's more famous attractions and want to try something a little different at night, SEOULDAL is worth considering.
Before you go
SEOULDAL's operating hours can change depending on the season and weather. The standard schedule is Tuesday–Sunday, 12 PM–10 PM, with the last regular flight at 9:30 PM, and it is closed on Mondays.
For August–October 2026, operating hours are extended until 11 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
Always check the latest operating information before visiting, as flights may be affected by weather conditions.
SEOULDAL official information – Seoul Metropolitan Government
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