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Busan · Area guide

Haeundae

해운대

Korea's best-known beach, a skyline of towers and the film festival next door.

Beach umbrellas, swimmers and the Haeundae skyline beside the sea in Busan
Beach umbrellas, swimmers and the Haeundae skyline beside the sea in Busan. Photo: Busan Metropolitan City · KOGL Type 1. Photo credits

The short answer

Stay in Haeundae if you want the Busan of the postcards. Haeundae Beach, which the city calls the most popular and well-known beach in Korea, is about a five-minute walk from Haeundae Station on Line 2, set among skyscrapers, hotels and restaurants. Dongbaekseom Island closes off one end with a coastal walking path, the aquarium faces the sand, and Haeundae Market and Haeridan Street take care of the evenings. It is the most polished base in the city and the easiest to enjoy on foot.

Haeundae also has the best airport bus of any area: Airport Limousine 1 stops at the beach, at Dongbaekseom and at a string of hotels along the way. Line 2 carries you west to Centum City, the home of the film festival, and on to Gwangalli and Seomyeon. The trade-off is distance from Busan Station and the old downtown, which sit on Line 1 at the far end of the network.

Best for

  • Beach holidays and summer swimming
  • First visits that favour the sea over history
  • Arrivals by airport limousine bus
  • Film-festival trips to Centum City
  • Coastal walks and seafood evenings

Think twice if

  • Early KTX departures from Busan Station
  • Trips built around Nampo's markets and the old downtown
  • Travellers who want the Line 1 and Line 2 transfer on the doorstep

Getting here

Stations and lines
StationLines
HaeundaeLine 2
Centum CityLine 2
JangsanLine 2

From Gimhae Airport

Airport Limousine 1 is the simplest way in. Both of its routes run through Haeundae, stopping at Haeundae Beach (stop 09116), Dongbaekseom Island Entrance, BEXCO, Shinsegae Centum City and several beachfront hotels; the Jangsan route takes about 90 minutes end to end. Board at Platform 3, between Gates 2 and 3 on the first floor of the international terminal, and buy tickets on the Bustago app or at the kiosk near Gate 4. Cash is not accepted. By rail, take the light rail to Sasang and Line 2 to Haeundae, about 70 minutes.

From Busan Station (KTX)

Take Line 1 from Busan Station to Seomyeon, change to Line 2 and ride east to Haeundae Station, then walk to the beach from Exit 3 or 5. For the film festival, get off Line 2 at Centum City instead and use Exit 12 or 6 for the Busan Cinema Center, about five minutes on foot. Travelling on KTX-Eum from Cheongnyangni? The Jungang Line also serves Centum and Shinhaeundae, both on the Haeundae side of the city.

On your doorstep

One easy day from here

  1. Morning Walk the coastal path around Dongbaekseom Island from the end of Haeundae Beach, past the mermaid statue and Nurimaru APEC House.
  2. Late morning Ride the Beach Train or Sky Capsule along Haeundae Blueline Park between Mipo, Cheongsapo and Songjeong.
  3. Afternoon Take Line 2 to Centum City for the Busan Cinema Center and the department stores, or spend the afternoon at SEA LIFE Busan Aquarium across from the beach.
  4. Evening Eat in Haeundae Market's Sea Eel Alley, then wander Haeridan Street or take in the night sky at The Bay 101.

Before you book

Questions visitors ask

Is Haeundae a good area for first-time visitors?

Yes, if your trip is about the sea. Haeundae puts Korea's best-known beach, Dongbaekseom Island, the aquarium and a lively market within a short walk, Line 2 links it to Centum City, Gwangalli and Seomyeon, and Airport Limousine 1 drops you at the beach. If your first visit is about markets and history instead, Nampo or Seomyeon on Line 1 is the better base.

When can I swim at Haeundae Beach?

In summer. The 2026 season ran from 26 June to 15 September, with swimming from 09:00 to 18:00, and the 2025 season from 21 June to 14 September. Book for late June to mid-September if swimming is the point; the rest of the year the beach is for walking, the island path and the views.

Is there a direct bus from Gimhae Airport to Haeundae?

Yes. Busan Airport Limousine 1 stops at Haeundae Beach, Dongbaekseom Island Entrance and several Haeundae hotels. From the airport, the Gijang route runs from 10:10 to 21:40 and the Jangsan route from 07:10 to 16:50, every 20–60 minutes. Buy tickets on the Bustago app or at the kiosk near Gate 4; cash is not accepted, and each passenger brings up to two bags under 30 kg in total.

Which subway exit is closest to Haeundae Beach?

Haeundae Station on Line 2, Exit 3 or 5. From either exit the beach is about a five-minute walk. For the Busan Cinema Center, use Centum City Station, also on Line 2, and leave by Exit 12 or 6.

A place before a plan.

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Sources & review

Editorial review: · Korea Standard Time