Collection Railway Travel 2026.08.16

A Day Trip to the East Coast by Morning Train

Enjoying the beaches of Gangneung, Donghae, Samcheok, and Pohang comfortably until the evening train

#Day Trip #Beach #Train Travel #East Coast Travel #Gangneung Travel

For a day trip to the East Coast, it's more important to manage your expectations on-site than to book train tickets. If you get off at Gangneung Station and try to see Gyeongpo, Anmok, and Jeongdongjin all in one go or mix the beaches of Donghae and Samcheok, you'll end up spending a lot of time on the bus. In a predetermined round trip, the return route affects satisfaction more than the number of destinations.

This list includes ten great coastal destinations on the East Coast that are easily accessible by train from the metropolitan area and major cities, perfect for a day trip to the beach. At each location, I’ve noted one or two nearby suggestions that go well together, as well as some distant spots that can be skipped. Since the travel time may vary depending on the departure station, I've structured the itinerary to focus on the first activity and the final return time, so you can adjust your schedule to fit your train.

Anmok Beach

Anmok Beach is a great coastal destination to use Gangneung Station as a base for your train trip. A short bus or taxi ride from the station lets you enjoy the coffee street and a long stroll on the breakwater. There are many cafes where you can relax while watching the sea, making it easy to manage your time between KTX round trips. A good itinerary is to eat at the Central Market after arriving in the morning and then combine it with a visit to Anmok Beach before heading back on the evening train. On weekends, the beach road can get congested, so make sure to allow extra time when returning. Since train times and local traffic can vary by operating day, it’s safest to check the Korail and local traffic information again before departure.

주소 강원특별자치도 강릉시 창해로14번길 51-26 기차 여행 거점 강릉역

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Gyeongpo Beach

Gyeongpo Beach is a great coastal destination to use Gangneung Station as a base for your train trip. You can take a bus from the station to enjoy a walk around Gyeongpo Lake and the sandy beaches of the East Sea all at once. The lake, pine forest, and sea create different walking landscapes depending on the season. A suitable itinerary is to walk part of Gyeongpo Lake and the beach, adding a meal in Chodang. During the summer peak season, the bus stops and roads can be crowded, so it’s better not to overextend your itinerary. Since train times and local traffic can vary by operating day, it’s safest to check the Korail and local traffic information again before departure.

주소 강원특별자치도 강릉시 창해로 514 기차 여행 거점 강릉역

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Jeongdongjin Beach

Jeongdongjin Beach is a great coastal destination to use Jeongdongjin Station as a base for your train trip. With a transfer at Gangneung Station or by using trains that stop at Jeongdongjin, you can start your journey right in front of the sea. It’s famous for its train and sunrise imagery, but the scenery around the beach and sculpture park is vibrant during the day as well. Rather than just seeing the sunrise and leaving, if you include a morning stroll and meal, staying for more than 4 hours increases your satisfaction compared to the time spent traveling. Special sunrise transport and end-of-year trips can sell out quickly, so secure your round trip tickets together. Since train times and local traffic can vary by operating day, it’s safest to check the Korail and local traffic information again before departure.

주소 강원특별자치도 강릉시 강동면 정동진리 64-3 기차 여행 거점 정동진역

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Nongoldamgil

Nongoldam-gil

Nongoldam-gil is a great coastal destination to use Mukho Station as a base for your train trip. A walk past Mukho Port leads you up the hill to a mural village overlooking the harbor and the East Sea. The living scenery of the alleys and the view from Mukho Lighthouse offer a different perspective from a beach-centered trip. An ideal itinerary is to hike up the hill in the morning, have lunch at Mukho Port, and then return via train. Be cautious of noise and private property photography in residential alleys, and take care on inclines during rain or snow. Since train times and local traffic can vary by operating day, it’s safest to check the Korail and local traffic information again before departure.

주소 강원특별자치도 동해시 묵호진동 18 기차 여행 거점 묵호역

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Chuam Candle Rock

Chuam Chotdaebawi

Chuam Chotdaebawi is a great coastal destination to use Donghae Station as a base for your train trip. By taking local transportation from Donghae Station, you can combine visits to Chotdaebawi, the suspension bridge, and Chuam Beach. The unique rock formations and the sunrise over the East Sea create a rich scenery even with a short stay. A good plan is to see Chuam in the morning and return toward Donghae Station, possibly adding lunch in Mukho or the city. Be aware that the rocky coastline and stairs may be restricted during strong winds or ice, so check beforehand. Since train times and local traffic can vary by operating day, it’s safest to check the Korail and local traffic information again before departure.

주소 강원특별자치도 동해시 추암동 산 69 기차 여행 거점 동해역

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Mangsang Beach

Mangsan Beach

Mangsan Beach is a great coastal destination to use Mukho Station as a base for your train trip. A short bus or taxi ride north from the station takes you to a broad sandy beach and pine forest. Unlike urban ports, this open beach is ideal for long walks and relaxation. Your itinerary should focus on a beach walk and a cafe visit to ensure you have enough time for your return train. During the off-season, facilities and bus schedules may decrease, so be sure to check meal options and return times in advance. Since train times and local traffic can vary by operating day, it’s safest to check the Korail and local traffic information again before departure.

주소 강원특별자치도 동해시 동해대로 6270-10 기차 여행 거점 묵호역

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Samcheok Beach

Samcheok Beach is a great coastal destination to use Samcheok Station as a base for your train trip. A short ride by city bus or taxi from the station allows you to enjoy the wide beach and nearby walking areas. After the full opening of the Donghae Line, it’s a representative destination connecting Samcheok city and the sea by train. It’s better to choose just one beach and one city attraction, basing your stay duration around the return train's schedule. If you include places like Jangho and Yonghwa in the southern part of Samcheok, the travel time may lengthen, making the day trip tight. Since train times and local traffic can vary by operating day, it’s safest to check the Korail and local traffic information again before departure.

주소 강원특별자치도 삼척시 갈천동 14-22 기차 여행 거점 삼척역

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Yeongildae Beach

Yeongildae Beach is a great coastal destination to use Pohang Station as a base for your train trip. A bus ride from the station takes you to the urban beach with views of Yeongildae Sea Pavilion and the night scenery of POSCO. With many restaurants, cafes, and walking paths, there are plenty of choices even for a short day trip. A good itinerary is to have lunch at Jukdo Market, move to Yeongildae to enjoy the sunset and night view, and then head back to the station. During rush hours and on weekends, traffic congestion can occur on the coastal road, so it’s safer to start your return journey one hour before your train. Since train times and local traffic can vary by operating day, it’s safest to check the Korail and local traffic information again before departure.

주소 경북 포항시 북구 항구동 기차 여행 거점 포항역

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Wolpo Beach

Wolpo Beach is a great coastal destination to use Wolpo Station as a base for your train trip. It's a relatively short trip from the station to a small coastal village and a wide sandy beach. This destination is well-suited for rail travelers looking to experience the sea quietly compared to major tourist spots. An itinerary focused on a beach walk and lunch, spending half a day before returning on the appropriate train is ideal. Since train services may be limited, it's better to fix your round trip times first rather than changing plans on-site. Since train times and local traffic can vary by operating day, it’s safest to check the Korail and local traffic information again before departure.

주소 경북 포항시 북구 청하면 해안로2308번길 60 기차 여행 거점 월포역

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Daecheon Beach

Daecheon Beach is a great coastal destination to use Daecheon Station as a base for your train trip. After alighting from the Janghang Line train, you can catch a city bus to reach the expansive sandy beach and beachside commercial area of the West Sea. It’s one of the notable day trip destinations on the West Sea accessible by Mugunghwa and Saemaeul trains from the metropolitan area. An appropriate plan is to enjoy a walk along the beach and a market meal during the day, then returning to the station by bus around sunset. During festivals and summer peak season, congestion on buses and roads can occur, so aiming for the last train alone can be risky. Since train times and local traffic can vary by operating day, it’s safest to check the Korail and local traffic information again before departure.

주소 충남 보령시 머드로 123 기차 여행 거점 대천역

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The easiest way to ensure a successful day trip to the beach is to limit your destinations to one living area. In Gangneung, combinations that naturally connect meals and beaches, like Gyeongpo and Chodang, or in Pohang, like Jukdo Market and Yeongildae, work well. For places like Jeongdongjin or Wolpo, where there are fewer train services, sticking to a pre-planned return schedule is safer than trying to extend your stay.

If the weather is bad, reduce your beach time and shift to markets, museums, or cafes, but be careful not to approach the breakwater during rough seas. Start moving toward the station one hour before your return train and leave even earlier if traffic congestion is expected. By planning your schedule based on the time spent leisurely in front of the sea rather than the number of places visited in a day, you're likely to enhance your overall satisfaction.

한눈에 보기 10개

Anmok Beach

강원특별자치도 강릉시 창해로14번길 51-26 · 강릉역

Gyeongpo Beach

강원특별자치도 강릉시 창해로 514 · 강릉역

Jeongdongjin Beach

강원특별자치도 강릉시 강동면 정동진리 64-3 · 정동진역

Nongoldamgil

강원특별자치도 동해시 묵호진동 18 · 묵호역

Chuam Candle Rock

강원특별자치도 동해시 추암동 산 69 · 동해역

Mangsang Beach