Does Oryukdo Skywalk really feel scary, and is it worth visiting with children?

We visited Oryukdo Skywalk with our children during a family trip to Busan. The moment we reached the coast, the wide, unobstructed horizon opened in front of us. Looking out over the deep blue water made us feel that we had truly arrived in Busan.

The glass walkway was a different experience.

Beneath our feet, waves moved against the cliff, creating a thrilling and slightly dizzying view. I expected the children to hesitate, but they walked confidently toward the railing at the end.

After looking down at the sea and taking in the entire coastline, one of them finally admitted:

“It is a little scary.”

That combination of excitement, open ocean, and just enough fear made Oryukdo Skywalk much more memorable than a simple coastal photo stop.

Quick Facts

Information	Details
Address	137 Oryukdo-ro, Nam-gu, Busan
Standard hours	9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Last entry	5:50 p.m.
Summer hours	May be extended until 7:00 p.m. from June to September
Admission	Free
Parking	₩300 per 10 minutes (₩1,800/hour), ₩8,000 daily maximum
Recommended time	40 minutes–1.5 hours with Sunrise Park
Weather restrictions	May close during rain, snow, strong winds, or maintenance

Summer hours may be extended, and access can be restricted during rain, snow, strong winds, or maintenance.

How to Get to Oryukdo Skywalk

Oryukdo sits at the southern tip of Busan, away from the main subway lines, so getting there takes a little more planning than most city attractions.

By car — what we did

We rented a car in Busan, which turned out to be the easiest option with kids. There is a dedicated lot right beside the entrance, Oryukdo Haemaji Park Sky Parking.

Parking costs ₩300 per 10 minutes, or ₩1,800 per hour, with a daily maximum of ₩8,000. For a typical one-hour visit you will pay under ₩2,000.

We arrived in the late afternoon and had no trouble finding a space, though weekends and sunset hours fill up faster.

Driving is the most comfortable choice if you are traveling with young children, carrying a stroller, or planning several coastal stops in one day.

By public transport from Busan Station

Method	Route	Time
Bus, no transfer	Bus 27 from Busan Station → Oryukdo Skywalk stop → 3–5 min walk	55–65 min
Subway + bus	Line 1 to Seomyeon → Line 2 to Kyungsung Univ.·Pukyong Univ. → Bus 24, 27, or 131 → Oryukdo Skywalk stop	50–60 min
Taxi	Direct from Busan Station	25–35 min, traffic dependent

Bus 27 is the simplest option since it requires no transfer, though it takes slightly longer than the subway combination. If you are traveling with tired children at the end of a day, a taxi is worth the extra cost.

Entering the Skywalk

At the entrance, visitors put protective covers over their shoes before stepping onto the glass.

The children found the shoe covers amusing and walked onto the skywalk more confidently than I expected. I was more cautious, especially when I looked straight down and saw the waves moving beneath the transparent floor.

The view ahead felt completely different from looking down.

A clear horizon stretched across the sea with almost nothing blocking it. The glass beneath our feet created a brief thrill, while the open ocean in front of us felt refreshing and calm.

It was one of those places where the children’s reaction became part of the memory. They walked all the way to the railing, looked across the water, and only then said that it felt slightly frightening.

Is Oryukdo Skywalk Safe for Young Children?

Our children were 10 and 12 at the time, and they managed the glass walkway without any difficulty.

The skywalk is short and enclosed by railings, with staff at the entrance. The protective shoe covers also make the glass surface less slippery.

For younger children, a few things are worth knowing.

The transparent floor can be genuinely unsettling, and not only for children. There is no way to cross without seeing the water below.

The walkway is short, so a child who becomes nervous can turn back quickly without a long walk out.

Holding hands on the way out is a good idea, since children tend to stop in the middle and look straight down.

If your child is uneasy about heights, Oryukdo Sunrise Park next door offers the same ocean views without the glass floor.

Oryukdo Sunrise Park Next to the Skywalk

Do not leave immediately after the skywalk.

Oryukdo Sunrise Park is located directly beside it and gives the visit a softer, more relaxing second half. The paths feel like a garden walk, with flowers, trees, and landscaped areas leading toward viewpoints over the sea.

After the excitement of the glass floor, we enjoyed walking slowly through the park with the children. It felt less like a hiking course and more like a coastal garden with several places to stop and look across the water.

The elevated paths provide broad views of the horizon and Oryukdo islands, so the park also feels like a natural observation deck. Spring is especially known for seasonal flowers across the hillside.

For our family, the combination worked well:

Oryukdo Skywalk for the thrill → Oryukdo Sunrise Park for a peaceful walk and ocean views

How Long to Plan For

Most visitors spend 40 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on whether you continue into Sunrise Park and how long you linger at the viewpoints.

If you want the full coastal experience, the locally recommended route continues one step further:

Oryukdo Skywalk → Haemaji Sunrise Park → Igidae Coastal Walk

Igidae is a cliffside trail with some of the best views in Busan. It adds significant time and involves stairs and uneven paths, so consider your children’s stamina before committing to the full route.

Best Time to Visit

We went in the late afternoon, before sunset, and the light over the water was one of the highlights of the visit.

Late afternoon gives softer light and better photographs, but it is also the busiest window.

Early morning is quieter. The area is named for its sunrise views, and Sunrise Park next door is a known sunrise spot.

Clear, calm days are essential. The glass walkway closes during rain, snow, strong winds, and maintenance, and coastal weather in Busan shifts quickly.

Check the operating status before driving out if the forecast looks uncertain.

What’s Nearby

Because Oryukdo sits away from the main subway lines, it pairs naturally with a rental-car day. Songdo Marine Cable Car and the Yonggung Suspension Bridge are on the same side of the city and can be reached without crossing central Busan.

If you are still deciding how to structure your trip, Busan is easiest to plan one district at a time rather than jumping between attractions that look close on a map.

👉 Best Things to Do in Busan With Kids breaks the city into three areas and suggests a three-day family itinerary, including Haeundae, Osiria, Gwangalli, Songdo, and the southern coast.

Final Recommendation

Oryukdo Skywalk is worth visiting not because it is large or time-consuming, but because it delivers a distinctly Busan experience in a short visit.

The horizon stretches wide in front of you, waves move directly below the glass, and the sea feels close enough to make the view slightly frightening.

Our children walked confidently to the end, looked over the railing, and then quietly admitted that it was a little scary. That small reaction captured the experience perfectly.

Afterward, Oryukdo Sunrise Park gave us time to slow down among flowers, trees, and open coastal views.

Allow around 40 minutes to 1.5 hours for both places. Visit on a clear, calm day whenever possible, and check the operating status before traveling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Oryukdo Skywalk free?

Yes. Admission is free. Only parking costs money, at ₩300 per 10 minutes with a daily maximum of ₩8,000.

How long should we plan for?

Between 40 minutes and 1.5 hours, including Oryukdo Sunrise Park next door.

Is it scary?

The glass floor gives a real sense of height, with waves moving directly beneath your feet. Most children handle it well. Ours walked confidently to the railing, then admitted it felt a little frightening.

How do I get there without a car?

Bus 27 from Busan Station goes directly and takes about an hour with no transfer. A taxi takes 25 to 35 minutes.

Do you need a reservation?

No. Visitors put on shoe covers at the entrance and walk on.

Can you see the Oryukdo islands from the skywalk?

Yes, from both the skywalk and the elevated paths in Sunrise Park.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The skywalk closes during rain, snow, strong winds, and maintenance, so check the operating status before traveling.