A day trip from Seoul to the Gunsan Fireworks Festival: can you see the fireworks and get back the same night?

01

The last train to Seoul leaves at 20:26, so by train you cannot see the fireworks and return the same day

• The 2026 Gunsan Fireworks Festival 'Coloring the Gunsan Night' starts at 20:00 on Saturday, November 14 and lasts about 30 minutes, at the waterfront park of Gunsan's inner harbor (behind the Modern History Museum) (Gunsan City press release, 2026-10-27).
• According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's TAGO train data, 15 trains run from Gunsan Station to Yongsan that day.
• The last two are the 19:25 Saemaeul (arriving at Yongsan at 22:48) and the 20:26 Mugunghwa (arriving at Yongsan at 23:55), and both also stop at Yeongdeungpo.
• Gunsan Station moved to the outskirts in 2008, when the Janghang Line was connected, so it takes about 30 minutes to get downtown.
• Check train times and fares again with Korail (1544-7788).

• Modern History MuseumClosed days Every Monday

02

To get back to Seoul that night, take an express bus to Central City

• According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's TAGO express bus data, 55 express buses ran from Gunsan to Central City (Seoul) on Sunday, November 1.
• The buses leaving after 20:30 were the 20:40 premium, the 21:00 deluxe and the 22:00 late-night premium. They take 2 hours 25 minutes and reach Central City at 23:05, 23:25 and 00:25 the next day.
• The timetable for Saturday, November 14 is not yet in TAGO.
• Check that day's times and fares on Kobus (www.kobus.co.kr) and book there.
• According to Kumho Express's office guide, express buses to Seoul leave from the Gunsan office at 30 Haemang-ro (Gyeongam-dong). These sources do not give the time from the festival site to the bus office or the traffic controls on the festival day.
• For a taxi, call Saemangeum Call (1577-9425), Hope Call (1577-2860) or the Gunsan Private Taxi Association (063-463-6907).

03

Leave Seoul in the morning and you can see the old town before the museum closes at 17:00

• On November 14, 15 trains run from Yongsan to Gunsan, from 05:32 to 20:43.
• The morning trains are the 07:24 Mugunghwa (arriving in Gunsan at 10:59), the 08:28 Saemaeul (11:35), the 09:14 Saemaeul (12:31) and the 10:33 Mugunghwa (13:55).
• The same trains leave Yeongdeungpo at 07:36, 08:38, 09:27 and 10:42.
• From Gunsan Station, city buses 01, 18 and 19 go to the Modern History Museum stop, according to the city bus timetable in effect from 2024.10.21.
• On the Sunday, November 1 timetable, express buses leave Central City every 15–20 minutes from 06:00 and reach Gunsan 2 hours 30 minutes later.
• The Modern History Museum is open 09:00–17:00 from November to February (last entry 16:30).
• Daytime plans and places for dinner are in the guide 'Fireworks festival day'.

• Modern History MuseumClosed days Every Monday

04

If you came by train, stay one night in Gunsan and take the first train the next day

• On Sunday, November 15, the first train from Gunsan Station to Yongsan is the 05:34 Mugunghwa (arriving at Yongsan at 09:06).
• After it come the 06:13 Saemaeul (09:36), the 07:12 Mugunghwa (10:43) and the 08:22 Saemaeul (11:43).
• On the Sunday, November 1 timetable, the first express bus leaves Gunsan at 05:40.
• Within 900 m in a straight line of the Modern History Museum, 6 places to stay have booking-site links on Gunsangak's 'Book a Stay' page.
• Check prices and room availability on each booking site.
• Plans for the next morning are in the guide 'The day after the Gunsan Fireworks Festival'.

• Modern History MuseumClosed days Every Monday

05

By car it takes 2 hours 47 minutes to 3 hours 6 minutes from Seoul, and the public parking lots around the museum are free

• Gunsan City Culture and Tourism's distance table lists both 219.52 km (2 hours 47 minutes) and 239.82 km (3 hours 6 minutes) from Seoul to Gunsan, without saying which route each is.
• On the Seohaean Expressway, come in at Gunsan IC; on the Honam Expressway, come in at Jeonju IC and take the Jeonju–Gunsan motorway (Route 26).
• Parking at the Modern History Museum is free.
• According to the parking data of the Public Data Portal, the 4 public parking lots within 350 m in a straight line of the museum are all free as well. These sources do not give the temporary parking lots or traffic controls on the festival day, so check the notices of Gunsan City and the Gunsan Culture and Tourism Foundation before you go.

• Modern History MuseumClosed days Every Monday