Summary of Yeouido Fireworks Festival traffic control and return route: How to return without making a mistake

Road closure sections and times

For the 2025 event, the section of Yeouidong-ro (from the southern end of Mapo Bridge to in front of the 63 Building) was completely controlled from 2 PM to 10 PM. If you are planning to go to the vicinity of Yeouido by car or taxi, it is safe to assume that it will be impossible to enter during this time.

Since restricted sections and times may vary depending on the scale of the event each year, it is recommended to make public transportation a basic plan based on the assumption that similar sections will likely be restricted in 2026.

Most buses also take a detour.

Due to road closures, many bus routes passing through the area will be detoured for the day. For the 2025 event, 19 bus routes were subject to detours. This means that the bus stops you normally use may not operate as they are.

Vessel traffic using the Han River also often does not operate on the day of the event. Ultimately, the subway is the most predictable way to both access and return to Yeouido, so it's best to avoid plans that rely on buses or cars.

The moment the main fireworks show ends is the most crowded.

The 2026 main fireworks show will be held from 8 PM to 9:10 PM. At this time, hundreds of thousands of visitors begin to leave their seats at the same time, so the 30 minutes to an hour from just after 9:10 is the busiest time of the day.

During this time, non-stop transit was maintained at nearby stations, including Yeouinaru Station, and there were often long queues at alternative station platforms, including Yeouido Station. It is better to accept in advance that rushing will not get you out of this situation any faster.

Leaving a little later can be faster.

Rather than going to the station immediately after the main fireworks show ends, spending 20 to 30 minutes nearby and waiting for the first crowd to leave often actually leads to a faster return home. If you move after the non-stop ban is lifted, you can also use Yeouinaru Station again.

However, it is difficult to accurately predict when the non-stop will be lifted. Considering that, as in the case of 2025, there may be non-stop stops for about an hour after the end, it is more predictable to move to an alternative station such as Yeouido Station rather than unreasonably waiting for the reopening of Yeouinaru Station.

Why it’s good to decide your route home in advance

Once you arrive on site, trying to find an alternate route using the Maps app can result in unstable data connections or difficulty seeing the screen. Before departure, it is a good idea to decide on at least two return routes, for example, one using Yeouido Station and one that takes a detour north of the Han River toward Mapo Station or Ichon Station.

If you have a group, it is also important to decide on a place and time to meet in advance in case you get scattered in the crowd. Especially if you are traveling with children or the elderly, you may want to consider leaving a little earlier to avoid peak crowds.

Checklist before returning home

If you check the items below before departure, you can move without panic at the scene.

• Make a public transportation plan assuming that it will be difficult for private cars and taxis to enter due to road closures.
• Check in advance whether the bus route you plan to use is detoured.
• Please take your time considering that immediately after the main fireworks show ends, this is the most crowded time.
• Decide on at least two return routes based on alternative stations such as Yeouido Station
• Decide a place and time to meet your group in advance before crowds gather.