2026 ITS World Congress Gangneung: Spectacular 3,000-Drone Show, Cha Junhwan Ice Show & Free Tech Experiences Complete Guide

3,000 drones lighting up a coastal Korean sky — and figure skaters Cha Junhwan and Lee Haein on ice two nights later? 🎆 The 2026 ITS World Congress Gangneung runs October 19–23 at Gangneung Olympic Park, and the entire exhibition floor plus outdoor tech zone is FREE for the public. Autonomous vehicles, VR trucks, flight simulators — 5+ hands-on experiences, all at no cost. Here’s everything you need to plan your visit. 🚀

※ Check the official website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

This month, Gangneung becomes the global capital of intelligent transport. 🌐 The 32nd ITS World Congress — known as the “Transport Olympics” — opens on Monday, October 19 with a 3,000-drone formation show at 8:00 PM above Gangneung Convention Center, then runs five full days of exhibitions, demonstrations, and public programming.

Free entry requires only a simple online pre-registration — or walk-in on-site registration if you missed the deadline. Gangneung Noodle Festival (Wolhwa Street) and Gangneung Coffee Festival (Anmok Coffee Street) run concurrently, making this an ideal October day trip or weekend getaway. Based on official announcements as of October 6, 2026.

Free Pre-Registration & Official Info

1. 2026 ITS World Congress Gangneung: 3 Things to Know

What Is the ITS World Congress?

The 2026 ITS World Congress Gangneung is the 32nd edition of the world’s largest Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) event — nicknamed the “Transport Olympics.” Held under the theme “Beyond Mobility, Connected World,” the congress brings together global leaders, industry experts, and government officials to shape the future of connected mobility. This year it lands in Gangneung, a coastal city that already has Olympic infrastructure from the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Games, making it a live testbed for next-generation transportation technology.

What makes the 2026 ITS World Congress Gangneung unusual is the scale of public access. The full exhibition hall and all outdoor event zones are open to anyone — residents, domestic tourists, and international visitors alike — at no cost. The organizers are the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Gangneung City, with ITS Korea overseeing operations. According to the organizers, this is the first time the congress has featured a public drone show and a figure skating gala alongside the professional program.

Drone Show & Ice Show Highlights

On Monday, October 19 at 8:00 PM, more than 3,000 drones will take off from the plaza in front of Gangneung Convention Center to form patterns in the night sky — a synchronized aerial display choreographed around the congress theme. Admission to the outdoor viewing area is free and no ticket is required, but organizers expect large crowds on opening night. Arriving at least one hour before showtime will help you secure a clear line of sight.

On Thursday, October 22 at 7:00 PM, Gangneung Hockey Centre — the venue built for the 2018 Olympics — hosts a special figure skating ice show featuring national-level athletes including Cha Junhwan and Lee Haein. Given the limited seating capacity of the arena, separate ticketing may apply. Check the official congress website and major Korean ticketing platforms for booking details as soon as they are released.

💡 Trip.com offers KTX Seoul–Gangneung tickets from approx. USD $9 one way. Book in advance — seats sell out fast during major events in Gangneung, and the congress week will be no exception.

Hotels near Gangneung Olympic Park fill quickly during large events. Agoda and Booking.com both list properties within walking distance or a short bus ride from the park. If you’re visiting as a day trip, the KTX + shuttle combination is the most practical option — no parking stress, no navigation issues.

2. Dates, Venue & How to Get to the 2026 ITS World Congress Gangneung

Gangneung Olympic Park — Free Experience Zones

The outdoor plaza at Gangneung Olympic Park hosts the public-facing heart of the 2026 ITS World Congress Gangneung: autonomous vehicle test rides, smart city interactive booths, flight simulation pods, drone experience stations, VR truck rides, and a live drone delivery demonstration where you can watch a package arrive by air in real time. These five-plus programs run across all five congress days, so if one zone has a queue, you can rotate to another and return later.

Beyond the tech zone, the same plaza area offers hanbok (traditional Korean dress) try-on booths, street busking performances, a small-business solidarity market featuring local Gangneung producers, and traditional cultural activities. It’s a compact but well-rounded outdoor program that works for families traveling with children. Check the official congress Instagram for the daily busking schedule before you go.

Linked Festivals: Gangneung Coffee Festival & Noodle Festival

During the same week, two of Gangneung’s best-known local festivals run nearby. The Gangneung Noodle Festival sets up on Wolhwa Street (월화거리), while the Gangneung Coffee Festival takes over Anmok Coffee Street (안목 커피거리) along the coast. Both are within 10–20 minutes of the Olympic Park by car or taxi. A popular itinerary among visitors is to spend the morning at the congress tech zones, then head to Anmok in the afternoon for coffee with an East Sea view. The Wolhwa Street night market is an easy evening add-on after the drone show.

Getting There from Seoul & Incheon Airport

From Seoul Station, the KTX to Gangneung Station takes approximately 1 hour 50 minutes (from approx. USD $9 in standard class, per Trip.com data). During the congress week, registered shuttle buses operate on 6 routes from Gangneung KTX Station and the express bus terminal to the Olympic Park venue. City buses 202 and 202-1 also serve the park, with headways shortened from 30 minutes to 15 minutes for the event period.

From Incheon International Airport, take the AREX express train to Seoul Station (approx. 43 min), then transfer to the KTX bound for Gangneung. Total journey time from Incheon Airport to Gangneung Station is roughly 2 hours 40 minutes. Visitors driving should use the designated temporary car parks near the venue and take a shuttle into the event zone — parking inside the Olympic Park is limited during the congress.

Heading to Gangneung by KTX? Check the timetable in advance — note that this page is in Korean, so your browser’s translate feature will help.

3. Tickets & Booking: 4 Steps for Foreign Visitors

Step 1: Online Pre-Registration

The exhibition hall and all outdoor public zones are free. Pre-registration is handled through the official congress website at 2026itsworldcongress.org (English interface available). The formal pre-registration window closed September 20, but on-site walk-in registration remains open throughout the event. For foreign visitors, passport number entry is required during the registration form — have your passport handy.

Step 2: Receive Your QR Code

After completing online registration, your QR code arrives by email and SMS approximately three days before the event. Scan it at any entrance kiosk to collect a badge instantly — no queue needed. If you register on-site, staff at the registration counter will issue a badge directly. To avoid peak-hour crowds, on-site registration lines are shorter in the morning.

Step 3: Ice Show Ticketing

The figure skating gala on Thursday, October 22 at 7:00 PM (Gangneung Hockey Centre) may require a separate ticket. According to the organizers, booking details will be announced on the official congress website. Foreign visitors can check major international ticketing platforms or contact the official information desk. Seats at Gangneung Hockey Centre are limited, so monitor announcements closely once the booking window opens.

Step 4: Transport & Parking

Six dedicated shuttle routes run from KTX Gangneung Station and the bus terminal directly to the Olympic Park venue throughout congress days. Driving visitors should use the designated temporary car parks (locations listed on the official transport portal at its2026.rideus.net) and board a shuttle to the event zone from there. Payment at Gangneung venues generally accepts major international credit cards and cash (Korean Won); T-money transit cards are useful for city buses.

Check Ice Show Tickets & Official Info

4. Where to Eat & Stay Nearby

Anmok Coffee Street — Sea View with Every Cup

Anmok Coffee Street (안목 커피거리), about 10 minutes by car from the Olympic Park, is Gangneung’s most famous café strip. During the Gangneung Coffee Festival, the street adds exhibitions, performances, and hands-on coffee experiences to the usual lineup of independent cafés. Sitting oceanside with a locally roasted drip coffee is one of the most low-key, satisfying ways to wrap up a congress day. Use Naver Map (or Google Maps in English) to find specific cafés — most accept card payment.

Wolhwa Street — Noodles, Night Market, Local Eats

Wolhwa Street hosts the Gangneung Noodle Festival during congress week, spotlighting jang-kalguksu (knife-cut noodles in soy-based broth), Gangneung’s signature dish (jang-kalguksu, a local soy broth noodle). The associated night market brings in small-business food stalls from around the region — a solid dinner option after catching the October 19 drone show. Prices are typically very reasonable in Korean Won; budget around KRW 8,000–12,000 per bowl (approx. USD $6–9).

Accommodation near Gangneung Olympic Park

Hotel inventory near the Olympic Park fills quickly during large events. Search Agoda or Booking.com with “Gangneung” as the destination for options ranging from business hotels in the city center to guesthouses closer to the beach. Trip.com allows side-by-side price comparison across booking platforms, which is useful when rates fluctuate during event weeks. Book as early as possible — congress week (October 19–23) demand is high. Approximate mid-range hotel rates in Gangneung during event periods run KRW 80,000–150,000 per night (approx. USD $58–108).

5. 2026 ITS World Congress Gangneung vs. Typical Regional Festivals at a Glance

6. 5 Tips for Foreign Visitors to the 2026 ITS World Congress Gangneung

Arrive Early for the Drone Show

The October 19 drone show starts at 8:00 PM on the outdoor plaza in front of Gangneung Convention Center. No ticket is needed, but it is the opening night of a major international event — expect crowds. Getting to the plaza by 7:00 PM gives you time to find a good position. October evenings in Gangneung can be cold (average lows around 10–12°C / 50–54°F), so layer up before heading out.

KTX + Shuttle Is the Smoothest Option

Parking near the Olympic Park is limited during congress week. The KTX + registered shuttle combination avoids all of that. Book your KTX seats through Trip.com or the official Korail website in advance — window seats on the Seoul–Gangneung line offer coastal scenery for the final stretch. If you miss the last train, KakaoT (taxi app available in English) covers late-night rides back to the station area.

Check Ice Show Availability Early

Cha Junhwan is one of Korea’s most decorated figure skaters, with multiple Grand Prix medals and strong international recognition. Lee Haein is a rising star on the national team. Their joint ice show on October 22 will draw significant interest. Monitor the official congress website and set a notification — seats at Gangneung Hockey Centre are finite. English booking support may be limited, so if needed, ask your accommodation front desk for assistance.

Plan Your Linked Festival Route

The Gangneung Noodle Festival (Wolhwa Street) and Gangneung Coffee Festival (Anmok Coffee Street) are 10–20 minutes from the Olympic Park. A practical itinerary: morning at the tech experience zones → afternoon at Anmok Coffee Street for sea-view coffee → evening back at the Olympic Park for the drone show (on October 19) or dinner at the Wolhwa Street night market. Check Google Maps in English for real-time navigation between sites.

English & Payment at the Venue

The official congress website and registration system are available in English. On-site, English signage is expected given the international nature of the event, though staff English availability may vary by booth. Major international credit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are accepted at most venue facilities. For street food and smaller stalls at the linked festivals, keep some Korean Won cash on hand. ATMs accepting foreign cards are available at Gangneung Station and in the city center. A useful phrase: “영어 할 수 있어요?” (Yeong-eo hal su isseoyo? — “Do you speak English?”)

💡 Trip.com lets you bundle KTX tickets and Gangneung hotels for the congress week — comparing package rates against separate bookings often saves money. October Gangneung accommodation sells out fast during large events.

The 2026 ITS World Congress Gangneung is a genuinely rare opportunity: a world-class international technology congress with free public access, a spectacular drone show, a figure skating gala, and two of Gangneung’s best-loved food festivals all running at once. Secure your KTX seats and accommodation well ahead of October 19.

Frequently Asked Questions

More to Explore

Planning more of your October Korea trip? Agoda and Booking.com offer good options for accommodations across Gangwon Province if you want to extend your stay beyond congress week. For getting around between cities, see the transport guide below.

Heading to Gangneung by KTX or intercity bus? Check timetables and reserve your seat early — congress week seats sell out fast.

Sources: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport / Gangneung City official announcements; 2026itsworldcongress.org (as of October 2026).