Where to stay in Busan

The 5 areas we recommend for a hotel in Busan, what each one is best for, and how long it really takes by subway from each to the main sights and the airport.

Quick comparison

Area	Best for	Haeundae Beach	Gamcheon Culture Village	Busan Station (KTX)	Seomyeon	From Gimhae Airport
Seomyeon	Getting everywhere easily	42 min	39 min	19 min	—	37 min
Nampo-dong	Markets, Gamcheon and old Busan	1 h 11	28 min	18 min	25 min	1 h 06
Busan Station	The KTX and short stays	1 h 04	31 min	—	18 min	59 min
Haeundae	The beach and resort hotels	—	1 h 21	1 h 01	39 min	1 h 12
Gwangalli	Night views and a calmer beach	38 min	1 h 16	55 min	33 min	1 h 06

Seomyeon 서면

Best for: Getting everywhere easily

Busan's center, where subway lines 1 and 2 meet: every part of the city is an easy ride.

Nearest stations: Seomyeon (Busan Metro Line 1, Busan Metro Line 2); Bujeon (Busan Metro Line 1, Donghae Line)

By subway from here: Haeundae Beach 42 min · Gamcheon Culture Village 39 min · Busan Station (KTX) 19 min

From Gimhae Airport: about 37 min and ₩1,650 by train, 1 change. Step by step from the airport

SeomyeonNeighbourhood guideBusan's busy downtown crossroads, full of restaurants, shops and nightlife around one big subway hub.

Nampo-dong 남포동

Best for: Markets, Gamcheon and old Busan

Next to Jagalchi market, BIFF Square and the bus to Gamcheon; 10 minutes to Busan Station.

Nearest stations: Jagalchi (Busan Metro Line 1); Nampo (Busan Metro Line 1)

By subway from here: Haeundae Beach 1 h 11 · Gamcheon Culture Village 28 min · Busan Station (KTX) 18 min · Seomyeon 25 min

From Gimhae Airport: about 1 h 06 and ₩1,850 by train, 2 changes. Step by step from the airport

Nampo-dong, Jagalchi & BIFF SquareNeighbourhood guideOld downtown Busan, loud and salty, with fish stalls, street food and narrow market lanes all in one walk.

Busan Station 부산역

Best for: The KTX and short stays

Steps from the KTX: the easiest choice for one night or an early train.

Nearest stations: Busan (Busan Metro Line 1); Choryang (Busan Metro Line 1)

By subway from here: Haeundae Beach 1 h 04 · Gamcheon Culture Village 31 min · Seomyeon 18 min

From Gimhae Airport: about 59 min and ₩1,750 by train, 2 changes. Step by step from the airport

Busan Station, Chinatown & Choryang Ibagu-gilNeighbourhood guideA harbor district of old stairways and Chinese-style gates, just across the road from the KTX terminal.

Haeundae 해운대

Best for: The beach and resort hotels

On the beach, with many hotels; about 50 minutes from Busan Station.

Nearest stations: Haeundae (Busan Metro Line 2); Jung-dong (Busan Metro Line 2)

By subway from here: Gamcheon Culture Village 1 h 21 · Busan Station (KTX) 1 h 01 · Seomyeon 39 min

From Gimhae Airport: about 1 h 12 and ₩1,950 by train, 1 change. Step by step from the airport

Haeundae Beach & Dongbaek IslandNeighbourhood guideA long city beach with a skyline of towers behind it and a green, wooded headland at one end.

Gwangalli 광안리

Best for: Night views and a calmer beach

Beach facing the lit-up Gwangan Bridge at night; calmer than Haeundae.

Nearest stations: Gwangan (Busan Metro Line 2); Geumryeonsan (Busan Metro Line 2)

By subway from here: Haeundae Beach 38 min · Gamcheon Culture Village 1 h 16 · Busan Station (KTX) 55 min · Seomyeon 33 min

From Gimhae Airport: about 1 h 06 and ₩1,850 by train, 1 change. Step by step from the airport

GwangalliNeighbourhood guideA calm bay beach facing a long bridge that glows after dark, with cafes and bars right on the sand.

Questions

What is the best area to stay in Busan for a first trip?

Seomyeon or Nampo-dong: Busan's center, where subway lines 1 and 2 meet: every part of the city is an easy ride.

Where should I stay in Busan for nightlife?

Haeundae: On the beach, with many hotels; about 50 minutes from Busan Station.

Where should I stay in Busan near the airport train?

Busan Station: Steps from the KTX: the easiest choice for one night or an early train.

Times from our route planner on the subway network, door to door from the area centre; they do not include waiting at the platform.