Where to stay in Seoul
The 8 areas we recommend for a hotel in Seoul, 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 | Gyeongbokgung Palace | Myeongdong | Gangnam Station | Hongdae | From Incheon Airport |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Myeongdong | First trip, shopping and street food | 25 min | — | 38 min | 20 min | 1 h 04 |
| Jongno (Insadong) | Palaces, history and a calm evening | 13 min on foot | 17 min on foot | 41 min | 29 min | 1 h 18 |
| Hongdae | Nightlife, cafés and the airport train | 31 min | 19 min | 43 min | — | 48 min |
| Seoul Station | Early trains and one-night stays | 27 min | 20 min | 42 min | 14 min | 58 min |
| Dongdaemun | Good-value hotels and night shopping | 19 min | 15 min | 39 min | 21 min | 1 h 10 |
| Gangnam | Modern Seoul, business and shopping | 39 min | 40 min | — | 38 min | 1 h 20 |
| Seongsu | Trendy cafés and pop-up stores | 36 min | 25 min | 28 min | 31 min | 1 h 23 |
| Jamsil | Families, Lotte World and the lake | 49 min | 37 min | 18 min | 44 min | 1 h 36 |
Myeongdong 명동
Central and easy: Line 4, a short ride to Seoul Station (airport train and KTX), shopping and street food at the door.
Nearest stations: Myeong-dong (Line 4); Euljiro 1-ga (Line 2)
By subway from here: Gyeongbokgung Palace 25 min · Gangnam Station 38 min · Hongdae 20 min
From Incheon Airport: about 1 h 04 and ₩5,150 by train, 1 change. Step by step from the airport
Jongno (Insadong) 종로·인사동
Walk to the palaces, Bukchon and Insadong; calm in the evening, with traditional restaurants all around.
Nearest stations: Anguk (Line 3); Jongno 3-ga (Line 3, Line 5)
By subway from here: Gyeongbokgung Palace 13 min on foot · Myeongdong 17 min on foot · Gangnam Station 41 min · Hongdae 29 min
From Incheon Airport: about 1 h 18 and ₩5,250 by train, 1 change. Step by step from the airport
Hongdae 홍대
Young and lively at night, with cafés and street shows; the airport train goes straight to Incheon.
Nearest stations: Hongik University (Line 2, Gyeongui-Jungang Line, AREX airport line); (Line 6)
By subway from here: Gyeongbokgung Palace 31 min · Myeongdong 19 min · Gangnam Station 43 min
From Incheon Airport: about 48 min and ₩5,050 by train. Step by step from the airport
Seoul Station 서울역
Best for early trains and the airport: the KTX and the airport express leave from here.
Nearest stations: Seoul Station (Line 4, Great Train eXpress Line A, AREX airport line, Gyeongui-Jungang Line); Chungjeongno (Line 2, Line 5)
By subway from here: Gyeongbokgung Palace 27 min · Myeongdong 20 min · Gangnam Station 42 min · Hongdae 14 min
From Incheon Airport: about 58 min and ₩5,150 by train. Step by step from the airport
Dongdaemun 동대문
Night shopping and the DDP; four subway lines meet here and hotels are good value.
Nearest stations: Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station (Line 2, Line 4, Line 5); Dongdaemun (Line 4)
By subway from here: Gyeongbokgung Palace 19 min · Myeongdong 15 min · Gangnam Station 39 min · Hongdae 21 min
From Incheon Airport: about 1 h 10 and ₩5,150 by train, 1 change. Step by step from the airport
Gangnam 강남
Modern and full of hotels; close to COEX, Garosu-gil and Lotte World, farther from the palaces.
Nearest stations: Sinnonhyeon (Line 9, Shinbundang Line); Nonhyeon (Line 7, Shinbundang Line)
By subway from here: Gyeongbokgung Palace 39 min · Myeongdong 40 min · Hongdae 38 min
From Incheon Airport: about 1 h 20 and ₩5,250 by train, 1 change. Step by step from the airport
Seongsu 성수
Trendy cafés and pop-up stores by Seoul Forest; fewer hotels, so book early.
Nearest stations: Seongsu (Line 2); Ttukseom (Line 2)
By subway from here: Gyeongbokgung Palace 36 min · Myeongdong 25 min · Gangnam Station 28 min · Hongdae 31 min
From Incheon Airport: about 1 h 23 and ₩5,250 by train, 1 change. Step by step from the airport
Jamsil 잠실
Next to Lotte World and Seokchon Lake; far from the old town.
Nearest stations: Jamsil (Line 2, Line 8); Jamsillaru (Line 2)
By subway from here: Gyeongbokgung Palace 49 min · Myeongdong 37 min · Gangnam Station 18 min · Hongdae 44 min
From Incheon Airport: about 1 h 36 and ₩5,350 by train, 1 change. Step by step from the airport
Questions
What is the best area to stay in Seoul for a first trip?
Myeongdong or Jongno (Insadong): Central and easy: Line 4, a short ride to Seoul Station (airport train and KTX), shopping and street food at the door.
Where should I stay in Seoul for nightlife?
Hongdae: Young and lively at night, with cafés and street shows; the airport train goes straight to Incheon.
Where should I stay in Seoul near the airport train?
Hongdae: Young and lively at night, with cafés and street shows; the airport train goes straight to Incheon.
Times from our route planner on the subway network, door to door from the area centre; they do not include waiting at the platform.