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Where to stay in Seoul for the first time

TRAVEL TIPS · UPDATED NOV 2, 2026

Shopping

Myeongdong: airport bus 6001 or 6015

Nights out

Hongdae: AREX all-stop train to Hongik Univ., no change

Cafés

Seongsu: airport bus 6013, or AREX + Line 2

Comfort

Gangnam: airport bus 6009, or AREX + Line 2

Palaces

Jongno: airport bus 6002 or 6005, or AREX + Line 1

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Pick the area before the hotel. What Myeongdong, Hongdae, Seongsu, Gangnam and Jongno are each good for, the catch with each one, and the train or airport bus that links it to Incheon Airport.

Teheran-ro, Gangnam · Photo: kallerna (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons

Pick by trip (our take)

1. 1ST TRIPShort first trip, mostly sightseeing: Myeongdong or Jongno

   Both sit in the old centre, so palaces, markets and Namsan are a short ride or a walk away. Myeongdong is busier and has more hotels; Jongno is quieter at night (our take).

2. NIGHTSGoing out, on a budget: Hongdae

   Street music, bars and late food, plus lots of guesthouses. The AREX all-stop train from the airport stops right at Hongik Univ. Station (our take).

3. REPEATSecond trip, cafés and shops: Seongsu

   More local feel, pop-ups and brand flagships, fewer big hotels. It's on Line 2, so Hongdae and Gangnam are on the same line (our take).

4. COMFORTBigger hotels, business, COEX: Gangnam

   Wide avenues and large hotels south of the river. Further from the palaces and old markets (our take).

Myeongdong (명동): to shop

1. VIBEShops, street food stalls, hotels on every block

   The easiest first base: beauty shops, evening food stalls and Namdaemun Market nearby. Crowded and touristy in the evening (our take).

2. AIRPORTAirport bus 6001 or 6015, or AREX + Line 4

   Airport Limousine 6001 runs via Sinyongsan, Seoul Station and Myeongdong to Dongdaemun; 6015 via Mapo, Gongdeok and Chungjeongno to Myeongdong. By train: AREX to Seoul Station, then Line 4 two stops (Hoehyeon, Myeongdong).

   명동역CopyGoogle Maps

Hongdae (홍대): to go out

1. VIBEBuskers, bars, clubs, late-night food

   Young, loud and lively, with many guesthouses and budget hotels. Noisy on weekend nights and few traditional sights nearby (our take).

2. AIRPORTAREX all-stop train, no change

   The AREX all-stop train stops at Hongik Univ. Station on its way to Seoul Station; pay by tapping a T-money card. The station is also on Line 2 and the Gyeongui-Jungang Line.

   홍대입구역CopyGoogle Maps

Seongsu (성수): for cafés

1. VIBECafés in old factories, pop-ups, brand flagships

   Feels local and creative, close to Seoul Forest. Fewer hotels, and the palaces are a long ride away (our take).

2. AIRPORTAirport bus 6013, or AREX + Line 2

   Airport Limousine 6013 runs to Seongsu-dong via Myeonmok-dong, Gunja and Konkuk Univ. Station. By train: AREX to Hongik Univ., then Line 2 to Seongsu Station (same line, no further change).

   성수역CopyGoogle Maps

Gangnam (강남): for comfort

1. VIBEWide avenues, big hotels, COEX

   Polished and calm, good for business trips and big-hotel stays. Far from the palaces and the old city, and road traffic is heavy (our take).

2. AIRPORTAirport bus 6009, or AREX + Line 2

   Route 6009 stops at Sinsa, Nonhyeon, Sinnonhyeon and Gangnam Station (stop lists from Citymapper and iVisitKorea; check the airport bus page before you go). By train: AREX to Hongik Univ., then Line 2 to Gangnam Station.

   강남역CopyGoogle Maps

Jongno (종로): for palaces

1. VIBEPalaces, Insadong, hanok lanes

   Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung, Insadong and Ikseon-dong are all close, plus hanok guesthouses. Quieter at night, with fewer late dinner options (our take).

2. AIRPORTAirport bus 6002 or 6005, or AREX + Line 1

   Airport Limousine 6002 runs via Hapjeong, Sinchon and Jongno; 6005 via Gwanghwamun and City Hall. By train: AREX to Seoul Station, then Line 1 to Jonggak (two stops).

   종각역CopyGoogle Maps

Say it in Korean (show this screen)

1. Where do I take the airport bus?

   Gong-hang-beo-seu eo-di-seo ta-yo?

   공항버스 어디서 타요?Copy
2. Please take me to this hotel.

   I ho-tel-lo ga ju-se-yo.

   이 호텔로 가 주세요.Copy
3. Can I leave my bags here?

   Jim mat-gil su i-sseo-yo?

   짐 맡길 수 있어요?Copy

Local tips

• Before you book, check the hotel's nearest station and whether it's on the AREX or Line 2 (our tip).
• Airport bus routes and stops change: check the airport's bus page or a map app for your hotel's stop before you fly.
• Full AREX, airport bus and taxi guide: seoulful.guide/guides/incheon-airport-to-seoul-arex-bus-taxi/

FAQ

Sources: Incheon International Airport: trains (AREX route map) · Airport Limousine: Seoul city routes (6001, 6002, 6005, 6013, 6015) · Citymapper: airport bus 6009 stops · iVisitKorea: Incheon Airport to Gangnam · Seoul Tourism Guide (seoultourism.org): where to stay in Seoul · Seoulful: Incheon Airport to Seoul (AREX, bus, taxi)

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