The right choice depends on where you’re staying and when you land. The train is best for Hongdae and Seoul Station, while the airport buses run to the hotels in Myeongdong, Insadong, Itaewon, Dongdaemun and Gangnam. Below you’ll find journey times, how to buy tickets, how to pay and where to get off for each of them, and at the end there’s a section on Gimpo Airport in case your flight lands there instead. For the rough conversions I’ve used about £0.56 and $0.75 per 1,000 won.

At a glance

• AREX Express Train: Around 13,000 won (about £7.30/$9.70), 43 minutes non-stop from Terminal 1 to Seoul Station, roughly every 30 to 40 minutes. The ticket comes with a reserved seat.
• AREX All Stop Train: Around 4,750 won (about £2.70/$3.50) and 59 minutes from Terminal 1 to Seoul Station, 52 minutes to Hongik University, running every few minutes until around 23:30.
• Airport bus: 17,000 won (about £9.60/$12.50) with Airport Limousine and 18,000 won (about £10/$13.50) with K Limousine, typically 60 to 80 minutes to the hotels, running from around 05:15 to 23:00.
• Night bus: 17,000 won (about £9.60/$12.50) or 18,000 won (about £10/$13.50), four routes from shortly before midnight until around 05:00.
• Taxi: Metered, with a starting fare of 4,800 won (about £2.70/$3.60) and a night surcharge between 22:00 and 04:00, around an hour’s drive to the centre.
• International Taxi: Fixed fare of 70,000 to 95,000 won to Seoul depending on the zone, and you have to book at least 24 hours ahead.
• Gimpo Airport: AREX All Stop Train to Seoul Station in around 23 minutes, or Metro Lines 5 and 9.

Finding your transport at Incheon Airport

The airport has two terminals a fair distance apart. Terminal 2 is used by Korean Air, Asiana Airlines and Delta Air Lines, among others, and Terminal 1 by airlines including Jeju Air and a number of non-Korean carriers, so check your ticket. The signs use Korean floor numbering: 1F is the arrivals hall at street level, B1 is the floor below and 3F is the departures hall. You’ll find maps of the terminals on the airport’s public transport page.

Terminal 1

The train leaves from the Transportation Center on B1, where the ticket machines are, and you follow the Airport Railroad signs from the arrivals hall. The airport buses stop right outside the arrivals hall on 1F, and the buses to Seoul leave from the bays outside exits 3 to 7. The ticket offices are inside the hall by exits 4 and 9 and outside by exits 4, 6, 7, 8, 11 and 13, and there are ticket machines by exits 4, 7, 8 and 11.

The taxis wait on 1F too: regular taxis at stands 5C, 6C and 6D, deluxe taxis at 7C, jumbo taxis at 8C, International Taxi at 4C and pre-booked cars at 1C and 14C.

Terminal 2

In Terminal 2, trains and buses are both in the Transportation Center on B1, and the train station has ticket machines and a ticket office. In the bus terminal, the buses to Seoul leave from bays 11 to 35 in the middle of the terminal, the ticket office is in the middle of the waiting hall, and there are ticket machines at both ends. The taxis wait on 1F and are split up according to whether they’re going to Seoul, Incheon or Gyeonggi, so follow the signs for Seoul.

Between the terminals

A free shuttle bus runs between the terminals from 3F roughly every 10 minutes from early morning until late in the evening. At Terminal 1 it stops by exit 8 and at Terminal 2 between exits 4 and 5, and the trip takes 15 to 18 minutes. AREX also runs between the terminals in 6 minutes, but you’ll need a ticket for that. It’s all on the airport’s page on transport between the terminals.

1. AREX Express Train to Seoul Station

The AREX Express Train runs non-stop from the airport to Seoul Station, where you can change to Metro Lines 1 and 4 and to KTX trains to the rest of the country. The journey takes around 43 minutes from Terminal 1 and 51 minutes from Terminal 2, and the train runs roughly every 30 to 40 minutes. All seats are reserved, so you’ll have your own seat the whole way.

The express makes most sense if you’re staying near Seoul Station or in Myeongdong, or if you’re travelling on by KTX. The catch is the wait: if you’ve just missed a train, the All Stop Train can get you there just as quickly, because it runs much more often. On both AREX trains you can bring two pieces of luggage, and each one has to be under 32 kg and under 158 cm when you add up the length, width and height.

Fares and tickets

An express ticket is only valid for the train and the seat printed on it. You buy it at the Express Train customer centre or from the dedicated machines at the station, and you can also reserve on the AREX website or in the app up to two months ahead. The machines and ticket offices take foreign credit cards. An adult ticket costs around 13,000 won (about £7.30/$9.70) and a child ticket around 9,500 won (about £5.40/$7.10). The current fare and the timetable are shown on the machine and on the AREX website.

Children aged 6 to 12 travel on a child ticket, and a child under 6 travels free with an adult if the child doesn’t need a seat of their own. If you change your mind, the ticket can be refunded before departure for a fee of 1,000 won (about £0.56/$0.75), and the fee is waived if you cancel no later than the day before. Transport cards such as T-money are valid on the All Stop Train, while the express needs its own ticket.

If you’ve bought a Discover Seoul Pass, a single journey on AREX is included, and the pass also gives you one trip with K Limousine from Seoul to the airport. The terms are on the Visit Seoul website.

2. AREX All Stop Train to Hongdae and Seoul Station

The All Stop Train runs on the same line as the express but stops along the way, including at Gimpo Airport, Digital Media City, Hongik University and Gongdeok, before terminating at Seoul Station. From Terminal 1, the journey takes around 52 minutes to Hongik University, 56 minutes to Gongdeok and 59 minutes to Seoul Station, and from Terminal 2 you need to add around 6 minutes.

The train runs all day, roughly every 5 to 12 minutes, and most public transport from the airport to the centre stops at around 23:30. It’s an ordinary commuter train with no seat reservations, so you can’t count on a seat in rush hour. On the other hand, it’s the cheapest way into the city and the only train that runs direct to Hongdae. The stations are listed on the airport’s page about the train.

Fares and tickets

The fare depends on the distance and is made up of two fares added together: the base fare is 1,550 won (about £0.87/$1.15) on the stretch between Seoul Station and Cheongna International City and 1,200 won (about £0.68/$0.89) on the airport stretch, and a distance supplement is added to both. With T-money, the trip to Seoul Station costs around 4,750 won (about £2.70/$3.50) from Terminal 1 and around 5,350 won (about £3/$4) from Terminal 2, and the machine shows the fare.

Without T-money, you buy a single-journey card from the machine, and you can pay for it by credit card at every AREX station. It costs 100 won more than the trip with T-money, and you pay a deposit of 500 won (about £0.28/$0.37), which you get back from a refund machine once you’ve gone out through the ticket gates at your final station. Children aged 6 to 12 pay the child fare, and children under 6 travel free with an adult.

The Mpass tourist card covers the All Stop Train but not the express, and it’s issued at Tmoney Town by Seoul Station, so you won’t have it when you land. The Climate Card is only valid within Seoul, so it doesn’t cover the trip from the airport. The rules are set out by the Korea Tourism Organization.

T-money and foreign cards

The card readers at the ticket gates on AREX and the metro, and on the city buses, don’t take foreign credit cards, so you’ll need a T-money card or a single-journey ticket. The ticket machines and ticket offices, on the other hand, do take foreign credit cards.

The T-money card costs 3,000 won (about £1.70/$2.20) to 5,000 won (about £2.80/$3.70) and is sold in convenience stores such as GS25, CU and 7-Eleven. If your payment card is from outside Korea, you can only buy it and top it up with cash, so withdraw some won before you go down to the train. The card is also valid on the metro, the city buses and most taxis, and you top it up at the ticket machines in the metro stations.

Where to get off

Hongik University: The station for Hongdae, and the one to get off at if you’re staying in the neighbourhood. From here, Metro Line 2 continues to Euljiro 1(il)-ga by Myeongdong and to Gangnam. Remember that the express doesn’t stop here.

Gongdeok: Change here to Metro Line 6 if you’re heading for Itaewon, or to Line 5 towards Jongno 3-ga and Dongdaemun History & Culture Park. That saves you going all the way into Seoul Station first.

Seoul Station: The terminus for both trains. From here, take Metro Line 4 to Myeongdong and Dongdaemun, or Line 1 to Jonggak and Jongno 3-ga by Insadong. The express arrives on level B7 deep underground, so expect quite a few escalators before you reach the metro or the street.

3. Airport bus to the hotels in Seoul

The airport buses, also known as limousine buses, run from both terminals to fixed stops at hotels and metro stations all over Seoul. They’re slower than the train, typically 60 to 80 minutes depending on the traffic, but your suitcase goes in the luggage hold and you avoid stairs and changes. If you’re staying in Myeongdong, Insadong, Itaewon, Dongdaemun or Gangnam, the bus is often the easiest choice.

Three companies run the routes you’ll need. Airport Limousine runs the 6001, 6002, 6011 and 6015, among others, K Limousine runs the 6701, 6702 and 6703, and Seoul Airport Limousine runs the 6020 to Gangnam. The buses start at Terminal 2 and reach Terminal 1 around 20 minutes later. From Terminal 2, the first buses leave between around 05:15 and 06:00 and the last ones between around 22:00 and 23:00, depending on the route.

Buses 6001, 6002 and 6015 run every 10 to 20 minutes for most of the day, while there are 20 to 60 minutes between departures on the other routes. The timetables are on the Airport Limousine and K Limousine websites.

In Terminal 2, the 6015 leaves from bay 28, the 6001 from 29, the 6002 from 30 and the 6011 from 31, K Limousine uses 18 and 19, and bus 6020 leaves from 14 to 16. In Terminal 1, K Limousine leaves from 3B and 4A and bus 6020 from 4A and 4B. Ask which bay your bus leaves from when you buy your ticket, because it can change.

Fares and tickets

With Airport Limousine, the trip costs 17,000 won (about £9.60/$12.50) for adults and 12,000 won (about £6.80/$8.90) for children aged 6 to 12. K Limousine costs 18,000 won (about £10/$13.50) for adults and 12,000 won (about £6.80/$8.90) for children, and bus 6020 costs 17,000 won (about £9.60/$12.50) for adults and 11,000 won (about £6.20/$8.20) for children. A child under 6 travels free with an adult on Airport Limousine if they don’t need a seat of their own.

From the airport, you have to buy your ticket before you board, because the driver takes neither cash nor transport cards here. Tickets are sold at the ticket offices and from the machines by the buses, and the machines are available round the clock. You can pay by foreign credit card at both. Say which hotel or stop you’re going to, and you’ll get a ticket for the right route.

With Airport Limousine, each passenger can bring two suitcases of up to 28 inches and 20 kg, and extra luggage costs 8,000 won (about £4.50/$6) per item.

Where to get off

Myeongdong: Bus 6015 stops at Namdaemun Market, Lotte Hotel IBIS Myeong-dong and Royal Hotel (Euljiro 1-ga) and terminates at Myeong-dong stn. Bus 6001 stops at Seoul stn, Hoehyeon stn and Myeong-dong stn, and K Limousine 6701 stops at City Hall, Euljiro 1(il)-ga Station and the Myeongdong stop (Aloft Seoul, Le Meridien).

Hongdae: Bus 6002 stops at Hapjeong stn, Seogyo-dong and Hongik Univ.

Insadong and Jongno: Bus 6011 stops at Gyeong-bok-gung, Anguk stn and Chang-deok-gung, and from Anguk stn you can walk to both Insadong and Bukchon Hanok Village. Bus 6002 runs along Jongno and stops at Jongno 1(il)-ga, Jongno 2(i)ga and Jongno 3(sam)-ga.

Dongdaemun: Bus 6002 stops at Jongno 6-ga (Dongdaemun Market) and Dongdaemun (Heunginjimun Gate). K Limousine 6702 stops at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), JW Marriott Hotel Dongdaemun and Dongdaemun History & Culture Park.

Itaewon: K Limousine 6702 stops at Itaewon 2-dong Community Service Center and Namsan (Grand Hyatt Seoul Hotel) after calling at Seoul Station.

Gangnam: K Limousine 6703 stops at Sinnonhyeon Stn., The Westin Seoul Parnas / COEX, Seolleung Stn. and Yeoksam, among others. Bus 6020 runs via Express Bus Terminal to Gangnam station and Yeoksam station.

4. Night bus from the airport

If you land late, four night buses run from the airport to Seoul once the trains and regular buses have stopped. They have an N in front of the number, run from Terminal 2 via Terminal 1 and have five to six departures each from shortly before midnight until around 05:00.

The N6002 runs to Hongik Univ. in around 45 minutes from Terminal 1 and on to the Four Seasons Hotel by Gwanghwamun, Dongdaemun and Cheongnyangni. The N6701 runs to Mapo Station, Seoul Station in around an hour, Euljiro Entrance close to Myeongdong and Dongdaemun Design Plaza. The N6703 runs to Seorae Village, COEX in around 65 minutes and Jamsil, and the N6000 runs to Gangnam Express Bus Terminal in around 70 minutes.

The N6000 and N6002 cost 17,000 won (about £9.60/$12.50) for adults and 10,000 won (about £5.60/$7.50) for children, and the N6701 and N6703 cost 18,000 won (about £10/$13.50) for adults and 12,000 won (about £6.80/$8.90) for children. You have to buy your ticket at the ticket office or the machine before you board. In Terminal 1, the N6701 and N6703 leave from bay 3B and the N6000 and N6002 from 6A. The departure times are on the airport’s night bus page.

5. Taxis and International Taxi

A taxi takes you to the door in around an hour, and longer in rush hour. The regular taxis run on the meter with a starting fare of 4,800 won (about £2.70/$3.60), and the deluxe taxis and the large nine-seater jumbo taxis start at 7,000 won (about £3.90/$5.20). There’s no surcharge for the drive from the airport to Seoul, but between 22:00 and 04:00 there’s a night surcharge of 20 to 40 per cent, and the motorway toll is added on top of the meter.

The taxis take cash, credit cards and T-money, and the card readers take foreign credit cards too. If you’d rather book through an app, there’s k.ride, which is made for tourists and takes foreign cards, and Uber Taxi. Only use the official taxi stands: the airport itself warns against drivers who pose as taxi drivers and overcharge. The stands and the fares are on the airport’s taxi page.

International Taxi is the official scheme with drivers who speak English, Japanese or Chinese, and here the fare between the airport and Seoul is fixed. The city is divided into five zones, and a regular car costs from 70,000 won (about £39.50/$52) for zone A up to 95,000 won (about £54/$71) for zone E. In Visit Seoul’s zone overview, Mapo with Hongdae is in zone B at 75,000 won (about £42.50/$56), Jongno and Yongsan with Itaewon are in zone C at 85,000 won (about £48/$63) and Gangnam is in zone D at 90,000 won (about £51/$67). A large car costs from 100,000 won (about £56/$75) to 140,000 won (about £79/$104).

A regular car has room for three passengers and three pieces of luggage. You have to book at least 24 hours ahead on the International Taxi website or in the app, and you can pay in cash or by Visa, Mastercard or American Express. In Terminal 1, the cars wait at stand 4C. When you book, ask whether the motorway toll is included in the fare.

Private transfer

If you’d like everything arranged before you travel, you can book a private transfer from Incheon Airport to your hotel here. The price is for the whole car with up to four people, and the driver meets you on arrival.

If you’re a larger group, you can book a private transfer with room for up to seven or twelve people here.

6. From Gimpo Airport to the city centre

Gimpo International Airport is much closer to the city, and here the train is the obvious choice. The AREX All Stop Train runs from Gimpo Airport to Hongik University in around 14 minutes and to Seoul Station in around 23 minutes, and it’s the same train that comes from Incheon. The express doesn’t stop at Gimpo.

Metro Lines 5 and 9 run from the same station. Line 5 runs to Gongdeok, Jongno 3-ga and Dongdaemun History & Culture Park without a change, and Line 9 runs to Express Bus Terminal and to Bongeunsa by COEX in Gangnam. The trip costs from 1,550 won (about £0.87/$1.15) with T-money plus a small distance supplement, and the rules for T-money and single-journey tickets are the same as at Incheon.

There are airport buses from Gimpo too, and the ticket office is by Gate 1 on 1F in the domestic terminal. The taxis wait by exit 3 on 1F at the international terminal and by exit 6 at the domestic terminal. The details are in the Korea Tourism Organization’s airport guide.

Onward travel around South Korea straight from the airport

If you’re not heading into Seoul, you can travel straight from the airport to many other cities by long-distance bus. In Terminal 1, the regional buses leave from the bays outside exits 11 to 13, and in Terminal 2 from bays 1 to 10 on B1. You’ll find the routes region by region in the airport’s bus search.

The airport’s train station is only served by AREX, so there’s no KTX from the airport itself. If you’re continuing by high-speed train, take AREX to Seoul Station, where KTX trains depart, or an airport bus to KTX Gwangmyeong Station, which Airport Limousine serves with routes 6004 and 6014. The KTX ticket machines and ticket offices take foreign credit cards.

Getting back to the airport

The airport buses keep early hours. Towards the airport, the first ones leave their city terminus at around 04:00 to 04:30, but the last ones leave as early as around 18:15 to 20:20, depending on the route. In the city, you pay the driver: Airport Limousine takes cash and T-money but not ordinary credit cards, while K Limousine takes both credit cards and T-money. You can’t reserve a seat with Airport Limousine, so if the bus is full, you’ll have to wait for the next one.

Tell the driver whether you’re going to Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 when you board. The buses usually go to Terminal 1 first and continue to Terminal 2, and AREX also stops at Terminal 1 first and reaches Terminal 2 around 6 minutes later. The buses’ journey time varies with the traffic, so take the train if you’re on a tight schedule.

If you’ve got a very early flight, the four night buses also run towards the airport on the same routes, with departures from late in the evening until around 03:30. The AREX Express Train runs from Seoul Station between 06:10 and 22:50.

If you take the express, you can check in and drop off your suitcase at the City Airport Terminal at Seoul Station, provided your airline is part of the scheme. The terminal is on level B2, check-in is open from 05:20 to 19:00 and passport control from 05:30 to 19:00, and it only applies to same-day flights. Check-in closes three hours before departure from Terminal 1 and three hours and 20 minutes before departure from Terminal 2. The rules are on the airport’s City Airport Terminal page.

Which option should you choose?

Here’s what I’d recommend, depending on where you’re staying:

Myeongdong: Take bus 6015 or 6001 to Myeong-dong stn if you’ve got a lot of luggage. If you’d rather go by train, take the AREX Express Train to Seoul Station and Metro Line 4 for the last stretch.

Hongdae: Take the AREX All Stop Train to Hongik University. It’s direct and the cheapest option, and you avoid the traffic.

Insadong and Jongno: Take bus 6011 to Anguk stn, the stop for Insadong and Bukchon. The alternative is AREX to Seoul Station and Metro Line 1 to Jonggak or Jongno 3-ga.

Gangnam: Take K Limousine 6703 or bus 6020. By train, you have to change to Metro Line 2 at Hongik University and then it’s a long ride, so I’d choose the bus here.

Itaewon: Take K Limousine 6702, which runs direct. By train, get off at Gongdeok and change to Metro Line 6.

Dongdaemun: Take bus 6002 or K Limousine 6702. By train, go to Seoul Station and change to Metro Line 4.

If you land at night: Take one of the four night buses if one of them serves your neighbourhood, and otherwise take a taxi. Remember the night surcharge on the meter between 22:00 and 04:00.

If there are three or four of you: Three bus tickets cost 51,000 won (about £29/$38), so an International Taxi at 75,000 to 90,000 won isn’t much more expensive, and it takes you to the door. If there are four of you, you’ll need a large car or a jumbo taxi.

Practical tips for getting from Incheon Airport to Seoul

Withdraw won before you leave the arrivals hall. If your payment card is foreign, the T-money card can only be bought and topped up with cash, and Airport Limousine only takes cash and T-money on the way back to the airport.

Allow for a wait after you land. The airport itself recommends allowing one to two hours to get through immigration when you’re planning your onward journey from the airport. So don’t buy a ticket for a specific departure until you’re standing in the arrivals hall.

Send your suitcase on ahead. T-Luggage delivers luggage the same day between the airport and counters at Seoul Station, Hongik University Station, Myeongdong Station and Gimpo Airport Station. At the airport, the counters are on 3F opposite check-in counter B in Terminal 1 and H in Terminal 2.

Choose your hotel with the connection in mind. If you stay in Hongdae, the AREX All Stop Train runs direct, and you can see hotels in Hongdae here. Three of the airport buses stop in Myeongdong, and you can see hotels in Myeongdong here. Both bus 6002 and bus 6702 stop in Dongdaemun, and you can see hotels in Dongdaemun here. If you’d like to stay south of the river with buses 6703 and 6020 to the door, you can see hotels in Gangnam here.

If you’re not sure which neighbourhood suits you, read my guide to where to stay in Seoul. If you’re combining Seoul with other big cities in Asia, I’ve also written guides to where to stay in Tokyo and where to stay in Taipei.

The post Incheon Airport to Central Seoul - Transport Guide appeared first on Destination Well Known.

That makes your choice of area important. Choose well and you can walk to the palaces or get home from a night out in ten minutes. Choose poorly and you can easily spend more than an hour a day on the metro. Here are my recommendations for six good areas in Seoul, with places to stay at different prices.

The Best Areas in Seoul

• Myeongdong - best area for first-time visitors and shopping
• Hongdae - best area for nightlife and young travellers
• Insadong and Jongno - best area for palaces and culture
• Gangnam - best area for luxury, shopping and K-pop
• Itaewon - best area for international restaurants and bars
• Dongdaemun - best area for a lower budget and late-night shopping

Below, I go through the areas one by one, explain who they suit and recommend three places to stay at different prices, so you can find the right base for your trip to Seoul.

1. Myeongdong - best area for first-time visitors and shopping

• Distance to the centre: You’ll be in a central location north of the river, at the foot of Namsan and near City Hall. The palaces are a few metro stops away.
• Transport: Myeongdong Station on line 4 and Euljiro 1-ga Station on line 2.
• Time from Incheon Airport: The AREX Express Train reaches Seoul Station in 43 minutes from Terminal 1, followed by two stops on line 4. Airport bus 6015 goes directly to Myeongdong and costs 17,000 won, around €11.
• Prices: €€ to €€€€. When I searched for a weekend in November, three-star hotels cost around €210 to €270 a night, while five-star hotels started at about €495.
• Safety: Safe, but very crowded for much of the day. Check the room type, as the cheapest rooms may have no window.

Myeongdong is my first choice for a first visit to Seoul or a stay of just a few days. It’s the city’s main shopping district, which the city tourist board says attracts up to two million people a day. Its streets are full of Korean cosmetics shops and clothing chains.

Street-food stalls sell skewers, tornado potatoes and other snacks, making it an easy place to try Korean street food. In the middle of it all stands Myeongdong Cathedral, built in 1898 as Korea’s first brick Gothic church.

Namsan rises behind the neighbourhood. The cable car to the top is just under 600 metres from the metro station and takes three minutes. At the summit stands N Seoul Tower. Namsan Park itself is free to enter if you’d rather walk up.

See places to stay in Myeongdong here.

The main advantage is the location. You have an airport bus on your doorstep, two metro lines and easy access to both the palaces in Jongno and Namdaemun Market. It’s a convenient base for seeing plenty in a short time.

The drawback is that Myeongdong is neither quiet nor particularly local in feel. Hotels are more expensive than elsewhere in the city, and rooms are small. For more character and lower prices, I’d look at Insadong or Dongdaemun instead.

Places to Stay in Myeongdong

Hotel Skypark Myeongdong 3 - best budget choice beside the metro

Hotel Skypark Myeongdong 3 is right beside Myeongdong Station. This practical three-star hotel has a 24-hour reception, luggage storage and a small convenience shop. A double room measures just under 20 m², and some rooms have neither a window nor natural light. Check the room type before booking.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Overall, we’re happy with the location, staff and room temperature.”

See photos and book Hotel Skypark Myeongdong 3 here.

Hotel Prince Seoul - best mid-range hotel for value

Hotel Prince Seoul is on the main road, Toegye-ro, a few steps from the metro station, and has a guest rating of 8.9. Rooms are soundproofed, and there’s a laundry and 24-hour reception. The smallest double room measures just 15 m², and several guests feel the rooms need renovating.

One guest sums it up on Booking.com: “Brilliant hotel in an excellent location. Very good value for money.”

See photos and book Hotel Prince Seoul here.

Le Meridien Seoul Myeongdong - best luxury hotel with a pool

Le Meridien Seoul Myeongdong is a newer five-star hotel with a heated indoor pool, gym, restaurant and bar. A standard room measures 34 m². It’s my suggestion for staying in the middle of Myeongdong without compromising on space. Prices are high, and there’s no sauna.

One guest says on Booking.com: “Everything was excellent! Friendly and helpful staff, a good location and a new, comfortable hotel.”

See photos and book Le Meridien Seoul Myeongdong here.

2. Hongdae - best area for nightlife and young travellers

• Distance to the centre: Hongdae is west of the centre, around Hongik University. Allow around 15 minutes by metro to City Hall.
• Transport: Hongik University Station is on line 2, the Gyeongui-Jungang line and the AREX airport railway.
• Time from Incheon Airport: The AREX All Stop Train goes directly to Hongik University Station in just under an hour from Terminal 1. The Express Train doesn’t stop here. Airport bus 6002 costs 17,000 won, around €11.
• Prices: €€ to €€€. Four-star hotels cost around €215 to €295 a night, while the most expensive of my three suggestions was around €420.
• Safety: Safe, but noisy. Street performers play in the evenings on weekdays and from midday at weekends.

Hongdae is the area for nights out. The neighbourhood grew around Hongik University, known for its arts courses, and is associated with neon signs, live music and indie culture. Along with Itaewon, it’s where most of the bars and clubs are concentrated.

On pedestrianised Hongdae Busking Street, around 170 metres from exit 8 of the metro, young dancers, singers and magicians perform. It’s free entertainment and a big part of staying here.

For a break from the noise, Gyeongui Line Forest Park is right beside exit 3. A former railway line has been turned into a long, narrow park with ginkgo trees, surrounded by the cafés and small restaurants of Yeonnam-dong.

See places to stay in Hongdae here.

Hongdae also has the easiest airport journey of the six areas: you can take a direct train from Incheon without changing. That’s welcome after a long flight, and the connection is useful for domestic flights from Gimpo too.

The drawbacks are the noise and the distance from the palaces. Light sleepers should choose a hotel a couple of streets away from the clubbing streets and request a room on a high floor. If palaces and museums are the main reason for your trip, Insadong is a better base.

Places to Stay in Hongdae

Amanti Hotel Seoul Hongdae - best budget choice with a rooftop pool

Amanti Hotel Seoul Hongdae is around 500 metres from Hongik University Station and has a seasonal rooftop pool, gym, café and free parking. A standard room measures 23 m², a decent size by Seoul standards. Guests disagree on how comfortable the beds are, and some find the rooms a little dark.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Large bed and comfortable mattress. Clean room with good facilities.”

See photos and book Amanti Hotel Seoul Hongdae here.

L7 Hongdae by Lotte Hotels - best mid-range hotel near the station

L7 Hongdae is around 100 metres from Hongik University Station and, with more than 4,000 reviews, is one of the area’s most popular hotels. There’s a heated rooftop pool with a seasonal pool bar, plus a restaurant, bar and gym. Breakfast is criticised for offering too little choice for this standard of hotel, so you might prefer to eat out.

One guest describes the hotel on Booking.com: “The hotel is modern, with excellent facilities and helpful staff.”

See photos and book L7 Hongdae by Lotte Hotels here.

RYSE, Autograph Collection - best design hotel in Hongdae

RYSE is Hongdae’s design hotel, with a restaurant, bar, gym and rooms from 29 m². Its guest rating is 9.0. It suits travellers happy to pay more for the interiors and atmosphere in the heart of the neighbourhood. There’s no pool, and a few guests mention that soundproofing could be better.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Stylish and with a great atmosphere, perfect for a trip with your best friend. Blue Bottle coffee, the scent, the location, and friendly, cool staff.”

See photos and book RYSE, Autograph Collection here.

3. Insadong and Jongno - best area for palaces and culture

• Distance to the centre: You’ll be in the historic centre. Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung palaces, Bukchon and Gwangjang Market are all within walking distance.
• Transport: Anguk Station on line 3, Jonggak Station on line 1 and Jongno 3-ga Station on lines 1, 3 and 5.
• Time from Incheon Airport: Airport bus 6011 goes to Anguk Station and Changdeokgung for 17,000 won, around €11. You can also take AREX to Seoul Station and change to line 1.
• Prices: €€ to €€€. The three hotels cost around €175 to €335 a night, and you’ll generally get more for your money than in Myeongdong.
• Safety: Safe. Demonstrations regularly take place around Gwanghwamun Square; simply avoid walking through them.

Insadong and the rest of Jongno are the best places to stay for Seoul’s history. From your hotel, you can walk to Gyeongbokgung, built in 1395 and the largest of the city’s five royal palaces. It’s closed on Tuesdays, and admission costs 3,000 won, around €2. Entry is free if you wear a traditional hanbok.

A little further east is Changdeokgung, built in 1405, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and known for its Secret Garden behind the palace. Nearby Jongmyo Shrine is also a World Heritage Site.

Insadong itself is a 700-metre street of galleries, antiques, calligraphy and teahouses, closed to traffic at weekends. In Ikseon-dong, near Jongno 3-ga Station, cafés and small restaurants occupy old hanok houses. At Gwangjang Market, you can try mung bean pancakes and small gimbap rolls from morning until evening.

See places to stay in Insadong and Jongno here.

Between the two palaces is Bukchon Hanok Village, with its traditional hanok houses. It’s a residential neighbourhood, so tourists may only visit the most popular streets between 10am and 5pm, with fines for breaking the rules. Guests staying in the neighbourhood’s guesthouses are exempt.

This isn’t an area for clubs and late nights, and most restaurants close earlier than in Hongdae. You do, though, have metro lines 1, 3 and 5 on your doorstep, making the rest of the city easy to reach.

Places to Stay in Insadong and Jongno

Hotel Lemong - best budget choice in Jongno

Hotel Lemong has more than 5,000 reviews and a guest rating of 8.8. It’s the cheapest of my three suggestions in the area. Rooms are soundproofed, there’s a café and free parking, and Jongno 3-ga Station is around ten minutes’ walk away. A few guests have complained about street noise and cleaning, so read the latest reviews.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Brilliant location, good rooms and a varied breakfast.”

See photos and book Hotel Lemong here.

Amid Hotel Seoul - best mid-range hotel in Insadong

Amid Hotel Seoul is on a side street off Insadong, around ten minutes’ walk from Jonggak Station. A standard room measures 22 m², and the hotel has a gym, restaurant and room service. It’s a solid choice for couples wanting a quiet, central base. A few guests can hear traffic in the morning.

One guest sums it up on Booking.com: “Quiet and clean hotel with a huge bed, a good location and an excellent price.”

See photos and book Amid Hotel Seoul here.

Orakai Insadong Suites - best aparthotel with a pool and sauna

Orakai Insadong Suites is an aparthotel with a kitchenette in every unit, an indoor pool and a sauna, around three minutes’ walk from Jongno 3-ga Station. With more than 4,000 reviews and a rating of 9.0, it’s a reliable choice for families and longer stays. Furniture and carpets are older, and breakfast is simple.

One guest says on Booking.com: “Lovely neighbourhood, beautiful views from the room and friendly staff. Decent breakfast and a lovely sauna and pool.”

See photos and book Orakai Insadong Suites here.

4. Gangnam - best area for luxury, shopping and K-pop

• Distance to the centre: Gangnam is south of the Han River. Allow a little over half an hour by metro to the palaces.
• Transport: Line 2, with Gangnam, Seolleung and Samseong stations, plus line 9. The Sinbundang line charges an additional fare.
• Time from Incheon Airport: Airport bus 6703 goes to COEX and Gangnam for 18,000 won, around €12. Bus 6020 goes to Gangnam Station for 17,000 won, around €11.
• Prices: €€ to €€€€. This area has the widest range: from around €150 a night at a three-star hotel to about €640 at the luxury hotel I recommend.
• Safety: Safe. Roads are wide and distances are large, so you’ll use the metro more than your feet.

Gangnam is modern Seoul, with office towers, luxury shops and some of the city’s best hotels. It suits business trips, shopping and visits focused on K-pop and Korean beauty treatments.

The main gathering point is COEX Mall, an underground shopping centre with more than 260 shops, an aquarium and the much-photographed Starfield Library. Directly opposite is Bongeunsa Temple, founded in 794 and free to enter, providing a pleasant contrast to the glass-fronted buildings.

One metro stop away are the Seonjeongneung royal tombs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with admission costing 1,000 won, around €0.70. For shopping outside the malls, Garosu-gil near Sinsa Station is known for its small fashion boutiques and cafés.

See places to stay in Gangnam here.

Hotels in Gangnam are newer and larger than those north of the river. You’ll find reasonably priced chain hotels as well as luxury options. Rooms are generally more spacious, and many hotels have pools and spas.

The main disadvantage is the distance. All five royal palaces are north of the river, so staying in Gangnam means crossing the city each day. For a first visit of three or four days, I’d choose Myeongdong or Insadong and come here for an afternoon.

Places to Stay in Gangnam

Ibis Styles Ambassador Seoul Gangnam - best budget choice near COEX

Ibis Styles Ambassador Seoul Gangnam is a three-star chain hotel with a restaurant, bar and gym, around ten minutes’ walk from Samseong Station and COEX. It’s the cheapest of my Gangnam suggestions, and a standard room measures 19 m². Some guests find the room lighting gloomy.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The room was very clean and well maintained, as was the bathroom. The view from the window was excellent, and the staff were very friendly and always ready to answer questions.”

See photos and book Ibis Styles Ambassador Seoul Gangnam here.

L7 Gangnam by Lotte Hotels - best mid-range hotel near the metro

L7 Gangnam is on the main road, Teheran-ro, around three minutes’ walk from Seolleung Station. It has a restaurant, bar, gym and soundproofed rooms measuring 25 m², making it a good choice for holidays and work trips. There’s no pool, and guests mention that breakfast is the same every day.

One guest highlights this on Booking.com: “The location, peace and quiet, friendly staff and a good bed for a good night’s sleep.”

See photos and book L7 Gangnam by Lotte Hotels here.

Josun Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel - best luxury hotel in Gangnam

Josun Palace has a guest rating of 9.7 and is one of Seoul’s most attractive hotels, with a heated indoor pool with views, sauna, gym and rooms from 44 m². It’s somewhere for a special occasion, with prices to match. Yeoksam Station is around nine minutes’ walk away, so you won’t be staying directly above the metro.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Without doubt one of the most beautiful hotels I’ve stayed in. Fantastic views across Seoul, all the way to Lotte Tower.”

See photos and book Josun Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel here.

5. Itaewon - best area for international restaurants and bars

• Distance to the centre: Itaewon is on the southern side of Namsan, in Yongsan. There’s no direct metro line to the palaces, so you’ll need to change.
• Transport: Itaewon Station and Noksapyeong Station on line 6.
• Time from Incheon Airport: Airport bus 6702 stops at the Grand Hyatt and in Itaewon, costing 18,000 won, around €12.
• Prices: €€ to €€€. The choice of hotels is small, with prices starting at around €170 a night and rising to about €350 to €370 for the five-star hotels.
• Safety: Safe, but the streets are steep. Watch your belongings and drinks on nights out, as you would in any big city.

Itaewon is Seoul’s international neighbourhood. Many of the city’s overseas residents live here, and you can find Indian, Thai, Greek, Mexican and Italian food on the same street if you fancy a break from kimchi. The neighbourhood also has Seoul’s main mosque, halal shops and a street with around 100 antiques shops.

In the evenings, Itaewon and Hongdae are the city’s most popular areas for going out. Next door is Haebangchon, where restaurants and cafés climb Namsan’s slopes along steep streets and stairways.

A couple of the city’s best museums are also nearby. The Leeum art museum was designed by Mario Botta, Jean Nouvel and Rem Koolhaas, and is closed on Mondays. Both the War Memorial of Korea and the National Museum of Korea, with around 420,000 objects, offer free admission.

See places to stay in Itaewon here.

Itaewon suits returning visitors, longer stays and trips where food and bars matter more than palaces. It’s also a good choice for a large hotel with a pool and views: two of the city’s well-known five-star hotels are on the slopes above the neighbourhood.

The drawbacks are the hills and limited hotel choice. The two large hotels are more than a kilometre from the metro station, so check the distance if you have heavy luggage or troublesome knees.

Places to Stay in Itaewon

Imperial Palace Boutique Hotel Itaewon - best affordable hotel near the metro

Imperial Palace Boutique Hotel is on the main road, around three minutes’ walk from Itaewon Station, and was renovated in 2025. A superior room measures 25 m², and there’s a gym and 24-hour reception. It’s the cheapest of the well-reviewed hotels in the neighbourhood. Walls are thin, and guests report hearing the television next door.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Beautifully decorated, excellent facilities and close to the metro. Breakfast was a highlight.”

See photos and book Imperial Palace Boutique Hotel Itaewon here.

Mondrian Seoul Itaewon - best design hotel with a rooftop bar

Mondrian Seoul Itaewon is a five-star design hotel with an indoor pool, seasonal outdoor pool, rooftop bar and spa. It suits adults wanting a hotel with plenty going on and good views. Rooms are small, several facilities cost extra or have age restrictions, and Itaewon Station is around 1.5 kilometres away.

One guest says on Booking.com: “The hotel is first class and one of the best experiences we’ve had. The room with a city view on one of the upper floors is particularly spectacular.”

See photos and book Mondrian Seoul Itaewon here.

Grand Hyatt Seoul - best classic luxury hotel with views

Grand Hyatt Seoul sits high on Namsan’s slopes, with an indoor pool, seasonal outdoor pool, tennis court, spa and garden. Airport bus 6702 stops at the hotel. It’s a good choice for families and a resort feel in the city. Itaewon Station is a little over a kilometre downhill, and guests disagree about the size and condition of the rooms.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Everything! Attentive and helpful staff, and large, extremely quiet rooms with beautiful views.”

See photos and book Grand Hyatt Seoul here.

6. Dongdaemun - best area for a lower budget and late-night shopping

• Distance to the centre: Dongdaemun is just east of the historic centre, four stops from City Hall on line 1.
• Transport: Dongdaemun Station on lines 1 and 4, and Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station on lines 2, 4 and 5.
• Time from Incheon Airport: Airport bus 6002 goes to Dongdaemun for 17,000 won, around €11, while bus 6702 stops at Dongdaemun Design Plaza for 18,000 won, around €12.
• Prices: € to €€€€. The cheapest of the six areas: from around €115 a night, about €175 to €255 for three- and four-star hotels, and around €515 for the five-star option.
• Safety: Safe. It’s a busy shopping district with people on the streets until late in the evening.

Dongdaemun is my suggestion for a central base that costs less. The neighbourhood takes its name from the city’s old east gate and is now Seoul’s main textile and fashion district, with several thousand shops in the shopping centres around the metro stations.

Its most distinctive building is Dongdaemun Design Plaza, designed by Zaha Hadid and opened in 2014. The silver-coloured building is right beside the metro exit and looks best in the evening.

From Dongdaemun Station, you can also walk up onto the old city wall, built in 1396 and 18.6 kilometres long. The section across Naksan starts a few hundred metres from the station and offers good views over the city. Gwangjang Market is just one metro stop west.

See places to stay in Dongdaemun here.

The main practical advantage is the metro. With four lines across two stations, you can reach almost any part of the city without changing, and airport buses stop in the neighbourhood.

Dongdaemun doesn’t have the same charm as Insadong. It’s a commercial district of wide roads and large buildings, so choose it for its prices and transport connections rather than its atmosphere.

Places to Stay in Dongdaemun

Mangrove Dongdaemun - best budget choice for solo travellers and couples

Mangrove Dongdaemun is a modern mix of hotel and co-living accommodation, around 300 metres from Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station. All rooms have private bathrooms, and there’s a shared kitchen, but no breakfast. It was the cheapest well-reviewed place I found in Seoul. Rooms are small, and the shower fits into a very tight space.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Perfect for the price, modern, and the location is good because you have access to many metro lines.”

See photos and book Mangrove Dongdaemun here.

Hotel Skypark Kingstown Dongdaemun - best mid-range hotel near the station

Hotel Skypark Kingstown Dongdaemun is around 350 metres from Dongdaemun Station and has a gym, terrace, restaurant and free parking. A double room measures just under 21 m². With more than 2,700 reviews and a rating of 8.7, it’s a reliable mid-range choice. One guest mentions that their room got too hot in winter because the air conditioning couldn’t cool it.

One guest sums it up on Booking.com: “Everything was good, the location is perfect and the room is clean.”

See photos and book Hotel Skypark Kingstown Dongdaemun here.

JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul - best luxury hotel beside the east gate

JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square is around 120 metres from Dongdaemun Station, with a heated indoor pool, spa and gym. Even the smallest rooms measure 38 m². Its guest rating is 9.1, and you get luxury at a lower price than in Gangnam. Request a high floor, as the lower floors have no view.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Lovely breakfast and good facilities, including an indoor pool. The staff are helpful.”

See photos and book JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul here.

Where Should You Avoid Staying in Seoul?

I wouldn’t stay near Incheon Airport to save money. Getting into the city takes 43 minutes on the Express Train and around an hour on the All Stop Train. According to the Korea Tourism Organization, most public transport from the airport stops around 11.30pm. Staying there only makes sense the night before a very early flight.

I’d also avoid Gangnam on a short first visit focused on the palaces, and the steepest streets of Haebangchon and upper Itaewon if you have heavy luggage. In Myeongdong, check the room type carefully so you don’t end up without a window.

My choices would be Myeongdong or Insadong for a first trip, Hongdae for young travellers and nights out, and Dongdaemun on a tight budget. Gangnam and Itaewon are best once you’ve seen the classic sights and want to experience another side of the city.

In all six areas, you’ll need a T-money card. It costs 3,000 to 5,000 won in convenience shops such as GS25, CU and 7-Eleven and works on the metro and buses. A metro journey costs around 1,550 won, roughly €1.10, with the card, and you can change lines without an extra charge along the way. The airport website lists the airport buses serving your hotel. For the trip in from the airport, read my guide to getting from Incheon Airport to central Seoul.

Combining Seoul with other Asian cities? See my guides to where to stay in Tokyo, where to stay in Bangkok, where to stay in Singapore, where to stay in Hong Kong and where to stay in Taipei too. And if Shanghai is on the same trip to East Asia, read my guide to where to stay in Shanghai.

The post Where to Stay in Seoul? The 6 Best Areas & Places to Stay appeared first on Destination Well Known.