Sleep area · Seoul
Hongdae홍대
Evenings and the AREX airport line: two stops from Seoul Station and direct to Incheon; louder at night, so ask for a room away from the street.
Rules in force · 6Bukchon and many guesthouse lanes are steep
- South Korea ↗Check K-ETA and visa status on the official sites before you fly; the list of nationalities that must register online changes.
- South Korea ↗Google Maps gives poor walking and driving directions in Korea; use Naver Map or Kakao Map for routes.
- South Korea ↗Buy a T-money card (or use a phone-based transit pass) for subway and buses; it also pays at convenience stores and many taxis.
- Seoul Capital Area ↗Dec–Feb in the capital area is dry and very cold (−10 to 3°C): pack a windproof layer and warm socks.
- Seoul ↗Bukchon and many guesthouse lanes are steep: large suitcases go from the car or subway exit straight to the door.
- Seoul ↗The subway stops around midnight; after that use taxis and check the last train in your map app.
First night
From Hongik Univ. Station exit or car drop-off: 250 m, flat surface. Desks around here are typically staffed 24h. 28-inch bags: painful. Morning to Hongdae & Yeonnam-dong: 4–8 min.
Take AREX train to Seoul Station at 23:30. Bed by ~00:34 (+1) (p90).
Open the arrival contractTake AREX train to Seoul Station at 23:10. Bed by ~00:14 (+1) (p90).
Open the arrival contractTake AREX all-stop train to Seoul Station at 23:00. Bed by ~00:41 (+1) (p90).
Open the arrival contractTake AREX all-stop train to Seoul Station at 22:30. Bed by ~00:11 (+1) (p90).
Open the arrival contractArea facts
- Reception
- staffed 24h · forwarding not accepted
- Walk to clusters
- Hongdae & Yeonnam-dong: 3–6 min · Myeongdong & Namdaemun: 20–30 min
- Night lighting
- ok
- Taxi drop-off
- street le 100m
- Fits
- solo dorm
- Lodging tax
- —
Cons
- Noise from bars and buskers until 02:00 or later.
- Farther from the palaces: 30–40 minutes by subway.
Lock this area
Lock the area first. Hotel search links appear only after you decide where the pillow is — so no listing can pull you into the wrong area.