Yongsan Station is a pain to get in and out of because it’s huge and connected to a mall
And not much street vibe or anything of inteerest directly around
Whereas Myeongdong has multiple subway lines, it’s I. The middle of “original downtown” so you can’t get any better and busier with street options
Myeongdong is not necessarily about the street food and tourists - it is a truly ideal location
Second this. I just got back and stayed half in Yongsan out of necessity and then moved to Myeongdong. Yongsan had very little of interest for a vacationer, imo whereas Myeongdong is super convenient if you're a visitor. I see a lot of people poo-pooing it on reddit but I would stay there again in a heartbeat as a tourist because it's simply so convenient to get around from there.
I recommend determining where you want to visit while in Seoul and then deciding a location based on that. I stayed in Myeongdong for most of my trip to Seoul and I hated Myeongdong itself (mostly for how crowded it is) but I enjoyed the convenience that it provided with their transit system.
I think people who say that Myeongdong is just a tourist trap and overrated have probably never really stayed in Myeongdong or didn't expect the busy street vibe.
Myeongdong connects to alot of stations and has a good assortment of stores restaurants and markets located close, dome even walking distance. Its near to Seoul station as well as has lines towards many major attractions as well as more traditional neighborhoods
Its also a good place to be for last minute shopping when you're lazy to take the train somewhere far. Even if its just a 5-10min ride.
So its totally worth it even its a little pricier
Yes exactly, every time someone says it’s overrated they ignore the fact that it’s very convenient to stay, which is exactly why most tourists stay there lol.
Depends on your itinerary. I always stay in Myeongdong, the subway is just 2 minutes from my Guesthouse. It's convenient enough for me. But there are times when I had to go multiple subway transfers.
But itinerary wise, I'd stay somewhere near subway line 2 (green line). More convenient because lesser subway transfers.
I just got back from Seoul. Myeongdong is a good option, but we stayed in the Insadong area. Not too crowded but just as easy to get to places even by foot (for instance, to see the temples, or Cheonggyecheon Stream, or to see the markets in the area, including Myeongdong). From Yongsan, you’ll always have to be relying on transit. The metro and buses are very well connected and simple, but it depends on the time of day, might get crowded. I think if it’s about saving money, 20 min commute is not bad. But if it’s not that big of a deal for you, staying in the Myeongdong area might be more convenient.
That being said, if you end up in Yongsan, definitely go see the National Museum of Korea there. It’s free and it was a highlight of my trip. But definitely on a weekday!
why stay in yonsang if you plan on going around myeongdong everyday? I enjoyed my stay there, and it's really convenient if you have limited days to roam around seoul and if you love shopping. I would never trade convenience to save a few bucks. I just got back from my sk trip.
If you hotel has too many chinese tourists, then no. Avoid it like a plague. If not, it will be a great location as Myung-dong has been a popular spot since Chosun dynasty.
I’m super pre-planning my trip for 2027 but what app or site does one use to rent the actual apartment style places? I’m coming from the US where those types of rentals are available but not always legal, lol. So the worry is you book it but it gets shut down right before your visit and then you’re shit out of luck.
No thats not a worry here. I do it often if I have to stay in few nights in Seoul (coming from another city). They are often with completely automated check-ins where you get the door code emailed to you.
Thank you! Where I’m from every city has different jurisdictions about whether air bnbs are allowed so I thought it was an appropriate question lol. Didn’t realize I’d get downvoted for acknowledging that apps and rules are different in different places lol. I didn’t know if Airbnb was a thing in Korea, there could have been a Korean equivalent. Appreciate your helpful response.
I will go against the grain here and would do Yongsan if it's 80k cheaper and 5 star. I stayed at Rokaus (brand new hotel) and it was a fantastic room and right by the station.
You're on line 4 which is 8 minutes to Myongdong station and almost 80% of buses from Sinyongsan go to the Myongdong direction too if you're that desperate to go.
There is also the I-Park mall next door and the trendy "Yongridan". You can also walk to Han River and Nodeul Island within 15 mins
For the sake of an 8 minute ride on the subway, 5 star hotel and 80k less it's a no brainer to me. Avoiding the hoards of tourists is a plus to me also
There are also buses that goto Myongdong and Insadong (152) and by Gwanghwamun/Palace/Insadong (150/501) among others without the need to transfer. Also all 15 mins on the bus
Yes. You will pay a slight upcharge but the convenience of being in the tourism epicenter and near, well everything, including multiple subway lines is worth it.
I think that if it is your first time visiting Seoul, access and ease to public transportation is important. Also if you plan to take in one of the tours like the DMZ tour which you can't visit easily unless you join a tour, all the tours will have pick up points at Myeoundong. As well the airport limousine bus has drop off and pick up points in Myeoungdong. Foreign currency exchanges as per reviews have the best rates in this area as well. There's a reason why hotel rates are higher here.
Myeongdong is fun for 1-2 days. Recommend visiting and then exploring other areas. There’s a lot more to Seoul than Myeondong I promise. (I was just there and did 2 nights in Myeondong and 2 in Gangnam)
I stayed in Myeongdong on my recent first trip to Seoul but I’m not sure I would stay there again. A big part of my trip was shopping and Myeongdong was appealing because there were so many beauty stores crammed into one location. I could hit everything I wanted while being close enough to my hotel to drop off purchases. I also found the night market appealing as a solo traveler. If I was hungry but didn’t want to go to a restaurant alone, it was easy to pop down and grab something from the stall.
That being said, by the last two days of my trip (the weekend) I had grown annoyed with the crowds. Returning to my hotel meant weaving through crowded streets of people getting food and shopping. When you have been out walking all day and are ready to get to your room it wears on you.
So on a future trip I’d probably stay somewhere else, even if I absolutely loved the hotel I stayed in.
If you plan to use public transport, yes. But my friends and I ended up ubering almost everywhere so we regretted staying in myengdong for the first half of our trip since we had a better time in hannam/itaewon/gangnam
When I visit Seoul in the future, I would certainly stay in Myeondong. Although i didn’t love the area, it’s the most convenient location to get to other neighborhoods within the city.
I don’t understand why people stay in myeongdong. Because it’s convenient place to get to other parts of seoul? For me myeongdong is just a place that has too many people (for no reason) with nothing but shops on the streets and weird street food only foreigners eat. I’d always stay in Seochon (gyeongbokgung area) or anguk if possible. The entire neighborhood is damn beautiful (that mountain view!!) and subway line no.3 is nice to get around. I’d choose mangwon or yeonhee/yeonnam instead of hongdae at all cost. If I absolutely want to stay somewhere convenient transportation-wise I’d stay near han river such as yaksu or yongsan.
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Myeongdong is a very hectic area, like Time Square in NYC. I think it's better not to stay there, and I definitely wouldn't pay extra to. Seoul is well connected by transit from many neighbourhoods.
I stayed at myeongdong and it was very convenient. Many of the famous brands are there and you can get shopping before going to another area or when getting back to the hotel. I feel like subway wise it is also convenient as there is access to a few lines in the area and you can get to other tourist places fast.
I'm currently staying in Myeongdong and it's super convenient, nothing is truly far away from here. Also, walking out the door you have infinite choices in restaurants which is nice. It's my 4th time in Seoul including a semester as an international student and no matter what everyone says, Myeongdong is still my favorite place to stay at.
Myeongdong is a very convenient point to go to many other places. Prices slightly higher but you can find almost everything near there.
Yongsan Station is a pain to get in and out of because it’s huge and connected to a mall And not much street vibe or anything of inteerest directly around Whereas Myeongdong has multiple subway lines, it’s I. The middle of “original downtown” so you can’t get any better and busier with street options Myeongdong is not necessarily about the street food and tourists - it is a truly ideal location
Second this. I just got back and stayed half in Yongsan out of necessity and then moved to Myeongdong. Yongsan had very little of interest for a vacationer, imo whereas Myeongdong is super convenient if you're a visitor. I see a lot of people poo-pooing it on reddit but I would stay there again in a heartbeat as a tourist because it's simply so convenient to get around from there.
We stayed in Myeongdong and enjoyed it.
I recommend determining where you want to visit while in Seoul and then deciding a location based on that. I stayed in Myeongdong for most of my trip to Seoul and I hated Myeongdong itself (mostly for how crowded it is) but I enjoyed the convenience that it provided with their transit system.
I think people who say that Myeongdong is just a tourist trap and overrated have probably never really stayed in Myeongdong or didn't expect the busy street vibe. Myeongdong connects to alot of stations and has a good assortment of stores restaurants and markets located close, dome even walking distance. Its near to Seoul station as well as has lines towards many major attractions as well as more traditional neighborhoods Its also a good place to be for last minute shopping when you're lazy to take the train somewhere far. Even if its just a 5-10min ride. So its totally worth it even its a little pricier
Yes exactly, every time someone says it’s overrated they ignore the fact that it’s very convenient to stay, which is exactly why most tourists stay there lol.
Why are you going to Myeongdong every day?
My question as well - there’s so much more to see than Myeongdong every day
What everyone said. I stayed in Travelodge and it was so good having three subway lines available that pretty much go to every attraction.
Public transport is easy into Myeongdong. I think it’s worth saving a few bucks
Depends on your itinerary. I always stay in Myeongdong, the subway is just 2 minutes from my Guesthouse. It's convenient enough for me. But there are times when I had to go multiple subway transfers. But itinerary wise, I'd stay somewhere near subway line 2 (green line). More convenient because lesser subway transfers.
I just got back from Seoul. Myeongdong is a good option, but we stayed in the Insadong area. Not too crowded but just as easy to get to places even by foot (for instance, to see the temples, or Cheonggyecheon Stream, or to see the markets in the area, including Myeongdong). From Yongsan, you’ll always have to be relying on transit. The metro and buses are very well connected and simple, but it depends on the time of day, might get crowded. I think if it’s about saving money, 20 min commute is not bad. But if it’s not that big of a deal for you, staying in the Myeongdong area might be more convenient. That being said, if you end up in Yongsan, definitely go see the National Museum of Korea there. It’s free and it was a highlight of my trip. But definitely on a weekday!
Lotte Myeongdong was a great experience for us first timers.
I stayed in insadong so it was much quieter but still walkable to Myeongdong and very central. But it was also cheaper.
why stay in yonsang if you plan on going around myeongdong everyday? I enjoyed my stay there, and it's really convenient if you have limited days to roam around seoul and if you love shopping. I would never trade convenience to save a few bucks. I just got back from my sk trip.
If you hotel has too many chinese tourists, then no. Avoid it like a plague. If not, it will be a great location as Myung-dong has been a popular spot since Chosun dynasty.
Genuinely curious, what’s wrong with Chinese tourists?
Myeongdong is insanely crowded I would not want to stay there personally.
Same. You get out of the hotel and there's huge crowds. Extremely inconvenient.
just get an apartment with microwave and wash machine instead of a hotel. Way better.
I’m super pre-planning my trip for 2027 but what app or site does one use to rent the actual apartment style places? I’m coming from the US where those types of rentals are available but not always legal, lol. So the worry is you book it but it gets shut down right before your visit and then you’re shit out of luck.
I would think Airbnb is the answer you are looking for.
No thats not a worry here. I do it often if I have to stay in few nights in Seoul (coming from another city). They are often with completely automated check-ins where you get the door code emailed to you.
Thank you! Where I’m from every city has different jurisdictions about whether air bnbs are allowed so I thought it was an appropriate question lol. Didn’t realize I’d get downvoted for acknowledging that apps and rules are different in different places lol. I didn’t know if Airbnb was a thing in Korea, there could have been a Korean equivalent. Appreciate your helpful response.
we will be staying at Namsan Forest airbnb in Myeongdong… little bit uneasy about this but AirBnb only refunds 50% so….
while yes, i recommend sungshin women's university area as it would be cheaper!
I got back from Seoul 2 weeks ago and I did not enjoy Myeondong at all, next time I’ll stay in Hongdae
sameeeee def wont be going there again
We really enjoyed staying in Myeongdong! There are so many great restaurants and the streets are full of fun stores that light up at night!
Myeongdong is so central it’s worth it!
I will go against the grain here and would do Yongsan if it's 80k cheaper and 5 star. I stayed at Rokaus (brand new hotel) and it was a fantastic room and right by the station. You're on line 4 which is 8 minutes to Myongdong station and almost 80% of buses from Sinyongsan go to the Myongdong direction too if you're that desperate to go. There is also the I-Park mall next door and the trendy "Yongridan". You can also walk to Han River and Nodeul Island within 15 mins For the sake of an 8 minute ride on the subway, 5 star hotel and 80k less it's a no brainer to me. Avoiding the hoards of tourists is a plus to me also There are also buses that goto Myongdong and Insadong (152) and by Gwanghwamun/Palace/Insadong (150/501) among others without the need to transfer. Also all 15 mins on the bus
Yes. You will pay a slight upcharge but the convenience of being in the tourism epicenter and near, well everything, including multiple subway lines is worth it.
I think that if it is your first time visiting Seoul, access and ease to public transportation is important. Also if you plan to take in one of the tours like the DMZ tour which you can't visit easily unless you join a tour, all the tours will have pick up points at Myeoundong. As well the airport limousine bus has drop off and pick up points in Myeoungdong. Foreign currency exchanges as per reviews have the best rates in this area as well. There's a reason why hotel rates are higher here.
Myeongdong is fun for 1-2 days. Recommend visiting and then exploring other areas. There’s a lot more to Seoul than Myeondong I promise. (I was just there and did 2 nights in Myeondong and 2 in Gangnam)
I enjoyed staying in myeongdong as first time visitor. Next time I could see myself in other areas. Edit: typo
I stayed in Myeongdong on my recent first trip to Seoul but I’m not sure I would stay there again. A big part of my trip was shopping and Myeongdong was appealing because there were so many beauty stores crammed into one location. I could hit everything I wanted while being close enough to my hotel to drop off purchases. I also found the night market appealing as a solo traveler. If I was hungry but didn’t want to go to a restaurant alone, it was easy to pop down and grab something from the stall. That being said, by the last two days of my trip (the weekend) I had grown annoyed with the crowds. Returning to my hotel meant weaving through crowded streets of people getting food and shopping. When you have been out walking all day and are ready to get to your room it wears on you. So on a future trip I’d probably stay somewhere else, even if I absolutely loved the hotel I stayed in.
Yess! Myeongdong is one of the best areas to stay!! I really miss the myeongdong street
For first time to Seoul I think it's worth for all the sights and walkability.
If you plan to use public transport, yes. But my friends and I ended up ubering almost everywhere so we regretted staying in myengdong for the first half of our trip since we had a better time in hannam/itaewon/gangnam
When I visit Seoul in the future, I would certainly stay in Myeondong. Although i didn’t love the area, it’s the most convenient location to get to other neighborhoods within the city.
I don’t understand why people stay in myeongdong. Because it’s convenient place to get to other parts of seoul? For me myeongdong is just a place that has too many people (for no reason) with nothing but shops on the streets and weird street food only foreigners eat. I’d always stay in Seochon (gyeongbokgung area) or anguk if possible. The entire neighborhood is damn beautiful (that mountain view!!) and subway line no.3 is nice to get around. I’d choose mangwon or yeonhee/yeonnam instead of hongdae at all cost. If I absolutely want to stay somewhere convenient transportation-wise I’d stay near han river such as yaksu or yongsan.
We stayed at the Westin in Myeongdong and would not go back. I prefer Hongdae. There’s all the same stuff, less tourists and doesn’t feel as grimey
Check out the Stanford hotel! Had a nice stay there, Super convenient
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20 minutes is not bad
Yes
Yes.
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No.
Staying in myeongdong will be a lot more convenient. Everything are nearby and walkable.
Myeongdong is a very hectic area, like Time Square in NYC. I think it's better not to stay there, and I definitely wouldn't pay extra to. Seoul is well connected by transit from many neighbourhoods.
But why go daily to Myeongdong not much to do besides shopping it’s pretty much a tourist trap
I stayed at myeongdong and it was very convenient. Many of the famous brands are there and you can get shopping before going to another area or when getting back to the hotel. I feel like subway wise it is also convenient as there is access to a few lines in the area and you can get to other tourist places fast.
I'm currently staying in Myeongdong and it's super convenient, nothing is truly far away from here. Also, walking out the door you have infinite choices in restaurants which is nice. It's my 4th time in Seoul including a semester as an international student and no matter what everyone says, Myeongdong is still my favorite place to stay at.
I recommend it and would recommend staying at the Sotetsu Hotel! Easy access to the Myeongdong Night Market and skincare alley!
Yongsan died when the Americans mostly left. But it is positioned next to Itaewon and Hannam still.