Myeongdong is perfectly located at the heart of Seoul city, making it one of the best areas to choose to stay in. From here, you will not only have access to plenty of shopping areas, but it will be easy for you to reach most of the important attractions in town.
If you have decided that the neighborhood is the place for you, and are now looking for the best place to stay in Myeongdong, you have come to the right place.
The first time I ever visited Seoul I stayed in this area, and if I were to travel again to the city as a tourist, I might choose the same place.
With plenty of cool hotels to choose from, but also apartments and guesthouses, you will find a place to stay in Myeongdong no matter what your budget is.
Read also: The 8 Best Areas to Stay in Seoul
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How to get to Myeongdong
When it comes to getting from Incheon Airport to Myeongdong, you will have plenty of options. It is only up to you to choose the best one that suits your schedule, budget, and style.
Here are the main options, in a nutshell:
Means of Transportation | Cost | Duration |
Subway | 4,750 KRW (Transit Card) 4,850 KRW (Ticket) | 73 minutes |
Bus (number 6015) | 15,000 KRW | roughly 1h 30 min |
Taxi | approx. 80,000 KRW | roughly 1h 30 min |
Private Transfer | From 72 USD/ 3 pers | roughly 1h 30 min |
For the complete and detailed guide, including maps, options, and more, click here!
Why choose to stay in Myeongdong
The area is perfectly located in the heart of the city, offers plenty of fun things to do, and is easily reached from the airport by bus, subway, taxi, or private transfer.
Moreover, Myeongdong is heaven for k-beauty lovers, will place you within easy reach of Namsan Tower and park, and will place you close to Seoul Station when you plan for a longer South Korea itinerary.
Pros: By choosing to stay in Myengdong you will literally be in the center of the action. Within walking distance from the area of the palaces, and also perfectly connected by subway or bus, this is the place to be when you are visiting Seoul for the first time.
The area used to be packed with shops and restaurants, but with the current situation, things have changed a bit. However, I am confident Myeongdong will come back to life once tourism is back for good.
This is any cosmetics lover’s paradise!
You will also find it easy to exchange money here and find different places to eat.
Cons: It truly is a touristic area where you won’t find much authentic Korean vibe. On top of that, the streets are always packed with people, street food stalls, and street artists.
Where to stay in Myeongdong: The best hotels in Myeongdong
Luxury hotels in Myengdong

A 5* hotel perfectly set behind Lotte Department Store, offering luxurious rooms and an indoor swimming pool and SPA center. You will have an impressive city view and access to some of the best restaurants in Seoul.
Lotte Hotel Seoul Executive Tower

Enjoy the swimming pool and SPA, just before dinner at a 3* Michelin restaurant.
The hotel has an impressive lobby, rooms have a simple but modern and cozy design, and the previous guests have appreciated the flexibility when it comes to early/late check-in/checkout.

While it is true that this hotel is not exactly across the street from Seoul Station, you can get there on foot or by subway (one very short stop).
Choose to stay here and you will be in the middle of a shopping area, packed with local restaurants and public transportation options to anywhere you want to go.
Namsan Park is also 5 minutes away, as well as the bustling area of Myeongdong. The view from the hotel’s bar and restaurant is stunning, and some of the rooms have Namsan Tower views as well.
A buffet breakfast is served daily, and the hotel boasts a great indoor pool where you can relax at the end of the day.
Guests loved how comfortable, clean, and modern the rooms are, but also the hotel’s ideal location.
The hotel is linked to Seoul Station by Seoullo – a nice pedestrian walkway that makes it extremely accessible.
Mid-range hotels in Myengdong

With a simple, fun, and colorful interior design, this hotel also has one of the few rooftop bars in town.
Guests appreciated the hotel’s location, but also the fact that it has a coffee chain on the ground floor. Breakfast offers plenty of options, and the area is packed with restaurants and shopping options.
Another pro is the fact that the subway entrance is right out the front of the hotel making it super easy to get around Seoul.

I must admit this was our first choice when we visited Seoul for 3 days as tourists, but somehow we ended up at Marriott (and I don’t regret it a bit). This one is perfectly located and offers a great quality vs price ratio.
The hotel is very near Myeongdong Station Exit 8 and Exit 7 offering easy access to the escalators that will take you up to N Seoul Tower and Namsan Mountain. Additionally, guests appreciated how helpful the staff was and were open to supporting their needs.

A nice and modern hotel part of a popular hospitability chain. While it is true that you will have a bit of a walk to Seoul Station, getting there by bus couldn’t be easier.
The hotel is set at one of the main crossroads that will take you to the Myeongdong shopping area, Namdaeumun Market, the City Hall, and the old part of the city.
Since you will be minutes away from Myeongdong, that means that you will have tens of street food places and fancy restaurants to choose from.
Four Points by Sheraton Josun, Seoul Myeongdong

This hotel is hosted inside a modern building, with an underground passage directly to the train station, but also extremely close to Myeongdong and Namdaemun.
From the front of the hotel, you can take tens of buses or the subway, and you can also walk to most of Seoul’s main tourist attractions.
If you are not impressed by the hotel’s dining options, there are plenty of restaurants and cafes to choose from in the area.
I would recommend this hotel for a short stay when you want to take KTX early the next morning and want to be close to the train station.
Budget accommodation in Myengdong

Hosted in a small building, with a rooftop terrace, very conveniently located close to the main tourist attractions, shops, and restaurants.
They have a comfortable kitchen with coffee, tea, toast (jam and butter), and instant noodles available anytime. Also, rooms are clean and cozy with AC.

Another great and affordable stay in Myeongdong, perfect for youngsters or anyone traveling on a budget. It might be worth knowing that the hostel is a bit uphill, thus you should come prepared for a short hike.
The staff is friendly and will help you with information about getting around the city, and they also offer laundry services for a small fee.

Conveniently located 150 m from Exit 5 of Myeongdong Subway Station (Line 4), the hostel offers private rooms with WiFi and city views.
Rooms have private bathrooms and AC, and the hotel is extremely easy to find and not far from Seoul Station or other attractions.
Apartment in Myengdong
This is a relatively small but clean and airy studio apartment, set close to Chungmuro subway station. See availability here!
Other useful Travel Resources
General Travel Information for South Korea
Driving in South Korea – a complete guide
Stay close to Seoul Station, or choose the best hotel in Hongdae or Gangnam.
Plan your Seoul Itinerary: 2 days, 3 days, 4 days in Seoul
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