Compare areas

Gangnam or Myeongdong?

One is south of the Han River and built for business, beauty and COEX; the other is north of it, in the middle of old Seoul's shopping streets. Line 2 links them without a change, so the right pick comes down to where your days are.

The verdict

For business travel, conferences at COEX, K-beauty flagships on Garosu-gil and an easy run from Gimpo, choose Gangnam: COEX's four exhibition halls and 50 conference rooms, the Line 9 express from Gimpo in about 30 to 35 minutes to Sinnonhyeon, and airport bus 6103 direct to COEX. For a first visit, sightseeing and street shopping, choose Myeongdong: palaces, Namsan and Namdaemun Market are close, and Seoul Station is one line away. Gangnam wins for work; Myeongdong wins for a first look at Seoul.

Side by side

Gangnam and Myeongdong, side by side
	Gangnam	Myeongdong
Airport access	From Incheon, limousine 6703 (about 65 minutes) or 6103 direct to COEX (about 70 minutes). From Gimpo, Line 9 express to Sinnonhyeon, about 30 to 35 minutes.	From Incheon, limousine 6015 (Myeongdong), or AREX to Seoul Station and Line 4. From Gimpo, AREX all-stop to Seoul Station, about 23 minutes, then Line 4.
Lines	Gangnam (Line 2, Sinbundang), Samseong (Line 2), Bongeunsa (Line 9), Sinsa (Line 3).	Myeongdong (Line 4), Euljiro 1-ga (Line 2).
Best for	Business, COEX, K-beauty, fashion, Gimpo arrivals.	First visits, sightseeing, cosmetics and street shopping.
Evenings	Gangnam Square's K-pop screens, the Media Pole along Gangnam-daero, Starfield COEX Mall until 22:00.	Myeongdong's shopping streets and stalls, and the Namsan cable car until 23:00.
Sightseeing within reach	COEX, Starfield Library, Bongeunsa Temple, COEX K-POP Square, Seonjeongneung Royal Tombs, Garosu-gil.	Myeongdong Cathedral, Namdaemun Market, Namsan Park and N Seoul Tower, Deoksugung, Cheonggyecheon.
Day trips and onward travel	Line 9 express to Gimpo; Sinbundang Line from Gangnam Station; late-night airport buses N6703 and N6000.	Seoul Station for KTX and the AREX Express on Line 4, no change.
Where to stay within it	Gangnam Station for transport, Samseong-dong and COEX for business hotels, Cheongdam and Apgujeong for luxury boutique hotels.	Right by Myeongdong Station, with the high-end hotels of the zone in Sogong-dong and Bukchang-dong.
Feel	Modern, polished and built for business and beauty.	Busy, central and made for visitors.

Choose Gangnam if

You are in Seoul for COEX or business
K-beauty flagships and fashion are the point of the trip
You are flying into Gimpo
You want Bongeunsa Temple and Starfield Library on foot

Choose Myeongdong if

It is your first time in Seoul
Palaces and old Seoul matter to you
You want Namsan and Namdaemun Market on your doorstep
You are catching KTX from Seoul Station

Questions visitors ask

Is Gangnam or Myeongdong better for a first trip to Seoul?

Myeongdong. It puts Namsan, Namdaemun Market, Deoksugung and Cheonggyecheon close by, and Seoul Station is a straight ride on Line 4. Gangnam is the better base if your trip centres on COEX, business or K-beauty.

Which part of Gangnam should I stay in?

Gangnam-gu's own advice is clear: Gangnam Station for transport, Samseong-dong and COEX for business hotels, and Cheongdam and Apgujeong for luxury boutique hotels. For a mix of sightseeing and business, Gangnam Station is the best choice, because Line 2 runs straight through to Euljiro 1-ga for Myeongdong.

What is the fastest way to Gangnam from Gimpo Airport?

The Line 9 express to Sinnonhyeon, about 30 to 35 minutes, which Gangnam-gu calls the most convenient route. For COEX, the Line 9 express takes about 40 minutes.

Read both in full.

Gangnam guide Myeongdong guide