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Myeongdong or Hongdae?

Both are first-rate bases north of the Han River, both sit on Line 2, and both have a straight run from Incheon. The difference is what happens after dark and what you want on your doorstep in the morning.

The verdict

For a first visit, shopping, K-beauty or a family trip, choose Myeongdong: two subway lines at the door, airport bus 6015 named after it, Seoul Station one line away for AREX and KTX, and Namsan, Namdaemun Market and Deoksugung close by. For nightlife, live music, cafés and a young crowd, choose Hongdae: Club Street, buskers and Yeonnam-dong outside, and the only one of Seoul's seven main stay areas with its own AREX station, so the airport train drops you at your door. Myeongdong wins on sightseeing; Hongdae wins on evenings.

Side by side

Myeongdong and Hongdae, side by side
MyeongdongHongdae
Airport accessLimousine 6015 (Myeongdong) from Incheon; AREX to Seoul Station, then Line 4. Late-night N6701 stops at Euljiro Entrance.AREX all-stop straight to Hongik University, 58 minutes from Terminal 2. Limousine 6002; late-night N6002 reaches Hongdae in 45 minutes from Terminal 1.
LinesMyeongdong (Line 4), Euljiro 1-ga (Line 2).Hongik University (Line 2, Gyeongui-Jungang Line, AREX).
Best forFirst visits, shopping, Korean cosmetics, street food.Nightlife, buskers, cafés, a young crowd, airport-train arrivals.
EveningsShopping streets and stalls, the Namsan cable car until 23:00, the underground mall until 22:00.Seoul's top bar and club district for foreign visitors, with Club Street, street performers and Yeonnam-dong.
Sightseeing within reachMyeongdong Cathedral, Namdaemun Market, Namsan Park and N Seoul Tower, Deoksugung, Cheonggyecheon.Gyeongui Line Forest Park and Book Street, Yeonnam-dong, Picasso's Street and the ateliers' street.
Day trips and onward travelSeoul Station, for KTX and the AREX Express, is on Line 4 with no change.AREX for both Incheon and Gimpo airports with no change; Line 2 across the city.
FeelSeoul's shopping mecca: busy, central and made for visitors.Youthful, creative and loud after dark.

Choose Myeongdong if

  • It is your first time in Seoul
  • Shopping and K-beauty top your list
  • You are travelling with family
  • You have an early KTX from Seoul Station

Choose Hongdae if

  • You want nightlife on your doorstep
  • You want the airport train to stop at your station
  • Cafés, live music and street performers matter more than palaces
  • You are arriving at Incheon late at night

Questions visitors ask

Which is easier from Incheon Airport, Myeongdong or Hongdae?

Hongdae. The AREX all-stop train stops at Hongik University, 58 minutes from Terminal 2, so you never change trains. For Myeongdong, take limousine 6015, or AREX to Seoul Station and change to Line 4.

Can I easily get between Myeongdong and Hongdae?

Yes. Both are on Line 2: Euljiro 1-ga serves Myeongdong and Hongik University serves Hongdae, so it is a no-change ride either way. Split a trip between them and moving day is one train.

Read both in full.

Myeongdong guideHongdae guide

Sources & review

Editorial review: · Korea Standard Time