StayAreasWhere to stay in Seoul
Seoul is a big city with a superb subway, so any area near a station works; the choice is about what you want on your doorstep. Stay in Myeongdong for shopping, street food and easy airport links; in Jongno and Insadong for palaces, hanok lanes and tea houses; in Hongdae for students, live music and nightlife; in Gangnam for business, luxury and K-pop; in Itaewon for international food and bars; or in Dongdaemun for night markets and good value. Spring and autumn are the best seasons; summers are hot and wet, winters cold.
6 neighbourhoods compared · Typical mid-range hotel ~$115/night · Prices updated Oct 2026
Our recommendations
Best for a first visitMyeongdong~$120/night · Shopping, street food & airport buses
Also consider Jongno & Insadong
Best nightlifeHongdae~$95/night · Live music, clubs & student life
Also consider Itaewon
Best foodGangnam~$145/night · Business, luxury & K-pop south of the river
Also consider Itaewon, Myeongdong
Best for familiesJongno & Insadong~$115/night · Palaces, hanok lanes & tea houses
Also consider Myeongdong, Dongdaemun
Best valueDongdaemun~$100/night · Night markets, DDP & good-value hotels
Also consider Hongdae, Jongno & Insadong
Best upscale stayItaewon~$120/night · International food, bars & museums
Also consider Gangnam
Compare Seoul neighbourhoods
Pick what matters to you and we'll rank the areas.
| Area | Best for | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Myeongdong | ~$120 | First visit, Budget | ||||
 Jongno & Insadong | ~$115 | First visit, Families | ||||
 Hongdae | ~$95 | Nightlife, Budget | ||||
 Gangnam | ~$145 | Business, Upscale | ||||
 Itaewon | ~$120 | Nightlife, Upscale | ||||
 Dongdaemun | ~$100 | Budget, Families |
Typical mid-range double room per night, not live prices · Updated Oct 2026 · How we rate areas
Seoul neighbourhoods on the map
Typical hotel prices in Seoul
A typical mid-range double costs about $115 a night across the areas we cover. Budget hotels start around $60; luxury hotels average $280.
Gangnam, Itaewon cost the most. Hongdae, Dongdaemun are the cheapest, around $50 a night less than Gangnam.
These are typical rates outside peak events, not live prices. Updated Oct 2026.
| Area | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hongdae | ~$45 | ~$95 | ~$200 |
| Dongdaemun | ~$50 | ~$100 | ~$215 |
| Jongno & Insadong | ~$60 | ~$115 | ~$325 |
| Myeongdong | ~$65 | ~$120 | ~$290 |
| Itaewon | ~$60 | ~$120 | ~$325 |
| Gangnam | ~$70 | ~$145 | ~$325 |
Seoul FAQs
What is the best area to stay in Seoul for first-time visitors?
Myeongdong, followed by Jongno & Insadong. Seoul's busiest shopping district, packed with cosmetics stores and evening street-food stalls, between City Hall and Namsan.
How much does a hotel in Seoul cost per night?
Across the areas we cover, a typical mid-range double costs about $115 a night, from around $60 for budget hotels to $280 for luxury. Hongdae (~$95) is the cheapest area and Gangnam (~$145) the most expensive. These are typical rates, not live prices.
Where should I stay in Seoul on a budget?
Dongdaemun, followed by Hongdae, Jongno & Insadong.
Which Seoul neighbourhood is best for nightlife?
Hongdae, followed by Itaewon.
Where is the best area to stay in Seoul with kids?
Jongno & Insadong, followed by Myeongdong, Dongdaemun.
Which area is quickest to reach from Incheon International Airport?
Hongdae: about 50 minutes (AREX all-stop train direct to Hongik University station). Myeongdong is next at about 60 minutes.