If you’re looking for a great place to stay in Seoul for a reasonable price, Myeongdong is the place for you. There are dozens of budget hotels in Myeongdong that offer a comfortable night’s sleep at prices that won’t break the bank. When I visit Seoul, I almost always stay in Myeongdong due to its convenience – there are lots of connections to the rest of Seoul. It’s also one of Seoul’s special tourists districts that allows rooftop bars, offering up beautiful views of the N Seoul Tower.
Myeongdong is a melting pot of Korean and foreign culture and one of the best places for travellers to Seoul looking for an all-round Korean experience. There’s bustling street markets, delicious street food, shopping, and some of Seoul’s top sights & attractions.
Staying in Myeongdong is a great option for first-time travellers to Korea. This area caters to tourists and offers money-exchanges with the best rates, souvenirs shops, local goods at bargain prices, and a wide range of restaurants and cafes.
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Top 10 Budget Hotels In Myeongdong
Here are ten of the best places to stay in Myeongdong that will offer you a comfortable night’s rest without breaking the bank.
I’m very picky when it comes to hotels and spend a long time checking reviews, looking at the options and prices, and finding the best bargains available.
I’ve personally stayed in most of these hotels and feel comfortable recommending them to people looking for good quality budget hotels in Myeongdong. Now I want to share them with you.
If you’re looking to travel as a couple, family, or by yourself, these budget hotels in Myeongdong will all be perfect for you.
I’ve used Agoda and Klook for prices. Other good hotel booking sites for Seoul and Korea include Hotels.com, and Booking.com. If you want to find the best prices, it’s worth taking a bit of time to check each of these sites and compare their prices.
I haven’t included the price of each hotel in this article as prices can vary a lot depending on the day of the week you’re booking, as well as the time of year. October in Korea is peak travel to see autumn leaves and March / April are peak travel months to see cherry blossoms. Check out this Korean season guide to see when Korea gets busy and what to do in each month.
Planning to visit Korea? These travel essentials will help you plan your trip, get the best deals, and save you time and money before and during your Korean adventure.
Visas & K-ETA: Some travellers to Korea need a Tourist Visa, but most can travel with a Korean Electronic Travel Authorisation (K-ETA). Currently 22 Countries don’t need either one.
How To Stay Connected: Pre-order a Korean Sim Card or a WiFi Router to collect on-arrival at Incheon Airport (desks open 24-hours). Alternatively, download a Korean eSIM for you travels.
Where To Stay: For Seoul, I recommend Myeongdong (convenient), Hongdae (cool culture) or Gangnam (shopping). For Busan, Haeundae (Beach) or Seomyeon (Downtown).
Incheon Airport To Seoul: Take the Airport Express (AREX) to Seoul Station or a Limo Bus across Seoul. Book an Incheon Airport Private Transfer and relax to or from the airport.
Korean Tour Operators: Tour companies that have a big presence in Korea include Klook, Trazy, Viator, and Get Your Guide. These sites offer discounted entry tickets for top attractions.
Seoul City Passes: Visit Seoul’s top attractions for free with a Discover Seoul Pass or Go City Seoul Pass. These passes are great for families and couples visiting Seoul – you can save lots.
How To Get Around: For public transport, grab a T-Money Card. Save money on Korea’s high speed trains with a Korea Rail Pass. To see more of Korea, there are many Rental Car Options.
Travel Money: Use money exchanges near Myeongdong and Hongdae subway stations for the best exchange rates. Order a Wise Card or WOWPASS to pay by card across Korea.
Flights To Korea: I use flight comparison sites such as Expedia and Skyscanner to find the best flights to Korea from any country. Air Asia is a good option for budget flights from Asia.
How To Learn Korean: The language course from 90 Day Korean or Korean Class 101 both have well-structured lessons and lots of useful resources to help you learn Korean.
1: L7 Myeongdong By Lotte ★★★★
My favourite of these budget hotels in Myeongdong, I’ve stayed in the L7 Myeongdong several times and can definitely recommend it.
It’s got a fun modern design with lots of yellowy decorations. It’s right outside Myeongdong Station and gives easy access to the best shops and street food in Seoul.
The hotel has a free rooftop foot spa where you can dip your feet whilst looking at the N Seoul Tower. This is a great way to enjoy a cold winter’s evening and provides a great place for taking pictures of Seoul.
Rooms: Make yourself at home in one of the 245 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators and flat-screen televisions. Your pillow-top bed comes with down comforters and premium bedding. Private bathrooms with showers feature designer toiletries and bidets. Complimentary wired and wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming provides entertainment.
Amenities: Make use of convenient amenities, which include complimentary wireless Internet access, 24-hour front desk, and concierge services.
Dining: Enjoy a satisfying meal at an exclusive restaurant serving guests of L7 Myeongdong by LOTTE. Wrap up your day with a drink at the bar/lounge.
Address: 37 Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
2: ENA Suite Hotel Namdaemun ★★★★
Although this hotel is technically in Namdaemun, this area is a couple of minutes away from Myeongdong and gives you access to all of the areas attractions.
The ENA Suite Hotel Namdaemun is tucked away in a quieter part of central Seoul, so if you’re looking for a modern budget hotel in the area that’s not as busy outside, this is a great option.
This hotel is perfect for visiting Deoksugung Palace and travelling to Hongdae from City Hall Station. There are also some nice cafes and bars in the area that are a bit quieter than in central Myeongdong.
Rooms: Make yourself at home in one of the 182 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators and LCD televisions. Complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms have designer toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include phones, as well as safes and desks.
Amenities: Enjoy recreational amenities such as an indoor pool and a fitness centre. This hotel also features complimentary wireless Internet access, concierge services, a banquet hall, 24-hour front desk, and multilingual staff. Limited parking is available onsite.
Dining: For lunch or dinner, stop by R.ENA, a restaurant that specialises in Italian cuisine. You can also grab snacks at the coffee shop/café.
Address: 36 Sejong-daero 11-gil, Seosomun-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul
3: Tmark Grand Hotel Myeongdong ★★★★
The Tmark Grand Hotel Myeongdong has some great rates for comfortable rooms and is probably one of the best budget hotels in Myeongdong for those looking to save money. What I like most about this hotel is the location. It towers above Hoehyeon Station and is within walking distance from Seoul Station – about 15 minutes away. You can even take the Seoullo 7017 garden walkway from Seoul Station most of the way. It’s opposite Namdaemun Market, meaning you won’t have to carry your shopping far.
Rooms: Make yourself at home in one of the 576 individually decorated guestrooms, featuring refrigerators and flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature deep soaking bathtubs and designer toiletries. Conveniences include laptop-compatible safes and desks, and you can also request irons/ironing boards.
Amenities: Be sure to enjoy recreational amenities including an indoor pool and a fitness center. Additional amenities at this Art Deco hotel include complimentary wireless Internet access, concierge services, a 24-hour front desk, and multilingual staff. Limited parking is available onsite.
Dining: For lunch or dinner, stop by Tour de Goumet Buffet, a restaurant that specializes in international cuisine. You can also grab snacks at the coffee shop/café. Buffet breakfasts are available daily from 7 AM to 10 AM for a fee.
Address: 194-15 Hoehyeondong 1-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul
4: Nine Tree Premier Hotel Myeongdong ★★★
Located in the heart of Myeongdong, just a few steps from Myeongdong Station, the Nine Tree Premier Hotel Myeongdong is a clean, comfortable and very affordable hotel that’s perfect for a wide range of travellers looking to explore Myeongdong.
Like other budget hotels in Myeongdong, this hotel offers great transportation links and is just two stops from Seoul Station. It’s also very convenient for the Incheon Airport limousine bus.
Rooms: Make yourself at home in one of the 144 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators. Complimentary wired and wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and satellite programming provides entertainment. Private bathrooms with bathtubs or showers feature complimentary toiletries and bidets. Conveniences include phones, as well as safes and desks.
Amenities: Make use of convenient amenities such as complimentary wireless Internet access, concierge services, a television in a common area, a 24-hour front desk. A roundtrip airport shuttle is provided for a surcharge (available 24 hours).
Dining: Enjoy a meal at the restaurant or snacks in the hotel’s coffee shop/café.
Address: 51 Myeongdong 10-gil, Chungmuro 2-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul
5: LOTTE City Hotel Myeongdong ★★★★
Lotte Hotels have a strong reputation for comfort and modern conveniences and you can’t go wrong booking one of their hotels. As with the other Lotte hotel on this list, there’s a lovely rooftop area where you can eat and take in the sights of Seoul. This iconic hotel, with the blue bowing man outside, is one of the most popular budget hotels in Myeongdong and enjoyed by travellers from around the world.
This hotel even offers a Muslim-friendly restaurant, Saffron, as well as the C-Cafe on the 27th floor.
Rooms: Make yourself at home in one of the 430 guestrooms featuring refrigerators and LED televisions. Complimentary wired and wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming provides entertainment. Private bathrooms have complimentary toiletries and bidets. Conveniences include phones, as well as safes and desks.
Amenities: Enjoy recreation amenities such as a health club or take in the view from a rooftop terrace. This hotel also features complimentary wireless Internet access, concierge services, and complimentary newspapers in the lobby. Limited parking is available onsite.
Dining: Grab a bite to eat at C’cafe, one of the hotel’s many dining establishments, which include 2 restaurants and a coffee shop/café. Buffet breakfasts are available daily from 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM for a fee.
Address: 362, Samil-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul South Korea
6: Hotel Midcity Myeongdong ★★★
Budget-conscious travellers might want to consider Hotel Midcity Myeongdong, which offers cozy double rooms for as little as $50 per night and family rooms from $70 per night. This is probably the best of these budget hotels in Myeongdong in terms of value for money. It’s located close to Cheonggyecheon Stream and a short walk from Gyeongbokgung Palace, making it perfect for sightseeing.
Rooms: Make yourself at home in one of the 140 air-conditioned rooms featuring LCD televisions. Complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms have complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include safes and desks, and housekeeping is provided daily.
Amenities: Take advantage of recreation opportunities such as a fitness centre or take in the view from a rooftop terrace and a garden. Featured amenities include a 24-hour front desk, and luggage storage.
Dining: Individually-wrapped food options are available through room service.
Address: 30, Dadong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul South Korea
7: Philstay Myeongdong ★★
Another great budget hotel option for those looking for a low-cost stay in Myeongdong in a convenient location. This hotel isn’t the most luxurious, but is very reasonably priced, has friendly management, and comes with a free (basic) breakfast.
You can get a good night’s rest in the city for as little as 40,000 KRW for a double room – the price of a BBQ dinner in one of the nearby restaurants. Close to Myeongdong Food Street and Myeongdong Cathedral for late night snacks or early morning church visits.
Rooms: Make yourself at home in one of the 25 air-conditioned guestrooms. Complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with showers feature hair dryers and slippers. Housekeeping is provided daily, and both refrigerators and irons/ironing boards are available on request.
Amenities: Make use of convenient amenities, which include complimentary wireless Internet access and concierge services. Featured amenities include a computer station, a 24-hour front desk, and multilingual staff.
Dining: Not available within the hotel.
Address: 17F 55, Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul South Korea
8: Myeongdong Rooftop Hostel ★
As you can see from the picture above, the draw of this hotel is definitely the view from the rooftop garden. The area surrounding Myeongdong offers some incredible sights, with mountains to the north and the iconic N Seoul Tower to the south.
This basic budget hotel is cheaper than most of the other tall hotels in the area, with double rooms from 50,000 KRW per night, even on the weekend. That gives you more money to spend on snacks and drinks to enjoy whilst taking in the night view.
Rooms: Make yourself at home in one of the 21 guestrooms featuring refrigerators and flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Bathrooms feature showers, hair dryers, and slippers. Conveniences include desks and microwaves, and housekeeping is provided daily.
Amenities: This guesthouse offers designated smoking areas. Featured amenities include luggage storage, laundry facilities, and microwaves in a common area.
Dining: Not available within the hotel.
Address: 47, Toegye-ro 20-gil, Seoul South Korea
9: Metro Hotel Myeongdong ★★★
Located in the northern part of Myeongdong, away from the markets and night stalls but close to Euljiro 1-ga subway station, the Metro Hotel is an ideal budget hotel for those looking to stay away from the crowds.
However, that doesn’t mean that it’s in an inconvenient location. It’s closer to popular sights, such as the royal palaces, Bukchon Hanok Village, and Jogyesa Temple. It’s also a few minutes away from the Jonggak Avenue of Youth – a popular place for eating and drinking at night that’s less touristy than the central Myeongdong.
Rooms: Make yourself at home in one of the 78 individually decorated guestrooms, featuring refrigerators and flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wired and wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming provides entertainment. Private bathrooms with bathtubs or showers feature bidets and hair dryers. Conveniences include phones, as well as safes and desks.
Amenities: Enjoy recreation amenities such as a fitness centre or take in the view from a terrace. This hotel features complimentary wireless Internet access, concierge services, and express check-out.
Dining: Enjoy a meal at the restaurant or snacks in the hotel’s 2 coffee shops/cafés. Buffet breakfasts are available daily from 7 AM to 10 AM for a fee.
Address: 14, Myeongdong 9ga-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul South Korea
10: Crown Park Hotel Seoul ★★★★
The Crown Park Hotel is a large hotel situated close to the Lotte Department Store, Seoul City Hall, and Deoksugung Palace. This hotel strikes a good balance between being a budget friendly hotel and offering a premium service.
Close to the airport limousine bus stop, markets, and department stores, this is a great budget hotel in Myeongdong for those looking to spend less on accommodation and more on shopping. You can even buy extra suitcases nearby for some of the lowest prices in town.
Rooms: Make yourself at home in one of the 204 guestrooms featuring refrigerators. Your pillowtop bed comes with premium bedding. Private bathrooms with showers feature designer toiletries and hair dryers. Complimentary wired and wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming provides entertainment.
Amenities: Take advantage of recreation opportunities such as a fitness center, or other amenities including complimentary wireless Internet access, concierge services, and complimentary newspapers in the lobby. Additional features at this hotel include a fireplace in the lobby and a banquet hall.
Dining: Enjoy a meal at The Park Dining or snacks in the hotel’s coffee shop/café.
Address: 19, Namdaemun-ro 7-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul South Korea
Traveller’s Guide To Myeongdong
There are not only lots of budget hotels in Myeongdong, there are also lots of cheap eats, discounted goods, and cheap (or even free) attractions to explore. If you’re not sure what there is to do in Myeongdong, here’s a quick guide to what to see, do, and eat in the area.
What To See In Myeongdong
Although not technically in Myeongdong, you can’t help but notice the colourful N Seoul Tower looking over the area from nearby Namsan Mountain.
Myeongdong is the best place to be if you want to visit this romantic lookout point that offers incredible views of Seoul in all directions.
To get to the N Seoul Tower, take the Namsan Cable Car or walk (it’s not really that far). You can get there by heading up the path behind Myeongdong Station.
You’ll also see Zaemiro Street in the same area, a special area dedicated to Korea’s comic and cartoon industry. Watch as you walk through the area and try to notice famous Korean characters, including Pororo the Penguin and Red & Yellow Larva.
Visit Myeongdong Street Food Street and sample all the delicious snacks on offer. In the middle of this street, you’ll also see the Myeongdong Theatre.
East of the street food street is the Myeongdong Cathedral, a gothic cathedral designed by French missionaries to Korea in the 19th Century.
Myeongdong is primarily known for shopping, staying, and eating, however, there are many sights nearby. Here are some of the attractions close to Myeongdong:
- Gyeongbokgung Palace
- Bukchon Hanok Village
- Jogyesa Temple
- Dongdaemun Design Plaza
- Namdaemun Market
- Cheonggyecheon Stream
- Deoksugung Palace
- Namsangol Hanok Village
There’s a lot more than this to see, of course. These are just some of the highlights of central Seoul.
If you want to know a few more things to see or do in Seoul, check out this article about the Best Things To Do In Seoul.
What To Do In Myeongdong
Myeongdong is known for one thing above all else – shopping.
There are a wide range of shops selling all kinds of goods, from luxury brands in department stores (and fakes in the street markets), to discounted Korean cosmetics, K-pop goods, clothing, souvenirs, and everything else.
Explore Myeongdong’s street markets or the busy Namdaemun Market (right next to Myeongdong) at all hours of the day, with shops open late into the night.
If you don’t want to shop, there’s also the Seoul Global Culture Centre to visit, where you can learn about Korean culture and try on Korean hanbok for free.
What To Eat In Myeongdong
The other attraction in Myeongdong is food.
There are a lot of chimaek (chicken and beer) and samgyeopsal (Korean BBQ) restaurants to check out that have given millions of tourists their first unforgettable taste of Korean dining.
Koreans love to spend the evenings chatting and enjoying coffee and cake together, which is why you’ll find so many cafes in Myeongdong (and everywhere in Korea).
Check out the Korean desserts on offer, especially if you’re visiting in summer when you can enjoy one of Korea’s best treats – bingsu (shaved ice dessert).
Of course, the best options are outside. That’s where you’ll find Myeongdong’s iconic street food. There’s a whole street dedicated to food stalls in the heart of Myeongdong.
Try a variety of authentic Korean snacks, such as tteok-bokki, hotteok, and gyeran-ppang, as well as more modern treats such as tornado potato and cheesy lobster tails. If you want more inspiration for what to eat, check out my Top 20 Traditional Korean Dishes that you won’t want to miss.
Not sure where to eat? Why not book a meal at Myeongdong-jeong and try an authentic Korean meal with a range of mouthwatering main dishes and dozens of banchan (Korean side dishes).
Not sure if Myeongdong is right for you? If you’re looking for a fun neighbourhood packed with exciting things to do, live performances, and amazing restaurants, be sure to visit Hongdae.
If you’ve visited Korea before, or want to check out Korea’s designer clothes stores & upmarket restaurants, then Gangnam would probably suit you more (guide coming soon).
Learn more: If you want to know more about Seoul’s best districts and figure out where the best place to stay for your trip to Korea, then check out my detailed guide about where to stay in Seoul. It’s packed with useful info about each neighbourhood, hotel recommendations for different budgets, and tips about booking accommodation in Seoul.
Learn More About Seoul
If you want to find out more about what to do, see, and explore in Seoul, then check out some of my other articles about Korea’s capital. Find out the 25 best free activities in Seoul, how the Discover Seoul Pass can save you a whole load of money on premium attractions in the city, and Seoul’s indoor activities where you can escape the weather.
If this is your first time in Seoul or Korea, I’d recommend getting a T-Money Card to help with transportation and paying for items in shops. It’s an essential accessory that works across Korea. Also check out my articles about where to stay in Seoul and my review of the JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square.
A Note About Booking Hotels In Seoul
I’ve used Agoda and Klook for prices. Other good hotel booking sites for Seoul and Korea include Hotels.com, and Booking.com. If you want to find the best prices, it’s worth taking a bit of time to check each of these sites and compare their prices.
I haven’t included the price of each hotel in this article as prices can vary a lot depending on the day of the week you’re booking, as well as the time of year. October in Korea is peak travel to see autumn leaves and March / April are peak travel months to see cherry blossoms. Check out this Korean season guide to see when Korea gets busy and what to do in each month.
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