5 Most Recommended Accommodations in Seoul

Living in Seoul

Planning your trip to Seoul can be really exciting and intimidating in having to decide what kind of accommodation you will want to stay in during your time here. However we have a list of the 5 most recommended types of accommodations you can choose from, just remember to do your research and calculate your budget for housing!! (They are not ordered by rank)

Hotels

Depending on how long you will be staying in Seoul, booking a hotel room might be the best option for you and pretty convenient as well!! This option is great too if you are looking to having your own space and privacy. A Tip when looking for a hotel is to always check the location and amenities they have because being at the center of Seoul and close to the stations are the BEST, mostly if its your first time in Seoul!! 

Hamilton Hotel

If you have heard about the Namsan Tower or just Itaewon, you will know that they're the center of Seoul. As mentioned, being in the center of Seoul is really convenient if you are planning to explore all around Seoul west, east, north and south!! Itaewon is not too far from popular areas, it's about 15 min from Hongdae on Subway as well as Gangnam, and about 20 min to Myeongdong. 

The Hamilton Hotel is  located right next to Itaewon Station and on the main street of restaurants, shops and clubs!! Also Itaewon is known to be foreigner friendly so there are quite a few restaurants catering to foreign foods and stores with foreign style clothes. The Hotel also includes a gym (complimentary access) and a rooftop pool (but additional charges might apply), the rooftop is quite popular for sun tanning!! 

Follow this link to Book a room!!

If this Hotel doesn't sound as great, visit this Website for other great Hotels in Seoul!! 

Guest House/Dormitory

This option is among the most popular choices since is more affordable and having the opportunity to meet many people around the world. A usual Guest House would be a place where you either have your own room or share a room and share the common spaces such as the kitchen, living room and sometimes bathroom. There all kinds of styles for this and Dormitories are considered the same. 

Heima Guesthouse Hongdae

This guesthouse is considered as the best one in Seoul by many visitors, anyone who stayed there has left with great memories!! Each room has FREE Wifi and if you are going to stay for long term it will be cheaper!! The rooms are well air-conditioned,a private bathroom with hairdryer, has satellite flat-screen TV, provides a concierge service and luggage storage for guests. Also their location is great for those who will stay around Mapo-gu such as Hongdae, Hapjeong and Sinchon. They are only about 700 m from Hongik University, 2.8 Km from Ewha Womans University and 5 km I'Park mall (which is great for shopping and repairing shops).

Also if you love breakfast, they provide continental breakfast daily!! If you are going to be travelling with someone, they have a rating of 9.8 out of 10 for two-person stay satisfaction!! If you are afraid of a language barrier.... Don't Worry since they have bilingual staffs that can easily help you in anything you need!! 

Follow this link to Book a space!! 


Goshiwon

Maybe if you are familiar with Korean culture, you may have heard of this type of housing most Korean students pick because of their affordable price and locations. Goshiwons are buildings offering small rooms with a desk, chair, cupboard, closet and your bed. The space is really limited and some of the halls offer free rice or noodles!! This type of housing is considered the cheapest option for a University student to pick. 

Since there are a few Universities international students may be attending it's hard to tell which Goshiwon is the "best" therefore follow the link below where there is a website with all the information about booking a goshiwon room!!! 

Click Here!


Stay with 42SHARE

Another great option is to stay with us, 42SHARE!! We hope you have read through our blog posts and watched our amazing residents' videos, they certainly are great and had a memorable time with us during their studies. One of the many reasons you should consider to stay with us, is that we have housing halls in great and convenient locations if you will be studying at Ewha, Yonsei, or Sogang University!! 

To be honest, it will be a lot more affordable for you to stay with us if you are planning to be in Seoul for a long term. Because our prices are reasonable due to the location, room conditions, and the spaces we provide for you to feel comfortable. We have different kinds of rooms you could stay in, depending on how you want to live, such as rooms with their own kitchen and rooms without one but there is a common Kitchenette at the rooftop of the building. 

Click this link to read more about the different kinds of rooms we offer and to start your booking!!

On-Campus Dormitory

A popular and sometimes most convenient form of housing for international students are to just stay at the university's on-campus dormitory. Yes, they can be a cheaper option and more comfortable as well, but there are a lot of restrictions and rules that residents NEED to follow or you will automatically be kicked out!! 

Some of the rules include, having a curfew which usually is 11 pm to 12 am, no guests of the opposite sex or sometimes no guests at all!! Depending on which university you end up going the rules may vary but are all quite similar, also you need to remember how to sort out your trash well or penalties will be applied without warning!! 

For this case, we recommend to look into your University's Dorm rules before signing and think of how you would want your schedule to be like once you are in Korea, will their rules restrict you from excelling your time in Seoul? 

Feel uneasy about the whole Korean recycling system? click HERE for a guide!!  


We hope this short list of different types of most recommended accommodations in Seoul helps you to decide how you would like to live your time in Korea and that you decide what is best for you!! 

Living or Studying in Seoul?

Getting Yourself Around Seoul 

As we discussed on our last post about "Are you an International Student Coming to Seoul?"  some of the apps are meant to either use the Subway, Bus or Taxi, however how does each one work?

What do You Need? 

As you may or will notice, Seoul has one of the best Public Transportation systems due to how accessible it is to get to your destination! In order to use them you will need a special card/pass and learn how to use them. 

There are three main types of cards/passes: 

❒ T-money Card: 

         ◽ Re-loadable card 

         ◽ Base fee ₩3,000 

         ◽ How? just press the card on the payment sensor upon entering and leaving the subway station or Buses 

(DON'T FORGET TO DO SO GOING OUT THE BUS OR IT WILL CONTINUE CHARGING) 

         ◽When leaving Seoul, you can go to any metro ticket office and receive the remaining balance. 

❒ Seoul City Pass: 

        ◽ For Foreign tourists 

        ◽ Be able to ride subway or bus up to 20 times a day  

        ◽ Be able to get on and off the Seoul City Bus unlimited times

        ◽ 1 Day: ₩15,000      2 Day:₩25,000      3 Day:₩30,000

❒ Seoul City Pass Plus:

        ◽ For Foreign Tourists 

        ◽ Operates just like a T-money Card 

        ◽ Offers discounts at various tourist attractions 

        ◽ Will work anywhere in Korea where T-money is accepted, such as Busan or Jeju 

SIDE NOTE: This doesn't mean that foreigners can't purchase a regular T-money Card, just the last two options are recommended for those not staying for a long time :) 

Seoul Subway Lines

If you haven't downloaded the recommended apps, here is a link to view the subway lines and you should be able to see how long point A to B would take you. As explained in our other posts, the apps will show you the map in English and Korean, so will the subway itself! 

Each subway station has their labels in both languages and in popular subway lines such as the Airport Railroad line, will announce each stop in Chinese as well. Another thing during the announcement of each stop it will let you know which side of the train the doors will open and sometimes have a lighting signal too. 

❒ Trains start running around 5:30 am until Midnight

❒ During special holidays trains may go on pass Midnight in order to make sure people get back home safe. 

❒ Usual base fare of ₩1,350 ($1.27 USD) for 10 km 

❒ Rush hours are: 6:00 am to 9:00 am and 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm 

        ◽ Also during those times trains come every 2 to 3 minutes

        ◽ If there are events happening around, then there can be a lot more people as well

        ◽ Weekends in hot spots stations can get hectic as well

❒ If you are carrying big items with you, such as your luggage, we recommend to go to the ends of the train as there will be a little bit more space :) 

Rules to Follow 

Of course we want to be and feel safe wherever we go and South Korea do their best to stay that way. However some items that may have been thought to be OK  to bring in public transportation in other countries, are a complete no no in South Korea. 

Classification	Prohibited and restricted items	Fine
Hazardous items	Explosives, high-pressure gas, flammable liquids, combustibles, oxidizing agents, toxic and infectious substances, radioactive materials, corrosives, narcotics, guns, swords, and other harmful items and substances	Up to KRW 100,000
Prohibited items (other than hazardous items)	1. Heaters and cooking stoves (unless packed and not prepared for use) 2. Animals (except guide dogs and small pets that are caged and wrapped so that they cannot be seen or smelled) 3. Unclean and odorous materials that may irritate other passengers 4. Balloons that may cause safety concerns and disturb subway operation by coming into contact with power cables 5. Other items that may cause harm to passengers	Up to KRW 5,400
Restricted items	Items larger than 158cm in length, width, and height (sum of all three measurements) and heavier than 32kg (wheelchairs, strollers, and folding bicycles excluded)	Up to KRW 900

Behaviors not permitted in subway stations or on subway trains

• Possession of hazardous items

• Actions that may irritate or pose a risk to the safety of other passengers

• Solicitation of donations, sale of merchandise, public speaking, proselytizing-related activities, etc.

• Verbal abuse, making of loud noises, use of subway stations or trains as shelters by the homeless, entering of restricted areas, etc.

• Smoking, distribution or posting of ads and/or flyers, and littering

• Interference with the opening or closing of train doors or train operation

• Improper use of devices or equipment, such as pressing the emergency stop button on a subway train or pulling the emergency lever to open the train doors in a non-emergency situation

• Refusal to follow the instructions of subway staff members or interference with employees’ performance of their duties through violent acts and/or threats

Information provided by Seoul Metro click this link for more information and details!!

In the subway you will notice that there are Pororo or Food characters showing how one should act in the subway as well as showing how to use the emergency exits and what to do. 

Also there are pink seats in some of the train's sections which are designated seats for the "vulnerable" such as pregnant women, elderly, or people with a disability. Please make sure to give up to seat for those who need it the most!!! There is also an area for the elderly which are the seats near to the transition doors to go from subway car to subway car. If you don't want to be awkwardly stared at or yelled by an elderly avoid the designated area :)  

Seoul Buses

Sometimes if your destination is not too far you may be able to take a bus and get there faster and cheaper!! But not all buses are the same so make sure you look well at the number and color of the Bus your app tells you :) 

❒ Bus arrivals vary on each route and some may take 5 min or up to 15 min

❒ The start time is around 4:30 a.m and continue on to 1:00 a.m 

Type of Buses:

❒Ilban Bus/City Bus: 

     ◽ They come in yellow, blue and green

     ◽ Bus numbers indicate the area of departure and arrival

     ◽ Blue Bus connects suburban areas to downtown Seoul

     ◽ Green Bus connects major subway stations or bus terminals to downtown Seoul.

     ◽ Yellow Bus circles downtown Seoul and stops at stations for blue buses and major railway stations, business, tourist and shopping areas as well. 

❒ Red Bus

     ◽ Express bus, are the quickest of the group since it makes fewer stops

     ◽ Has a seat for every passenger 

     ◽ Access to Ilsan, Bundang, Suji, Suwon, Anyang and Incheon

❒Maeul Bus

     ◽ Smaller community-based 

     ◽ Runs shorter routes, including residential areas

     ◽ Easy to spot by their size 

• 
  
• Bus Fare

• • Bus	Regular	Youth（13 - 18 years old)	Child（6 - 12 years）
    Blue·Green bus	1,150 won	1,150 won (T-Money 720 won)	450 won
    Maeul bus	850 won	550 won	300 won
    Yellow bus	950 won	800 won	350 won
    Red bus	1,950 won	1,800 won	1,200 won

    ※ If you use a prepaid or post transit card on the bus, you get a 100 won discount on each ride. However, keep in mind that foreign tourists who are children cannot receive a children’s discount.
    ※ Children ages 5 and under can ride for free. (Up to 3 children allowed per adult.)
    ※ The stated fares are basic fares that cover up to 10 km; after that, the cost is an additional 100 won per 5 km. 
     

• Getting on & off the Bus / Paying your fare
• • Get on the bus using the front door, and pay your fare by either scanning your transit card or paying in cash. While you can pay your fare in coins, you cannot pay using bigger bills like a 5,000 won, 10,000 won or higher. If you’re not using a transit card or don’t have your card on you, take out a 1,000 won bill and get ready to pay with that. When the bus is approaching the stop at which you’d like to get off, hit one of the buzzers. Most of the time, the next stop will be announced on the intercom in both Korean and English. If you use a transit card, make sure you scan your card once again when you get off.
  • 
    

• Bus Route Guide
• • Investigate at Visit Seoul to search for bus routes. You can pick your point of departure and destination on the map, and it’ll show you the best route, price, and amount of time required for travel. You can also choose to take a combination of transportation options, such as the subway plus the bus, etc. Also one of the apps for navigation should provide you the same information. 
  • 
    
  • Transferring to a Different Line or Bus
  • Check to see if you need to transfer to a different subway line or a bus in order to get to your destination prior to getting on the train or bus. Then, check the line or bus number that you need to transfer to and the right direction that you need to take in order to get to your destination. You can transfer up to 5 times for free. You have to make sure to transfer within 30 minutes of scanning your transit card (an hour from 9pm to 7am) at the exit of the last station or bus.

• 
  
• For more information on the Seoul city bus, investigate at Visit Seoul.
• Information derived from here

Getting a Taxi without the App

Let's say it is late at night and the Subway Stations are closed and Buses are not running anymore! We need a Taxi! 

For this make sure that you have the direction written in Korean or a screenshot in your phone because we can't guarantee that each one will speak English. However if you know a few Korean words there shouldn't be any problems!!

There are different types of taxis, but we are only going to talk about two kinds.

The first one are Regular Taxis which commonly are Orange, Silver or White color and with a taxi sign on top. They start with a cost between ₩2,800 to ₩3,000 and ₩100 for every 144 meters. Also fares tend to increase by 20% after midnight until dawn. 

The second type are the Deluxe Taxis, which come in black with yellow stripes. Prices are slightly higher starting with ₩3,200 to ₩5,000 and ₩200 for every 144 meters. The difference with these is that they are generally more comfortable and offer payment by credit cards, receipts and no nighttime surcharges. 

Also knowing what the color means by the color of the taxis is important or else you will just get frustrated. 

When a Taxi has red lights, it means that it is free and available, a blue light indicates the Taxi is reserved and no light is out of service! 

Click Here for more information about types of Taxis!! 

Why Seoul Student Housing 42SHARE is chosen for many foreign student

In my previous post, I had mentioned about my definition of home and the importance of having a place to call home in a new environment. In the middle of looking for a ‘home’ I have found my own place to call home, and the name of the place is called 42SHARE. Now, I will tell you why I chose 42SHARE more specifically and in details. And I believe that a lot of people selected this place for similar reasons as mine. 

At 42SHARE you get to meet new, interesting people and create your own Korean lifestyle and experience the domestic life at the very heart of Seoul, Sinchon. The first people that you will meet are the managers. The managers do a good job at helping to ease the pace and locate yourself when you first get there specially if you are a first timer in Korea. They have people that speak fluently in English so those who are worried about language barrier do not have to worry. Since it is a place where people live, they try to be attentive on details where could be disturbing to us, the residents, and try to fix all the problems if there’s any upcoming difficulty. I don’t think there’s such a place where they try to be that attentive on the residents’ needs. This actually had provided me and the rest of the residents an easy Korean lifestyle. I didn’t have to go through by all the minimum daily problems by myself and made things easier. I would have struggled alone if I had selected another place to live.

#Study Lounge for entertainment and studies.

Like this, 42SHARE was the closest place that checked my wish list.

Talking about price, which is important, specially if you are a university student, it had a reasonable price, covering the extra expenses such as gas, water, electricity, etc. and it already has all the furniture that I needed, it was very modern comparing to other places, a good security system and the best part was that I got to live with other international students, people like me and have own private place at the same time! I was happy and lucky to find this place, so I contacted right away. They have various ways of communication so getting connected with them will be easy peasy! 

Yonsei Hall Rooftop

When I got there they had the prettiest and the most spacious study lounge. I liked the little details they focused on. I also liked the way they decorated the place; not too cold and studious atmosphere, but rather a cozy and fun-looking atmosphere. When studying in Korea, you’ll realize how much you’ll be going to cafes to do your studies, but later on I spent most of my studying time at the study lounge since is right below where I live. Not only that but I could also have a private space to study with my friends.

Yonsei Hall Shared Kitchen

The room was exactly what I needed. It has a perfect sized wardrobe, a private bathroom, a personal fridge and microwave, an AC which I could use it at any time, at any moment. I’m mentioning about the AC because most of the places in Seoul, the use of AC is restricted due to expensive electricity. But like I mentioned before, these expenses were already covered so it was all up to me how much I was gonna use it! They even have a pretty rooftop which is perfect to spend time when the weather is good. Since is right next to the kitchen, you can have a nice meal at the rooftop too! I really liked these common areas because good people are the reason why I call a place home and I did meet good people and made unforgettable memories while living at that place.

As a university student and as a foreign student studying in the Sinchon area, this place was the best choice I had made. It has everything a person, especially a university student needs in her or his daily university life and social life. Like me, hope you make the best choice for your future university experiences!

*This article is written by Park Jaewon who is studying as a foreigner and a Korean who experienced Seoul Student Housing42SHARE