The.walker

I've got a long layover later this year in Incheon. flight lands at 5 pm and doesn't depart till 1:45 the following day. Is Seoul worth visiting at night? I'm not interested in clubs/bars/drinking. Anything else you guys recommend? What about hotel? Should I book a hotel in Seoul or close to the airport? I looked into booking a room at airport hotel (inside the aiport) but they don't have rooms.

j223

I recommend booking a hotel in Seoul, preferably easily accessible via transit. The airport hotels are really out of the way to get to with public transit alone.

mikesaidyes

Absolutely - I mean it's either sit in a hotel and do NOTHING or go explore a new city you've never been to before. Hongdae is the best place to do this - everything is open late, it's an ACTIVITY hub - meaning there's shopping and cafes and all kinds of food. There are clubs in one area, but you don't have to go there. And then easy check out the next AM at 11 and go back to the airport. Take the local AREX train.

You can't really see any tourist sites in central Seoul with that evening arrival and next morning return to the airport.

The.walker

Would you recommend Hongdae or Myeongdong? We were considering Myeongdong... Also, specific name of the train station would be appreciated so that we can book a hotel in walking distance.

We are planning on checking in, taking a shower, going out for a stroll/checking out street food scene, going back to the hotel to sleep for a few hours and depending on how early we can wake up, checking out 1/2 spots before heading back to the airport to board our 1 pm flight.

warrens

Seoul is one of the best night-life cities in the entire world.

My suggestion is to get a hotel within a 20 minute walking distance of the Myeongdong Night Market and Namdaemun Market. Basically, anywhere in between Seoul Station and Eujiro-3 Station. You can get from either Gimpo or Incheon airports to Seoul Station on the AREX. Make sure to take the express train, not the all-stops local train, to save some time. (That said, the all-stop train is far superior for people-watching because it's mostly locals that use it.).

In the evening, just walk where-ever in that general area. It almost doesn't matter, you're going to be blown away by a hundred different things. In the morning, walk down the Cheonggyecheon.

Be aware that Google Maps is useless for walking directions in Korea... it only works for public transit.

mikesaidyes

Korea is DEAD in the mornings. Meaning, nothing is really open. Maybe a Starbucks or Paris Baguette or a Korean soup place that's 24 hours. Nothing gets started til 11 AM. Some tourist sites are open a little before that, just depends on the place and the day so check their website carefully. That's why I suggested Hongdae - more to do at night when you have time and things are open. In the morning, you would maybe get to see one place if even that in central Seoul. Hongdae will be VERY quiet before 11 AM for sure.

jope_taco

I appreciated your suggestions for the 10-hour layover in a separate thread, but wanted your thoughts on how to structure a 10-hour layover that falls much earlier in the day: one from 4:30am-2:30pm. I appreciate that not much will be open at that time, but are there any good neighborhoods (or scenic hills or river areas) that would make for a pretty and invigorating morning hike? It doesn't even need to be Seoul itself, if Incheon or other easily accessible spots.

timesnewroman

As the other person said, the options for tourism activities in Seoul are somewhat limited during the early hours of the day. You can either go to Namdaemoon market or Gwangjang market for an early morning bite option but you will also have nothing touristy to do immediately afterward. Also, many shops and attractions in these markets will be closed, resulting in a less vibrant and likely boring atmosphere.

Considering your limited time frame, one possible Seoul tourism crash course itinerary could be as follows:
Start your adventure by heading to Gwangjang Market for breakfast. Afterward, take a stroll along the Cheonggyecheon stream and immerse yourself in the ambiance of the urban waterway. Using the Cheonggyecheon path, make your way to Gyeongbokgung Palace, which opens at 9 am. Explore the palace grounds, capture some pretty pictures, and hopefully learn a bit about the history of Korea. If you prefer, you can choose to prioritize Namsan Tower over visiting the palace, as the cable car service to the tower starts operating at 10 am.

After your palace visit to either the palace or Namsan Tower, you can proceed to the Myeongdong area. This is an area that begins to bustle around lunchtime and offers a multitude of dining options, ranging from local street food to international cuisines. It's also a great place to relax and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea at one of the many charming cafes if you prefer a relaxing beverage over lunch. Afterward, it will probably be time to return to the airport to catch your flight.

Please note that this is just one example of a Seoul tourist itinerary that can fit within your given timeline. Adjustments can be made based on your personal preferences and the opening hours of specific attractions. Insadong, Namdaemoon, or Bukchon Hanok village are areas nearby that you can visit alternatively to the places I've suggested.

okbuddyboi

Absolutely worth it! There are many restaurants to check out and it is even nice to just walk around. I'd recommend Hongdae, Myeongdong, and the Han River!

ElaineWChatman

Hongdae might be a more exciting choice for your evening stroll. However, if you prefer a shopping-centric experience with a wide range of street food options, Myeongdong would be a great fit. You may check other things you can do in Seoul at night https://www.expatolife.com/things-to...ight-in-seoul/

For that limited time, you may also want to consider getting a tour guide to maximize your trip in Seoul and give you recommendations about the place as well as the hotel and transportation. They are more expert on this. I see this guide offers a customized tour in Seoul so maybe you are interested to check https://gowithguide.com/korea/seoul/guides

Either way, hope you enjoy your quick stay in Seoul