The Best Budget Hotels in Seoul by Area

If you are choosing based on price alone, Dongdaemun (동대문). Of the 11 budget hotels in Seoul compiled by the travel app NEWT, Toyoko Inn Seoul Dongdaemun No.2 was the cheapest at approximately 10,611 yen per night. Even within the same “10,000-yen range,” Myeongdong (명동) starts at 15,126 yen, while Gangnam (강남) starts at 20,560 yen.

Seoul has an extensive subway network, so you can get around no matter where you stay. That is why “where to stay” may seem like a matter of preference, but when you line up the prices, the difference is clear. Between Dongdaemun and Gangnam, the difference works out to nearly 30,000 yen for three nights.

When you put each area’s character and prices in the same table, the answer becomes surprisingly easy to determine. The three things to consider are the approximate price per night, the distance from the station, and how late the neighborhood stays active.

First, the price table. Here are the approximate rates for the four areas

Listing one representative hotel from each area gives you a clear picture of the price ranges. All prices are approximate per-night rates per room.

Area	Hotel	Approx. per night	Location notes
Dongdaemun	Toyoko Inn Seoul Dongdaemun No.2	Approx. 10,611 yen	Just outside Exit 4 of Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station
Namdaemun	Hotel 8 Hours	Approx. 13,418 yen	City Hall area, very close to Myeongdong
Myeongdong	ibis Styles Ambassador Seoul Myeongdong	Approx. 15,126 yen	Two minutes on foot from Myeongdong Station
Myeongdong	Nine Tree by Parnas Seoul Myeongdong 1	Approx. 18,438 yen	Central Myeongdong
Gangnam	Hotel Senne	Approx. 20,560 yen	Gangnam area
Gangnam	Hotel Cappuccino	Approx. 26,086 yen	Gangnam area

The difference between the cheapest option in Dongdaemun and Hotel Cappuccino in Gangnam is approximately 15,000 yen. That is equivalent to several lunches for one night, or roughly the amount of an increase in airfare for three nights. When choosing accommodation in Seoul, deciding without comparing because “everywhere is in the 10,000-yen range” can cost you the most.

---

Dongdaemun: The Lowest Prices and a City That Stays Open Until Morning

Dongdaemun is an area where wholesale markets and massive fashion malls blend together. Many fashion malls stay open until dawn, and restaurants also operate through the morning. It is one of the few places in Seoul where you can sightsee during the day and shop from evening onward.

The most affordable option, Toyoko Inn Seoul Dongdaemun No.2, is just outside Exit 4 of Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station (동대문역사문화공원역), served by Subway Lines 2, 4, and 5. Since it is right in front of a station where three lines intersect, it is easy to get to both Myeongdong and Gangnam. The surrounding area also has plenty of restaurants, shopping spots, and convenience stores.

The hotel grand-opened in November 2018, and the rooms are clean. In addition to bath amenities, a hair dryer, electric kettle, refrigerator, and TV, the bathtub with a shower is especially welcome on a shopping trip with lots of luggage. The staff can assist in Japanese, making things easier even for first-time visitors to Korea.

Other options in Dongdaemun include Hotel Skypark Kingstown Dongdaemun and Travelodge Dongdaemun Hotel. If you are planning a night-oriented schedule, this area is the natural choice.

Myeongdong: How Much Should You Pay to Be Two Minutes from the Station?

Myeongdong is a classic choice among classic choices. Famous restaurants, cosmetics shops, and department stores are concentrated within walking distance, so you can usually find the products you are looking for and all the classic local foods. Food stalls line the main street, making it easy to enjoy street food while shopping.

ibis Styles Ambassador Seoul Myeongdong costs approximately 15,126 yen per night and is a two-minute walk from Myeongdong Station. You can leave your luggage and head straight out into the city, then return whenever you get tired. NINE TREE BY PARNAS SEOUL MYEONGDONG 1 is a step up at approximately 18,438 yen. Henn na Hotel Seoul Myeongdong is another option in this area.

The difference from Dongdaemun is approximately 4,500 yen. It is easier to understand this difference if you think of it as paying for “how many times you can return to the hotel in a day.” If your trip assumes that you will return to leave your shopping bags, spending a few extra thousand yen in Myeongdong is not excessive.

Editor's note: Buying cosmetics in bulk can take up surprisingly much space. The shorter the trips back and forth between the hotel and shops, the less likely you are to run out of energy and activity in the latter half of the day.

Namdaemun: Save ¥2,000 next to Myeongdong

Namdaemun Market (남대문시장) is Seoul’s oldest market, with a 600-year history. It has everything from food and Korean goods to household items, accessories, and fashion items, making it the top area for souvenir shopping. Food stalls line the streets from morning until around evening, and sampling affordable local street food is another highlight here.

Hotel 8 Hours costs approximately ¥13,418 per night. That is about ¥1,700 cheaper than ibis in Myeongdong, but about ¥2,800 more expensive than Dongdaemun, placing it somewhere in the middle. Other options in this area include Clabben Hotel Myeongdong City Hall and Hotel Mido Myeongdong.

Namdaemun and Myeongdong are within walking distance of each other, making it a practical alternative when you want to stay in Myeongdong but it does not fit your budget. Since the market starts early, it also works well with itineraries for early risers.

---

Gangnam: There is a reason people choose it despite the high prices

Gangnam is a sophisticated area lined with skyscrapers and luxury brands. COEX MALL (코엑스몰) and the affordable and popular underground shopping center at Gangnam Station are its two main attractions. It is also one of Korea’s leading beauty districts, with numerous beauty salons and clinics concentrated in the area.

Prices are approximately ¥20,560 at Hotel Senne and ¥26,086 at Hotel Cappuccino. They are clearly higher than in other areas. Even so, people choose Gangnam because on days when you have treatment or salon appointments, the travel time itself becomes a risk. If you are undergoing a procedure with downtime, staying nearby is even more beneficial.

Conversely, if you have no beauty-related plans and your trip mainly revolves around shopping and sightseeing, there is little reason to stay in Gangnam. The difference of around ¥10,000 could instead be spent shopping in Myeongdong or Dongdaemun.

The deciding factor is “what you want to prioritize”

Once you organize the options by purpose, most of the uncertainty disappears.

• As cheaply as possible: Dongdaemun. From around ¥10,000 per night, with the added advantage of being located by a station served by three lines
• Shopping and food tours with minimal travel: Myeongdong. Choosing a hotel within about a two-minute walk of the station makes your day more efficient
• Bulk souvenir shopping＋adjusting your budget: Namdaemun. Within walking distance of Myeongdong and one tier cheaper
• Staying out all night・fashion buying: Dongdaemun. There is value in staying in a neighborhood that remains active until morning
• Traveling to Korea for beauty treatments: Gangnam. Prices are higher, but travel before and after appointments is shorter

Even if you save ¥2,000 per night on accommodation, the savings can disappear in taxi fares and the fatigue of getting around. Rather than choosing an area based on “cheapness,” it is ultimately more economical to decide based on how many times you will return to your hotel during the trip.

Summary

The lowest price is approximately 10,611 yen in Dongdaemun, while the highest is approximately 26,086 yen in Gangnam. In between are Namdaemun at 13,418 yen and Myeongdong at 15,126 yen—this is Seoul's budget hotel map. For shopping, choose Myeongdong or Dongdaemun; for beauty treatments, Gangnam; and for adjusting your budget, Namdaemun.

There is only one thing left to do. Open your itinerary and check which area you plan to spend the most time in. From there, choose accommodation within walking distance by comparing it with the price ranges above. Since listed prices fluctuate depending on the season, don't forget to check the actual price after entering your dates, too 🧳

Frequently Asked Questions

Which area in Seoul offers the cheapest accommodation?

Dongdaemun. Among the 11 budget hotels compiled by NEWT, Toyoko Inn Seoul Dongdaemun No. 2 was the cheapest at approximately 10,611 yen per night. The area is convenient for getting around to other neighborhoods, as it is right by Exit 4 of Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station, where Subway Lines 2, 4, and 5 are available.

Which is better value for money, Myeongdong or Namdaemun?

Namdaemun if you prioritize your budget. Hotel 8 Hours in Namdaemun costs approximately 13,418 yen, while ibis Styles Ambassador Seoul Myeongdong in Myeongdong costs approximately 15,126 yen—a difference of about 1,700 yen. Since the two areas are within walking distance of each other, choosing accommodation in Myeongdong is only necessary for those who plan to spend a long time shopping there.

Which area should I stay in if I am traveling to Korea for beauty treatments?

Gangnam is the standard choice. It is an area with many beauty salons and clinics, so you can minimize travel time before and after appointments. Accommodation is more expensive than in other areas, with Hotel Senne costing approximately 20,560 yen and Hotel Cappuccino approximately 26,086 yen, but the convenience of staying nearby becomes increasingly valuable on days packed with treatment appointments.