Myeongdong, Hongdae or Gangnam?
For a first trip, choose your Seoul base by airport access and the places you will actually visit—not by hotel price alone.
Quick answer
Myeongdong is the easiest all-round sightseeing base, Hongdae works well for airport access and nightlife, and Gangnam suits travelers focused on southern Seoul, shopping and business districts.
Choose by travel pattern
Strong for palaces, central Seoul, shopping and short first-time stays. It reduces cross-city movement when many classic sights are on your list.
Useful for airport-rail access, cafés, nightlife and a younger neighborhood feel. It can be especially convenient after a long flight.
Best when your plans are concentrated south of the river. It is less efficient if most of your sightseeing is around palaces and older central districts.
A cheaper hotel can cost more in daily transport time. Compare airport transfer + daily route + final-night airport access.
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