Staying in Gangnam: Pros, Cons and Who It Suits

Last checked: Oct 2026

In short


Best for	Shopping, dining, business trips, trains and buses south
Not ideal for	A palace-and-markets first trip
Main subway	Line 2, Line 9 (express), Line 3, Shinbundang Line
Nearby transport hubs	Express Bus Terminal, Suseo Station (KTX)

Gangnam’s neighborhoods

“Gangnam” covers a big area south of the river. Pick your corner:

Area	Known for	Station
Gangnam Station	Dense restaurant and café streets, nightlife, new food trends	Line 2, Shinbundang Line
Sinsa / Garosu-gil	Tree-lined street of boutiques, beauty shops and cafés	Sinsa (Line 3), Exit 8
Apgujeong & Cheongdam	Luxury fashion, select shops, beauty flagships	Apgujeong Rodeo (Suin-Bundang Line); Cheongdam (Line 7)
Samseong / COEX	Convention center, COEX mall, Starfield Library, Bongeunsa Temple	Samseong (Line 2); Bongeunsa (Line 9)

Pros

Food and shopping everywhere, from street-level chains to luxury flagships.
Transport south:
- Seoul Express Bus Terminal (Lines 3, 7 and 9), with buses to Busan, Daegu, Gangneung and more.
- Suseo Station, in Gangnam district, with high-speed trains to Busan. Since September 2026 they run as KTX. See Seoul to Busan by train.
Sights nearby: COEX’s Starfield Library (free, 10:30–22:00), Bongeunsa Temple (free, 5:00–22:00), and Seoul Sky and Seokchon Lake in Jamsil.
Late-night airport bus: the N6000 runs from Incheon to the Express Bus Terminal after the trains stop. See late-night arrival.

Cons

Far from the palaces: Gyeongbokgung, Bukchon, Insadong and the old markets are across the river. Line 3 from Sinsa or the Express Bus Terminal runs straight to Gyeongbokgung Station, but it’s a longer ride than from a central base.
Spread out: the neighborhoods are far apart, so you’ll use the subway even within Gangnam.
Can be pricier: in the upscale areas around Apgujeong and Cheongdam especially, compare prices before you book.

Who should stay somewhere else?

First trip, mainly sightseeing: Myeongdong or Jongno
Nightlife on a budget: Hongdae
Cafés with a local feel: Seongsu

Compare all the areas in where to stay in Seoul. Planning a Gangnam day? See day 5 of Seoul in 5 days.

FAQ

Is Gangnam a good area to stay in Seoul?

Yes, for shopping, dining, nightlife and business, or if you're catching an early train or bus south. For a first sightseeing trip focused on palaces and markets, Myeongdong or Jongno are more convenient.

Which part of Gangnam should I stay in?

Around Gangnam Station for food, nightlife and transport; Sinsa (Garosu-gil) for boutiques and cafés; Samseong (COEX) for business, the Starfield Library and Bongeunsa Temple.

How do I get to Gangnam from Incheon Airport?

An airport limousine bus is easiest, since the train needs transfers. Late at night, the N6000 bus runs to the Express Bus Terminal (₩17,000).