Seoul's ultimate shopping and street food district, packed with K-beauty stores, fashion boutiques, and vibrant night markets.

About Myeongdong / City Center

Myeongdong is Seoul's premier shopping and tourism district, a compact grid of streets overflowing with Korean cosmetics brands (Innisfree, Etude House, Laneige, Olive Young), global fashion labels, and some of the city's best street food. The area draws millions of visitors annually, and on weekend evenings, the pedestrian streets are packed shoulder-to-shoulder.

Street food stalls sell everything from hotteok (sweet stuffed pancakes) and tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) to gyeran-bbang (egg bread) and 10-cm ice cream cones. Myeongdong Cathedral, an elegant Gothic brick church built in 1898, rises above the commercial frenzy as a symbol of Korean Catholicism's important role in the democracy movement.

The district sits at the intersection of old and new Seoul. Namsan Mountain and N Seoul Tower are accessible via cable car from the neighborhood's southern edge. Namdaemun Market and Cheonggyecheon Stream are short walks away. Myeongdong Station (Line 4) and Euljiro-1-ga Station (Line 2) provide fast subway connections across the city.

Nearby Landmarks

Myeongdong Shopping Street Namsan Tower Myeongdong Cathedral Namdaemun Market

Transport Options

Taxi

Cost ₩70,000-85,000 (~$54-65 USD)
Time 60-90 minutes

Follow "Taxi" signs at arrivals. Queue at official taxi stand. Metered fares, no need to negotiate.

Train (AREX Express + Seoul Metro Line 4)

Cost ₩10,750
Time 55 minutes
Frequency AREX Express every 30-40 min

Step-by-Step Directions

Take AREX express from Incheon Airport to Seoul Station (43 min). Transfer to Seoul Metro Line 4 (blue) toward Danggogae. Ride 2 stops to Myeongdong station. Exit at exit 6 for the main shopping area.

Quick Comparison

Option Cost Time Best For
Taxi ₩70,000-85,000 (~$54-65 USD) 60-90 minutes Convenience, groups, heavy luggage
Train ₩10,750 55 minutes Budget, avoiding traffic

Good to Know

Late Night Transport

AREX runs until ~10:40 PM (express) or 11:50 PM (commuter). Seoul subway runs until midnight. After that, KAL Limousine Bus 6015 runs with reduced late-night frequency. A taxi from ICN to Myeongdong costs ₩75,000-100,000 ($55-72) at night. Myeongdong shops close around 10 PM but restaurants stay open later.

Luggage Tips

AREX and subway both have luggage space. The transfer at Seoul Station to Line 4 requires navigating one level change (elevators available). Myeongdong Station has lockers at exits 5 and 6 (₩1,000-3,000). Hotels in Myeongdong are generally within 5-10 minutes of the station.

Accessibility

AREX and Seoul Metro are fully wheelchair accessible. Myeongdong Station has elevators (some exits). The shopping streets are flat and paved, but extremely crowded on weekends—wheelchair navigation can be slow. Accessible taxis via Kakao T are a good alternative.