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Seoul travel guide: AREX airport rail, Jongno vs Hongdae bases and Joseon palace routes

Seoul frames fourteenth-century Joseon dynasties palaces and tiled hanok roofs against the granite peaks of Bukhansan and Namsan, all connected by one of the world's most comprehensive subway networks. Staying north of the Han River in the historic core lets you walk between royal compounds, temple courtyards and futuristic design plazas.

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  1. Seoul (Approximate city location)

Location coordinates: Seoul.

Arrival and getting around in Seoul

Incheon International Airport (ICN) connects to Seoul Station in 43 minutes on the AREX Express Train or 59 minutes on the cheaper AREX All-Stop Train (which also stops at Hongik University Station for Hongdae and Gimpo Airport).

  • Buy a T-money card at any airport convenience store (or an integrated Climate Card for unlimited central Seoul subway and bus rides) and load it with Korean won cash for instant tap-in transfers.
  • Standard foreign map apps lack turn-by-turn walking navigation in South Korea; download Naver Map or KakaoMap in English before leaving the airport, especially for navigating steep alleys in Bukchon Hanok Village and Ihwa Mural Village.
  • KTX high-speed trains to Busan and Gyeongju depart directly from Seoul Station (Lines 1, 4 and AREX) and Yongsan Station.

Sources: Korea Tourism Organization: Seoul and Incheon, Bukchon Hanok Village geographic reference (Q490981)

Where to stay in Seoul

For a two-to-four-day stay, base yourself north of the Han River (Gangbuk) so you are within walking or two-stop subway distance of the main palaces and heritage lanes rather than commuting across bridges from Gangnam.

  • Jongno, Insadong and Anguk: peaceful cultural heart of Seoul within easy walking distance of Jogyesa Temple, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village and Changdeokgung Palace.
  • Hongdae (Hongik University) or Myeongdong: Hongdae gives you direct AREX All-Stop airport train access and lively evening cafés, while Myeongdong offers central Line 2 and Line 4 connections at the foot of Namsan.
  • Keep in mind that Bukchon Hanok Village and Ihwa Mural Village are active residential neighbourhoods with curfews and quiet-hours rules for visitors; speak softly and respect resident-only zones.

Sources: Bukchon Hanok Village geographic reference (Q490981), Ihwa Mural Village geographic reference (Q12613230)

Two-day route for Seoul

Keep Day 1 focused on the royal palace belt along the northern ridge of Jongno and Day 2 on the eastern city wall, fortress hill and Dongdaemun architecture.

  • Day 1 (Grand Palaces and Hanok lanes): start at 09:00 at Gyeongbokgung Palace (closed Tuesdays), walk past lantern-draped Jogyesa Temple, climb the quiet morning ridges of Bukchon Hanok Village and spend the afternoon in UNESCO-listed Changdeokgung Palace and its Secret Garden.
  • Day 2 (Fortress wall and Design Plaza): take Line 4 to Hyehwa to walk the hilltop steps and Naksan Park fortress wall around Ihwa Mural Village, then descend in the afternoon to Zaha Hadid's curving aluminum DDP (Dongdaemoon Design Plaza), which looks its best illuminated after dusk.
  • Rainy or freezing day alternative: explore the vast National Museum of Korea (Ichon Station, direct indoor underpass) or the Starfield COEX Library.

Sources: Korea Tourism Organization: Seoul and Incheon, Bukchon Hanok Village geographic reference (Q490981), Ihwa Mural Village geographic reference (Q12613230), Seoul geographic reference (GeoNames 1835848)

Seasonal timing and practical rhythm

Seoul has four distinct continental seasons: crisp, colourful springs and autumns, a hot and humid East Asian monsoon summer in July and August, and dry, sub-zero winters from December to February.

  • April to May (cherry blossoms and mild 18 to 23 °C days) and October to early November (vivid ginkgo and maple foliage inside Changdeokgung Palace) are the ideal months to visit.
  • Note palace closing days when planning: Gyeongbokgung Palace closes on Tuesdays, while Changdeokgung Palace, Jogyesa precincts' museums and Deoksugung close on Mondays.

Sources