Seoul Station: Transport Info, Food and Things To Do Nearby

Last Updated on April 19, 2026

Seoul Station (서울역) is one of the busiest transit hubs in Korea, the terminus for KTX high-speed trains, the connection point for two subway lines, the stop for the AREX airport express from Incheon, and home to a major intercity bus terminal. If you’re arriving in Seoul from the airport or leaving the city by train, you’ll be here.

But once you’re oriented, Seoul Station is also worth spending time at. The original 1925 station building next door is now a free arts and culture center. The Seoullo 7017 elevated walkway, a former road converted into an urban park, starts from here. There’s street art, a hidden mirror plaza, a striking history museum, and restaurants worth planning around rather than settling for whatever’s available inside the terminal.

This guide covers both: how the station works for people passing through, and what to do and eat if you have time to explore.

Want to see the must see places near Seoul Station? Here is what you shouldn’t miss:

• Seoul Station Quick Guide
• How Seoul Station Works: Transport Overview
• Where To Stay Near Seoul Station
• What To See Around Seoul Station
• Where To Eat Near Seoul Station
• FAQ

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Seoul Station Quick Guide

Address	405 Hangang-daero, Yongsan-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 용산구 한강대로 405)
Subway Lines	Line 1 (dark blue) and Line 4 (light blue)
KTX	High-speed trains to Busan, Daegu, Gwangju, and beyond
AREX	Airport express to Incheon International Airport (direct: 43 min; all-stop: ~60 min)
Intercity Buses	Major bus terminal in front of station
City Airport Terminal	Check-in for select airlines before heading to Incheon (verify current operating airlines)
T-Money	Essential for subway and bus, top up at any convenience store or station machine
Korea Rail Pass	Worth buying if doing multiple train trips; purchase on Klook

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How Seoul Station Works: Transport Overview

Seoul Station is the junction of several different transport systems, which can feel confusing on arrival. Here’s how to orient yourself.

Subway: Lines 1 and 4 both stop here. Line 1 (dark blue) runs north-south through the city center; Line 4 (light blue) is the diagonal line that connects Nowon in the north through Myeongdong, Seoul Station, and south toward Ansan. Both connect to dozens of transfer points across the city. Get a T-Money card if you don’t already have one, it works on all subway lines, buses, and some taxis, and gives a small transfer discount when switching between modes.

KTX and intercity trains: Seoul Station is the northern terminus for the Gyeongbu Line, which runs KTX high-speed trains south toward Suwon, Daejeon, Daegu, and Busan. Saemaul, Mugunghwa, and Nooriro slower trains also depart here for regional destinations. If you’re planning multiple train journeys around Korea, the Korea Rail Pass saves money over individual tickets. Buy it on Klook before you go.

AREX (Airport Express): The fastest connection to Incheon International Airport runs from Seoul Station. The direct express train takes approximately 43 minutes and costs ₩9,500. The all-stop service takes around 60 minutes and costs significantly less. Both run frequently. The Discover Seoul Pass includes a free AREX ride, worth knowing if you have one. Buy the Discover Seoul Pass on Klook.

Intercity buses: A large bus terminal in front of the station handles buses to destinations throughout the country. Check schedules at the terminal itself or via the Kobus website for routes and booking.

City Airport Terminal: Seoul Station houses a terminal where some airlines allow early check-in and baggage drop before your Incheon flight. Verify which airlines currently participate and operating hours before relying on this, services have changed in recent years.

Getting around from Seoul Station: Seoul Station’s central location makes it a convenient base for the city. Myeongdong is one stop away on Line 4. The War Memorial of Korea and Namsan Mountain are accessible nearby. If you’re going further, the subway covers virtually every major tourist destination.

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Hotels Near Seoul Station

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What To See Around Seoul Station

The spots below are all within walking distance. Seoul Station’s central location connects you to much more further out, but these are the places you can walk to right from the station exit.

Culture Station Seoul 284

Standing directly in front of the main station entrance is a building that most people walk past on the way to the trains: the original 1925 Seoul Station, now an arts and culture center called Culture Station Seoul 284.

I remember walking into this building by mistake on my first KTX trip in Seoul, coming out of the wrong subway exit in the dark. At the time it was a refuge for homeless residents, a cavernous empty space with people sleeping on the floor. I backed out quickly, spotted the gleaming new station to my left, and never forgot the contrast.

The building was designed by Tsukamoto Yasushi of Tokyo Imperial University, constructed from 1922 to 1925, and opened September 30, 1925 as Gyeongseong Station (the city was called Gyeongseong under Japanese administration). It was renamed Seoul Station on November 1, 1947 after independence. The station continued to expand through 1969 before the new KTX terminal absorbed its function, and in 2012 it reopened as a multidisciplinary cultural facility.

The exhibitions are free and rotate regularly. The architecture of the building is worth seeing regardless of what’s on. Read the guide to Culture Station Seoul 284 to learn more about what’s inside.

Give yourself an extra hour whenever you’re catching a KTX train from here and see what’s currently showing.

• Address: 1 Tongil-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 중구 통일로 1)
• Hours: 10:00am ~ 7:00pm; Last Wednesday of the month: 10:00am ~ 9:00pm
• Days: Open Tuesdays – Sundays; Closed Mondays, New Year, Lunar Year, and Chuseok
• Website: You can check out what exhibition is on here: https://www.seoul284.org/

Fun Fact: This station has been featured in the background of numerous dramas including  Abyss (어비스), Mama Fairy and the Woodcutter/Gyeryong Fairy Tale/Tale of Fairy (계룡선녀전) , Smile Again (스마일 어게인), The Fifth Republic/5th Republic (제5공화국),  Stairway to Heaven (천국의 계단), We Are Dating Now (지금은 연애중). It was also the setting for Korean films like Will You Be There? (당신, 거기 있어줄래요?)

Seoullo 7017

Just steps from Seoul Station is Seoullo 7017 — a former elevated highway converted into a public pedestrian park. The name combines “Seoul Road” with 1970 (when the overpass was built) and 2017 (when it reopened as a walkway), and the concept was inspired by New York City’s High Line.

The path has 17 exits branching into surrounding neighborhoods, and along the way: 645 giant concrete planters filled with trees, flowers, and plants that overflow in summer; bouncy floor sections for children; water holes to cool off in; cafes with elevated views; and a gallery and souvenir shop at one end.

Evening is particularly good here — the walkway is lit with neon lighting and there are light installations on the surrounding buildings. From Seoullo, you also get one of the best views of both old and new Seoul Station simultaneously. The Seoul City Hop On Hop Off Bus stops here as well.

For a full guide to what to find along Seoullo 7017, read the dedicated Seoullo 7017 guide.

Docking Seoul

A more recent addition to the area, Docking Seoul is housed inside the spiral ramp that once served as a car conduit from the old highway into Seoul Station. It can be reached from Seoullo 7017 or from the rooftop of the nearby Lotte Mart.

As you walk along the ramp, seven immersive art installations are spread across five sections, a quick but worthwhile stop that turns a piece of old infrastructure into something interesting to walk through. Learn more in the Docking Seoul article.

• Address: Seoul Private Railway Station, 405 Hangang-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울 중구 한강대로 405 경부고속철도서울민자역사)
• Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 11:00am ~ 8:00pm
• Admission: Free

Malli-dong Plaza

At the end of one branch of Seoullo 7017 sits Malli-dong Plaza and wanted to emphasize this area because a lot people walk right by not realizing what can be found there. The Installation seen from inside above and from above down below (yeah read that again and it’ll make sense) is a hidden gem for photographers. The steps and mirrors provide a fun and intriguing respite from the busy streets above.

Once you walk in, it’s like the surrounding traffic doesn’t even exist anymore. From time to time there are also events held inside. Watch where you step because the steps are uneven, but have some fun and take a rest inside the next time you visit Seoul Station. This plaza can be found just across the street from the back exit of Seoul Station.

• Address: 22-1 Malli-dong 1-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul (중구 만리동1가 22-1)

Seosomun Shrine History Museum (서소문성지역사박물관)

Once an execution ground for state prisoners, the park is now home to a beautiful museum that is a must-see for any architecture lover. From the mid-Joseon period for 4oo years, the park was an area no one wanted to visit and the executions ended after the Catholic persecutions in 1866.

Because of the history and the connection to Catholicism, the Seosomun Shrine History Museum is an ode to the gruesome history and there are some staggering beautiful corridors and spaces to walk through. There are art exhibits and history inside to peruse as well. You could spend quite a bit of time here if you wanted to.

• Address: 5 Chilpae-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 중구 칠패로 5 (의주로2가))
• How To Get There: Chungjeongno Subway Station on line 2, exit 4. Walk straight and you’ll find the park a block down on the right.
• Hours: Tuesday, Thursday – Sunday: 9:30am ~ 5:30pm; Wednesday: 9:30am ~ 8:30pm; CLOSED MONDAYS
• Admission: Free

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Where To Eat In The Area

There are fast food options and cafes inside the station itself, spots like Paris Baguette, McDonald’s, and convenience stores are all there if you need something quick. These are the places worth planning around if you have a bit more time.

Confier

If you’re craving something more elevated than your usual station eats, Confier is a hidden gem just a minute from Seoul Station. Step through its dramatic entrance and into a moody, theater-like dining room where the chefs perform in an open kitchen right before your eyes. Seasonal Korean ingredients are transformed with French finesse, and the experience feels both luxurious and surprisingly accessible. Learn more about the amazing experience in the Confier article.

• Address: Grand Central Building B2, 14 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울 중구 세종대로 14 그랜드센트럴 지하 2층)
• Hours: Tuesdays – Sundays: Lunch: 12:00pm ~ 3:00pm; Dinner 6:00pm ~ 10:00pm
• Reservations: Highly recommended. They can book out. You can make a reservation via Creatrip.

Very Street Kitchen

This trendy restaurant has an interesting menu that features popular street food items from around the world in an upscale way. the names of the dishes reflect where the recipe originally came. Dishes bear names like Bangkok, Taipei, Singapore, New Orleans, Canton, Barcelona, Sokcho, and Tokyo. Suffice to say, it is VERY good!

• Address: 205 Mallijae-ro, Jungnim-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul (중구 만리재로 205)
• Hours: Monday – Friday: 6:00pm ~ 12:00am; Saturday: 12:00pm ~ 3:00pm; 5:00pm ~ 11:00pm; Sundays: CLOSED

Tokkijung Project

Just outside of the main Seoul Station building, but on the corner of the Seoul Station Lotte Department Building is Tokkijung Project. This restaurant has something for everyone and is an easy spot to eat. Their signature dish is a cream curry udon noodle which looks like it has some frosting on top but it’s not sweet at all so don’t be confused by the pictures on Instagram. It’s actually quite delicious. They have other rice and meat dishes as well as hamburg steak sets. Like I said, something for everyone here and it’s delicious.

• Address: 405 Hangang-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
• Hours: 11:00am ~ 10:00pm

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FAQ

How do I get from Seoul Station to Incheon Airport?

The AREX Airport Express runs directly from Seoul Station to Incheon Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. The direct express takes approximately 43 minutes and costs ₩9,500. The all-stop service is cheaper and takes around 60 minutes. Trains run frequently throughout the day and into the night. The Discover Seoul Pass includes a free AREX ride.

Which subway lines stop at Seoul Station?

Line 1 (dark blue) and Line 4 (light blue) both have stations at Seoul Station. They are separate platforms within the same complex. The AREX also has its own platform level.

What KTX trains depart from Seoul Station?

KTX high-speed trains to Busan, Daegu, Daejeon, Gwangju, and other southern cities depart from Seoul Station. Slower trains (Saemaul, Mugunghwa, Nooriro) also operate from here for regional destinations. Book KTX tickets in advance through Korail or on Klook, especially for weekend travel.

Can I check in for my flight at Seoul Station?

Some airlines offer early check-in and baggage drop at the Seoul Station City Airport Terminal before your Incheon flight. Verify which airlines currently participate and operating hours before relying on this, the service has changed in recent years.

What is Culture Station Seoul 284?

The original 1925 Seoul Station building, now a free arts and culture center with rotating exhibitions. It stands directly in front of the new station and is easy to miss if you’re heading straight for the trains. Free to enter, open Tuesday to Sunday.

Is there anything to do at Seoul Station beyond catching a train?

Quite a bit. Culture Station Seoul 284 (free exhibitions in the historic 1925 building), Seoullo 7017 (elevated urban park walkway), Docking Seoul (immersive art in a converted ramp), Malli-dong Plaza (hidden mirror installation), the Royyal Dog mural, and the Seosomun Shrine History Museum (free, architecturally stunning) are all within walking distance.

What are the best restaurants near Seoul Station?

For something elevated, Confier is a minute away and worth booking in advance. Very Street Kitchen offers global street food dishes in an upscale format. Tokkijung Project is reliable for a quick sit-down meal just outside the station.

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Seoul Station is somewhere most visitors pass through rather than plan around, but there’s enough within walking distance to justify an extra hour or two before or after your train. The old station building alone is worth the detour.

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