It’s that time of the year again. You’re getting restless and planning your next destination is the only silver lining in the clouds. You've finally decided on Seoul, a dream destination for many. Good for you! The next step is to find a place to stay, right? That’s where we come in! Here’s a list of 14 budget accommodations that will cost you USD50 at most per night. So what will you use the extra dollars you saved for? Shopping, of course, duh.
Kidding! Obviously you’re going to use the money for sight-seeing purposes only. Before any of those activities can happen, though, let’s go through the list shall we?
P.S. Jetting off to Seoul? Remember to download the HHWT Travel Planner App available on both Google Play for Android and App Store for iOS!
1. Seoul Dalbit Dongdaemun Guesthouse
Seoul Dalbit is a guesthouse located just minutes away from Dongdaemun station. And we all know that the Dongdaemun district is mighty famous for its array of departmental stores and market selling all sorts of souvenirs and merchandise. So what better use of that extra change in your pocket than to splurge on clothes and accessories, right? But don’t worry, the guesthouse is also nearby other attractions such as the Heuginhjimun and Dongdaemun Design Plaza, so it’s not all about shopping!
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The rooms at the guesthouse are equipped with its own private showers and bathrooms so that you can enjoy your privacy. And it’ll cost you less than USD50 to stay a night. Isn’t that a good deal?
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Address: 329-18 Changsin 1(il)-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Price:
- 3-bed private room [50,000 KRW (*USD44)]
- 4-bed private room [55,000 KRW (*USD48)]
- double/twin bedroom [43,000 KRW (*USD38)]
- small loft double/twin room [38,000 KRW (*USD33)]
- female dormitory [15,000 KRW (*USD13] per person
Contact: +82 2-745-1986
2. Kimchee Guesthouse (Downtown)
Kimchee Guesthouse is a popular choice among travelers with its 4 locations in Seoul that you can choose from depending on your preferences. In this post, we will be talking about Kimchee Guesthouse located in downtown Seoul, a walking distance from Chungjeongno station.
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Places of interests including the Seoul N Tower, the Korean War Memorial, Edae, Gyeongbokgung Palace and the City Hall are easily reachable by foot. You’ve definitely got the city centre of Seoul covered if you stay here!
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Address: 31-13, Hap-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Korea
Price:
- single private room [45,000 KRW (*USD40)]
- double/twin private room [45,000 KRW (*USD40)]
Contact: +82 2-518-6696
3. INSIDE Backpackers Seoul
INSIDE Backpackers Seoul is located in the district of Jongno-Gu, 5 minutes away from Hyehwa station.
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If you have an affinity towards history, you’re in luck because it’s also where historical palaces such as Changgyunggung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, Naksan Park, Bukchon Hanan Traditional Houses, Gyeongbukgung Palace and Insadong Traditional Culture Street are mere minutes away from the hostel either by foot or public transport.
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INSIDE Backpackers Seoul has a range of accommodation options, from budget rooms with shared showers and bathrooms to deluxe rooms with their own private showers and even kitchens. And the best part is that it’ll cost a person less than USD50 to stay the night, depending which rooms you choose. So make sure you book a place before they run out of space!
Address: 5 Sungkyunkwan-ro 4-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Price:
- 4 bed dorm [15~18,000 KRW (*USD13~16)]
- budget 1-bed private ensuite [28~30,000 KRW (*USD24~26) per room]
- budget bunk 2-bed private [38~40,000 KRW (*USD33~35) per room]
- budget 3-bed private [51~60,000 KRW (*USD45~53)]
- standard 2-single private [40~46,000 KRW (*USD35~40)]
- deluxe 1-bed [43~50,000 KRW (*USD38~44)]
- deluxe double/twin [51~55,000 KRW (*USD45~48)]
Contact: +82 2-3672-1120
4. G Itaewon Guesthouse
G Itaewon Guesthouse is a popular choice for travelers, due to its location in the heart of Itaewon.
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The Itaewon district is best known for becoming a melting pot of diverse nationalities and cultures in Seoul. Foreigners and locals alike are drawn to the unique exotic food, imported clothes and merchandise offered in the shopping street of Itaewon, reflecting the diversity of its residents and visitors.
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G Itaewon Guesthouse features two types of accommodation: G Guesthouse and G Guesthome. The main difference between both is whether you prefer to have a private bathroom (G Guesthouse) or not. Both locations have its own rooftop with an amazing view of the nightscape in Itaewon that you wouldn’t want to miss and they occasionally have BBQ parties, which is a definite plus.
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#HHWT Tip: The guesthouses are mere minutes away from Seoul Central Mosque. It’s also a few minutes away from Moghul, a Pakistani restaurant.
Address: 131-11 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Korea
Prices:
Private bathrooms
- 10-bed dorm [17~19,000KRW (*USD15~17) per person]
- 8-bed dorm [19~22,000 KRW (*USD17~USD19) per person]
- 4-bed dorm [24~27,000 KRW (*USD21~USD24) per person]
- 4-bed private [27~30,000 KRW (*USD24~USD26) per person]
- deluxe single room [45~52,000 KRW (*USD40~USD46)]
- single room [40~50,000 KRW (*USD35~USD44)]
Shared bathrooms
- 4-bed dorm [24~27,000 KRW (*USD21~USD24) per person]
- 6-bed dorm [21~24,000 KRW (*USD18~21) per person]
- single room [40~50,000 KRW (*USD35~USD44)]
Contact Number: 02-795-0015 / 010-8774-7767
5. Yacht Guesthouse
Another popular choice of budget accommodation is Yacht Guesthouse, which is on the other side of the Itaewon station, across from G Guesthouse. Yacht Gueshouse offers many unique services that might appeal to your sense of adventure including its namesake, yacht sailing (who would’ve thought, huh?), mountain climbing tours as well as experiencing the highlights of Seoul guided by a group of passionate college students in Korea.
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Yacht Guesthouse is also famous for its rooftop concerts (if you have a listen to the custom song on their website, you’d know the staff have awesome voices!) that you can’t miss during your stay there. It is definitely somewhere for those of you who enjoy meeting with new people and exchanging travel stories.
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#HHWT Tip: The guesthouse is within walking distance from Salam, a popular Halal restaurant serving Turkish cuisine.
Address: 23 Itaewon-ro 23-gil, Yongsan-gu, South Korea
Price:
- 6-bed dorm [18~20,000KRW (*USD16~USD18) per person]
- twin room [40~60,000 KRW (*USD35~USD53)]
Contact: +82 2-794-9604
6. Fortune Hostel
Fortune Hostel is an accommodation targeted towards travelers who would like to stay in apartment-style accommodation but still within their budget. All rooms have their own private bathrooms and are fitted with a small kitchen complete with a sink and fridge. Some of the rooms even have their own washing machines!
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Admittedly, only the single room is within the USD50 budget, but for a few dollars more, you can have the double/twin room and the accommodation is definitely worth a few dollars more for a comfortable stay.
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All the facilities and amenities provided will assure you that you have a very satisfactory stay and its location is only a few minutes away from the Jongno 3-ga station means that you can conveniently access its surrounding attractions, including the Changdeokgung Palace and Gyeongbokgung, to name a few.
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Address: 38 Samil-daero 32ga-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Price:
- single room [50~55,000KRW (*USD44~USD48)]
- double/twin room [65~68,000 KRW (*USD57~USD60)]
Contact: +82 70-8958-0505
7. Seoulwise Guesthouse
Air Hostel Seoul is a hostel located within walking distance from Hongik University station. The culturally rich Hongdae district that's packed with restaurants and shops is right at your doorstep.
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There are a lot of things you can enjoy during your stay here, including a walk along Hongdae Mural Street that features various arrangements of paintings from graffiti to aesthetically pleasing artwork. On top of that, you’ll get to enjoy live indie band performances while enjoying the youthful atmosphere surrounding the district.
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The guesthouse offers a range of room options from a 6-bed dorm to a double private room, and all but one room are fitted with their own private bathrooms.
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As with other hostels, it provides you with complimentary breakfast every morning, and you can even cook in the kitchen provided if you feel like cooking your own meal. A unique set up at the hostel is the Travel Café at the lobby where you get to exchange travel stories and tips with other backpackers as well as play board games to socialize. It is a hostel worth staying in if you want to make new connections from around the world.
Address: 197-29, Donggyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Price:
- 6-bed dorm [18,000 KRW (*USD16)]
- 4-bed dorm [22,000KRW (*USD19)]
- double/twin [60,000 KRW (*USD53)]
Contact: +82-10-3787-8118 / +82-2-335-6550
8. Feliz Casa
Feliz Casa is a hostel located conveniently at a walking distance from the Seoul Station.
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There are a number of local attractions within walking distance including the Namsangol Hanok Village, Bangsan Market, Korea House as well as the Shilla Duty Free Shop.
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All rooms are equipped with private bathrooms and they also include free toiletries for your convenience.
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Address: 192, Mallijae-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Price:
- single room [20~30,000 KRW (*USD18~26)]
- twin room [40,000 KRW (*USD35)]
- triple room [60,000 KRW {*USD53)]
Contact: +82 2-711-0202
9. Janganhills Homestay
Janganhills Homestay is a bit far in terms of walking distance to tourist attractions (but don’t worry, you’re still only minutes away from the train station) but it is one of the highly recommended accommodations that is within reasonable budget.
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All the rooms are equipped with a private bathroom with an added bonus of a hot tub and bathtub on top of free toiletries. Are you sold yet?
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It also offers free use of bicycles to explore the area as well as a mini-golf course, which is a great way to unwind after a busy day of sightseeing. As it is an actual house you’ll be staying at, you can expect more privacy and quiet while enjoying the amenities and facilities provided in a house. It’s definitely worth staying at if you’re looking for a home away from home.
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#HHWT Tip: If you’ve ran out of ideas on where to go next, fret not, because The New Day operates tour services that can be customized to suit your time and taste preferences.
Address: 7, Janganbeotkkot-ro 1-gil, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02521 (Jangan-dong 329-2, Jangan Hillstate Apartment)
Price: Double/twin bed private [55,000 KRW (*USD48)]
Contact: +82 70-4151-1957
10. Jongnowon Hostel
Jongnowon Hostel is located a few minutes away from Angguk station. It’s a popular choice among travelers because of its proximity to Insadong, where restaurants, art galleries and traditional antique shops can be found.
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Each room is fitted with its own private bathroom (another plus, yeay!) as well as fridge and a flat TV screen so you won’t get bored. And you know how some hostels don’t provide lifts/elevators to your rooms? Well this hostel does (so you can go ahead and pack as much as you want, within reasonable means, of course!).
#HHWT Tip: There are separate cooking utensils and use of fridge for Muslim travellers. There’s even a prayer room at the guesthouse for your convenience!
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#HHWT Tip: If you’re staying here, you need to try Korean traditional tea and traditional desserts at the Old Tea House (Yetchatjip), it’s definitely worth a visit.
Address: 29, Iksundong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea
Price: Double/twin room [50,000 KRW (*USD44)]
Contact: +82 2-763-4249 / +82 2-745-6876 / 010-9172-0993
11. Coups Hotel
Coups Hotel is also located in the Jongno-Gu district nearby Jongnowon Hostel. It’s one of the two motels in the list, definitely because of its value money-wise.
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The rooms are fitted with a wall-mounted flat-screen TV, fridge and electric kettle as well as private bathrooms. It’s definitely a place worth looking at if you’d like a bit of privacy from the usual noise and traffic that comes with staying at a big hostel, and you don’t mind going out and about to explore restaurants with the extra money you’ve saved staying here.
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Note: Coups Hotel doesn’t operate its own website but you can book one of the rooms in most of the booking websites available.
Address: 83 Donhwamun-ro 11ga-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea|
Price: 55,000 KRW [(*USD48)] per night
Contact: +82 2-764-5778
12. Eid Guesthouse
You’ve probably seen the Eid Guesthouse featured in one of the articles here. If you haven’t, you can refresh your memory by reading it here. For Muslim travellers, this could be the ultimate budget accommodation!
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Catered specifically for Muslims (though not limited to only Muslims), it's a mere walking distance from the Seoul Central Mosque as well as in close proximity of a lot of halal restaurants. They even operate their own restaurant serving authentic halal Korean food, so you don’t have to worry about going far to look for a decent halal meal.
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Due to its popularity though, the rooms are almost always sold out months prior, so you better hurry to get your bookings in time!
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Address: 265-974, Bogwang-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Price:
- dorm [20,000 KRW (*USD18) per person]
- private room (4 people) [100,000 KRW (*USD88)]
- private room (6 people) [150,000 KRW (*USD132)]
Contact: +82 70-8899-8210
13. Dream Guest House
Dream Guest House is located at the tourist hotspot of Nam Dae Mun, literally at the heart of Seoul. The guesthouse consists of dormitory type rooms for 4, 6 and 8 people.
Credit: Dream Guest House Facebook
All rooms have their own private bathrooms and their specially made bunk-beds with individual curtains provide a sense of privacy for its occupants. If that’s not enough for you, the guesthouse also has dorm rooms in the basement level for a quiet and undisturbed night at the hostel.
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You are definitely at the right place if you want to be able to explore Seoul by foot. Tourist attractions including the NamDaeMun Market, Sungnyemun Gate, Namsan Park and the City Hall as well as the plethora of shopping stores are right there at your doorstep, just waiting to be explored.
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Address: Toegyo-ro 6-gil 22-1, Jung-gu, Seoul, Korea
Price: 4-bed /6-bed/ 8-bed dorm [22~24,000 KRW (*USD19~21)]
Contact: +82 2-755-800 (010 3163 9821)
14. BoA Travel House
BoA Travel House is one of the few hostels that is Muslim-friendly in Seoul. It is located nearby Hongik University station and just 10 minutes walk from Hongdae district, where Seoul’s most vibrant, artistic and progressive culture resides.
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The hostel actually provides cooking utensils and prayer room for its Muslim guests, which is very thoughtful and appreciated. There is also a Halal Korean Food Restaurant located on the ground floor of the building.
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#HHWT Tip: All the food served at BoA Travel House and its restaurant, “Halal Korean Food Dosirak” is Halal certified (of course!) and you can find more information about it in the HWWT Travel Planner App!
The rooms are equipped with private bathrooms, fridge as well as free toiletries. Admittedly, only the single room is priced under USD50, but for a comfortable stay especially for the Muslims, I guess a few extra dollars wouldn’t be a stretch, right? (And really, the rooms actually cost less than USD50 per person, if you’re traveling with a group or your family). So, it’s definitely worth the few extra dollars.
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#HHWT Tip: If you’re planning to stay here, you better hurry because the management is planning to turn the guesthouse into a long-term stay only accommodation in 2017.
Address: 15, Sinchon-ro 1-gil, Soedamun-gu, Seoul, Korea
Price:
- single room [50~55,000 KRW (*USD43~48)]
- twin/double room [60,000~80,000 KRW (*USD53~70)]
Contact Number: +82 2-323-6255
Now that you’ve gone through the list of budget accommodation compiled for you, it’s time to decide where you want to stay. The list is just a guide for you to compare the numerous accommodations around Seoul, and there’s certainly more outside the list that might fit your budget. Hopefully you’ll be able to have a comfortable and satisfactory stay during your visit to Seoul, regardless. Bon voyage, travellers and please send our love to Seoul ❤️
P.S. Download the HHWT Travel Planner App available on both Google Play for Android and App Store for iOS to plan your trip to Seoul?
* Approximate price conversion in USD is subject to currency exchange rate at the time.