You’re probably about to book a flight to Seoul after watching Twenty Five Twenty One or Itaewon Class on Netflix – though it’s quite the challenge for majority of us broke students. But never say never. Go for the trip of your dreams at a budget-friendly level when you stay at these 9 hostels in Seoul from S$25.11/pax per night.
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Solo travel is great if you want me-time while on vacation. But if you’re craving company, a stay at Zzzip Guesthouse will make you feel less lonely. There’s a communal lounge where guests are encouraged to have meals together. Bond with other travellers with a cookout – the hostel has a fully-equipped kitchen for use.
Or, dabao meals back from the nearby bustling neighbourhood of Hongdae. Just a quick 10-minute walk away, the university town is known for its street food, nightlife, and even street performers.
Image credit: Trip.com
As for the hostel itself, you’ll find a mix of bunk bed dorms and private rooms with ensuite bathrooms. Regardless of the room you pick, each bed comes with a lockable storage cupboard to safekeep your valuables.
Image credit: Hostelworld
No need to look for a tour guide if you book a bed or room at Bunk Guesthouse. The hostel runs tour packages (from KRW55,000/pax, ~S$57.15) for their guests every Tuesday, visiting tourist spots like the DMZ – the border separating South and North Korea. The booking also covers your transport and lunch at Korean restaurants.
There’s also a bunk party package (KRW25,000/pax, ~S$25.98) for you to get to know other travellers at the guesthouse. Bond over K-BBQ and drinks on the 1st floor every Thursday night.
Standard double room.
Image credit: Booking.com
Even if you miss the dinner party, you can still catch up with everyone over breakfast, which is provided free for all guests. You can socialise more if you choose the dorms that sleep between 4-6 pax. Guests do get their own baggage storage facility and locker to keep valuables, but you’ll want to bring your own padlocks for extra security.
4-bed male dormitory room.
Image credit: Booking.com
While most dorms in hostels have bunk beds, the ones at H HOSTEL Itaewon are a tad different. Guests get their own single bed, but the sleeping area is partitioned by a wall on the side and a curtain in front for extra privacy.
If you’re lodging in with more people, there are private rooms instead for families of 3 or 4. These come with an ensuite bathroom so you don’t have to share with other guests.
Image credit: Chien Lei Tsai via Google Maps
This hostel sits in the heart of Itaewon, a neighbourhood that has quite a bustling nightlife scene. It’s also the centre where various tourist attractions such as the N Seoul Tower and the National Museum of Korea are located.
Image credit: @timetravelersrelax via Instagram
If you’re looking for a nice backdrop to take a commemorative photo of your hostel, Time Travelers Relax Guesthouse has got you covered. All over the hostel are trick-eye spots and murals that would make some cute pics for the ‘Gram. The clever painting techniques were done by the hostel owner who wanted guests to snap creative souvenir photos while staying here.
Image credit: Time Travelers Relax Seoul Guesthouse via Google Maps
IG posts aside, the hostel is also a bookworm’s paradise if you want to wind down with a good book in hand after a day of sightseeing. Step into the hostel and you’ll immediately see the shelves of English and Korean novels and comics available for guests’ borrowing.
Image credit: Time Travelers Relax Seoul Guesthouse via Google Maps
Even the rooms are conducive for reading. Majority of them have large windows that provide plenty of natural light and views of the Seodaemun neighbourhood you’re in.
Image credit: Hostelworld
Let’s be real – movies at home hit different than watching them on the big screen in a cinema. You can sit however you like and munch on whatever snacks you want.
Well, you can have that home theatre experience as well when you stay at Hithere Guesthouse. They have a 120in projector screen in a comfy room furnished with bean bags for guests to use at a discounted rate.
Image credit: Daniel Kim via Google Maps
This hostel is popular with solo travellers, as they only have 4-bed dorm rooms, separated by gender. So, opt for a bed in here if you’re a social butterfly looking to make new friends from around the world or you’re a solo traveller afraid to sleep alone.
Image credit: The Cube Hotel via Google Maps
Sleeping in a capsule is probably more common in Tokyo hostels, but if you’d like to experience one in Seoul, you’ll want to book a stay at The Cube Hotel.
You’ll have full privacy when you head to bed, since everyone gets their own pod and privacy curtain to prevent strangers from peeping in. The cosy space even comes with a charging port and a small storage locker for your knick-knacks.
Image credit: The Cube Hotel via Google Maps
Bathrooms are shared, but they have been modernly furnished with private cubicles for showering and changing. They even have ample counter space to set up your 12-step Korean skincare routine without you having to worry about hogging a mirror.
The Cube Hotel is located right in the centre of Seoul; and Myeongdong subway station is just 3 minutes away. This area is known for its retail shops selling Korean skincare and beauty brands, so you won’t have to lug your loot that far after a shopping spree.
Image credit: G Guesthouse via Google Maps
G Guesthouse will be familiar to K-drama fans, especially those who spent weeks following Park Sae-ro-yi’s attempt at running a business in Itaewon Class. Yup, the hostel’s exterior is where one of the leads, Jo Yi Seo, slaps an evil side character. Slay.
The inside is just as badass. Think sleek and industrial – that’s G Guesthouse for you. This design style even spills over to its rooftop. Here, you’ll find oil drums and beer bottle crates that have been turned into tables and chairs.
Image credit: Hostelworld
It’s not unusual for guests to head up for a drink to socialise and even soak in the views of Itaewon. On clear days, you’ll even be able to see N Seoul Tower in the distance.
Hostel Haru is just a few minutes walk away from 2 major shopping malls – Lotte Duty Free Shop and Noon Square, with the latter being known for its local fashion brands. It’s an ideal place to stay if you want to drop off heavy shopping bags before continuing on the rest of the day.
Image credit: Booking.com
Apart from its convenient location, the hostel gives off major Muji vibes, thanks to its beech wood furnishing and clean, minimalistic design.
For guests sleeping in the dorm rooms, curtains are attached to each bed, so you get private and personal space from your roomies. There’s also a lockable storage box in each room to keep your passports and documents safe.
Common lounge area.
Image credit: Hostel Haru
If you’re looking to socialise, check out the communal lounge area – it’s a wide space with tabletops, chairs, and large windows. We recommend coming down early for breakfast – served free daily – in order to chope a seat in this space to enjoy your meal with a view.
Heads up, K-pop fans: Hi Jun Guesthouse is where you’ll want to stay when you’re in Seoul. This hostel is a popular spot for fanclub events like birthday celebrations and new music releases. While you won’t be able to meet k-pop stars themselves, you’ll at least get to mingle with fellow fans who love the same idols as you do.
If you want to join in, you can check the Hi Jun Guesthouse Twitter page for the events that’ll be hosted during your stay. Who knows, you might just turn into a new fan yourself.
Image credit: @hi_jun_guesthouse via Instagram
Dorm rooms here come in 2-bed and 4-bed configurations, both separated by gender. Despite these being shared rooms, you’ll have more than enough space to manoeuvre comfortably and to store your luggage aside.
If you do want more privacy when travelling as a group, there are family rooms with ensuite bathrooms that sleep up to 4 people.
Image credit: Expedia
Hi Jun Guesthouse is in the Mapo district and only 400m away from Mangwon Subway Station and Hapjeong Subway Station. You can easily go cafe or restaurant-hopping to different eateries in the area, with the subway located within walking distance.
This list of affordable yet high quality hostels only prove that you can go to Seoul while on a budget. Now, with less spent on your lodging, you’ll have more cash to splurge on some trendy snacks or popular K-beauty products. Here’s to hoping that your travel plans make it out of the groupchat.
For more things in Korea, check out:
Cover image adapted from: Booking.com, Hostelworld, @hi_jun_guesthouse via Instagram
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