12 Things to Do Near Seoul Station (Before or After Your KTX)
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Seoul Station is the hub for KTX trips around the country — and there’s plenty to do right around it if you have an hour or a full afternoon before departure. Here are 12 spots, sorted from right outside the station to a short metro ride away.
1. Culture Station Seoul 284
The original 1925 Seoul Station building, right beside the modern one, is now a free cultural space with rotating art and design exhibitions — worth a quick look even between trains.
2. Seoullo 7017
An elevated “skygarden” walkway built on a former overpass, connected directly to the station. A short, pleasant stroll with city views.
3. Grab snacks at Lotte Mart
Inside the station complex — stock up on Korean snacks, drinks, and souvenirs for the ride, including treats that make easy gifts back home.
4. Namdaemun Market
Korea’s largest traditional market, about a 10-minute walk away — street food, souvenirs, and endless stalls.
5. Sungnyemun (Namdaemun Gate)
The grand 14th-century city gate beside the market — Korea’s National Treasure No. 1, and beautifully lit at night.
6. Hoehyeon Underground Arcade
A retro treasure hunt a few minutes away: vintage cameras, vinyl records, and secondhand finds in an old underground shopping street.
7. Myeongdong
One metro stop (or a 15-minute walk): shopping, cosmetics, and a famous evening street-food scene.
8. Namsan & N Seoul Tower
Head up Namsan for the city view from N Seoul Tower — reachable by cable car or a walk through the park.
9. Yongsan I’Park Mall
One stop south on Line 1: a huge mall with electronics, a cinema, and food courts — handy on a rainy afternoon.
10. War Memorial of Korea
A short metro ride (Samgakji): a large, free museum with outdoor aircraft and tanks — one of Seoul’s best rainy-day stops.
11. Gyeongbokgung Palace
A few stops by metro: Seoul’s grand main palace, with the changing-of-the-guard ceremony and Hanbok rental shops nearby.
12. Insadong
A short ride away: traditional teahouses, craft shops, and galleries along a walkable lane — great for last-minute gifts.
Tip: store your bags first
Seoul Station has lockers and luggage storage, so you can explore hands-free before your train.
Related guides
- How to Book KTX with a Foreign Credit Card — booking from Seoul Station.
- Best Day Trips from Seoul by Train — where to go next.
- How to Travel Korea by Train — the hub.
🔗 Affiliate disclosure: Some links on this site are affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend services we believe are genuinely useful for train travel in Korea.