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The first time a friend visited me in Seoul, she texted from Hongik University Station saying she was “definitely lost.” She wasn’t — she’d just walked out of the wrong exit, like almost everyone does. This station has nine exits spread across a huge intersection, and the difference between Exit 1 and Exit 9 is the difference between a quiet back street and the heart of Hongdae. After twenty years of coming back to Seoul once a year, I still treat this station as my gateway into the neighbourhood, so here’s the no-stress version of how it works.
Table of Contents
- Which Lines Stop at Hongik University Station
- The Exits That Actually Matter
- From the Station to Hongdae’s Main Street
- Shopping, K-Beauty and Food Right by the Station
- Quick Exit Cheat Sheet
- Buses and Getting Beyond Hongdae from the Station
- Lockers, Toilets and Practical Tips Inside the Station
- When to Use the Station, and When to Avoid It
- Where to Stay Near Hongik University Station
- Korea vs Australia: Arriving at a Transit Hub
- FAQ
- My Thoughts
- Related Links
Which Lines Stop at Hongik University Station
Hongik University Station is one of the best-connected stops in western Seoul, and that is exactly why it can feel overwhelming. Three lines meet here. Subway Line 2 (the green circle line) is the one most travellers use, because it loops past Gangnam, Sinchon, City Hall and Jamsil. The AREX Airport Railroad runs straight from Incheon Airport to this station, so a lot of visitors arrive here jet-lagged with a suitcase before they have even bought a coffee. Finally, the Gyeongui–Jungang Line connects out toward Hongdae’s quieter river-side neighbourhoods and Gajwa.
What this means in practice: signage inside the station is colour-coded by line, and the platforms sit on different levels. If you are coming from the airport on the AREX, follow the Line 2 transfer signs and then the exit numbers — do not just walk up the first staircase you see. I cover the airport leg in more detail in my Incheon Airport to Hongdae guide, but once you are inside the station, the exit number is the only thing you really need to memorise.
The Exits That Actually Matter
Of the nine exits at Hongik University Station, you will realistically use three or four. Exit 9 is the famous one — it spits you out near the Musinsa Standard flagship with its giant screens, and it is the quickest route to the main shopping street and the busking area. Exit 8 is right beside it and slightly calmer, good if Exit 9 is jammed with a crowd (it often is on weekends). Exit 2 and Exit 3 face the AK Plaza and the university side, handy for the bus stops and a smoother walk if you have luggage.
Here is the honest truth nobody tells you: the exits are not all step-free, and weekend crowds at Exit 9 can back up onto the stairs. If you are travelling with a suitcase or a stroller, take Exit 2 or 3 and loop around above ground — it is two minutes longer and far less stressful. Once you are out, look up for those green Hongik Univ direction signs in the photo above; they point you toward the neighbourhood’s main arteries. For a full picture of what to actually do once you are out, my things to do in Hongdae on a weekend post maps out a route.
From the Station to Hongdae’s Main Street
From Exit 9, the walk to the heart of Hongdae takes about five minutes and it is almost entirely flat. You will pass the Musinsa building, a row of cosmetics shops, and a stretch of tree-lined pavement before the street opens into the pedestrian shopping zone. It is genuinely one of the easiest “station to action” walks in Seoul — no hills, no confusing overpasses, just follow the crowd and the music.
A small tip from doing this walk every year: the first stretch is shaded by gingko trees, which is a blessing in the summer heat and a slip risk in autumn when the leaves fall. If you are meeting someone, the Musinsa flagship is a far better landmark than “Exit 9,” because everyone can see those screens from a distance. Save the exact pin on your map app before you go underground, since signal can drop on the platforms.
Shopping, K-Beauty and Food Right by the Station
You do not have to walk far from Hongik University Station to start spending money. The blocks immediately around Exit 8 and 9 are stacked with fashion flagships, phone-case shops, and K-beauty stores — there is an Olive Young within a two-minute walk, plus smaller brand stores that rotate constantly. If your skin is anything like mine after a long-haul flight, this is a convenient first stop to grab a sheet mask before you even check in.
Not sure which products are actually worth your suitcase space? You can tell the quiz your skin type and discover your best-match Olive Young products before you shop. For food, the streets behind the station are wall-to-wall with options — I keep a running list in my Hongdae cafe and street-food guides, but honestly, the area right by the station is where I always end up grabbing a quick bite between trains.
Quick Exit Cheat Sheet
If you only remember one thing from this Hongik University Station guide, make it this table. I have pointed dozens of visiting friends to these exits, and this is the cheat sheet I end up texting every single time.
| Exit | Best for | Crowd level | Luggage-friendly? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exit 9 | Main shopping street, busking, Musinsa flagship | Very high | No (stairs, crowds) |
| Exit 8 | Same area, slightly calmer entry | High | Okay |
| Exit 2 / 3 | AK Plaza, bus stops, university side | Medium | Yes (smoother) |
| Exit 1 | Quiet back streets, residential cafes | Low | Yes |
Buses and Getting Beyond Hongdae from the Station
Hongik University Station is not just a subway stop — it is also a bus hub, and the buses are how you reach places the subway makes awkward. The stops cluster around Exit 2 and Exit 3, which is one more reason I send luggage-laden friends to those exits. From here you can catch buses toward Yeouido, Itaewon and the river parks without changing trains, and the airport limousine bus (route 6002 and others) stops nearby if you would rather not drag a suitcase down to the AREX platform.
My rule of thumb: use Line 2 for the big-name districts like Gangnam, Hongdae-to-Sinchon and Jamsil, and use the buses when you are heading somewhere off the loop or when the station is heaving on a weekend night. Bus arrivals show in English on the KakaoMap and Naver Map apps, and you tap the same T-money card you use on the subway. It is the part of the station most visitors ignore, and it is genuinely the faster option more often than you would think.
Lockers, Toilets and Practical Tips Inside the Station
The inside of Hongik University Station has everything you need to reset between trains, and knowing where things are saves a lot of stress. There are coin lockers (paid by T-money or card) near several of the exits, which are a lifesaver if you arrive before check-in and do not want to haul a suitcase around Hongdae all afternoon. Sizes vary, so if you are travelling with a big case, grab a large locker early in the day before they fill up.
Clean public toilets sit inside the paid zone, so use them before you tap out. There are convenience stores both inside and right outside the gates for water, snacks and a quick T-money top-up, and the machines that recharge your card are clearly marked and have an English menu. Free station Wi-Fi exists but is patchy on the platforms, so download your map and screenshots before you head down — signal can drop right when you need directions most.
When to Use the Station, and When to Avoid It
Timing your trip through Hongik University Station makes a real difference to how pleasant it is. Weekday mornings and early afternoons are smooth and easy. The pinch points are the weekday rush (roughly 8 to 9am and 6 to 7pm) and — the big one — Friday and Saturday nights, when Line 2 and Exit 9 turn into a slow-moving river of people heading out for the night.
If you are arriving with luggage or travelling with kids or older relatives, aim for off-peak hours and the calmer exits, and give yourself a few extra minutes at the crossing in the photos above. Late night after the clubs let out is its own kind of chaos, and the last trains get packed, so check the final departure time on your line if you are staying out — taxis near the station are plentiful but slow to flag on a busy weekend.
Where to Stay Near Hongik University Station
If you want to make the most of Hongik University Station, staying within walking distance of it is one of the smartest moves a first-time visitor can make. The blocks around the station are full of guesthouses, boutique hotels and serviced apartments at every price point, and basing yourself here means you can drop your bags, explore on foot, and roll back after a late night without worrying about the last train or an expensive taxi across the city.
I usually point people toward accommodation a street or two off the main strip — close enough to walk everywhere, far enough that the weekend nightlife noise does not keep you up. The station’s direct airport line is the clincher: you can land at Incheon, ride straight here, and be checked in without a single transfer. For a long weekend in Seoul, that combination of walkability and airport access is hard to beat, and it is exactly why I keep recommending this corner of the city as a launch pad.
Korea vs Australia: Arriving at a Transit Hub
Every time I land back in Sydney and take the train from the airport, I am reminded how spoiled Seoul travellers are. At Hongik University Station, the AREX drops you a five-minute walk from a neighbourhood buzzing with food and music, the signage is in clear English, and a single tap of a transit card gets you anywhere. In Sydney, getting from the airport into a lively district usually means a pricey Airport Link fare and a transfer or two, often with far less to do the moment you step out.
It is not that one city is better — it is that Hongdae’s station is built to dump you straight into the fun, which is rare. That is genuinely why I tell first-time visitors to base themselves near here for at least a night. You trade some quiet for the luxury of walking everywhere, and after a long flight, that walkability is worth more than I can say.
Want to make a day of it? A few Hongdae experiences worth booking ahead:
🎤 take a K-pop dance class in Hongdae — learn a real routine with a pro.
🌸 create your own perfume in Hongdae — bottle your own signature scent.
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FAQ
Which exit at Hongik University Station goes to the main Hongdae street?
Exit 9 is the most direct route to Hongdae’s main shopping and busking street, with Exit 8 right beside it as a slightly less crowded alternative. Both put you within a five-minute, flat walk of the action.
Does the airport train go directly to Hongik University Station?
Yes. The AREX Airport Railroad runs directly from Incheon Airport to Hongik University Station, which is one reason so many travellers base their first night in Hongdae. Follow the Line 2 and exit-number signs once you arrive.
Is Hongik University Station good for travellers with luggage?
It can be, if you choose the right exit. Exit 2 or 3 offer a smoother above-ground route, while Exit 9 involves stairs and heavy weekend crowds. Plan for a short detour rather than wrestling a suitcase up the busiest staircase.
How long is the walk from Hongik University Station to Hongdae’s shops?
About five minutes from Exit 9, almost entirely flat and shaded by trees. The Musinsa flagship with its big screens is the easiest landmark to aim for when you surface.
My Thoughts
Hongik University Station is not complicated once you stop trusting the first staircase you see and start trusting the exit numbers. I have used this station more times than I can count, and the pattern is always the same: pick your exit on purpose, aim for the Musinsa screens, and you are in Hongdae proper within minutes. If you are planning a whole day around here, pair this with my deeper neighbourhood guides below — and keep an eye out for two new Hongdae posts I’m finishing now.
Plan Your Hongdae Day
Arriving soon? Start with my full Hongdae Seoul travel guide to map out the neighbourhood, then come back to this station guide on the morning you actually go.