seoul for first-timers, one line per neighborhood

for the group chat before every seoul layover turns into a real trip. t-money up top since you'll need it before anything else

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T-money card

buy it at any convenience store near a subway stop, GS25/CU/7-Eleven all sell it. load cash separately, it's not linked to anything

Line 2, the green loop

connects Hongdae, Seongsu, and Gangnam on one line. plan a day around it instead of zigzagging

Hongdae

younger crowd, shopping, nightlife. loud, go later in the day

Seongsu-dong

converted warehouses, coffee, calmer than Hongdae despite being one stop away on the same line

Ikseon-dong

hanok houses turned into bars and cafes, small enough to walk in under two hours

Myeongdong

Gyeongbokgung Palace

closed on Tuesdays, check before you build a day around it

Jongno 3-ga station

gets you to Ikseon-dong directly on line 3

Incheon Airport: AREX train vs taxi

AREX is half the price of a taxi and barely slower outside rush hour

Book ahead: hanbok rental, DMZ tours, popular restaurant reservations

these three sell out fast if you wait until you land

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