How to Choose a Hostel in Seoul in 2025 (What to Expect)

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Find your Perfect Hostel in Seoul

The first Seoul hostel I ever tried had a rooftop that doubled as a K-pop karaoke stage. At 2 a.m. a German backpacker hit the high note in “Dynamite,” and the building next door applauded with flashing LED ads.

That night taught me two things: Seoul never sleeps, and picking the right hostel matters more than your caffeine budget.

If you’re Googling “how to choose a hostel in Seoul,” grab a snack and read on.

Top Picks: The Best Hostels in Seoul

Best for Hostel Newbies

Original Backpackers9.8

from $13.84 | More Details

Best for Female Solo Traveler

Hostel Haru8.9

from $19.66 | More Details

Best Party Hostel

Crossroad Backpackers H...9.5

from $12.63 | More Details

This is not an ad. We help you find the perfect hostel and compare prices from Hostelworld and Booking. You can save up to 23.7%

Types of Hostels in Seoul

• Party hostels – Rooftop BBQs, pub crawls in Hongdae, soju pong tournaments until sunrise.
  Pros: instant friends, cheap drinks. Cons: earplugs mandatory, tough 9 a.m. palace plans.
• Social (non-party) hostels – Board-game nights, free walking tours, lights-out rules at midnight.
  Pros: conversation without chaos. Cons: events can feel mild if you crave raves.
• Quiet budget hostels – Minimalist dorms, coin laundry, maybe a microwave.
  Pros: lowest price, good sleep. Cons: networking = saying hi in the hallway.
• Female-only dorm options – Fairly common; usually €1–€3 more than mixed beds. Worth it for added privacy, bigger mirrors, and fewer snorers.

Short and crisp: The Best Hostels in Seoul

1. Stay Korea Homestay - best for Family-Friendly Hostel, Solo Traveller
2. Namsan Guest House - best for Family-Friendly Hostel, Solo Traveller
3. Holiday in Korea Hostel
4. Backpackers Inside Hostel - best for Solo Traveller
5. Grape Garden House - best for Family-Friendly Hostel, Solo Traveller

Stay Korea Homestay

9.0

"…It has a warm and hospitable atmosphere, thanks to the friendly owner. She speaks French because more

Namsan Guest House

8.1

"…The other guests were quiet and friendly. I recommend this place if you want a good place in more

from

$10.90

Holiday in Korea Hostel

8.7

Jongno District

"…There weren't many people staying at the time I visited, so I don't know how great of a place it more

Backpackers Inside Hostel

8.8

Jongno District

"…Common Spaces Common spaces are quite small and are only in the first level of the hostel. Here more

Grape Garden House

8.0

Mapo District

"Clean and affordable, helpful staff - Very clean, bathroom located within dorm room. Helpful staff more

What to Expect from Hostels in Seoul

Atmosphere ranges from café-calm to club-loud, but most spots hit the middle: buzz in the lounge, hush in the pods.

• Cleanliness: High. Shoes off at the door, slippers provided, bathrooms scrubbed daily.
• Safety: RFID keycards, CCTV, lockers that actually fit backpacks.
• Comfort: Capsule bunks with privacy curtains, USB ports, reading lights. Thin mattresses are common—pack a small travel pillow for extra fluff.
• Facilities: Expect shared bathrooms, tiny kitchenettes, free instant noodles, and rooftops battling for best skyline selfie.

What NOT to Expect:

• Huge common areas—real estate is tight.
• Full ovens and giant fridges—hostels assume you’ll eat out.
• Dirt-cheap beds—Seoul costs more than Southeast Asia even on a shoestring.

Best Location for Hostels in Seoul

• Hongdae: Best area for backpackers—music, street art, airport train, hostels every block.
• Insadong/Jongno: Great for temple walks and early nights—cafés close by 10.
• Itaewon: Food from everywhere, LGBTQ+ friendly, hills of doom—pack light.
• Seongsu: Chill cafés, bike paths, fewer dorms—book early.
• Areas to avoid: Residential suburbs outside Line 2 loop—long metro rides erase savings.

How Much Do Hostels Cost in Seoul?

Prices swing with cherry blossoms, K-drama filming booms, and K-pop concert weeks. Here’s a ballpark:

Weekend festivals or K-pop tours can boost rates by 20 %. Larger dorms drop the cost per night. Booking two weeks ahead locks the best deals.

How to Book a Hostel in Seoul Without Overpaying

• Start on Hostelz.com; it mashes Booking.com and Hostelworld prices together, so you spot hidden bargains.
• Filter for “women-only,” “best for solo travelers,” or “party” to match your vibe.
• Check if extras cost more—towels, lockers, late check-in.
• Last-minute? Hongdae shows same-day drops at noon. Insadong fills fast—book early.

Hostel Safety and What to Watch Out For

• Lockers: Bring a TSA padlock; many pods have built-in safes but charge for keys.
• Keycards: Ask if dorm doors auto-lock; some rely only on front-desk security.
• Reception hours: 24/7 is ideal. If not, confirm late check-in instructions.
• Common issues: Phone chargers “borrowed” from communal outlets—label yours.
• Review red flags: Repeated mentions of thin walls, cold showers, or moldy bathrooms—skip that listing.

Still not sure? Pick my Favorite Hostel in Seoul

#1 Top Hostel in Seoul: Original Backpackers

This is the overall best rated hostel in Original Backpackers. The overall rating is 9.8. You cannot go wrong here.

It is your safest bet in case you are not sure which hostel to pick.

The price for a dorm at Original Backpackers starts from $13.84.

Check out Original Backpackers here

Final Thoughts

Seoul hostels won’t be the cheapest in Asia, nor the roomiest. What they offer is priceless community: strangers swapping subway hacks, free kimchi lessons, and rooftop sunsets that paint the Han River gold.

Decide your social speed, pick a neighborhood on the Line 2 loop, and let the city’s 24-hour energy fill the gaps in your itinerary. Your future self—fluent in chopsticks and K-pop choruses—will thank you.

Backpacking Seoul? Here’s What You Need to Know

These are the guides I wish I had before visiting. I’ve been there, had fun, did some minor mistakes, and now I’m passing the best tips on to you. Safe travels!

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About the author: Matt Kiefer

Hey, I’m Matt, the founder behind Hostelgeeks.com. My team and I are collecting the absolute best hostels in the world for you. We share the coolest hostels so you can focus on your travels, rather than spending your time trying to pick a good hostel.

Personally, I’ve bunked in over 600 hostels and stamped my passport in more than 70 countries. My heart beats for Vietnam, Spain, and France, and so many more destinations. I’m a Foosball champ but a beer pong amateur.

Last but not least: Hostelgeeks is a proud ambassador of Hostelz.com.