Myeongdong to Hongdae by subway
Fare, route and journey time between Myeongdong and Hongdae, from Seoul Metro's own route planner — the same amount the gates will charge you.
Route: Line 4 → AREX
- Line 4 Myeongdong → Seoul Station · 2 stops
- AREX Seoul Station → Hongik Univ. (Hongdae) · 2 stops
Route, fares and times from Seoul Metro's route planner, queried on a weekday daytime, 19 Oct 2026; journey times vary by a few minutes with connections. The fare is based on the shortest rail distance between the two stations, so it stays ₩1,550 whichever route you ride.
Myeongdong to Hongdae: what to know
Myeongdong is the stop for shopping, street food and Namsan cable car; Hongdae is the stop for Hongdae's nightlife, indie music and cafés. The ride is 7.7 km with one change.
- Pay with a transit card. Tap a T-money (or WOWPASS) card at the gate on the way in and out. A single-journey ticket from the machine costs ₩100 more and needs a ₩500 deposit, refunded at the deposit-refund machines after you exit. See which card to buy.
- Changing lines is free as long as you stay inside the gates — follow the coloured line signs at the transfer station. Of the lines covered here, only the Shinbundang Line (Sinsa–Gangnam–Gwanggyo) charges extra.
- Trains run from about 05:30 to around midnight. After that it's a Night Owl bus or a taxi — check the last train page before a late night.
- Luggage: fine on the subway, but transfer passages at big interchanges can be long. Look for the elevator sign rather than the escalators if you have suitcases.
Subway or taxi?
A standard taxi over roughly 6 km in normal daytime traffic comes to about ₩9,400 on the meter (20 min), and about ₩13,200 between 23:00 and 02:00 when the 40% night surcharge applies — a meter estimate, not a quote. The subway costs ₩1,550 per person, so a taxi only makes sense for three or four people with luggage, or after the last train. Check your own pick-up time in the taxi calculator.
Other trips from Myeongdong and Hongdae
FAQ
How much is the subway from Myeongdong to Hongdae?
₩1,550 for an adult with a T-money or other transit card, or ₩1,650 for a single-journey ticket plus a ₩500 deposit you get back at the exit. Youth (13–18) ₩900 and children (6–12) ₩550 with an age-registered card. The fare is the same in both directions.
How long does it take from Myeongdong to Hongdae by subway?
About 12 minutes on the train with one change, according to Seoul Metro's route planner on a weekday daytime query; connections vary by a few minutes. Add the wait for your first train.
Which line goes from Myeongdong to Hongdae?
Line 4 → AREX: Line 4 from Myeongdong to Seoul Station (2 stops); AREX from Seoul Station to Hongik Univ. (Hongdae) (2 stops).