Budget stays · Seoul, South Korea · Prices checked October 30, 2026
Dreaming of Seoul but worried about hotel prices? 😊 We totally get it. Seoul can feel expensive, but you don’t have to give up a clean, comfortable bed to travel on a budget. That’s why we’d love to introduce you to well-rated places in Seoul where you can stay for about $20 a night when you come to Korea.
We searched Booking.com ourselves and picked only 10 places that cost about $15–$22 per person when two people share a room, with a guest score of 8.0 or higher and at least 20 reviews. We left out places with only a handful of reviews, because a score from five guests can change quickly. From Hongdae to Myeongdong and Gangnam, there’s a pick for every travel style!
Please read before you book: every price below is the lowest price per room for 2 adults, 1 night on Tuesday, November 17, 2026, as shown on Booking.com on October 30, 2026. In Seoul, many of the cheapest options are women-only rooms or female dormitories. We marked these clearly, so male travelers can check the other room types on the booking page.
Quick comparison: guest scores
Hongdae Guesthouse Pajamaparty9.0$43
Sophie House8.6$30
Pocket Seoul Branch 28.5$34
MTT Guest House8.4$33
Ocean's Guesthouse8.2$36
Mong Motel8.2$37
Blue Boat Hostel Myeongdong8.1$36
Amazon Guesthouse8.0$34
Kimstay 9 38.0$36
Chason M Dongdaemun8.0$44
Score / price per room for 2 adults · Booking.com, Nov 17, 2026 stay
Hongdae & Mapo: 3 budget stays
Hongdae is Seoul’s young, lively area, full of cafés, street performers and nightlife. The Airport Railroad stops at Hongik University Station, so it’s easy to get here straight from Incheon Airport.
#1 · Seoul · Mapo · Yeonnam-dong
Sophie House
8.6 / 10 · 184 reviews
US$30 per room (2 adults) · about $15 per person
Room type: Standard Twin Room with shared bathroom
Hongik University Station (Line 2 · Airport Railroad) – 900 m
Recently renovated, terrace, soundproofing, guests praise the clean rooms and the kind host. This is a women-only homestay for foreign visitors. A lovely, safe choice if you are a woman traveling solo or with a friend.
#2 · Seoul · Mapo · Hapjeong
Ocean's Guesthouse
8.2 / 10 · 630 reviews
US$36 per room (2 adults) · about $18 per person
Room type: Private Twin Room with shared bathroom
Hapjeong Station (Line 2 · 6) – 750 m · Mangwon Station – 850 m
Shared kitchen with microwave, toaster and kettle, lounge, free WiFi. For foreign guests only. With 630 reviews, it is one of the most proven picks on this list. Mangwon Market is close by for cheap local food.
Central Seoul & Gangnam: 4 budget stays
Want to be close to shopping and sightseeing? These four put you near Myeongdong, Itaewon, Gangnam and Dongdaemun-gu.
#4 · Seoul · Jung-gu · Myeongdong
Blue Boat Hostel Myeongdong
8.1 / 10 · 367 reviews
US$36 per room (2 adults) · about $18 per person
Room type: 2 beds in a 4-bed female dormitory
Chungmuro Station (Line 3 · 4) – 500 m · Euljiro 3-ga Station – 500 m
Washing machine, luggage storage, fridge, 24-hour security. You can walk to Myeongdong and Namdaemun Market. The price shown is for a female dorm, so men should check the mixed dorm or private room price.
#5 · Seoul · Yongsan · Itaewon
Amazon Guesthouse
8.0 / 10 · 188 reviews
US$34 per room (2 adults) · about $17 per person
Room type: 2 beds in a 6-bed female dormitory
Itaewon Station (Line 6) – 450 m · Noksapyeong Station – 700 m
Garden and terrace, shared kitchen, luggage storage, hypoallergenic bedding. Itaewon is full of international restaurants and bars. The price shown is for a female dorm, so men should check other room types.
#6 · Seoul · Gangnam · Yeoksam
MTT Guest House
8.4 / 10 · 411 reviews
US$33 per room (2 adults) · about $16 per person
Room type: 2 beds in a 6-bed female dormitory
Yeoksam Station (Line 2) – 700 m · Gangnam Station – 1 km
Hot tub, terrace, bar, free WiFi. A rare budget stay in Gangnam, close to Gangnam Station shopping. The price shown is for a female dorm, so men should check other room types.
#7 · Seoul · Dongdaemun-gu · Hoegi
Chason M Dongdaemun
8.0 / 10 · 272 reviews
US$44 per room (2 adults) · about $22 per person
Room type: Double Room with private bathroom
Hoegi Station (Line 1 · Gyeongui-Jungang) – 100 m
Private bathroom, shared kitchen, lounge, fridge and TV in the room. Just one minute from the station. Line 1 goes straight to Seoul Station and Jongno.
Quiet local neighborhoods: 3 budget stays
These areas are a little farther from the tourist spots, but you get more room for your money and a taste of everyday Seoul life.
#8 · Seoul · Geumcheon-gu · Gasan
Pocket Seoul Branch 2
8.5 / 10 · 53 reviews
US$34 per room (2 adults) · about $17 per person
Room type: Double Room with private bathroom
Gasan area – please check the map link for the nearest station
Private bathroom, electric kettle, work desk, free toiletries. A private room with its own bathroom for about $17 per person is a great deal in Seoul. Gasan is known for its big outlet shopping malls.
#9 · Seoul · Gangseo-gu · Mok-dong
Kimstay 9 3
8.0 / 10 · 787 reviews
US$36 per room (2 adults) · about $18 per person
Room type: Double Room
Mok-dong Station (Line 5) – about 1 km
Free simple breakfast (toast, cereal, milk), fridge and TV in every room. The most-reviewed place on this list. Gimpo Airport is only about a 15-minute drive away.
#10 · Seoul · Gangbuk-gu · Suyu
Mong Motel
8.2 / 10 · 29 reviews
US$37 per room (2 adults) · about $18 per person
Room type: Double Room
Suyu Station (Line 4) – 200 m
Private bathroom, bathrobes, kettle, elevator. A quiet local neighborhood in north Seoul. Note: this is an adults-only property.
Which Seoul area is right for you?
Hongdae or Myeongdong. Both are easy to reach and full of things to do.
Hongdae (Airport Railroad from Incheon) or Mok-dong (close to Gimpo Airport).
Myeongdong for cosmetics, Gangnam for trendy shops, Gasan for outlet malls.
Sophie House is women-only, and several dorms here have female-only rooms.
Sophie House ($30 per room) and MTT Guest House ($33 for two dorm beds).
5 tips to keep your Seoul stay around $20
- Split a room with a friend. Prices are per room, so sharing is the easiest way to pay about $20 each.
- Check the room type. Some of the lowest prices are for female dorms. Pick the room that fits you before you pay.
- Stay Sunday to Thursday. Weekend prices in Seoul are usually higher.
- Look at the total price. Taxes, cleaning or late check-in fees can be added at the end.
- Stay near a subway station. The Seoul subway is cheap and fast, so a place a bit outside the center can still be very convenient.
Prices and scores change every day. Please check the latest price on the booking page before you pay.
Seoul doesn’t have to be expensive! Even in Korea’s busiest city, you can find clean, well-rated rooms for around $20 a night if you know where to look. Use the money you save for Korean BBQ, a day trip, or that cute café you saw on Instagram! ☕
If you’re planning a trip to Korea, save this list for later. We’ll keep introducing great-value stays and helpful travel tips for everyone coming to Korea. Is there a neighborhood or a place you’re curious about? Just leave us a comment below. We’re always happy to help. Have a wonderful time in Seoul! 💙
We picked these stays from public Booking.com listings and guest scores. No property paid to be included. Prices were checked on October 30, 2026 and may change.
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#3 · Seoul · Mapo · Hongdae
Hongdae Guesthouse Pajamaparty
9.0 / 10 · 302 reviews
US$43 per room (2 adults) · about $22 per person
Room type: Standard Twin Room
Hongik University Station (Line 2 · Airport Railroad) – 850 m
157-6 Seongmisan-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Open in Google Maps →
12 uniquely designed rooms with handmade furniture, garden, shared lounge, bathroom in the room. The highest score on this list. It’s about 1 km north of busy Hongdae, so you get the fun nearby and a quiet night’s sleep.
Check prices on Booking.com→