A consultation in Gangnam in the morning, makeup in Seongsu in the afternoon, and one photo in Hongdae in the evening. On a booking screen that day comes together in a moment, but in reality the travel between them takes a fair amount of time. If you are booking two places in one day, start by keeping it to two neighbourhoods at most and leaving room between the time your first booking ends and your next appointment.
Just as on the Underground in London or the subway in New York, the time you spend on the train and the time from door to door are not the same in Seoul either. A delay at reception, a lift, and the passageways inside a station all go into your schedule. Gangnam and Garosu-gil are easy to link, and Myeongdong and Hongdae can be combined too if you leave a generous gap. Hongdae and Seongsu are on the same Line 2, but they are not next door to each other.
SEOUL
| Area | Subway Stations | Subway Lines |
|---|---|---|
| Hongdae | Hongik Univ. Station | 2, 공항철도, 경의중앙 |
| Myeongdong | Myeongdong | 4 |
| Itaewon, Hannam | Itaewon, Hangangjin | 6 |
| Seongsu | Seongsu, Ttukseom | 2 |
| Garosu-gil | Sinsa | 3 |
| Gangnam | Gangnam, Sinnonhyeon | 2, 신분당, 9 |
Gangnam: build the day around a clinic consultation
Bookings to look for
Hospitals and clinics offering skin treatments, plastic surgery clinics, and dental clinics. If you have several things to discuss, it is better to set aside enough time for the consultation than to go through every service.
The station to remember
Stores in the Gangnam area need to be checked by their individual address. The area to area table below sets the common reference to Gangnam Station. GU Clinic Gangnam, the store featured here, is closer to Sinnonhyeon Station, so enter the clinic address when you search for the actual journey.
Moving on to the next neighbourhood
From Gangnam Station, plan about 10 to 15 minutes to Sinsa Station for Garosu-gil on the Shinbundang Line, and about 30 to 40 minutes to Seongsu Station on Line 2. Both routes can be made without a transfer.
A store to look at
GU Clinic Gangnam.
Garosu-gil: look for your style close by
Bookings to look for
Several kinds of beauty service, including skin treatments, hair and makeup, and personal colour. A good area to look at when you want two bookings with different purposes in the same place.
The station to remember
Sinsa Station. Stores further inside Garosu-gil need some extra walking from the station.
Moving on to the next neighbourhood
Plan about 10 to 15 minutes from Sinsa Station to Gangnam Station, and about 25 to 35 minutes to Myeongdong Station including a transfer at Chungmuro Station.
A store to look at
Zero Clinic. The address is Dosan-daero 108, so it is more accurate to check the store location and your Garosu-gil shopping route separately.
Myeongdong: fit a booking between your hotel and your shopping
Bookings to look for
Skin treatments, hair salons, and beauty shopping. If you are staying in Myeongdong, you can build a day where you rest after your booking instead of travelling to a distant area.
The station to remember
Myeongdong Station and Euljiro 1-ga Station. The travel table in this article uses Myeongdong Station. For stores towards Namdaemun-ro, check the route from Euljiro 1-ga Station as well.
Moving on to the next neighbourhood
From Myeongdong Station, plan about 25 to 40 minutes to Hongik Univ. Station including a transfer at Seoul Station, and about 20 to 30 minutes to Itaewon Station with a transfer at Samgakji Station.
A store to look at
ABIJOU Myeongdong. Adjust the schedule after your visit to the guidance given for your skin treatment.
Hongdae: look for the hair and the photo mood you want
Bookings to look for
Hair and styling, photo related services, and skin treatments. Even on a day built around finding the hair or the shoot you have in mind, this is an area where you can arrange a separate clinic consultation.
The station to remember
Hongik Univ. Station. The platforms and exits for Line 2 and AREX are some distance apart, so check the line you are using together with the store location.
Moving on to the next neighbourhood
Plan about 25 to 40 minutes to Myeongdong Station and about 30 to 40 minutes to Seongsu Station on Line 2. The Myeongdong route transfers at Seoul Station.
A store to look at
Forena Clinic. A store offering skin treatments, introduced at Yanghwa-ro 140.
Seongsu: carry on to a photo schedule after your makeup
Bookings to look for
Hair and makeup and styling services. If you plan to take photos after your visit or look around the brand stores nearby, link your schedule to the time your makeup is finished. The area introduction does not mean a ranking of how many stores there are by category.
The station to remember
Seongsu Station. If you plan to go as far as the Seoul Forest area, check the destination address and the walking time as well.
Moving on to the next neighbourhood
Plan about 30 to 40 minutes each to Gangnam Station or Hongik Univ. Station on Line 2. Even on the same line, check the direction of travel.
A store to look at
Project Hin. It offers hair and makeup products, and whether a photo service is included needs to be checked separately.
Itaewon: look as far as Hannam-dong and Hangangjin Station
Bookings to look for
Hair and styling, head spa, and other services that also allow for rest. If your next plan is a meal or an exhibition, you can link it to the time your service ends.
The station to remember
Itaewon Station or Hangangjin Station. A store grouped under “Itaewon” may in fact be in Hannam-dong.
Moving on to the next neighbourhood
From Itaewon Station, the reference used in the table, plan about 20 to 30 minutes to Myeongdong Station and about 20 to 30 minutes to Sinsa Station. The store featured here is closer to Hangangjin Station, so search again with your actual departure and arrival stations.
A store to look at
Juno Seoul. The address is Itaewon-ro 45-gil 14, and the store page directs you to Hangangjin Station.
How long does it take to the next neighbourhood
The table below gives approximate station to station times to refer to when planning your trip. It is an edited estimate range that allows for ordinary waiting and transfers. It is not real time directions or a confirmed timetable. The departure and arrival stations have been set to Gangnam Station, Sinsa Station, Myeongdong Station, Hongik Univ. Station, Seongsu Station, and Itaewon Station. Add the walking time to the store and the reception time on top of this.
The routes in the table are examples using Line 2, Line 3, Line 4, Line 6, the Shinbundang Line, and AREX. AREX between Seoul Station, Hongik Univ. Station, and Gongdeok Station is based on the all stop train.
1. Gangnam ↔ Garosu-gil
| Planned time between stations | 10 to 15 min |
| Transfers | None |
| Example route | Gangnam to Sinsa / Shinbundang Line |
2. Gangnam ↔ Myeongdong
| Planned time between stations | 35 to 45 min |
| Transfers | Once |
| Example route | Line 2 to Sadang to Line 4 |
3. Gangnam ↔ Hongdae
| Planned time between stations | 40 to 50 min |
| Transfers | None |
| Example route | Line 2 / towards Sadang and Sindorim |
4. Gangnam ↔ Seongsu
| Planned time between stations | 30 to 40 min |
| Transfers | None |
| Example route | Line 2 / towards Jamsil |
5. Gangnam ↔ Itaewon
| Planned time between stations | 30 to 45 min |
| Transfers | Twice |
| Example route | Shinbundang Line to Sinsa to Line 3 to Yaksu to Line 6 |
6. Garosu-gil ↔ Myeongdong
| Planned time between stations | 25 to 35 min |
| Transfers | Once |
| Example route | Line 3 to Chungmuro to Line 4 |
7. Garosu-gil ↔ Hongdae
| Planned time between stations | 35 to 45 min |
| Transfers | Once |
| Example route | Line 3 to Euljiro 3-ga to Line 2 |
8. Garosu-gil ↔ Seongsu
| Planned time between stations | 35 to 45 min |
| Transfers | Once |
| Example route | Line 3 to Euljiro 3-ga to Line 2 |
9. Garosu-gil ↔ Itaewon
| Planned time between stations | 20 to 30 min |
| Transfers | Once |
| Example route | Line 3 to Yaksu to Line 6 |
10. Myeongdong ↔ Hongdae
| Planned time between stations | 25 to 40 min |
| Transfers | Once |
| Example route | Line 4 to Seoul Station to AREX all stop train |
11. Myeongdong ↔ Seongsu
| Planned time between stations | 25 to 35 min |
| Transfers | Once |
| Example route | Line 4 to Dongdaemun History and Culture Park to Line 2 |
12. Myeongdong ↔ Itaewon
| Planned time between stations | 20 to 30 min |
| Transfers | Once |
| Example route | Line 4 to Samgakji to Line 6 |
13. Hongdae ↔ Seongsu
| Planned time between stations | 30 to 40 min |
| Transfers | None |
| Example route | Line 2 / towards City Hall |
14. Hongdae ↔ Itaewon
| Planned time between stations | 25 to 35 min |
| Transfers | Once |
| Example route | AREX all stop train to Gongdeok to Line 6 |
15. Seongsu ↔ Itaewon
| Planned time between stations | 30 to 40 min |
| Transfers | Once |
| Example route | Line 2 to Sindang to Line 6 |
Line 2 is a loop line that goes all the way around Seoul. Check the direction the train is running in as well as the name of your destination station. When you transfer, follow the transfer signs and the map guidance inside the station.
When setting the gap between bookings, add 20 to 30 minutes of room for walking to the store and to the exit to the longer end of the time in the table, plus room for the first booking to run late. Allow more if the building is far from the station or you need assistance getting around. Finally, entering the date and time in a map app to check the actual route makes it easier to refine your plan.
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Previous Reservation Delay Buffer | If your previous reservation is delayed, this allows time for a buffer. |
| End of the First Reservation | |
| Move from Departure Point to Platform | |
| Train Boarding and Transfer | This section includes only the train boarding and transfer parts. |
| Arrival at the Next Destination |
This number represents the train section. This section includes only the train boarding and transfer parts.
Estimated Walking Time: 20-30 minutes
This is a general guideline and may be shorter or longer depending on the route, station layout, and walking speed.
Total Trip Time Required
Trip Time Calculation
- Total trip time = Previous reservation delay buffer + Move from departure point to platform + Train boarding and transfer (train section number) + Arrival at next destination
- Plan based on the total trip time, not just the time between stations.
If you are fitting two places into one day, start with these pairs
1. Gangnam and Garosu-gil
| A good way to build it | A style consultation in the afternoon, with room for lunch and travel after the morning consultation ends |
| Schedules to avoid | Booking a store deep inside Garosu-gil 30 minutes after the first booking ends |
2. Myeongdong and Hongdae
| A good way to build it | A morning service starting from your hotel, then an afternoon booking after reviewing a gap of 90 minutes or more |
| Schedules to avoid | A photo shoot with a fixed start time in Hongdae the moment you finish in Myeongdong |
3. Hongdae and Seongsu
| A good way to build it | Check the time your hair and makeup finishes, then review a gap of 90 minutes or more for travel and delays |
| Schedules to avoid | Linking the two store bookings with less than an hour between them |
4. Gangnam and Itaewon
| A good way to build it | Give the first booking enough time and set a generous start time for the next area |
| Schedules to avoid | A tight booking that does not allow for two transfers |
Count the gap from the time your first booking is due to end. Look at the order of the services too. Makeup after a skin treatment, or a head spa that puts pressure on your face, may not be suitable. Even between stores that are close together, it is good to check first whether the two services are possible on the same day.
If your day starts in Hongdae, goes to Gangnam and comes back to Hongdae, try grouping everything you want to do in Hongdae together. Cutting the time spent going back and forth makes room to rest at a cafe. If you want medical treatments at two different clinics one after another, tell both medical teams about your whole schedule.
DAY 1 EXAMPLE: Gangnam Half-Day
CLINIC CONSULTATION & REST. An example half-day in Gangnam, focused on a consultation and time to relax.
| Time | Activity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00 | Clinic consultation | Discuss your goals, get personalized recommendations. |
| 11:30 | Coffee break | Time at a nearby café. |
| 13:00 | Rest time | Return to your accommodation and take it easy. |
DAY 2 EXAMPLE: Seongsu Half-Day
HAIR & MAKEUP, THEN PHOTOS. An example half-day in Seongsu, focused on hair and makeup, followed by time for photos if you choose.
| Time | Activity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00 | Hair & makeup | Get ready at a salon in Seongsu. |
| 11:00 | Photos (optional) | Visit a nearby studio or photo spot. Not included with hair and makeup. |
| 12:30 | Lunch or free time | Enjoy a meal or explore the area at your own pace. |
A half day built around one booking
Gangnam half day. Build around a clinic consultation at 10:30 in the morning and leave room until 1:30 in the afternoon. After it ends, rest somewhere nearby or go back to your hotel in line with the restrictions you were given. It is a structure where you are unlikely to have to cancel another booking even if the first visit takes longer than expected.
Garosu-gil half day. A personal colour consultation at 11 in the morning, followed by lunch and shopping to check the colours you were recommended. If you also want a consultation at Zero Clinic, ask whether a consultation is possible late in the afternoon, but decide separately whether to go ahead with a treatment on the same day.
Myeongdong half day. Book one clinic or one hair salon in the morning and leave time to rest at your hotel afterwards. If you are looking for both ABIJOU Myeongdong and Juno Hair Myeongdong, check with both stores whether a shampoo or styling is possible after a skin treatment, and whether the order should be reversed.
Hongdae half day. Book your hair appointment first, and link a photo shoot or shopping nearby once the finishing time is confirmed. On a day when you choose to visit Forena Clinic, switching from a shoot to a consultation and rest makes it easier to manage your time and your recovery.
Seongsu half day. Using the time Project Hin finishes your hair and makeup as your reference, carry on to a photo schedule and a visit to an indoor store nearby. Keeping skin treatments for another day reduces the chance of makeup clashing with recovery guidance. Do check whether a shoot is included in your hair and makeup booking.
Itaewon half day. Have a hair service or a head spa at Juno Seoul near Hangangjin Station, then finish with a meal or an exhibition nearby. For destinations further inside Hannam-dong, check the route by address, allowing for the hills and the extra walking.
Frequently asked questions
Gangnam and Seongsu are both on Line 2, so are they next to each other?
There is no transfer, but the train passes through a number of stations. Add the travel to each store to the station to station time in the table.
Can I shorten the gap between bookings by taking a taxi?
It depends on how long you wait for a car and on traffic. If a booking is one you have to keep, compare the expected times for the subway and a taxi at that hour and keep some room.
Can I just get off at Itaewon Station for a store listed as Itaewon?
Check the store address first. Juno Seoul in this article directs you to Hangangjin Station, so using the table, which is standardised on Itaewon Station, as it is will differ from your actual route.
Can I book three places in one day?
It may be possible depending on the length and the type of the services, but delays and recovery are hard to predict on a first visit. Building around the one booking you really need and linking short appointments in the same area is easier to manage.
