Seoul: Easy one-train access from all airports, various comfortable hotels — GLAD Mapo
ilmicio05
4 hours ago
Do you remember how, before COVID, there were tons of limousine buses from both Incheon Airport and Gimpo Airport to all kinds of hotels?
Back then I was absolutely on Team Bus, but now there are hardly any limousine buses from Gimpo Airport, and buses from Incheon Airport into the city can take quite a while, so if you pick the area carefully, I, MICHIYO, think trains are the best no matter which airport you use.
The reason you have to “pick the area carefully” is because it is basically normal for the Seoul subway to not be barrier-free...
If you have transfers, you might end up walking a really long distance inside the station, or finding there are only stairs...
It feels better than it used to be, but still, it is common to see things like escalators and elevators that only go part of the way even though it is super deep underground, or they are stopped for inspection.
I have had times more than once where I was traveling alone with luggage to and from the airport and it turned out there were only stairs...
I really cannot do that, so I end up looking only for hotels where you can get there from the airport with no transfers, and where you can definitely use an escalator or elevator all the way until you get outside.
With that in mind, out of all the places I have tried, this is my top recommended hotel overall.
GLAD MAPO
From Incheon International Airport
AREX (Airport Railroad), Gongdeok Station, about 1 hour
Bus 6015 / 6701, Gongdeok Station, about 1 hour 20 minutes (It can vary a lot depending on traffic.)
From Gimpo Airport
AREX (Airport Railroad), Gongdeok Station, about 20 minutes
Line 5, Gongdeok Station, about 30 minutes
(For GLAD Mapo, I recommend the Airport Railroad.)
After you get off at Gongdeok Station on the Airport Railroad, head up toward Exit 9.
It is pretty deep, but there are escalators, so you will be fine.
One side (front or back) might be stopped for inspection, but the other one should be running.
As soon as you come up at Exit 9, the hotel entrance is right there.
The lobby is on the 9th floor.
There is also a convenience store on the same floor, and a WOWPASS kiosk as well.
I always book the cheapest room at the time through comparison sites, and sometimes, depending on the booking site perks, I get upgraded, sometimes I do not, so it is a little surprise every time.
Because I come back again and again, I have stayed in various room types, and every room is consistently comfortable.
They have double-gauze bathrobes.
Because of Korean regulations, there are basically no amenities.
But they do provide shampoo, conditioner, body wash, etc.
There is no bathtub, but the water pressure is fine, and since you can properly close the shower room door, you can avoid flooding the bathroom floor.
For me, that is an important point too.
It is a retro type, but I am happy they have an iron that can also use steam.
If I remember right, they replaced the disposable slippers almost every day.
The hair dryer has good airflow, and you can switch between cool and warm, which is great.
They also provide a charging set with a plug-in type.
There is a plug adapter included, and you can also borrow one at the front desk.
I have used this hotel fairly often since the days when I said “I am a bus-to-the-airport person!”, but I truly started feeling how convenient it is after I began using the train as my main airport transport.
Since the Airport Railroad is the closest line, when heading back from Incheon Airport, it is also super convenient for going to the City Airport Terminal check-in at Seoul Station.
It is not right in the center of the biggest shopping districts, so it depends on what kind of convenience you want, but it is easy to get to popular sightseeing areas like Myeongdong, Hongdae, Itaewon, and Yeouido, it feels like a nice middle point, so it is a perfect spot for repeat visitors.
If you are focusing on airport access and mainly hanging out north of the Hangang River, it is honestly way too comfortable.
I would not pick it when I am traveling with friends who want to hang out until late at places like Dongdaemun, but there are currency exchange places nearby, a mid-sized E-Mart, Olive Young, and lots of great restaurants and cafes, so it is the perfect hotel when I am solo or traveling with friends who are used to Korea.
There are several other comfortable hotels near Gongdeok Station, and personally this one is my favorite, but there are at least three more that are just as comfortable, so I would like to report on those too.
