🚇 Hongik Univ. Station (Hongdae): which exit to use
Most Seoul birthday cafés cluster around Hongik Univ. Station. Coming out of the wrong exit can add ten minutes in a crowd. This is what each side of the station is good for.
Step by step
- Three linesLine 2, AREX (airport railroad) and the Gyeongui–Jungang Line all stop here — you can ride straight in from Incheon or Gimpo airport.
- Exit 9: the café lanesFor most birthday cafés (Wausan-ro 29-gil lanes, Cafe Planet, Brown City, Lucky Flavor), use exit 9 and walk 6–9 minutes.
- Exits 1–3: Yeonnam-dongFor Yeonnam-dong and the Gyeongui Line Forest Park — the Lee Know × Han joint café (Oct 9–11) is about 5 minutes from exit 1.
- Sangsu Station (Line 6)Cafés in the southern Hongdae lanes are closer to Sangsu — Archive Z is about 6 minutes on foot.
- Hapjeong (Lines 2 & 6)One stop south on Line 2; used for cafés near Hapjeong and Mangwon.
- Late nightHongdae stays busy late; there's a 24-hour sauna nearby if you're between a late arrival and check-in.
Spots
Show these in Korean
Before you go
- On birthday weekends exit 9 gets very crowded around noon — arrive before opening or after 3 pm.
Checked Oct 8 · Sources: www.offmate.kr · www.offmate.kr · www.offmate.kr
All guides
NEW
🗺️ Lee Know birthday café walk: 8 Hongdae cafés in one afternoon (Oct 22–25)Eight of this year's Lee Know cafés sit within about 200 m of each other near Hongik Univ. Stn exit 9. Here's the order to walk them — and why Oct 24 or 25 is the day all eight are open.NEW
🍂 Yeonnam-dong day for the Lee Know × Han joint café (Oct 9–11)The Lee Know × Han joint café opens Oct 9 — Hangeul Day, a public holiday — in Yeonnam-dong. Pair it with the Gyeongui Line Forest Park walk and the Hongdae lanes next door.
✈️ Incheon Airport to Seoul: AREX, bus or taxiOfficial fares and times from Incheon Airport to Seoul: AREX Express ₩13,000, all-stop train from ₩4,750, limousine buses, regular and international taxis.
🎂 Birthday cafés in Seoul: a first-timer's guide for STAYHow K-pop birthday cafés work: fan-run events, goodies that come with a drink, first-come freebies, and how to be a polite guest on your first visit.
🗺️ Lee Know birthday café walk: 8 Hongdae cafés in one afternoon (Oct 22–25)Eight of this year's Lee Know cafés sit within about 200 m of each other near Hongik Univ. Stn exit 9. Here's the order to walk them — and why Oct 24 or 25 is the day all eight are open.NEW🍂 Yeonnam-dong day for the Lee Know × Han joint café (Oct 9–11)The Lee Know × Han joint café opens Oct 9 — Hangeul Day, a public holiday — in Yeonnam-dong. Pair it with the Gyeongui Line Forest Park walk and the Hongdae lanes next door.✈️ Incheon Airport to Seoul: AREX, bus or taxiOfficial fares and times from Incheon Airport to Seoul: AREX Express ₩13,000, all-stop train from ₩4,750, limousine buses, regular and international taxis.🎂 Birthday cafés in Seoul: a first-timer's guide for STAYHow K-pop birthday cafés work: fan-run events, goodies that come with a drink, first-come freebies, and how to be a polite guest on your first visit.