Hongdae Station Exits Explained
Hongik Univ. Station (홍대입구역) is where Line 2, the Airport Railroad, and the Gyeongui–Jungang Line all meet. Nine exits, three lines, and platforms at different depths. Pick the wrong exit and you end up walking an extra 10 minutes above ground. With a suitcase in tow, that 10 minutes feels a lot longer.
This post answers one question: “Which exit do I take?”
Quick answers by destination
| Where you’re going | Exit |
|---|---|
| Hongdae main street, clubs, shops | Exit 9 (toward Hongik University), Exit 7 |
| Gyeongui Line Forest Park (Yeontral Park) | Exit 3 |
| Yeonnam-dong café streets | 1, 2, 3 |
| Gyeongui Line Book Street | 6 |
| Sinchon direction | 5, 6, 7 |
| AK& shopping mall | 4 |
| Seogyo-dong, Yanghwa-ro | 1 |
| Donggyo-dong intersection | 4, 8 |
| Luggage storage, lockers | 3, 5, 7, 9 (see table below) |
Exit-by-exit breakdown
| Exit | Where it takes you |
|---|---|
| 1 | Seogyo-dong, Yanghwa-ro |
| 2 | Yeonnam-dong, KT Sinchon branch |
| 3 | Gyeongui Line Forest Park (경의선숲길), Yeonnam-dong Community Center, Yeonhui-dong |
| 4 | AK& shopping mall, Donggyo-dong intersection, Sinchon five-way intersection |
| 5 | Gyeongui Line Forest Park, Donggyo Police Center |
| 6 | Gyeongui Line Book Street, Kim Dae-jung Library, Sinchon five-way intersection |
| 7 | Witjandari Children’s Park, Hongdae Street |
| 8 | Seogyo Elementary School, Donggyo-dong intersection |
| 9 | Hongik University, Mapo Lifelong Learning Center |
In one sentence: lower numbers point northwest (Yeonnam-dong), higher numbers point southwest (Hongik University, the main drag), and exits 5 through 7 lean east toward Sinchon.
Heads-up — exits 5–7 on the AREX and Gyeongui–Jungang Line side actually open closer to Sinchon than to Hongdae. If the main street is your destination, avoid these.
What to watch for, by line
Arriving by AREX (Airport Railroad)
- The platform is the deepest in the station. You’ll switch escalators a few times to reach street level.
- If you have a suitcase, find the elevator location before you start moving.
- Both Incheon Airport and Gimpo Airport connect without transfers. This is the station’s single biggest perk.
Arriving by Line 2
- Close to the Hongdae-side exits (7 and 9).
- One stop to Hapjeong or Sinchon in either direction.
Arriving by Gyeongui–Jungang Line
- Headways are long. Miss your train and you wait. Check the timetable.
- Connects to Sangbong and Yongmun, but travelers rarely use this section.
There are lockers inside the AREX concourse too. Go down from Exit 3 or 4 toward the AREX side, and you’ll find them along the corridor. But only about 20 lockers fit a suitcase, so they fill up fast.
If you have luggage
Three lines converge here, which means long transfer corridors and a lot of stairs. Dragging a suitcase through this station? Here’s what to do:
- Find the elevator/escalator route first. Don’t just follow the crowd up the stairs.
- If you’re planning to store bags, pick the exit closest to your storage spot.
- Rush hour (8–9 AM, 6–7 PM) turns this station into a flood of people. Navigating with a suitcase during those windows is brutal.
Luggage storage by exit
Here’s every storage option around Hongik Univ. Station, organized by the nearest exit.
| Exit | Storage | Type | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | KPLANZ | Staffed (direct underground access) | 10:00~ (later by reservation) |
| 3, 4 (in-station) | AREX lockers | Self-service | 06:00–24:00 |
| AREX corridor | Jimcarry | Staffed (direct access) | 09:00–22:00 |
| 5 | Welcome Center | Self-service (right at exit) | 24 hours |
| 5, 7 | Cocoon | Self-service | 24 hours |
| 6, 7 | LuggageQ | Self-service | 24 hours |
| 7 | Annyeong | Self-service | 24 hours |
| 7 | Coin lockers | Self-service (cash only) | 24 hours |
| 9 | Yellow | Self-service (underground access) | 07:00–23:00 |
Three ways to decide your exit:
- Avoiding rain → Exit 3 (KPLANZ), Exit 9 (Yellow), or the AREX concourse. These connect underground — no need to step outside.
- Catching AREX right after → Exit 3 or the AREX corridor. Grab your bags and head straight to the platform.
- Picking up late at night → the 24-hour self-service spots at Exits 5 and 7. Staffed counters close around 10 PM.
Stairs warning: LuggageQ sits on a mezzanine level (1.5 floors up). If you have heavy bags, this one’s a pain.
Why Hongik Univ. Station works so well for travelers
- Direct line to Incheon Airport (AREX All-stop, no transfers)
- Direct line to Gimpo Airport (same line)
- Line 2 connects you to Sinchon, Gangnam, Jamsil
- Loads of luggage storage within walking distance
- Yeonnam, Sangsu, and Hapjeong neighborhoods are all a 15-minute walk away
There aren’t many stations in Seoul that check all these boxes. That’s why spending your first and last day based out of Hongdae is a schedule that actually makes sense.
Mistakes people make
1. Taking Exit 5, 6, or 7 and looking for Hongdae’s main street. Those face Sinchon. The main drag is Exits 7 and 9.
2. Heading out the wrong side when looking for Gyeongui Line Forest Park. Exit 3. That’s the one.
3. Exiting the fare gates when trying to transfer. AREX ↔ Line 2 transfers happen inside the paid area. If you tap out and back in, you pay twice.
4. Not tapping your card when getting off. You lose your transfer discount, and the next ride tacks on a penalty fare. This is the number-one mistake foreign travelers make.
checked: 2026-08-02 · Storage info based on site listings (on-site check, 2026-06-29)