Yongsan Station luggage storage

About the station 

Situated south of downtown Seoul, the Yongsan District is one of the more interesting places to explore on a trip, or even pick as a neighborhood to stay in. It’s situated in central Seoul, just outside the traditional city center, and provides both modern amenities and some of South Korea’s traditional charms.

There’s an energy to the district that never quite reaches the heights of nightlife-oriented areas like Hongdae or Gangnam, but that’s part of the appeal. There’s stuff going on, but you can have a quiet but enjoyable experience traveling with the family or even solo. Major attractions like the National Museum of Korea and the Seoul Museum of Art are situated nearby, and you can walk to the War Memorial of Korea, which is a vital stop on any trip to the capital. 

Serving the Yongsan Gu and the district is Yongsan Station, which is one of the better-connected transit hubs in Seoul. It’s one of the major stations for the KTX high-speed trains that make South Korea’s transportation infrastructure so efficient. Most importantly for travelers, Yongsan Station is situated along the Seoul Subway Line 1, connecting the area with nearly all of Seoul, and directly connecting it with plenty of the best landmarks and attractions. ITX-Cheongchun trains also run through Yongsan Station, giving commuters access to the district. 

If you’re researching where to stay in Seoul for a trip, you can do worse than having Yongsan Station be your launching point. Here’s everything you need to know about Seoul’s Yongsan Station:

Can we leave our luggage at Yongsan Station?

Yongsan Station offers self-service lockers available in the main hall. It costs between $2 and$5 depending on the size of the unit, which ranges from purse-size (small locker) to ones large enough to fit a carry-on bag. You'll need coins to access your locker. Each locker is available to rent for up to four hours, so there certainly are time restrictions that might impact how useful of an option this is. And if you have larger luggage or don't want to store items at train stations, a Bounce luggage storage facility is a great alternative.

Can we leave our luggage at Seoul Station?

Seoul Station, like many major transit facilities in South Korea, offers limited luggage storage facilities in the form of coin lockers. These are generally pretty small, and won't accommodate most larger items and luggage, so you might want to look into alternative options. Because there are also limited capacities at the lockers of each subway station, you might end up wishing you’d arrived earlier, if you do store items in the subway. 

Can we leave our luggage at Incheon Airport?

Unfortunately, there are no official luggage storage services on offer at Incheon Airport. Because it's situated well outside the city center, this wouldn't be a particularly useful option in any case. 

Where can I store my luggage in Seoul? 

Storing luggage in South Korea is fairly simple because most museums and attractions will offer lockers or a cloakroom. This might not always be the case in different districts of Seoul, so looking into a dedicated luggage storage service is a good way to make sure you're covered.

With Bounce, you can conveniently store bags throughout Seoul’s many districts, with dozens of convenient locations. Through Bounce’s extensive network, there will be a luggage facility located close to almost every major train station, including Hongdae Station, Myeongdong Station, and obviously Yongsan and Gangnam Stations. So if you need to store your luggage for a few hours while jetting around Seoul, you’re covered. Just remember to download the mobile app so you can find the nearest storage spot.

Things to do near Yongsan Station

National Museum of Korea 

With exhibits covering the entirety of Korean history, you could spend a week at this impressive collection of artifacts and artwork. If you only have a few hours and want to keep it to the greatest hits, head to the galleries on the first floor detailing the turn of the century Empire Period and Joseon Dynasty (14th-19th centuries).

Other highlights include the Baekje Incense Burner from the 7th-century Baekje Kingdom and the intricately carved marble ten-story Pagoda from the Goryeo Dynasty. One of the true must-visits has to be the impressive Golden Treasures from the Great Tomb of Hwangham.

There is ample information in English along with a mobile application, that will allow you to take a guided audio tour through the whole museum. If you want to take a deep dive, there's a three-hour guided English tour starting every morning at 11 AM. There's also an exhibition hall, where traveling exhibits and special events will take place. If you're traveling with the kids, head over to the Children’s Museum for interactive exhibits, where they can learn about Korean culture and history. 

National Museum of Korea bag policy 

For security purposes, almost all larger items and luggage are prohibited from the inside of the museum. Fortunately, the museum does offer free coat storage and affordable lockers for larger items situated next to the front of the Museum shop.

War Memorial of Korea 

This museum represents the comprehensive collection and telling of the history of the Korean War in the mid-20th century. Throughout its sprawling complex, thousands of artifacts like uniforms, maps, and weapons are housed alongside multimedia footage and experiences. It presents the complete picture of why the war happened how the war happened and the fallout.

One of the more poignant aspects of the museum is the Memorial Walkway which features the names of every casualty from the allied forces that perished in the war. The whole experience takes about three hours, so you'll want to arrive in the morning before the crowds, or just after lunch in order to fit everything in.

Despite the somber and serious nature of the memorial, there's actually a children's museum in the corner of the complex that presents the topic of war in an age-appropriate manner. There's even a ‘boot camp’ themed play area for the little ones. 

Airport travel from Yongsan Station

Yongsan Station is exceedingly simple to reach from Incheon International Airport via the Airport Railroad Express (AREX). It runs directly to Seoul Station, which takes 30 minutes and costs $8. From there you'll transfer to Subway Line 1 (heading towards Sinchang) and arrive at Yongsan Station in less than 10 minutes. This route is extremely quick because it bypasses all traffic, making it a much better option than a taxi. 

Getting around the city from Yongsan Station

How to get to Gyeongbokgung Palace from Yongsan Station 

Gyeongbokgung Palace is an absolute must-visit in Seoul, and luckily, very reachable from Yongsan Station via the subway, although it does require a transfer. From Yongsan Station, hop on Seoul Subway Line 1 heading towards Soyosan and then get off at City Hall Station (which is located near Deoksugung Palace, also, a worthy stop). From there, transfer to Line 2 (Green Line) and take that to Gyeongbokgung Station. Gyeongbokgung Palace is a short five-minute walk from there. It only takes about 25 minutes and costs a few dollars. You can also take a taxi or rideshare, but the five minutes you'd save isn't worth the added expense unless you're traveling with a bunch of bags. 

How to get to N Seoul Tower from Yongsan Station 

Also known as Namsan Tower or Seoul Tower, N Seoul Tower is one of the most notable and popular attractions, and all of South Korea. This needlepoint tower is visible from most of the city, but it still requires a little bit of planning to reach.

It's a quick subway ride from Yongsan Station via Subway Line 1. You'll transfer at City Hall Station to Line 2 and get off at Myeongdong Station. You can either hop on the Namsan Sunhwan Shuttle Bus, take a 15-minute walk up the hill, or the Namsan Cable Car up from the base of the hill to save time. The panoramic views of Seoul from the observation deck at the top of the tower are certainly worth the trek. The whole trip takes about 30 to 40 minutes. 

Luggage storage near Yongsan Station

Carrying luggage between the airport, subway stations, sightseeing destinations, and restaurants will only slow down your travel objectives. Finding a secure and convenient place to store your bags can be difficult, especially when you’re navigating a massive city like Seoul for the first time. Downloading the Bounce mobile app opens you up to thousands of luggage storage locations throughout South Korea and the rest of the globe. There are dozens of locations serving the areas around Yongsan Station, including ones near top attractions and cultural hotspots.