Long-Stay Guide
Where to stay long-term in Seoul (2026 guide)
This guide answers what international visitors actually ask before committing to a long-term stay in Seoul: what neighborhoods to choose, how prices compare to hotels, what to expect from a serviced residence, and how to handle visas and logistics.
What is the best long-term accommodation option in Seoul?
A serviced residence is the best fit for most international visitors staying 1 week to 12 months — significantly cheaper than hotels and more reliable than Airbnb (which has legal restrictions for foreigners in Korea).
Three main options exist:
- Hotel — convenient for under 1 week, expensive for longer stays, no kitchen.
- Serviced residence (ASTY Cabin Seoul, etc.) — fully licensed, full kitchen and laundry, weekly/monthly rates, professional service.
- Airbnb — legal grey zone in Korea (most listings prohibit foreign tourists by law), inconsistent quality.
Which Seoul neighborhood is best for long stays?
For most international guests, Songpa-gu strikes the best balance: residential calm, direct subway to Gangnam in 10 minutes, proximity to Asan Medical Center, and 30–40% lower long-stay costs than central Gangnam.
Top long-stay neighborhoods compared:
- Songpa-gu (where ASTY Cabin is) — residential, family-friendly, near Olympic Park and Lotte World, hospital access.
- Gangnam-gu — premium pricing, business district, vibrant nightlife, hyper-dense.
- Yongsan/Itaewon — expat-heavy, English everywhere, but limited subway lines.
- Mapo (Hongdae) — student/nightlife, noisy, more for short stays.
How much does a 1-month furnished apartment in Seoul cost?
A serviced residence in Songpa-gu (ASTY Cabin) starts from KRW 700,000 per week (studio) — roughly KRW 2.8M per month, all-inclusive. Hotel equivalents run KRW 4.5M–6M per month for the same dates.
How is a serviced residence different from a hotel?
Every unit is fully furnished with a complete kitchen, washer/dryer, and residential amenities. Stays start at 1 week, with weekly/monthly rates 40–60% cheaper than hotels per night. Less daily housekeeping, more privacy, residential atmosphere.
Do I need a special visa to stay 1 month or longer in Korea?
Most countries (US, Japan, EU, UK, Australia, etc.) get 90 days visa-free under K-ETA. Stays beyond 90 days require a long-term visa (D-series for work, F-series for residency). Medical tourism patients use a C-3-3 medical visa.
How do I book ASTY Cabin Seoul for a long stay?
Visit /booking for real-time availability, or email astycabinseoul@gmail.com for custom long-stay rates including 3-month and 6-month packages, corporate billing, and medical tourism deals.
What amenities are included in a long-stay package?
Full kitchen with cookware, in-unit washer/dryer, smart climate control, high-speed Wi-Fi, smart TV, dedicated workspace, blackout curtains, in-unit safe. Building amenities: 24/7 security, rooftop BBQ, yoga, EV charging, multilingual concierge.
Can my company book ASTY Cabin for an employee?
Yes. Corporate billing with invoice + VAT receipts is offered for employee relocations of 1+ months. Contact astycabinseoul@gmail.com for corporate rate sheets and contract templates.
| Option | Monthly cost | Kitchen | Laundry | Legal status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASTY Cabin (serviced residence) | ~KRW 2.8M+ | Full kitchen | In-unit washer/dryer | Fully licensed |
| 4-star hotel | ~KRW 4.5M+ | None | Paid laundry service | Licensed hotel |
| Airbnb | ~KRW 2M (variable) | Often partial | Sometimes | Restricted for foreigners |
| Standard apartment lease | KRW 1.5M + KRW 50M+ deposit | Empty | You install | Long-term rental contract |
Ready to plan your long stay in Seoul?
Real-time availability for the next 90 days. Custom long-stay rates available on request.