Travel & Accommodation
Visiting Seoul, Korea. Venue, transport, hotels, visas and the best of Seoul beyond the conference floor.
Visiting Seoul, Korea
Korea is one of Asia's most welcoming destinations for international business visitors. Use this guide to plan your trip to AI Summit Seoul with confidence, from the venue and transport to hotels, visas and the very best of Seoul beyond the conference floor.
COEX Convention Center
- Address
- 513 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 06164
- Subway
- Samseong Station (Line 2), with a direct underground connection to COEX
- From airport
- About 60 min by AREX + subway, or about 45 min by taxi from Incheon Airport
- Hotels
- Connected to The Westin Seoul Parnas & close to Shilla Stay Samsung
Transportation from Incheon Airport
- Take the Airport Railroad (AREX) from Terminal 1 or Terminal 2.
- Take Airport Limousine Bus 6703 or 6103.
More than a conference: a city worth the trip
Seoul pairs 600 years of history with the energy of Asia's pop-culture capital. Royal palaces sit minutes from neon shopping districts, and serene temples share a skyline with some of the world's tallest towers. Here's a taste of what's waiting just beyond the COEX floor.
Near COEX: quick breaks between sessions
All within a short walk or one subway stop of the venue.
Bongeunsa Temple
10 MIN WALKDirectly across from COEX
A 1,200-year-old Buddhist temple facing the convention center, and the single best culture break from the floor. Templestay programs are available for visitors.
Starfield Library
INSIDE COEXCOEX Mall, central atrium
The dramatic two-storey open-stack library inside the mall: Seoul's most photographed indoor space, and completely free to wander.
“Gangnam Style” Statue
AT COEXOutside COEX, by Samseong Station
The giant golden wrists mid horse-dance: the city's most fun quick photo, right outside the venue.
Seonjeongneung Royal Tombs
SHORT WALKSeolleung Station (Line 2)
UNESCO-listed Joseon royal tombs set in a quiet wooded park, a green and historic pocket in the middle of Gangnam.
Worth the short trip
15–30 minutes from COEX by subway or taxi.
Lotte World Tower & Seoul Sky
~10 MINJamsil (Line 2)
One of the world's tallest towers, with a 123rd-floor glass-floor observatory and panoramic views across the city.
Han River · Banpo Park
~15 MINBanpo / Jamwon riverside
Riverside parks perfect for an evening stroll. The Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain show runs on summer evenings, ideal for August.
Garosu-gil
~15 MINSinsa (Line 3)
A tree-lined boutique-and-café street, the place for an afternoon of design shops, coffee and Korean dessert.
Apgujeong & K-Star Road
~15 MINApgujeong / Cheongdam
Luxury shopping and the home turf of Korea's biggest entertainment labels: the heart of K-pop and K-beauty.
A half-day in old Seoul
Reachable in about 30–40 minutes and well worth a free afternoon.
Gyeongbokgung Palace
PALACEGyeongbokgung (Line 3)
Korea's grandest royal palace. Catch the changing-of-the-guard ceremony, and rent a hanbok nearby to enter free.
Bukchon Hanok Village
HISTORICAnguk (Line 3)
Hundreds of preserved traditional hanok houses on hilly lanes between two palaces: Seoul's most atmospheric old quarter.
Inside or connected to COEX
Zero-effort options you can reach between sessions, without stepping outside.
Byeokje Galbi
KOREAN BBQCOEX Mall B1
A respected traditional name for premium bulgogi and galbi, polished enough to bring a client without leaving the building.
Myeongdong Kyoja
NOODLESCOEX Mall B1
Famous for handmade kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup) and mandu. Fast, comforting and inexpensive: a perfect solo lunch.
Mad for Garlic
ITALIANCOEX Mall
Garlic-forward Italian; the “Snowing Pizza” is the signature. An easy, crowd-pleasing choice for a relaxed group dinner.
VIPS
WESTERN / GRILLInterContinental COEX B1
Steak and an extensive salad bar: the reliable pick when your group has mixed or Western dietary needs.
The real Korean experience
A short walk or taxi from the venue, and worth stepping out for.
Gangnam–Yeoksam BBQ Strip
KOREAN BBQYeoksam / Gangnam, 5–10 min by taxi
The densest cluster of table-grill beef houses in the city. Grilling at the table with banchan is the quintessential Seoul dinner. Ask your hotel to book same-day.
Samgyetang (Ginseng Chicken Soup)
TRADITIONALAround Samseong-dong
A whole young chicken stuffed with rice and ginseng in a clear broth: light, healthy and a great first-timer's “real Korea” dish, especially in summer.
Korean Fried Chicken
CASUALThroughout Gangnam
Crispy, double-fried and glazed in sweet-spicy sauce, best paired with beer (“chimaek”). A fun, low-key team night out.
Gangnam Cafés & Bingsu
DESSERTGangnam / Garosu-gil
Seoul's café culture is world-class. Try bingsu, shaved-ice dessert mountains topped with red bean or fruit, for an afternoon break.
Drinks & views
For an evening of networking or a memorable client dinner.
SKY31 Lounge & Bar
ROOFTOP BARGrand InterContinental Parnas, 31F, next to COEX
Panoramic Gangnam views from the 31st floor, steps from the venue: the easy answer for after-hours drinks. Book ahead for groups.
Partner hotels
AIS attendees receive special pricing at our partner hotels in the Gangnam area, within walking distance of COEX. Contact our team for booking details and exclusive attendee rates.
CONNECTED TO COEXTeheran-ro, Gangnam · Next to COEX
The Westin Seoul Parnas
Five-star luxury directly connected to COEX Mall and the Grand Ballroom. One of Seoul's most prestigious business hotels, offering world-class amenities and unmatched convenience for conference attendees.
MINUTES FROM COEXSamsung-dong, Gangnam · Minutes from COEX
Shilla Stay Samsung
A premium business hotel in the heart of Samsung-dong, steps from COEX. Shilla Stay offers contemporary rooms, excellent amenities and easy access to the AI Summit Seoul venue.
Visa information
To enter Korea you will need either a visa or a K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization), depending on your nationality.
Invitation letters for visas are provided on request after you purchase a one- or two-day AIS pass. Please contact the AIS organizer once purchased.
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