2023 Korea Four Major Duty-Free Shops Shopping Guide: Must-See Tips for Hyundai Department Store Duty-Free Shopping

The long-awaited summer vacation is finally here, starting the eat-and-shop mode! Summer vacation in Korea is inseparable from shopping, and when it comes to shopping, duty-free shops naturally come to mind. For those who have just come to study in Korea or are planning a trip to Korea, you might not know which of the four major duty-free shops is better or which has more convenient transportation. Today's Seoul duty-free shop guide will take you through a must-visit on any Korea travel itinerary: Hyundai Department Store Duty-Free!

Hyundai Department Store Duty-Free not only offers convenient transportation but also provides a great shopping experience! It's worth noting that most duty-free shops close around 8 PM, but the Dongdaemun branch operates from 11 AM to 10 PM, allowing you to fully enjoy late-night shopping~!

The four major duty-free shops in Korea are Hyundai Department Store Duty-Free, Lotte Duty-Free, Shilla Duty-Free, and Shinsegae Duty-Free. Today we're sharing about Hyundai Department Store Duty-Free, located in the famous Dongdaemun area. Let's hop on the subway and start shopping!

The most convenient way to get around for shopping in Korea is by subway. Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station, which serves Lines 2, 4, and 5, naturally became one of the largest tourist shopping areas in Korea due to its convenient transportation. Especially Line 2, which carries a large number of passengers—both Hyundai Department Store Duty-Free's Dongdaemun branch and Trade Center branch are on Line 2, so you can visit both duty-free shops on the same line with ease!

Hyundai Department Store Duty-Free's Dongdaemun branch opened in 2020. After DOOTA announced its closure, Hyundai Department Store Duty-Free took over the shopping center space, and it is now the only duty-free shop in Dongdaemun. Take Lines 2, 4, or 5, get off at Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station, exit 14, and walk about 3 minutes to arrive.

Floors 6 to 13 are the duty-free area, with the membership service counter on the 13th floor. Go to the 13th floor first to register for membership. Once you join, you can enjoy more discounts and benefits, and even accumulate points from shopping—it's a great deal. Experience a variety of shopping activities with numerous events and offers.

Floor 6 gathers international luxury brands, Floor 7 is mainly international and Korean high-end cosmetics and perfume brands, Floor 8 features luxury watches, jewelry, and accessories, Floors 9 and 10 mainly offer trendy fashion items like luggage, shoes, and sunglasses, Floor 11 has Korean specialty foods and souvenirs perfect for gifts for family and friends, and Floor 12 is home to Korean cosmetics brands. The overall shopping environment is elegant and trendy, allowing you to enjoy a curated selection of products across various price ranges and styles. You can also get the most fashionable and cutting-edge items, experiencing top-tier shopping quality at the most reasonable prices—absolutely fantastic!

Here's a key point for you: For Korean domestic brand products purchased at the duty-free shop, you can take them directly after payment. However, other brands need to be picked up at the airport. Be sure to check your flight time and allow extra time for tax refund and product pickup. If your schedule is tight, you can log in to the Hyundai Department Store Duty-Free official website in advance, download the official app, place an order online, and then pick up the items at the airport to save time.

After browsing the Hyundai Department Store Duty-Free at Dongdaemun, you can take Line 4 to Hyehwa Station to watch a musical at Daehangno, or take Line 2 to popular spots like Hongdae or Gangnam. Also, Seongsu-dong, which has become popular in recent years, is on Line 2. If you have enough time, you can also take Line 2 to Samseong Station for the Hyundai Department Store Duty-Free Trade Center branch—no transfers needed, super convenient!

Now that you've learned about one of the four major duty-free shops in Korea, Hyundai Department Store Duty-Free, aren't you eager to go explore? Take advantage of the holiday and set out to Hyundai Department Store Duty-Free to enjoy summer~