Is it the same for you too? After picking up your luggage at Incheon Airport and taking the airport express train, you rush all the way to Myeongdong, thinking, “After getting my skin treatment, I can go to the hotel to check in – perfect!”
In the end, after carrying that 28-inch suitcase all the way to the clinic entrance, the receptionist said to me with an apologetic look, “Sorry, we really can’t accommodate such a large suitcase here.”
I was completely stunned for a moment. Standing on the streets of Myeongdong with my luggage in hand, I had no idea what to do next.
This is not your problem—it’s rather a “unspoken rule of Myeongdong Dermatology” that many people are unaware of: nearly all Dermatology clinics in South Korea do not offer luggage storage services. To write this article, I personally visited the underground streets of Myeongdong, checked all the locations of coin lockers, their prices, and the app-based storage options available, and compiled this comprehensive guide to help you avoid such pitfalls.
In short: Due to limited space, most Dermatology clinics in Myeongdong do not offer luggage storage services – bringing along a 28-inch suitcase would only cause inconvenience for both you and the clinic. Fortunately, there are at least four options for luggage storage around Myeongdong subway stations. The cheapest option costs ⩡2,000, and reservations can be made conveniently through mobile apps. After reading this article, you can go ahead with your medical beauty treatment without any worries about luggage.
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🚫 Why don’t Dermatology clinics in Myeongdong allow you to bring luggage inside?
Let me start by sharing a rather harsh fact: the space available in Dermatology clinics in South Korea is truly very limited. Unlike medical aesthetics clinics in Taiwan, which often occupy an entire floor, most clinics in Myeongdong are located on just one floor of commercial buildings. The waiting areas usually consist of only 6 to 8 seats, and the corridors are so narrow that only one person can pass through at a time.
A 28-inch suitcase placed in the waiting area takes up the space meant for two seats. Moreover, the layout design of clinics in South Korea simply does not take into account the scenario of patients bringing luggage—with smaller treatment rooms and narrower corridors. Bringing large luggage inside not only causes inconvenience for the patient themselves but also affects the experience of other patients waiting for their turn.
The official response from most clinics is: “We do not provide luggage storage services.” Some even go so far as to directly refuse entry to those carrying large bags. Therefore, it is best for both you and the clinic if you take care of your luggage before proceeding with any medical treatment.
🗺️ Four options for luggage storage in Myeongdong: Which one suits you best?
The good news is that, as Seoul’s most popular tourist area, Myeongdong offers far more options for luggage storage than you might imagine. I have compiled the following four options in a comparison table, ranked from the cheapest to the most convenient, so you can quickly determine which one suits you best.
| solution | High prices for large items | Appropriate length of stay | App required / Reservation necessary | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏆 Underground Street Coin Locker | ₩5,000 per day | 2 to 8 hours | No need. | Only priced at ¥11,000 – it’s always full on weekends. |
| 🚇 T-Locker (Official Subway Service) | ₩8,000 per 4 hours | 1 to 3 hours | The app allows for reservations. | It’s significantly more expensive if it exceeds 4 hours. |
| 📱 Radical Storage / Bounce | ₩7,000 to ⩽₩9,000 per day | Throughout the day | App reservation is required. | It’s a bit more expensive, so be aware if it doesn’t offer 24-hour service. |
| 🏬 New World Department Store, B1 Floor | Free of charge (3 hours) | 1 to 2 hours | Registration is required. | Long waiting times; limited to 3 hours only. |
🏆 Option 1: Underground Street Coin Locker — The cheapest and most highly recommended option.
If I could only recommend one option, it would definitely be this one. After exiting Exit 4 of the Myeongdong subway station, head through the underground passage into the “Myeongdong Underground Mall” and look right across from Exit 19 – there you will find a row of coin lockers.
Three specific locations (in the order of recommendation):
- Top recommendation: Exit 4 → Go straight into the underground passage → Right in front of Exit 19 of the underground mall (the most visible area with the largest number of display shelves).
- Option 1: Walk about 50 meters inside the underground mall, near the vending machine for drinks (a relatively secluded area with fewer people).
- Alternative 2: Below the stairs on the right side of the ZARA entrance on ground level (the exit is at ground level, which is convenient in rainy weather).
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| Dimensions | Size (in cm) | Price | What can be placed there? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (SWOMAN) | 35×50×35 | ₩2,000 | Backpacks, shopping bags |
| Medium (M) | 50×50×50 | ₩3,000 | 20-inch laptop case |
| Large (L) | 80×50×50 | ₩5,000 | 24-30 inch large suitcases |
The usage is very simple: Select an empty locker → Place your luggage inside → Insert 9,100 yen in cash → The machine will issue a receipt with the locker number and password on it → Take photos! Take photos! Take photos! (If you lose the receipt, you’ll have to rely on customer service, which can be very troublesome when there’s a language barrier.) When you come to collect your luggage, just enter the password to open the locker.
⏰ 24-hour luggage collection: Although the shops in the underground passage close after 10 p.m., the passage itself is not locked, so you can still go in to retrieve your luggage. Those with late-night flights need not worry.
🚇 Option 2: T-Locker (official subway storage service) – The app allows reservations, but charges are calculated on an hourly basis.
T-Locker (또타라커 / T-Luggage) is a storage service offered directly by the Seoul Metro. At the Myeongdong station, the lockers are located near Exit 2 and Exit 8.
Advantages: You can use the “T-Locker” app to reserve a lockable location in advance, which is ideal for those who plan to visit on weekends or holidays and are worried that all the coin lockers might be occupied.
Disadvantages: The service is charged by the hour. For the larger-sized locker, the cost is ¥8,000 for 4 hours, with an additional charge of ¥2,000 per hour beyond that. If you are performing Thermage treatment (1–2 hours of treatment + consultation + recovery time = 3–4 hours in total), the cost of using a T-Locker could amount to as much as ¥912,000–¥916,000, which is 2–3 times more expensive than the all-day rate of ¥95,000 for a Coin Locker.
Who it is suitable for: People who only need quick treatments (botulinum toxin, hyaluronic acid injections, basic laser procedures that can be completed within 1 hour) and who arrive on weekends and are worried about not having enough time.
📱 Option 3: Radical Storage / Bounce / Stasher — App reservation to ensure availability
These three are international luggage storage apps that operate in the same way: search for “Myeongdong” on the app → select a nearby storage location (usually a cooperating hotel, store, or café) → pay online → present the QR code upon arrival to deposit your luggage.
| App | Storage points near Myeongdong | Prices for larger items per day | Insurance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bounce back | 225 pieces | Starting from around ¥7,000 | $10,000 in protection guarantees |
| Radical Storage | Multiple | Starting from around ¥8,000 | Guaranteed |
| Stasher | Multiple | Starting from approximately ¥2,449 | Guaranteed |
| Qeepl | Multiple | Starting from ¥55,190 | Guaranteed |
The greatest advantage is that you can secure your storage space in advance. Upon arriving at Myeongdong, you can simply head directly to the storage location without having to carry your luggage around looking for an empty locker. For those who arrive on weekends or holidays, this might be the only guarantee available.
Note: Some co-operating storage locations are not open 24 hours a day (for example, some cafes close at 8 pm). Be sure to check their operating hours before making a reservation. If your return flight is scheduled for late at night, remember to select the option “24/7” when choosing Radical Storage.
🏬 Option 4: New World Department Store B1 – Free, but with restrictions
On the B1 floor of the New World Department Store Myeongdong branch, there are free lockers available, which are very convenient for those with time-sensitive tasks. However, there are the following restrictions:
- Available for only 3 hours; any excess time will incur additional charges.
- You need to download the “ANEW Department Store App” and register as a member (you can use your foreign passport number for registration).
- The waiting time on weekends can range from 20 to 30 minutes.
- It is only open during the business hours of the department store (approximately 10:30-20:00), so it is not possible to pick up items late at night.
Who it is suitable for: People who only want to undergo quick procedures such as Botox or hyaluronic acid injections (which can be completed within 1 hour), have very limited budgets, and are available during the business hours of department stores.
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🛤️ My recommended route: Airport → Bag storage → Clinic
If you are departing from Incheon Airport, here is the route I actually used, and it is the most convenient one:
- AREX Airport Express: Incheon Airport → Seoul Station (direct train: 43 minutes / regular train: 66 minutes), ⩺99,500
- Take Line 4: Seoul Station → Myeongdong Station (2 stops, approximately 5 minutes), ₩11,400
- Exit from Exit 4 of Myeongdong Station → Walk directly into the underground passage → Find the Coin Locker near Exit 19.
- Pack your luggage properly (large suitcase: ¥5,000) → Take photos of the receipt → Then head to the clinic with just the necessary items.
- After the medical beauty treatment, go back to pick up your luggage, then check into the hotel or continue with your itinerary.
If you are departing from Gimpo Airport, it’s even easier: take the Airport Bus No. 6002 directly to the Myeongdong Station (fare: ⩺10,000, travel time: approximately 40–60 minutes). After getting off the bus, walk for just 3 minutes to reach the underground shopping mall Coin Locker.
⚠️
The 3 mos
t common pitfalls to avoid
⚠️ Problem 1: If you don’t prepare ₩1,000 in cash, the Coin Locker will simply get stuck.
The coin lockers in Myeongdong Underground Street only accept ₩1,000-denomination banknotes and coins (some models also accept T-Money cards). They do not accept larger denominations such as ₩10,000 or ₩50,000 notes, nor do they accept foreign credit cards. If you come directly from the airport and only have ₩50,000 notes with you, you will be unable to use them at these coin lockers.
How to avoid it: Before departure, exchange at least 3-5 10,000-won bills at the airport convenience store; or buy a bottle of drink at the CU/G25 convenience store inside Myeongdong Station and ask for change.
⚠️ Pit 2: T-Lockers are charged by the hour, and using one for just 3 hours already costs more than using a Coin Locker.
The large-sized T-Locker (also known as T-Luggage or 또타라커) costs ¥8,000 for 4 hours; an additional ¥2,000 is charged for each hour beyond that. If you undergo a procedure such as HIFU or Thermage, which takes 1–2 hours, and consider the additional time for consultation and recovery, the total cost of storing your belongings for 3–4 hours could be more than twice as expensive as Coin Locker’s all-day rate of ¥5,000.
How to avoid it: If your expected stay exceeds 3 hours, choose Coin Locker (₩5,000 per day); if you only schedule quick procedures such as Botox or hyaluronic acid injections (which take less than 1 hour), T-Locker is an option.
⚠️ Warning 3: Coin Lockers are likely to be fully occupied on weekends and holidays.
Myeongdong is a popular tourist area. On weekends and during South Korea’s national holidays such as Seolnal and Chuseok, the underground Coin Locker areas are often filled with shoppers. It is not uncommon for people to carry their luggage around and still fail to find an available locker at any of the three storage locations.
How to avoid this: If you arrive on a weekend or holiday, reserve a storage location in advance using the Radical Storage or Bounce App to ensure you have a spot; otherwise, you can go directly to New World Department Store (there may be a queue, but it’s free).
👍 Advantages and disadvantages of using CDU for luggage storage in Myeongdong
| ✅ Advantages | ⚠️ Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| 👍 Coin lockers are available from ₩2,000 – the cheapest option in all of Seoul. | 👎 The Coin Locker only accepts ₩10,000 in cash; foreign cards are not accepted. |
| 👍 You can pick up your order anytime within 24 hours – no worries even if you have late-night flights. | 👎 On weekends and holidays, Coin Locker is often completely booked. |
| 👍 A variety of options available: stores, apps, or department stores – you can choose the combination that suits you best. | 👎 T-Locker charges by the hour, so staying for too long isn’t cost-effective. |
| 👍 The storage locations are all within a 5-minute walk from the Dermatology departments. |
| dimension | Suitable | Not suitable |
|---|---|---|
| Situation | ✅ Just off the plane, carrying my luggage, I decided to take care of my skin before checking into my hotel. | ❌ I have already checked into the hotel, and my luggage has been brought to my room (no need to store it elsewhere). |
| Budget | ✅ Storage fees ranging from ₩2,000 to ₩98,000 are completely acceptable. | ❌ I’m not even willing to spend ₩2,000 on this (so I’ll just have to wander around with my luggage, but the clinic won’t let me in). |
| Itinerary | ✅ I will stay in Myeongdong for 2 to 6 hours. | ❌ Just passing through Myeongdong for a meal而已, nothing related to medical aesthetics. |
🔀 Which option is right for you?
- If you are taking an early morning flight and arrive in Myeongdong before noon, go to the hotel to drop off your luggage first (if early check-in is available) and then proceed with your medical treatment. If you cannot check into the hotel yet, use a coin locker (₩5,000 per large locker per day), and go to check-in after completing your medical treatment.
- If you only have half a day and need to rush to the airport after completing your treatment: You can leave your luggage in a Coin Locker (₩5,000 per day), pick it up after your treatment, and then head straight for the airport. T-Lockers are not suitable for this purpose (the fee starts increasing after 2 hours).
- If you are coming to Myeongdong on the weekend and worry about not having enough time to store your luggage, download the Radical Storage or Bounce App before your trip. Reserve a storage location near the Myeongdong Station (around ₩8,000 per item) to ensure you have a spot available upon arrival.
- If you are undergoing a quick treatment (botulinum toxin/injectable hyaluronic acid, which takes less than 1 hour), you can use the free 3-hour storage service at New World Department Store’s B1 level (you need to download the app and register as a member). This way, you can pick up your luggage right after the treatment. However, be sure to hurry up, as there will be a charge if you exceed the time limit.
💡 Final reminder before you set off
- 💰 To exchange 1,000 yen in bills for at least 5 smaller denominations: You can do this at airport convenience stores or bank counters; Coin Lockers do not accept large-denomination bills.
- 📱 Before heading out on the weekend, download the apps Radical Storage or Bounce and reserve a storage location in advance.
- 📸 Be sure to take a photo of your Coin Locker receipt: if you lose it, you‘ll have to call the Korean customer service.
- ⌚ Allow 30 minutes for checking in and depositing items: Don’t arrive right on the scheduled time; give yourself some leeway.
- 🏨 If possible, deposit your luggage at the hotel first – this is always the most hassle-free option.
❓ Common Questions
Q: Can I bring my luggage into the Dermatology clinic in Myeongdong?
A: Almost impossible. The spaces in Dermatology clinics in South Korea are generally limited; the waiting areas have few seats, and the treatment rooms are even smaller. Large suitcases cannot be accommodated, and they may also interfere with the movement of other patients. Some clinics may even refuse to allow people with large luggage to enter. It is recommended to store your luggage before going.
Q: Can the largest locker in the Myeongdong Coin Locker hold a 28-inch suitcase?
A: Sure. The large locker measures approximately 80×50×50 cm, and it can accommodate any suitcase between 28 and 30 inches in size. The medium locker is about 50×50×50 cm and can only hold 20-inch carry-on bags. Note: If your suitcase is thicker than 50 cm (especially some expandable models), it may not fit inside. It’s recommended to try fitting it in place before bringing it along.
Q: Can I use a T-Money card to pay for Coin Locker?
A: Some models support T-Money card payments, but not all of them. The safest option is to bring several banknotes worth ⩓10,000 each (3–5 pieces in total). It’s better not to rely solely on T-Money cards, and also avoid carrying large denominations such as ⩓100,000 or ⩓500,000.
Q: Which is cheaper, Radical Storage or Bounce?
A: The prices of both services are fairly similar. In the Myeongdong area, the cost ranges from approximately ¥97,000 to ¥99,000 per item per day. SWOMAN has a slightly larger number of storage locations in Myeongdong (225 partner sites), while the app for Radical Storage is easier to use. It is recommended to download both apps and compare the daily prices before you set off.
Q: How do I use the free storage service at New World Department Store?
A: The B1 floor of Shinsegae Department Store Myeongdong branch offers free lockers. You need to download the Shinsegae Department Store app and register as a member (you can use your foreign passport number for registration). The locker service is available for a maximum of 3 hours; any excess time will incur a fee. On weekends, the waiting time for using the lockers can range from 20 to 30 minutes, so it is not recommended if you are in a hurry.
Q: Is it still possible to collect luggage at Myeongdong after 11 p.m.?
A: Sure. The Coin Locker in the underground street is open 24 hours a day, and the underground passages are not locked (the shops close at 10 p.m., but the passages remain accessible). T-Lockers can be collected during the subway operating hours (approximately 5:30 am to 10:00 pm); it is not possible to collect items after the subway stops operating. Some of the Radical Storage service points are not open 24 hours a day, so please make sure to check this before making a reservation.
Q: What should I do if the coin locker malfunctions or my luggage gets stuck inside?
A: Each Coin Locker machine is equipped with a customer service phone number (available in both Korean and English). Simply call the number and provide the locker number, and the staff will open the locker for you remotely. If you don’t understand the language, you can ask the staff at the subway station for help. Be sure to take photos of the locker number and password on your receipt—it’s the only way to retrieve your items if you lose them. In that case, you’ll have to rely on customer service.
📖 For further reading
After packing your bags, these articles can help you quickly find the right Dermatology clinic:
- Myeongdong Beginner’s Guide > Going to Dermatology in Myeongdong for the First Time? A Must-Read Guide for Beginners (2026 Complete Edition) – From Appointment to Post-Treatment: Everything You Need to Know Before Your First Medical Beauty Treatment in Myeongdong
- Do I really need to make an appointment at any Dermatology clinic in Myeongdong? After asking 5 different clinics, I found that it’s not actually that complicated – just understand the reservation rules in advance, and you can avoid wasting a trip.
- Top 5 Dermatology Clinics in Myeongdong > Recommended Ranking of Dermatology Clinics in Myeongdong – Top 5 | 2026 Latest Reviews and Selection Guide for Foreign Visitors — After packing your bags, check out which dermatology clinics in Myeongdong are highly recommended.