Accomodation in Gangneung

If you take the bus to Gangneung, there are 2 halves to the station, one for inter-city buses and one for express buses. Outside, between the two halves, is a tourist information hut. I don't know their hours, but they were open when I went there in mid-August and one man spoke very good English. He should be able to help you.

I stayed in a motel that was drab-looking on the outside but very nicely remodeled on the inside. Cost me W50,000 a night in August; should be cheaper now, but still not what I would call budget. The name is Drama Motel (in the guidebooks as Hilten/Hilton but the name has changed). It's midtown, a bit of a walk from the bus station but a taxi driver can call ahead and locate the place/get you there. 033-647-3357/3358. The couple who owns the place don't speak English but they have a high school aged son who manages a bit.

Good luck!

Many so-called 'love motels' are right outside of the bus terminal. (across the big street) They may not speak English but business seems very slow in that area so they would welcome foreign travellers. Rate should be around 50,000won or even 40,000 won. Just walk around a bit and you will have no problem finding several cheesy looking motels. (but most new and clean)

And while in Gangneung, be sure to visit the 'Chodang' village and eat the Chodang Tofu! Will taste like no other tofu you have eaten before. (ask taxi driver)

Thank you all for your feedback !

My problem is that I will arrive at Gangneug aroung 8:30pm and It seems late to me to start looking for a hotel. So I wanted to secure an accommodation by booking in advance but without speaking Korean it seems complicated.

do you think it is still doable to star looking for hotel at that time ?

Gangneung, like many other sizeable Korean cities, has more hotel rooms than it can usually fill, so finding one will not be a problem. You may not locate exactly what you want, but you certainly will not have to sleep on the street.

Another option, given that most hotels do not have English internet pages, is to book through a Korean government tourist site. Some of my friends have done that. Check out Tour2Korea . . . click the "English International" tab, then "getting to Korea", then "tourist guides"--there is an international number to call and they can help you book a hotel room in advance.