Gangnam Terminal Underground Mall near Express Bus Terminal Station

Overview

Gangnam Terminal Underground Shopping Mall is a large shopping complex located beneath Express Bus Terminal Station, and it is also widely known as GOTO Mall. With a wide range of stores gathered here, including fashion, beauty, accessories, and interior decor items, it is a great place to experience Seoul's popular shopping culture in one spot. Developed since the 1980s, this arcade has established itself as one of the representative commercial districts in the Gangnam area, making it a meaningful place for understanding Seoul's shopping culture. Located in the heart of Gangnam, it is appealing in terms of accessibility and size, and is recommended for foreign travelers who want to browse multiple categories of goods at once.

Highlights

• Underground arcade directly connected to Express Bus Terminal Station
• Large shopping mall of about 880 meters
• Fashion, beauty, and accessory stores
• Interior decor items, handicrafts, and floriculture
• One of Gangnam's representative shopping spots

Best Time to Visit

Gangnam Terminal Underground Shopping Mall is best visited in spring or fall. Since you can comfortably explore indoors even when the weather is hot or cold, it is easy to include in your travel itinerary.

The most recommended time is between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Right after the stores open, it is relatively quiet, making it easy to walk around and browse at a relaxed pace.

Weekday visits are best. In particular, Tuesday through Thursday tend to be less crowded than weekends, so congestion is lower. On the other hand, Friday evenings, weekends, and public holidays can be crowded with shoppers, making the passageways busy.

In short, visiting on a weekday morning in spring or fall offers the most comfortable shopping experience. Regular operating hours are 10:00 to 20:00.

How Long to Stay

If you just want a quick look around, 30 minutes to 1 hour is enough. If you want to browse clothing and household items at a relaxed pace, about 1 to 2 hours is appropriate. If you also plan to explore the nearby shopping areas connected to Express Bus Terminal Station or the Banpo area, it is best to allow about 2 to 4 hours.

How to Get There

Gangnam Terminal Underground Shopping Mall (GOTO Mall) is directly connected to Express Bus Terminal Station on the Seoul Subway, so for foreign travelers, using the subway is the easiest and most convenient option.

Subway

Get off at Express Bus Terminal Station. This station is served by the 3, 7, and 9 lines.

• Line 3: toward Exit 8-1 or Exit 8-2
• Line 7: toward Exits 8, 8-1, or 8-2
• Line 9: follow the signs for Express Bus Terminal Underground Shopping Center/GOTO Mall inside the station

In many cases, you can reach the shopping mall directly through underground passageways without fully exiting the station, so just follow the signs for "GOTO MALL" or "GOTOMALL".

Bus

If you come by bus, get off at Express Bus Terminal Station or a nearby stop, then go down underground. Based on the original information, the main routes are as follows.

• 142
• 143
• 148
• 351

After getting off the bus, it is easy to access the mall if you look for Express Bus Terminal Station Exits 8, 8-1, or 8-2.

On Foot

If you are nearby, walk toward Exits 8, 8-1, or 8-2 of Express Bus Terminal Station. After entering the station entrance at ground level, follow the underground signs for GOTO Mall / Underground Shopping Mall.

If this is your first visit, since the station is quite large, it is best to first check the exit number and the signs for "Express Bus Terminal Station".

Photo Spots

• Main corridor of GOTO Mall: If you take photos in the widest corridor section of the underground shopping mall at Express Bus Terminal Station, the long line of shops will be captured well. Stand in the center of the passageway and shoot straight toward the end of the corridor. Morning hours, when there are relatively few people, are best.
• Fashion store cluster: The section where clothing and accessory stores continue in a row is great for capturing the distinctive shopping atmosphere of Gangnam Terminal Underground Shopping Mall. Take photos diagonally so that the store signs line up in one row. Before lunchtime is the quietest time and easiest for taking pictures.
• Near the entrance leading to Shinsegae Department Store: The section connecting the mall to the department store has bright lighting and neat passageways, making it suitable for portrait photos. If you stand with the passageway to the department store behind you and look toward the inside of the mall, the background will look naturally organized. Morning or early afternoon on weekdays is ideal.
• Near the passageway connecting to Famille Station: This is a good place to capture the urban atmosphere unique to underground spaces. Stand facing the connecting passageway and take a photo with the flow of people visible to get a lively shot. The best time is before evening, before foot traffic becomes too heavy.
• Bright area near Sweet Park: The food court area has bright lighting and a refined atmosphere, making it suitable for simple portraits or food photos. Rather than facing the storefront directly, stand at the side so that you receive the bright lighting. Early afternoon is relatively comfortable.

Night View

The night atmosphere of Gangnam Terminal Underground Shopping Mall is characterized less by dazzling night scenery and more by a lively shopping mood created by bright, well-kept indoor lighting. The corridors and store lighting are evenly bright, making it comfortable to browse even at night, and with fashion, beauty, and accessory stores lined up, you can feel an energetic atmosphere even in the evening.

The recommended time is between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., after rush hour. During this time, locals and tourists come together, allowing you to experience the most vibrant atmosphere. Late at night, business hours may vary by store, so if you plan to visit late, it is a good idea to check whether the stores you want are open in advance.

No special nighttime light shows or regular night events have been confirmed, but thanks to its convenient direct connection to the station, it is a good place for a light shopping stop after an evening schedule. It is suitable for travelers who want to experience Seoul's everyday shopping culture at night while avoiding rain or cold weather.

Seasonal Guide

Gangnam Terminal Underground Shopping Mall is a practical place to shop in every season. In particular, it is easy to find trendy items, casual clothing, accessories, and seasonal fashion items at reasonable prices.

Spring

During cherry blossom season, many visitors look for light jackets, blouses, scarves, and daily shoes. Since Seoul's spring weather has a large temperature difference between day and night, it is practical to choose clothes that are good for layering. It is a good stop for a simple shopping course before visiting cherry blossom spots.

Summer

During hot weather or the rainy season, indoor shopping is convenient. It is a good place to browse short-sleeved tops, light dresses, sandals, and portable fashion items, and the advantage is that you can shop while avoiding the heat. It is also suitable as a backup itinerary on rainy days.

Fall

During the foliage season, it is a good time to choose versatile fashion items such as light outerwear for the changing season, knitwear, slacks, and bags. Since mornings and evenings become cooler, it is the right time to prepare an extra layer of clothing. It is especially convenient for tourists who want to buy everyday clothes during their trip.

Winter

In winter, it is useful for shopping for cold-weather items such as coats, inner layers to wear under padded jackets, knitwear, and mufflers. It is a good place to compare quality winter outerwear and find reasonably priced clothes to layer underneath. It is also a good place to prepare warm clothing before visiting Seoul's winter lighting spots during the year-end season.

Travel Tips

When the season changes, new products arrive quickly, so compare several stores lightly. Since the passageways are long and there are many stores, it is best to wear comfortable shoes, and the popular hours can be somewhat crowded, so weekday daytime visits are more relaxed.

Local Tips

GOTO Mall is located at 194 Shinbanpo-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul, and is connected to Express Bus Terminal Station on Lines 3, 7, and 9, making it easy to access. It is close to Exit 8, so it is easy to find.

Since the underground shopping center is quite large, it is more efficient to divide it into the east side and west side when exploring.

It is good for browsing mainly shoes, bags, interior decor items, dishes, bedding, curtains, and other household goods and fashion accessories.

Prices are relatively low, but since it may be difficult to try on clothes directly, it is a good idea to carefully check the size and design before purchasing.