Why this is different from other destinations
Korean law generally restricts short-term home-sharing rentals for foreign tourists to specific licensed situations — historically, this has meant hosts need particular registrations or licenses to legally rent to foreign visitors for short stays, unlike the more open short-term rental markets in some other countries. This has shaped how platforms like Airbnb operate in Korea, with a mix of licensed guesthouses, officially registered stays, and hotel-operator-run listings making up much of what's actually bookable.
What this means practically
- Listings on major platforms in Seoul are more likely to be licensed guesthouses or officially registered accommodations than an individual's spare apartment, compared to some other major cities.
- Legitimate listings should have clear registration information — a listing that seems to dodge this is worth extra scrutiny.
- Hanok stays (see our hanok stays guide) and licensed guesthouses are a reliable, clearly legal way to get an apartment-or-house-style stay rather than a hotel room.
Should you still consider it
Apartment and guesthouse-style stays remain a completely viable option in Seoul — the difference is mainly in what's available and how it's structured, not whether the category exists at all. Hotels and licensed guesthouses (see our budget stays guide and long-term stays guide) generally offer the most straightforward, unambiguous booking experience for visitors.