Logistics
2026 SPARCS XIV
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Direction to the Venue
Direction to the Venue
2026 SPARCS XIV will be held at SEOUL MICE PLAZA in Seoul (Google Maps link).
Address: 7F, Building D, Le West City, 143 Magokjungang-ro, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, Korea
Getting to the Venue:
From Exit number 6 of Magongnaru Station, you will see the following building next to the subway station.
Inside the Building D
Inside the Building D
From Incheon International Airport to Building D
From Incheon International Airport to Building D
By train (recommended)
After customs and immigration, follow the signs for the Airport Railroad (AREX).
Buy a T-money card and load it with money (see Travel tips below).
Take the All-stop train to Magongnaru Station (마곡나루역). Do not take the Express train: it doesn’t stop at Magongnaru and runs straight to Seoul Station.
Leave by Exit 6. Photo directions to Building D are below.
The trip takes about 40 min from Terminal 1 or 48 min from Terminal 2 and costs about KRW 4,350.
By limousine bus
Limousine buses are more convenient if you have large suitcases. Bus 6003 goes to Magok Station (마곡역), about a 20-minute walk from the venue. The fare is about KRW 17,000, and the trip takes 40–60 min.
By taxi
Taxis wait outside the arrivals hall at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. The ride takes about 45 min and costs about KRW 40,000 (~USD 30).
Ignore touts in the arrivals hall. Go to the official taxi stand, where drivers use the meter.
Have your hotel address written in Korean to show the driver.
Foreign credit cards generally work in taxis, but carry some cash just in case.
Uber works in Korea, but it only books local taxis.
Banquet
Banquet
Jinjinsura Coex Magok Branch (Google maps)
October 20th, Tue., 18:00
Excursion
Excursion
Course: Bus leaves the venue (Oct. 21th, 14:00) - Gyeongbokgung Palace - Gwanghwamun Square - Cheonggyecheon
The return bus leaves at 18:00, but you can skip the return bus and spend more time at the Seoul city center.
Travel tips
Travel tips
T-money card
T-money card
T-money is the transport card used on subways, buses, and taxis throughout Korea.
The card costs KRW 5,000. You can buy it at convenience stores (GS25, CU, Emart24) or from vending machines at the airport.
Topping up is mostly cash only. Some newer subway vending machines now accept overseas cards for top-ups.
You cannot tap a foreign credit card or phone to ride the subway or buses. You need a T-money card.
Maps
Google Maps works poorly in Korea. We recommend Kakao Map or Naver Map, which both have English versions.
SIM cards
SIM and eSIM cards are sold in the arrivals hall. Dosirak SIM is generally a good option.
Learn to read Korean!
The Korean alphabet (Hangul) takes about 15 minutes to learn, and it makes signs and maps much easier to read: https://www.ryanestrada.com/learntoreadkoreanin15minutes/
Money
Money
The currency is the South Korean Won (KRW). Prices are often round numbers in thousands (e.g., 1,000 or 10,000 KRW).
KRW 1,000 ≈ USD 0.75 ≈ AUD 1.07 ≈ EUR 0.66
Cards are widely accepted, but keep some cash for T-money top-ups and small shops.
ATMs: look for a Global ATM. Not every foreign card works at every Global ATM. e.g., KB Global ATMs.
Evenings out
Evenings out
Hongdae (홍대, Hongik University area): the closest nightlife area to the venue. It is 2 stops (~11 min, KRW 1,650) from Magongnaru on the Airport Railroad and is packed with bars, cafés, and live music.
Other areas worth visiting
Itaewon: a famous international district near the former US base.
Itaewon Station (이태원역), Line 6, Exit 1Jongno 3-ga: a mix of “old-school” Korea and newer spots, popular with all ages, within walking distance of Insadong.
Jongno 3-ga Station (종로3가역), Lines 1/3/5, Exit 4Euljiro: nicknamed “Hipjiro” by locals, with hipster bars and cafés in old print-shop alleys.
Euljiro 3-ga Station (을지로3가역), Lines 2/3, Exit 10Gangnam: a large, upscale district, further from the venue.
Gangnam Station (강남역), Line 2, Exit 5Bongeunsa: a Buddhist temple near Gangnam, with the Gangnam Style statue close by.
Bongeunsa Station (봉은사역), Line 9, Exit 1 (temple) / Exit 7 (statue)Note that the excursion area is close to Jongno 3-ga and Euljiro
Accomodation
Accomodation
We recommend using Mercure Ambassador Seoul Magok (https://www.homehmc.com/en/mercure-seoul-magok/), which is located right next to the conference venue.
Below are the alternative options around the conference venue. Notice that these hotels should be booked and arranged by the participants themselves.
Around the
Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Botanic Park (https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/selcs-courtyard-seoul-botanic-park/overview/):
~170 USD /night, 5 min. walk
There are several hotels with lower rates (~80-100 USD/night) near Balsan and Songjung stations (Line 5), both about 7 min away by bus, one subway station, or a 20-25 min walk (~2 km). The room reservation for October will be available around May-June, but you can also email the hotels to book the room before this.
Around the Balsan station
: M. Felice Hotel, Intercity Seoul, Balsan Golden Hotel, The First Stay Hotel
Around the Songjung station
Royal Square Hotel Seoul, Airport Hotel
If you have any issues or need assistance, please email wklee786@gmail.com.
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