Housing and Travel
2026 venue:
COEX Convention and Exhibition Center
513, Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu
Seoul 06164, Korea
Housing is now open
Housing Reservations
Special MDS Congress rates are offered at several hotels near the venue, but availability is limited. Delegates are encouraged to make your hotel reservations as early as possible. Rooms will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.
Each hotel has its own reservation deadline. Check-in times, payment policies, and cancellation policies may also differ at each hotel.
| Avoid phishing scams: Official communications about the International Congress, including housing, will always come from MDS email addresses ending in @movementdisorders.org. |
General Information
Travel
Airport
Incheon International Airport is approximately 60 km/37 miles west of downtown Seoul (Seoul Station). Travel time to the city center typically takes 43 – 60 minutes by express train or 1 hour and 30 minutes by car/taxi depending on traffic. Various modes of transportation can get you conveniently from the airport into Seoul.
MDS will not be providing ground transportation between the meeting venue and hotels.
Passports and Visas
For attendees requiring additional entry documentation, advance travel planning and early visa application are important as visa applications are subject to a great degree of scrutiny. It is strongly suggested that all attendees review the websites below and/or contact their local embassy to determine what, if any, travel documents they will need to travel to the Republic of Korea.
MDS is able to provide you with an Invitation Letter and any International Congress related documentation needed to assist in this process. MDS is unable to contact the Embassy on your behalf. It is the responsibility of each delegate to make the necessary arrangements related to this process. However, if the official handling your application needs further clarification, please have them contact Sarah Smith at congress@movementdisorders.org.
Personal Insurance
Personal travel and health insurance policies are recommended for your trip.
In Seoul, Korea
Currency
Korea’s currency is the won. Paper money comes in denominations of 1,000, 5,000, 10,000 and 50,000 won bills. Coins come in 1, 5, 10, 100 and 500 won. Only US Dollars will be accepted as cash payment for any onsite registrations at the International Congress registration desk.
Electricity
South Korea operates on a 220V/60Hz standard using Type C (two round pins) and Type F (two round pins with grounding clips) plugs. Visitors need a transformer if using 120V devices.
Emergencies
Contact the police at 112 (for theft, assault and other crimes) or emergency medical help at 119 (for general accidence and ambulance. Available in 16 languages).
If you need to visit a hospital, Seoul has several with international clinics.
Temperature
October is known as Autunm in South Korea with temperatures varying from 10.6⁰C (51.1⁰F) to 20.2⁰C (68.4⁰)
Tipping
Tipping is not a Korean custom and will not be expected by service personnel. However, many major hotels and upscale restaurants add a 10% service charge (in addition to the 10% VAT) to the bill. Taxi drivers don’t expect tips but do appreciate it if you let them keep the change.
Value Added Tax (VAT)
In Korea, a 10% VAT is added on to the price of many purchases.
At stores displaying a “Tax Free” sign, foreigners are eligible for a tax refund on purchases greater than 30,000 won.
City Information
MDS does not provide tourism information. Learn more about Seoul and the surrounding area from local organizations:
Supported by:
Venue
Eco-Friendly Transportation
There are a variety of eco-friendly ways to get to the COEX Convention & Exhibition Center. We encourage all participants to use public transportation to reduce our carbon footprint:
COEX Directions & Maps
Subway
To reach COEX via Subway
Take Seoul Subway Line 2 to Samseong Station (Exit 5 or 6 connects directly to the mall) or Line 9 to Bongeunsa Station (Exit 7 connects to the ASEM Plaza).
Subway Details
- Line 2 (Green Line): Arrive at Samseong Station. Follow the overhead signs inside the station to the underground passage that leads directly into COEX Mall through Millennium Plaza.
- Line 9 (Gold Line): Arrive at Bongeunsa Station. Use Exit 7 and take the direct passage that leads into the ASEM Plaza and the north side of the COEX Mall.
- Line 7 (Olive Line): You can also transfer to Line 7 at Cheongdam Station, though it requires an additional 20-minute walk or a quick transfer to reach the main complex.
Helpful Links
Bus
To reach COEX via Bus
Numerous blue, green, and red routes (such as 143, 2413, and 4419) stop directly at the COEX complex.
Bus Details
Several bus routes drop off immediately in front of the COEX Mall and the Korea City Air Terminal (CALT):
- Blue Buses (Mainlines): 143, 362, 730
- Green Buses (Branchlines): 2413, 3411, 3412, 4419
- Red Buses (Express/Intercity): 9407, 9507 (Seongnam area)
Bus Types & Numbers
- Blue Bus – 146, 341, 360, 333, 740, N13(Late-night), N61(Late-night)
- Yellow Bus – 41
- District Bus – Gangnam07, Gangnam05
- Green Bus – 6411
- Airport Bus – 6000
- Express Bus – 1100, 1700, 2000, 2000-1, 7007, 8001, 9414
Helpful Links
Other Transit Options
General Bicycle Route
- From the Han River: The most popular route is riding along the Hangang Bike Path and turning south onto the Tancheon Stream bike path
- Follow the Tancheon path until you reach the Samseong-dong area. You can exit the river path near the Bongeunsa Station or Sports Complex areas and ride the last few meters on city sidewalks or designated street-level bike lanes to arrive at COEX
Public Bike System (Ttareungi)
- You can rent a city bike by downloading the Ttareungi (Seoul Bike) app
- Foreign visitors can sign up using the foreigner option, pay with a foreign credit card or T-Money, and unlock a bike by scanning a QR code. Passes start at 5,000 KRW for 24 hours
- Parking at COEX: There are several Gangnam-gu Bicycle Stations right next to the complex, including multiple docking stations near the COEX East Gate, ASEM Tower, and Samseong Station exits 1 through 8
Electronic Vehicle Charging Stations
Primarily located in the East Gate parking lot, as well as on the RF and B3F levels of the Livezone Parking (Purple Zone).
Shuttle
ICN (Incheon International Airport) to the COEX
- Take the AREX Express from Incheon International Airport to Seoul Station (about 43 minutes)
- At Seoul Station, transfer to the Line 2 Green Line (Subway) toward Gangnam
- Get off at Samseong Station (the closest subway station to COEX), which is a short walk from COEX Mall
Helpful Links
Baby Care
The Starfield Coex Mall (directly under the Coex Convention Center) has a Baby Care Room near the movie theater (B1). A baby consultant is always stationed in the infant rest room to create a pleasant and clean resting space for mothers and babies. This area consists of a breastfeeding room and a cleaning room. Main number: 82-02-6002-5318
Children
MDS asks delegates to refrain from taking children into any educational sessions at the 2026 International Congress.
Coffee Breaks
Complimentary coffee and tea will be available every day onsite from 09:30 – 10:30.
Dress Code
The recommended meeting attire for attendees is business casual.
Prayer and Meditation Room
Open to all delegates for the duration of the International Congress in Auditorium Meeting Room 3B, Level 4.
Policies
Language
The official language of the MDS International Congress is English.
Recording of Sessions
Individual recording of educational sessions is not permitted.
Recordings of all Plenary Sessions of the International Congress will be available on demand approximately two weeks after the conclusion of the live meeting. Access is free for MDS Members and attendees of the in-person meeting in Seoul, and $250 USD for non-members who did not attend the in-person meeting.