How to Rent an Apartment in Korea for 1 Week to 3 Months: 5 Foreigner-Friendly Options in 2026
Updated: September 2026
Planning to stay in South Korea for a few weeks or a few months? A hotel may be convenient for a short vacation, but the cost can add up quickly. If you want a kitchen, washing machine, more space, and the feeling of actually living in Korea, a short-term apartment, officetel, studio, or co-living room may be a better choice.
The problem is that Korea's traditional rental system can be confusing for visitors. Many normal monthly rentals require a large security deposit, communication in Korean, and a longer contract. Fortunately, several platforms now make it much easier for foreign visitors, students, interns, remote workers, and people staying in Korea temporarily to find a furnished place.
Below are five useful services to check, depending on how long you plan to stay and what type of housing you need.
Quick Comparison
| Service | Best For | Typical Stay Type | English Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| 33m² (33m2) | About 1 week to a few months | Studios, officetels, apartments | Yes |
| Enkostay | 14 days or longer | Furnished housing for foreigners | Yes |
| Wehome | Travelers wanting home-style accommodation | Government-authorized home sharing | Yes |
| Ziptoss | People who want real-estate assistance | Short- and long-term rentals | Yes |
| Mangrove | About 1 to 4 months, depending on the product | Furnished co-living / extended stay | Yes |
1. 33m² (33m2): A Practical Choice for Weekly Short-Term Rentals
33m² is one of the first services worth checking if you need a real home in Korea for a relatively short period. Listings include studios, officetels, apartments, two-bedroom homes, and larger units. Many properties are offered on a weekly basis, making the platform useful when a hotel feels too expensive but a normal one-year lease makes no sense.
One of the biggest advantages for international users is that 33m² now provides an English interface and specific guidance for overseas users. If you do not have a Korean mobile phone number, the platform says identity verification can be completed with a passport.
Internationally issued Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, and UnionPay cards are accepted. Payments are processed in Korean won (KRW), so your card company may apply its own exchange rate or overseas transaction fee.
Important: 33m² is a short-term lease platform, not the same thing as booking a hotel. The platform also states that it does not automatically issue a separate lease certificate or proof-of-residence document through the service. A payment receipt can be printed from the lease details page. If you need a document for immigration, school, an ARC/Residence Card process, or another official purpose, ask before paying.
Official English website:
33m² English
Customer support: 1877-3670 (Korea domestic number)
Support hours: 10:00-18:00 KST
App: iOS and Android download buttons are available through the official website.
2. Enkostay: Designed for Foreign Students, Workers, and Longer Visitors
Enkostay is especially useful for foreigners who plan to remain in Korea longer than a normal tourist trip. Its official guide describes the platform as suitable for stays of 14 days or longer.
The service focuses on foreign students, workers, travelers, and international residents who may find Korea's large rental deposits and Korean-language contracts difficult to manage. The platform offers furnished housing and says many homes can be booked without the large security deposit commonly required in the traditional Korean rental market.
Enkostay also highlights multilingual assistance, foreigner-friendly hosts, and support for Residence Card and immigration-related documents on eligible listings. Because document support can differ from one property to another, always check the exact listing before booking.
The platform says a guest's payment is held until move-in and that users can report a serious mismatch between the listing and the actual property after arrival. This can be reassuring when arranging accommodation before flying to Korea.
Official website:
Enkostay
Customer support: 1533-9230
Email: stay_support@enko.kr
3. Wehome: Legal Home Sharing for Travelers in Korea
If you are looking for something closer to vacation accommodation than a traditional apartment lease, Wehome is worth checking. Wehome operates a government-authorized home-sharing system in Korea and provides an English website for international guests.
This option can be useful for travelers who want a home-like environment rather than a conventional hotel room. Depending on the property, you may find a kitchen, laundry facilities, multiple bedrooms, or a residential neighborhood experience.
Korea has specific rules for short-stay accommodation, so this distinction matters. Do not assume that every ordinary apartment or officetel advertised online can legally operate like a hotel. Using a platform that clearly explains the status of the property can make the booking process easier to understand.
Official English website:
Wehome
Customer support: 1544-5665
Email: help@wehome.me
4. Ziptoss: Useful When You Want Help From a Real-Estate Service
Ziptoss is different from a hotel-booking app. It is closer to a real-estate service and can be useful for foreigners who want help finding an actual rental home in Seoul and other serviced areas.
Its English help center explains that users can search for both long-term rentals and short-term rentals of less than 12 months. Ziptoss also provides English support and offers online or contactless rental assistance, which can help people who are searching before they arrive in Korea.
This option makes more sense for someone staying for several months, studying, working, completing an internship, or preparing to move into a longer-term home. If you only need three or four nights, use a normal accommodation service instead.
Official English website:
Ziptoss English
KakaoTalk: @ziptoss
Email: realtor@ziptoss.com
Customer service hours: Daily 10:00-19:00 KST
5. Mangrove: Furnished Co-Living and Extended Stays in Seoul
Mangrove is another useful alternative if you want a furnished room and shared facilities instead of dealing with a traditional Korean apartment contract. It operates co-living properties in Seoul and offers Stay products at locations including Dongdaemun and Sinseol.
Mangrove's current extended-stay offers include options for stays of 30 nights or longer. Depending on the property and plan, rooms may include a bed, desk, storage, air conditioning, heating, mini refrigerator, and Wi-Fi, while buildings can provide shared kitchens, laundry rooms, lounges, and work areas.
This can be a particularly convenient choice for solo travelers, digital nomads, exchange students, or anyone who wants a furnished base without buying household items immediately after arriving in Seoul.
Official English website:
Mangrove
Stay information:
Mangrove Stay
General inquiries: info@mgrv.company
Which Option Should You Choose?
Your best choice mainly depends on the length and purpose of your stay.
- About 1-2 weeks: Start with 33m² or Wehome.
- 2 weeks to a few months: Compare 33m² and Enkostay.
- 1-4 months in Seoul: Enkostay, Mangrove, 33m², and Ziptoss are worth comparing.
- Student or internship stay: Enkostay or Ziptoss may be easier for housing-related questions.
- Vacation-style home stay: Wehome may feel closer to a traditional travel accommodation platform.
What to Check Before You Pay
Never choose a room based only on attractive photos. Short-term rentals in Korea can have different rules for utilities, deposits, cleaning fees, bedding, cancellation, and check-in.
- Total price: Check rent, service fees, utilities, cleaning fees, and security deposits.
- Minimum stay: Some platforms work by the week, while others require 14 or 30 nights.
- Kitchen: Confirm whether cooking is allowed and what equipment is actually provided.
- Laundry: Check whether there is a private washing machine or a shared laundry room.
- Bedding and towels: Do not assume they are included. Some rental listings do not provide them.
- Foreign card payment: Confirm your card is accepted before relying on it.
- Cancellation policy: Read the individual listing's policy, not just the platform introduction.
- Residence documents: If you need proof of residence or immigration paperwork, ask before booking.
- Location: Search the nearest subway station, not only the district name.
- Move-in photos: Take photos or video when you enter the property, especially for a lease with a deposit.
Useful Korean Housing Words
- One-room (원룸): A small studio apartment.
- Officetel (오피스텔): A compact mixed-use residential building, common in Korean cities.
- Wolse (월세): Monthly rent, usually with a security deposit.
- Bojeunggeum (보증금): Security deposit.
- Gwanribi (관리비): Building management or maintenance fee.
- Dan-gi imdae (단기임대): Short-term rental or short-term lease.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a foreign tourist rent an apartment in Korea for only one month?
Yes, short-term rental options exist, but the booking method and contract type depend on the property. Platforms such as 33m², Enkostay, Wehome, Mangrove, and Ziptoss serve different types of stays, so compare the minimum stay and rental conditions carefully.
Do I need a Korean phone number?
Not always. For example, 33m² says overseas users who cannot complete Korean mobile-carrier verification can verify their identity with a passport. Requirements on other platforms may differ.
Can I pay with a foreign credit card?
33m² officially accepts internationally issued Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, and UnionPay cards. For other services, check the payment page or customer support before booking because accepted payment methods can change.
Is a short-term rental cheaper than a hotel?
Not always, but it can become more practical for longer stays. The biggest advantage is often not just the nightly price: having a kitchen, washing machine, refrigerator, desk, and more living space can reduce everyday expenses.
Final Tip
Korea is much easier to enjoy when your accommodation fits the way you actually live. For a three-day trip, a hotel may still be the simplest option. But if you are staying for several weeks or months, a furnished studio, officetel, apartment, or co-living space can offer much more freedom.
Start by deciding your exact dates and neighborhood, then compare the total cost rather than the advertised rent alone. Check the contract, refund policy, utilities, bedding, and documentation before paying. A little preparation can save you from a very expensive surprise after arriving in Korea.
Note: Service terms, prices, minimum stays, payment methods, and available properties can change. Information in this article was checked in September 2026. Always confirm the latest conditions on the official platform before booking or making a payment.