Welcome to Ask a Korean Local! I'm Auntie Sunnie, your friendly neighborhood guide to Korea.
Today, I want to introduce a hidden gem accommodation located in Jecheon, a beautiful city famous for its healing nature, mountains, and traditional healing herbs, located just a 1 to 2-hour train ride from Seoul.
If you are a solo traveler — especially a solo female traveler — looking for an incredibly affordable, clean, and highly secure place to stay, Jecheon Chik-Chik-Pok-Pok 999 Guesthouse is the ultimate answer.
Run by the local city municipality, this train-themed guesthouse offers top-tier quality at an unbelievable budget price.
💡 Auntie Sunnie’s Fun Korean Lesson:
You might wonder, "What on earth does 'Chik-Chik-Pok-Pok' mean?"
In Korea, "Chik-Chik-Pok-Pok (칙칙폭폭)" is the cute onomatopoeia for the sound a steam train makes—just like "Choo-Choo" in English! Since this guesthouse is located right next to the train station and beautifully designed with a modern train theme, it was given this playful, nostalgic name. Isn't it adorable?
https://maps.app.goo.gl/jNvfnkojQfCmhTh98
칙칙폭폭 999 · 충청북도 제천시 영천동 999-10
★★★★★ · 숙박업소(B&B)
www.google.co.kr
1. Mind-Blowing Budget and Pristine Cleanliness
The biggest shocker about this place is the price.
A bed for 3~4 in a room costs only around 70,000 KRW = approx. $50 to $55 USD per night!
Because it is managed directly by the city government, the cleanliness rivals that of a 4-star hotel.
From the lobby to the bedding, everything is perfectly disinfected and dust-free.
[Important Room & Booking Details]
- Total Rooms: 6 rooms available in total (Room 301 to Room 306).
- Price Range: 70,000 KRW to 90,000 KRW per night (Approx. $50–$65 USD). Please note that prices may be higher during peak vacation seasons.
- Check-in: 3:00 PM (15:00)
- Check-out: 10:00 AM
- How to Book: You can reserve a room via Naver Booking or by Phone Call.
- Auntie Sunnie’s Crucial Tip: Since this is a public guesthouse managed directly by the city municipality, it will NOT appear on global or standard Korean booking apps like Agoda, Booking.com, or Yeogi-atte. To secure your spot, you'll need to use Naver or contact them directly!
2. Top-Notch Security for Solo Female Travelers
Safety is always the number one priority when traveling alone in a foreign country. At Chik-Chik-Pok-Pok 999, you can sleep with absolute peace of mind.
- Double Card-Key Security: You need to swipe your room card key to access the elevator/floor hallway, and swipe it once more to enter your room. This strictly blocks any unauthorized outsiders from entering your living area. It is one of the safest guesthouses I have ever experienced in Korea.
3. Excellent Location and Spacious Parking
The guesthouse is located just a 5-minute walk from Jecheon KTX Station, making it incredibly easy to find right after stepping off the train.
For those renting a car to drive around Jecheon’s scenic Cheongpungho Lake or Uirimji Reservoir, this place offers a huge, free private parking lot. The parking spaces are very wide and easy to navigate, which is a rare find for standard Korean guesthouses located near downtown stations.
4. Charming Train Theme and Cozy Cafe
The building itself is creatively designed to look like a modern train.
On the first floor, there is a lovely community cafe for local people and travelers.
The lounge and shared kitchen in 3rd floor where you can relax with a hot cup of Americano in the morning while planning your slow-paced day trip. It is also close to the Jecheon Traditional Market, where you can taste Korea's famous street food, like "Red Eomuk" (spicy fish cakes).
Conclusion
You don’t need to spend a fortune to have a deeply relaxing and unforgettable vacation in Korea. If you want to experience the tranquil and healing side of Korea outside of Seoul, take a KTX train to Jecheon and stay at Chik-Chik-Pok-Pok 999 Guesthouse. It offers the comfort of home, unbeatable safety, and the true essence of budget-friendly traveling. If you have any questions about booking or navigating Jecheon, feel free to leave a comment for Auntie Sunnie!
