How to get to Seoul from Incheon Airport
Last Updated on November 11, 2024 by Alex
Once you land in South Korea’s capital, you might feel overwhelmed by all the new information and different ways of doing things. That’s why you should not worry about knowing how to get to Seoul from Incheon Airport.
This easy-to-follow guide will provide all the information you need so that you won’t have to worry.
In the beginning, South Korea can be challenging to navigate, but with the right guidance and information, it will all get much easier.
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Table of Contents
How to get to Seoul from Incheon Airport by train
Airport Railroad Express (AREX)
AREX, or the airport Railroad Express, offers the fastest and most convenient way to travel from the airport to the city center.
Choose between the fast and all-stop trains, depending on your final destination.
AREX: Express Train vs. All Stop Train
The fast train
Following the signs as soon as you exit the Arrivals Hall makes getting to the train platform easy. Take the escalators or elevator to the first basement floor of the terminal and follow the signs to AREX Incheon International Airport Terminal 1.
You will see the terminal for the Express train marked in orange. Buy your ticket from the vending machine and hop on the train.
The ticket booth operates in several languages, and you can choose between Korean, English, Chinese, or Japanese. Set your final destination and the time from the available schedule. It would be helpful to have a T-Money card or cash for payment because foreign credit cards are accepted only for payments over a certain amount.
You can order your T-Money card online or buy it from any of the airport’s convenience stores. However, you must have cash to top up your transportation card.
The fast train only stops at Termina 2, Terminal 1, and Seoul Station. The ride takes between 43 and 51 minutes.
When it comes to luggage storage, you will find a small storage area above your seat and a place for your big luggage at the end of each train car.
Something funny I noticed on my first visit and ride by fast train is that the AREX magazine you will find inside your seat pocket is only in Korean.
The all-stop train
Still a fast option, the all-stop train is slightly slower than because it stops at other subway stations along the way.
The all-stop train links Gimpo International Airport to Seoul Station but also stops at places like DMC, Hongik University (Hongdae), Gongdeok, or Mangognaru. This allows you to change the train and hop on other subway lines.
If you are using the Subway app (download here for iOS | for Android), you can see the whole route by searching for the blue line—Airport Railroad.
Once you exit arrivals, you should walk towards the AREX Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 and go to the All-Stop Train marked in blue. Buy your ticket or use your T-Money card to enter directly.
When you choose this option, it is worth knowing that trains are the same as subways, so there isn’t much storage for your luggage.
Inside the train, announcements are made in Korean, English, Chinese, and Japanese.
Operating hours / Travel time
The fast train: 43 – 51 minutes
The all-stop train: 59 – 66 minutes
Check for the timetable on their official website here.
Fare: How much is the train from Incheon airport to Seoul
The fast train: 9000 KRW for adults, 7000 KRW for children, and 7500 per person if you are traveling in a group of 3 or more people;
The all-stop train:
- From Terminal 2 to Seoul Station: KRW 4,750 / child: KRW 2,200
- From Terminal 1 to Seoul Station: KRW 4,150 / child: KRW 1,900
- From Gimpo International Airport to Seoul Station: KRW 1,450 / child: KRW 550
It is worth knowing that if you get off at any stops before Seoul Station, you will be charged the same fee for the whole ride.
Other things worth knowing when you travel by train or subway
You cannot bring food or drinks and consume them inside the train.
If you have a T-Money card, you should validate the ticket when you enter and exit the subway line. If you change to a regular subway line, you will be asked to validate your card as you exit the AREX area, but you won’t be charged anything extra.
When riding the fast train, take the paper from the ticket vending machine because you will have your car and seat numbers on it, and they will check it.
Read also: Useful information for when you travel to South Korea for the first time
How to get to Seoul from Incheon by bus
In Seoul, buses are always a great way to travel around town or to neighboring cities or regions. That being said, taking the bus from the airport would take the longest time compared to the other options on this list.
It is also worth checking the bus timetable before you arrive and planning your schedule accordingly.
Airport bus information
There are two airport bus types: the Airport Limousine Bus (more luxurious, going only to Seoul Station) and the regular bus (linking the airport to other regions within the city).
The Airport Limousine Bus links Incheon Airport to Seoul Station. Depending on the traffic, the ride takes around one hour. The major advantage is getting off at other stops along the way. It operates every 10 to 30 minutes.
Regular buses link the airport to other regions within Seoul or its surrounding towns.
How to take an airport bus
You can buy a ticket online or at the airport outside the Arrival Hall. The complete map for Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 is here.
How to get to Seoul from Incheon by taxi
How to take a taxi
I found that Seoul was one of the easiest places to take a taxi from the airport to the city center. We preferred to take a taxi the first time we arrived here as tourists and also when we moved here as ex-pats.
Inside the Arrival Hall, there are designated desks where you can ask for a taxi. Airport staff will help you. You can choose the car size and how you prefer to pay and tell English-speaking people your final destination.
You must pay at the airport, and a driver will pick you up from the desk and guide you to the car.
Of course, you can also follow the signs to the taxi station right in front of the terminal. Head to the front of the taxi line and get the first one. Make sure to have your hotel address written in Korean characters because we have had problems in the past with drivers who don’t read Latin characters.
Read also: Choose the best place to stay in Seoul
Incheon Airport to Seoul taxi fare
As with any taxi, the rate will always vary based on the type of taxi you choose, the traffic at the time, and your destination within Seoul.
The fare will be much lower if you stay in places like Hongdae, DMC, or Yeoido than if you stay in Gangnam or Yongsan.
From our experience, we paid around 70.000 won to DMC and 80.000 won to Myeongdong.
Taxi types and fares
There are different types of taxies you can choose from:
Regular taxi
Deluxe Taxi
Jumbo Taxi
International Taxi – specific for foreigners in Seoul
On my first visit, I must admit I had no idea and was looking only for the orange taxies, but there are also grey or white ones. The black ones are for foreigners with drivers speaking English/Chinese/Japanese. You can check it out at International taxies.
The most expensive option is the International Taxi, while the other two options are more affordable.
How to get to Seoul from Incheon by private transfer
Book a private transfer to have a driver waiting for you at the airport.
The price is comparable to that of taking a taxi, but the driver will already know your final destination address.
On top of that, you won’t have to worry about finding a car after a long flight.
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