From Incheon Airport to Seoul

From Incheon Airport to downtown Seoul

AREX, Bus, & Taxi
With the completion of the Airport Railroad Express (AREX) subway line, visitors to Seoul now have yet another convenient option for traveling between Incheon Airport and Seoul. The AREX is comprised of two lines: an express line that runs directly from the Incheon Airport to Seoul Station with no stops in between (a 43-minute ride) and a commuter line, which runs parallel to the express line and makes stops at major subway stations in the downtown area (a 53-minute ride).

Despite the opening of the AREX, airport limousine buses are still the most preferred transportation option for those with heavy bags and those traveling from Incheon Airport to areas in downtown Seoul not directly served by the AREX. If the traffic is good, it only takes an hour to travel from the airport to the heart of Seoul.

A luxury limousine bus, with its spacious leg room and comfortable seats, is perhaps the best option if you’re recovering from a long flight. Taking a taxi from the airport is usually a bit costly, but may be worthwhile if you have heavy baggage or are traveling in a group. If you decide upon taking a taxi, be aware that the expressway toll (~7,500 won) is the responsibility of the passenger, not the driver.

For more transportation information, please visit the Incheon International Airport’s official website!

1. 1. Airport Railroad Express

   
   Airport Railroad Express (AREX) is a subway line allowing visitors to travel between the Incheon International Airport and Seoul. AREX has two lines: one is an express line that goes non-stop from Incheon Airport to Seoul Station, and the other is a commuter line that makes stops at 10 major subway stations en route.
   
   To take the AREX from the Incheon International Airport, follow the signs down to the Airport Transportation Center on B1. Free electric cart services are available for passengers with heavy baggage, senior citizens, and the disabled. Service hours are 7:00 to 19:00 and are offered 365 days a year.
   
   Among amenities currently offered for travelers using AREX are the airport check-in services at the City Airport Terminal at Seoul Station. Passengers can go through check-in procedures at Seoul Station and even send their bags ahead of them to the airport. As of now (February 2012) check-in and luggage services are only available for passengers traveling on Korean Air, Asiana Air, or Jeju Air international flights departing out of Incheon Airport. Plans are underway to extend the services to passengers booked on foreign air carriers as well.

AREX Route Map

• Travel time

  Commuter train:

  Incheon International Airport – Seoul Station: 53 minutes

  Express train:

  Incheon International Airport – Seoul Station: 43 minutes

• Fare

  Incheon International Airport -> Seoul station
  

  Express train:

  Adult 13,800 won / Children (ages 4-12) 6,900 won

  Commuter train:

  3,700won

  * An additional 100 won will be charged for single-use traffic cards.
  * Deposit charge for single-use traffic cards (500 won) is reimbursed via the card return machines in each subway station.

  Commuter vs. Express AREX Train

  • Commuter Train

    

    The commuter train makes stops at major subway stations en route to Seoul Station, the last stop of the AREX route. The commuter train allows passengers to easily transfer to other metropolitan subway lines as it stops at subway transfer stations along the way.
    
    To use this train, you may use a single-use transportation card or a T-Money card. If you are a foreign visitor, you may also use M Pass, a public transportation pass exclusively for foreign visitors. Passengers transferring from a commuter train to a subway or to a bus may receive a transfer discount.
    
    ☞ Information of T-money Card
    ☞ How to buy single-use traffic card
    ☞ M-Pass related news
    
    

  • Facility Information
    - Onboard announcements for station arrivals are made in Korean, English, Chinese and Japanese. The name of the station at which the train is arriving is displayed in Korean, English, Chinese and Japanese.
    - At the end of every car, there is a space for wheelchairs.
    - Wi-Fi is available onboard.
    - Between cars, no doors exist to pass through from one car to another. No rest rooms are available onboard the train.
    
    

  • Express Train
    

    
    
    The express train travels from Incheon Airport to Seoul Station without stopping at any other stations along the way.
    
    To take this train, you may use an Express Train Pass or T-Money Card. No additional deposiT-Money is charged for the ticket. Passengers for Jeju Air, Korean Air, Asiana Airlines may get a 20% discount upon presenting their flight ticket when they purchase an express train ticket at the Passenger Information Center. Also, a 30% additional discount will be provided for travelers who purchase tickets for both KTX and the express AREX train at the same time.
    
    Before using the T-Money Card for the express train, you must register the card at the Passenger Information Center located within a station. The registration is required only once, the first time you use the express train. Once registered, the train fare minus a 5% discount (KRW 13,100 for adult) will be charged when you put your T-Money Card on a faregate card reader. Please note that express train passengers using a T-Money Card will automatically assigned to Car No.5, where you may sit on a first-come, first-served basis.
    
    Since no transfer discount is provided for the express train, passengers who wish to transfer to a bus or a subway at Seoul Station need to purchase a separate ticket for the corresponding public transportation.
    
    Where to purchase Express Train Pass: At the Train Information Counter located on the 1st floor of Incheon International Airport, or at the Express Train Passenger Information Center located on the west side of the
    
    
    

  • Facility Information:
    - All train cars, except for Car No.5, have reserved seating.
    - Space is available to stow your luggage.
    - A simple restroom is available. Call the crew whenever you wish to use the bathroom.
    - Upon request, you may use a tablet PC for free (return it before you get off the train).
    - Wi-Fi is available onboard.
    - Announcements for station arrivals are available in Korean, English, Chinese and Japanese.
    

• AREX Timetable

  Incheon International Airport → Seoul Station
  Seoul Station → Incheon International Airport

• How to use the AREX - from Incheon Airport to downtown Seoul

  • 1. Follow the AREX signs
  • 2. Purchase a ticket at the ticket vending machine
  • 3. Proceed to the AREX gate
  • 4. Scan your ticket as you enter
  • 5. Proceed to the AREX platform
  • 6. Board the train
  • 7. Insert your ticket & exit through the gate

  How to use the AREX: A detailed look

  • Follow the AREX signs. When you walk out of the Arrivals Gate you’ll see a sign for the Airport Railroad (Airport Transportation Center). Follow the signs down to B1 of the Incheon International Airport.
  • Purchase a ticket at the ticket vending machine. Tickets may be purchased from the automated vending machine at the Transportation Center or from the Information Center (see below for vending machine instructions).
  • Proceed to the AREX gate.
  • Scan your ticket as you enter. Run your ticket lightly over the sensor. Direct contact is not necessary for the scanner to read the ticket.
  • Proceed to the AREX platform. The arrival time of the next train is displayed on an electronic bulletin board above the platform area.
  • Board the train. Pictured above is the interior of a commuter train, which is similar to that of the Korean subway. Seats on an express train (not pictured) are arranged much like those on the KTX train; seats are in rows facing forward and are generally more comfortable than standard seats.
  • Insert your ticket & exit through the gate. Upon exiting the AREX gate, insert your card into the slot on the turnstile. Make sure not to misplace your ticket between when you board the AREX and when you disembark.

  [How to use the ticket vending machine]

  • 1. Select your language
  • 2. Select your destination
  • 3. Select ticket type and the number of passengers
  • 4. Press the ‘Purchase’ button
  • 5. Check the fare
  • 6. Insert your money into the slot
  • 7. Pick up your ticket (left) & change (right)
  • 8. Take your AREX ticket and proceed to the gate

  <Notice>
  Please note that when purchasing a ticket from a ticket vending machine, the machine will return your money if the amount of change is to be over 2,400 won after deducting the ticket price. For instance, when you buy an adult ticket for an adult (13,800 won), if you put two 10,000 won bills in the machine, the machine will not accept the second 10,000 won bill because the amount of change is over 2,400 won. You are advised to put one 10,000 won bill and then either a 5,000 won bill or 1,000 won bills into the machine instead (a machine to change larger bills into smaller ones is placed nearby).
  

  
  [How to pass a faregate]

  
  Upon entry, place your card on the round yellow spot.

  
  Upon exiting, place the card on the round white spot if you are using either a single-use transportation card or a T-Money card.
  
  Since the Express Train ticket is collected upon departure, place it into the slot in the faregate (finger pointed at the ticket slot).

1.  

   2. Airport Bus

   
   Airport buses run from Incheon International Airport to various parts of Seoul. Tickets may be purchased at the ticket desk on the Arrivals Floor (F1). Detailed inquiries on bus routes and bus stops can be made at the Airport Information Desk, also conveniently located on the first floor. Night buses are available for those arriving late at night, but hours vary depending on flight schedules. For more information and to check availability, please call +82-032-741-6400 before your arrival in Korea.

   • Types of buses

     
     There are two types of airport buses: deluxe and standard. Deluxe buses are KAL limousines that go straight to major hotels in Seoul. These buses make fewer stops (for a shorter travel time) and have comfortable, more spacious seats. Standard limousine buses stop at more locations along their route, so you may be able to get closer to your final destination.

   • Bus fare

     Deluxe limousine bus:

     Travel to Gimpo Airport is around 7,000 won, while the fare for most routes to downtown Seoul is 14,000-15,000 won.

     Standard limousine bus:

     Travel to Gimpo Airport & Songjeong Station costs around 5,000 won, while the fare for most routes to downtown Seoul is 9,000-10,000 won.

   • Airport Limousine Bus Search & Details

     Click on the link below, enter your destination, and press ‘Search.’ Under the search bar you will see a short list of bus numbers, bus stops, and more. Click on the gray ‘Detail’ button of your preferred route for information on the first bus, last bus, fares, and other important information.
     
     Airport Bus numbers and detail information

   • Airport bus ticket booths

     
     Airport bus ticket booths are located on the Arrivals Floor (1F) of the Passenger Terminal next to Gates 4 and 9 inside the terminal and Gates 4, 6, 7, 8, 11, 13, and 9C outside the terminal along the curb.

   • How to read a ticket

     

     1. Destination: Your destination will be marked at the top in Korean.
     2. Ticket price.
     3. 04B, 11A. This indicates the bus stop from which you can take the bus. The number indicates the gate number and the letter indicates which side of the gate the bus stop is on (A for the left side of the gate and B for the right side). For example, 04B means that the bus stop is located to the right of Gate
     4. Bus stops are clearly marked and easy to find.

   • Reading a bus stop sign

     

     1. Departure time: 1500, 20, 40. This means that the bus leaves at 15:00, 15:20, and 15:40. A bus stop attendant updates the departure information on the signs every hour.
     2. 4B. This is bus stop 4B.
     3. City Hall Area. Where the bus is bound is written in both Korean and English.
     4. Route: This is the route map. Bus stop names are shown in both Korean and English, so you will be able to check where you need to get off.

   • Check your bus route at the Airport Information Desk between Gates 3 & 4 or at Gates 11 & 12 on the arrival floor (1F), or the Airport Bus Ticket booth. Buy your ticket at one of the ticket booths. Look on your ticket to find the bus stop location. Go to the bus stop and check the bus route and departure time. When on the bus, make sure to listen to the English recording so you don’t miss your bus stop.

2.  

   3. Taxi

   If you have heavy baggage or are traveling in a group where you can split the fare, you may want to consider taking a taxi. To take a taxi, exit the airport anywhere between Gates 4 through 8 on the Arrivals Floor (1F), cross the street, and go to the taxi stands (4D-8C). It is also not unusual to be approached by a taxi driver while walking around the arrivals floor with your luggage.
   
   In Korea, there are three types of taxis: Regular, Deluxe, and Jumbo. Regular and deluxe taxis can take as many as four passengers at a time, while jumbo taxis have a capacity of up to nine passengers. The base fare for a regular taxi is 2,400 won (for the first 2km) while the base fare is 4,500 won (for the first 3km) for deluxe and jumbo taxis. Please also note a regular taxi charges an extra charge (20% of the base fare) after midnight (24:00-4:00), while no such additional fare is applied for deluxe and jumbo taxis.
   
   Though it costs more to use a deluxe taxi than a regular taxi, the former is more spacious and comfortable inside and provides higher quality service to the passenger. To become a deluxe taxi driver, you are required to have had no accidents driving a regular taxi for a decade. Also, you must take a specific service training course to be fully qualified as a deluxe taxi chauffeur. While riding a taxi, you may get great tips for traveling from a driver.
   
   Depending on your destination, the fare for a standard taxi from Incheon International Airport to downtown Seoul can be anywhere from 60,000 won to 100,000 won. The 7,500 won toll for the Incheon International Airport Expressway is the responsibility of the passenger, not the driver. If by chance a driver tries to take advantage of you by demanding an inflated fare, take a picture of the license plate or driver’s ID (usually displayed on the dashboard) and report the incident to the Seoul Global Center (+82-2-731-6800~1), which offers services in English, Japanese, Chinese, Tagalog, Mongolian, Vietnamese, and Russian. You can also report your complaint to the Dasan Call Center (02-120) or the Gyeonggi Call Center (031-120).
   For more information on airport taxis, click here!