* Some attractions subject to closure or limited entrance due to COVID-19. Please check before visiting.
Airport Railroad Express (AREX) Operation and Services Suspension Announcement
To prevent the further spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), all operations of the Airport Railroad Express (AREX), including Seoul Station City Airport Terminal services, have been suspended since April 1, 2020 until further notice. Suspension period is subject to change depending on the situation. Regular trains and the subway system continue to remain under normal operation.
There are several different ways to travel from Incheon International Airport to downtown Seoul. The most convenient options include taking the Airport Railroad Express (AREX), Seoul Metropolitan Subway, airport limousine buses, and taxis. Among these, the Airport Railroad has the benefit of avoiding traffic on the roads, allowing tourists to arrive at their destination at a specific time. The Airport Railroad Express runs directly from Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 to Seoul Station, with no stops along the way. On the other hand, the airport buses make it easy to reach a variety of tourist attractions and hotels throughout Seoul. If the train and bus are too confusing, visitors can also pay more and take a taxi from the airport directly to their destination.
Airport Railroad Express (AREX)
【 Photo: Airport Railroad Express (Credit: Airport Railroad Co., Ltd.) 】 The Airport Railroad Express (AREX) operates two trains: the Express Train, running from Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 directly to Seoul Station; and the All Stop Train that stops by 14 subway stations along the way from Incheon International Airport Terminal 2 to Seoul Station.
AREX route
【 Photo: Airport Railroad Map (Credit: Airport Railroad Co., Ltd.) 】 Operating hours / Travel time
- - Express Train
-
- · Incheon Int’l Airport Terminal 1 Station → Seoul Station 05:23 (first train) - 22:48 (last train) / Approx. 45 min
- · Incheon Int’l Airport Terminal 2 Station → Seoul Station 05:15 (first train) - 22:40 (last train) / Approx. 50 min
- * Express train suspended until further notice to prevent the spread of COVID-19. For more information, check the official website for details.
- - All Stop Train
-
- · Incheon Int’l Airport Terminal 1 Station → Seoul Station 05:25 (first train) - 23:39 (last train) / Approx. 59 min
- · Incheon Int’l Airport Terminal 2 Station → Seoul Station 05:18 (first train) - 23:32 (last train) / Approx. 66 min
- * 2-6 min. difference in approx. total time possible
- * All Stop Train operating schedule is for trains bound for Seoul Station on weekdays. Please refer to the official website for timetable for trains bound for Digital Media City.
Fare
- - Express Train: Adults 9,500 won / Children 7,500 won
- - All Stop Train: Terminal 1 Station 4,150 won / Terminal 2 Station 4,750 won
* All Stop Train fare is based on adult fare from Incheon Int’l Airport to Seoul Station.
* Additional 500 won deposit required when purchasing single journey transportation card. Deposit can be refunded at the arrival station.
AREX: Express Train vs. All Stop Train
Express Train
The Express Train travels non-stop from Incheon Int’l Airport Terminal 1 Station and Terminal 2 Station to Seoul Station. To take this train, passengers must purchase an Express Train Pass from the station. A discount is available to customers who present flight tickets from Jeju Air, Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, T’way Air, or Eastar Jet for departure within seven days. More information can be found on the official website.
Website: www.arex.or.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
/ Airport Railroad Travel Center (right) (Credit: Airport Railroad Co., Ltd.) 】
Ticketing locations (AREX Travel Centers): Seoul Station Airport Railroad B2F / Incheon Int’l Airport Terminal 1 Station (Transportation Center B1F) / Incheon Int’l Airport Terminal 2 Station
Payment method: Credit card and cash both accepted
* Ticket vending machines available; refer to AREX website for usage guide
All Stop Train
The All Stop Train makes stops at all the subway stations on its way from Incheon Int’l Airport Terminal 1 & Terminal 2 Stations to Seoul Station. Six of the subway stations allow transfers to other metropolitan area subway lines. To take this train, passengers must use a transportation card. International visitors may also use the foreigner-exclusive prepaid transportation card MPASS.
Transportation card purchase locations: Transportation Center on B1F of Incheon Int’l Airport Terminal 1 & Terminal 2 (Single journey transportation card), convenience stores inside Incheon International Airport (Tmoney card), KTO Tourist Information Center near Arrival Gates 5 & 10 on 1F of Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 (MPASS)
Payment method: Cash only
Transportation card information: Tmoney / Exclusive Tourist Cards
Subway information: Subways in Korea / Seoul Tours by Subway
How to use the Express Train & All Stop Train at Incheon International Airport
1. Follow the signs leading to
Airport Railroad from the Arrivals Hall
2. Go to the Transportation Center
3-1. Express Train boarding area
3-2. All Stop Train boarding area
4. Scan your ticket
5-1. Inside the Express Train
5-2. Inside the All Stop Train
Airport Bus
Airport bus information
Airport buses run from Incheon International Airport to many areas of Seoul. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket booths just outside the 1F Arrivals Hall of each terminal. Detailed inquiries on bus routes and bus stops can be made here.
Airport bus types
There are two types of airport buses: deluxe and standard. Deluxe buses operate on non-stop or shortened routes to major hotels and destinations. As these buses make fewer stops, they have a shorter travel time, and are equipped with comfortable seats with more space. Standard buses tend be more crowded with smaller seats and make more stops. Please note that the fare for the two bus types may differ depending on their routes and destinations.
How to take an airport bus
- ① Check bus routes and purchase tickets at the ticket booths located at the Arrivals Hall (1F) of Terminal 1 near Gates 4 & 9 or outside by Gates 4, 6, 7, 8, 11 or 13.
Tickets at Terminal 2 can be purchased from the bus terminal at the Transportation Center (B1F) - ② Check the bus boarding number indicated on the ticket.
- ③ Go to the bus boarding location and double check the bus route and departure time.
- ④ Once aboard the bus, listen carefully to the English announcement for your stop.
* Incheon Int’l Airport Bus Guide (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
Taxi
How to take a taxi
You can easily take a taxi from the airport at the taxi stands located just outside the Arrivals Hall (1F) of both terminals. You can choose to take a regular taxi, a deluxe taxi or a jumbo taxi depending on your situation. If you wish to take a taxi with a driver who can communicate in English, Japanese, or Chinese, you can opt for an international taxi.
Taxi types and fares
Taxis can be categorized into regular, deluxe, jumbo, and international taxis. The fares vary as listed below
Regular taxi
Base fare begins at 3,800 won (Seoul standard) with a 20% increased charge from the base fare at nighttime (24:00-04:00).
Deluxe & jumbo taxi
Base fare for deluxe and jumbo taxis begins at 6,500 won. There is no additional nighttime charge.
International taxi
International taxi fares are fixed according to region with regular taxi fares ranging 65,000~90,000 won, and deluxe and jumbo taxis running 95,000~130,000 won.
* International taxi information counter: Arrivals Hall (1F) of Terminal 1 Desk 23 between Gates 4 & 5 / Terminal 2 Gate A / Gimpo International Airport Arrivals Hall (1F) between Gate 1 & 2
- Reservations: +82-2-1644-2255 / www.intltaxi.co.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
* Korean phone number is required for making online reservations.
Call van
Available for moving large amounts of cargo, call vans can be used for up to five passengers (limited to 20 kg of cargo per person), costing around 70,000~80,000 won to Seoul.
* Call van information counter located at Gate 13 of Terminal 1 Arrivals Hall (1F)
If by any chance a driver tries to take advantage of you by demanding an inflated fare, report the incident to the Seoul Global Center (+82-2-2075-4180), which offers services in English, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Vietnamese, Mongolian, Filipino, Uzbek, and Thai. You can also report your complaint to the Dasan Call Center (+82-2-120), which offers services in English, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese and Mongolian.
When making a domestic call in Korea, you do not need to dial the international code (+82). In addition, the region code can also be omitted when making a call within the same province.This page was last updated on September 17, 2021 and therefore information may differ from what is presented here.