From Incheon Airport to Seoul

From Incheon Airport to downtown Seoul

AREX, Bus, & Taxi
With the completion of the Airport Railroad Express (AREX), visitors to Seoul were given yet another convenient option for traveling between the Incheon and Seoul. The AREX is comprised of two lines: an express line that goes non-stop from the Incheon Aiport to Seoul Station (a 43-min ride) and a commuter line, which runs parallel and makes stops at major subway stations in the downtown area.

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

A luxury limousine, with its spacious legroom 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 Intl Airports official website!

1. 1. Airport Railroad Express

   
   Part 1 of both the commuter and express line of the Airport Railroad Express (AREX), from the Incheon Airport to Gimpo Airport opened on March 23, 2007. Phase 2 of the AREX opened on December 29, 2010, offering service to Digital Media City, Hongdae-ipgu (Hongdae), and Seoul Station (etc.) via the commuter line. 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.
   
   Gongduk Station, scheduled to open in December, 2011, will afford visitors even more travel conveniences, in addition to those already in place. Among amenities currently offered are the check-in services at the City Airport Terminal in 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 (July, 2011) check-in and luggage services are only available for passengers embarking 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 Free Shuttle Bus
For AREX passengers taking the express line, free shuttle bus services are available from Seoul Station to Myeongdong, Dongdaemun (starting Oct. 15, 2011) and major hotels in the Seoul area. Passengers must present their AREX express train ticket stub/receipt when boarding the bus

Shuttle bus info:

Hours:

09:00-18:00 (09:00/10:00/11:00/12:00/14:00/15:00/16:00/17:00/18:00)

Boarding:

shuttle bus stop on the ground floor (1F)

Bus route:

Seoul Station -> Myeong-dong area (Pacific Hotel, Prince Hotel, & Sejong Hotel) Dongdaemun area (Ramada Hotel, CO-OP Residence, & East Gate Hotel)

• 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 13,300won (Children 6,600won)

  Commuter train:

  3,700won

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

• 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 Int'l 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

1.  

   2. Airport Bus

   
   Airport buses run from the 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 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 less stops (making for a faster 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. Airport limousine buses are much more comfortable than standard city buses and you are almost always guaranteed a seat.

   • 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 ticket booths

     
     Airport bus ticket booths are located on the Arrivals Floor (1F) of the Passenger Terminal next to Gates 4 & 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 Gates 11 & 12 on the arrival floor (1F) or the Airport Bus Ticket booth. à Buy your ticket at one of the ticket booths. à Look on your ticket to find the bus stop location. à Go to the bus stop and check the bus route and departure time. à When on the bus, make sure to listen to the English recording so you don’t miss your bus top.

2.  

   3. Taxi

   If you have heavy baggage or are traveling in a group where you can split the cost, 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. Standard and deluxe taxis carry up to four passengers and jumbo deluxe taxis carry up to nine passengers. The fare for a deluxe taxi is about 50% higher than for a standard taxi, but the quality of service is said to be much better. In order to drive a deluxe taxi, a driver must have at least ten years of accident-free experience driving a standard taxi as well as complete special training focusing on customer service. Deluxe taxis are more spacious. While standard taxis have a late-night surcharge, the deluxe taxi does not. If you are planning to take a taxi after midnight, you might as well take a deluxe taxi.
   
   Depending on your destination, the fare for a standard taxi from Incheon International Airport to downtown Seoul can be anywhere from 60,000 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!