Gimpo Airport to Seoul: AREX, Line 5, Line 9 or Taxi
Take the subway. AREX reaches Seoul Station for ₩1,750 with a transit card, Line 9 express trains run toward Yeouido and Gangnam, and Line 5 crosses the city. A taxi to Myeongdong is estimated at about ₩20,000 and 50 minutes without traffic.
Checked 6 official sources
What to do
From Gimpo, the subway is usually the easiest way into central Seoul. Get a transit card such as T-money, tap in at Gimpo Airport station, and choose your line by destination: AREX for Hongik University and Seoul Station, Line 9 for Yeouido and Gangnam, and Line 5 for routes across the city. Take a taxi if you have a lot of luggage or are traveling late at night.
The four rail lines at Gimpo Airport station
Gimpo Airport station is served by four lines, so pick the one that matches where you are staying.
| Line | Useful for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| AREX all-stop | Magoknaru, Digital Media City, Hongik University, Gongdeok, Seoul Station; also Incheon Airport | Seoul Station costs ₩1,750 by card |
| Line 9 | Yeouido, Express Bus Terminal, Gangnam area | Express and local trains |
| Line 5 | Gongdeok and other stations across Seoul | Standard Seoul subway fare |
| Gimpo Goldline | Gimpo city (toward Yangchon) | Runs away from central Seoul |
Step by step by subway
- Buy or top up a transit card. A single-journey ticket also works, but it costs more: ₩1,650 instead of ₩1,550 for the base fare.
- Follow the subway signs to Gimpo Airport station and pick your line.
- Tap in at the gate, and tap out at your destination. Keep the same card for transfers.
- On Line 9, look for the express sign on the train and platform if you are going to Yeouido or Gangnam. Local trains stop at every station.
The Seoul city government lists an early-morning discount of 20% for card users who board before 06:30.
AREX from Gimpo
The AREX all-stop train is the simplest way to Hongik University (₩1,650 by card) and Seoul Station (₩1,750 by card). Add ₩100 for a single-journey ticket instead of a card. The first train toward Seoul Station leaves Gimpo at 05:42 and the last at 00:16. The 00:34 departure ends at Digital Media City.
If you need Incheon Airport instead, the same line runs the other way. The first train toward Incheon Airport Terminal 2 leaves at 05:43, and the last one that reaches Terminal 2 leaves at 00:02. The two later departures stop at Geomam, short of the airport.
Taxi from Gimpo
Taxi stands are at both the domestic and international terminals. A standard taxi starts at ₩4,800 for the first 1.6 km, and a deluxe or jumbo taxi at ₩7,000 for the first 3 km.
The airport publishes fare estimates for a trip with no congestion:
| Destination | Standard taxi | Deluxe taxi | Time estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hongik University | ₩15,000 | ₩27,000 | 40 min |
| Myeongdong (Lotte Hotel Seoul) | ₩20,000 | ₩36,000 | 50 min |
| Seoul City Hall (Plaza Hotel) | ₩22,000 | ₩40,000 | 60 min |
| Gangnam Station | ₩28,000 | ₩50,000 | 60 min |
| Incheon Airport | ₩45,000 incl. toll | ₩70,000 | 40 min |
Night surcharges for standard taxis are 20% from 22:00 to 23:00, 40% from 23:00 to 02:00 and 20% from 02:00 to 04:00. Deluxe and jumbo taxis add 20% from 22:00 to 04:00. You pay motorway tolls on top of the meter.
Bus from Gimpo
For regular city buses, the airport’s bus page sends you to a map search to find the right route. The same page lists airport limousine routes, including 6707A to Incheon Airport. Some of its limousine timetable notes date from 2020, so confirm times and fares with the bus company before relying on them.
Common mistakes
- Waiting for an AREX express at Gimpo. Only all-stop trains stop here.
- Boarding a Line 9 local train to Gangnam. It gets there, but stops at every station. Look for the express marking.
- Taking the Gimpo Goldline. It heads into Gimpo city, not central Seoul.
- Catching the last AREX train without checking its destination. Late departures can end at Digital Media City or Geomam.
- Buying a single-journey ticket for every ride. Each one costs ₩100 more than the card fare on AREX, and the base subway fare is ₩1,650 instead of ₩1,550. If you will ride several times, a reloadable card is the cheaper choice per trip.
When this does not apply
If you are transferring to an international flight at Incheon, you do not need central Seoul; take AREX directly or a limousine bus. Times and fares change, so check the official page before you fly.
Questions people also ask
Does the AREX express train stop at Gimpo?
No. The express runs nonstop between Seoul Station and Incheon Airport. At Gimpo you ride the all-stop AREX train, paid with a transit card or single-journey ticket.
Which line should I take to Gangnam?
Line 9. Gimpo Airport is a Line 9 express stop, and the express trains also stop at Yeouido, Express Bus Terminal and Sinnonhyeon. Check that the train is marked express before you board.
Can I get from Gimpo to Incheon Airport by train?
Yes. The AREX all-stop train runs from Gimpo to both Incheon terminals, ₩4,350 to Terminal 1 and ₩4,950 to Terminal 2 with a transit card.
Is a taxi from Gimpo expensive?
The airport's own estimates for a standard taxi are about ₩15,000 to Hongik University and ₩28,000 to Gangnam Station, before traffic and night surcharges.
Sources
- Gimpo Airport: taxi types, fares and estimates, Korea Airports Corporation
- Gimpo Airport: bus information, Korea Airports Corporation
- AREX: all-stop train fares, AREX (Airport Railroad)
- AREX: Gimpo Airport station timetable, AREX (Airport Railroad)
- Seoul Metro Line 9: station list and express stops, Seoul Line9 Operation
- Seoul Metropolitan Government: subway fares, Seoul Metropolitan Government
Checked on October 5, 2026. Fares, hours and entry rules change, so confirm on the source page before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Email kimwon@kimwon.com.