Which train is better, express or all-stop?

The express saves about 16 minutes from Terminal 1 and gives you a reserved seat, but it only goes to Seoul Station and costs ₩13,000. The all-stop train costs about a third as much and stops at Hongik University, Gongdeok and other transfer stations on the way.

Can I tap my T-money card on the express train?

Buy an express ticket before boarding. The all-stop train is the one you ride by tapping a transit card or using a single-journey ticket from the station machines.

What if I land after the last train?

Use a taxi from the official taxi stands, or check the night routes that bus companies such as K Airport Limousine run. The night surcharge for regular taxis is highest, 40%, between 23:00 and 02:00.

Does it matter which terminal I land at?

Yes. Terminal 2 is the end of the line, so trains take longer and the all-stop fare is higher (₩5,350 to Seoul Station). Taxi stands and bus stops are also in different places at each terminal.

Incheon Airport to Seoul: AREX, Airport Bus or Taxi

What to do

For most first-time visitors, the AREX all-stop train is the best value. You tap a transit card, ride about an hour, and can change to the Seoul subway at several stations. Pick the AREX express if you are staying near Seoul Station and want a reserved seat. Take a limousine bus if your hotel is near one of its stops, or a taxi if you have heavy bags, small children, or land late at night.

Option 1: AREX all-stop train

The all-stop train runs from Terminal 2 through Terminal 1 and on to Seoul Station. It serves 14 stations, and several of them connect to subway lines: Gimpo Airport (Lines 5 and 9), Magoknaru (Line 9), Digital Media City (Line 6), Hongik University (Line 2), Gongdeok (Lines 5 and 6) and Seoul Station (Lines 1 and 4, plus KTX).

Step by step:

Follow signs for the Airport Railroad to the transportation center in the basement.
Tap a prepaid transit card at the gate, or buy a single-journey ticket from the station machine. The single-journey ticket costs ₩100 more than the card fare.
Board any train toward Seoul Station.

You can buy a prepaid transit card at convenience stores or transit card machines, then top it up at the station ticket machines.

Option 2: AREX express train

The express runs nonstop between the airport and Seoul Station, with assigned seats. AREX notes you must buy a ticket before boarding, from the ticket machines in the airport railway station, on the AREX website or in its app. The adult fare is ₩13,000; AREX lists the undiscounted fare as ₩18,500 from Terminal 1 and ₩19,100 from Terminal 2. Children pay ₩9,500.

There are 26 express departures a day toward Seoul Station on both weekdays and holidays. From Terminal 1 the first is at 05:24 and the last at 22:48.

Option 3: limousine bus

Airport limousine buses go to hotels and districts across Seoul. On K Airport Limousine, the fare to downtown Seoul is ₩18,000 for adults and ₩12,000 for children aged 6 to 12. Leaving from Incheon, buy your ticket before boarding at a ticket booth or automatic ticket machine. On board you can pay by credit card or a transit card such as T-money.

Several companies run airport buses, each with its own routes and fares, so look up your stop on the operator’s site before you land.

Option 4: taxi

Taxi stands are on the first floor (1F) of both terminals. At Terminal 1, regular taxis wait at 5C, 6C and 6D, deluxe and jumbo taxis at 7C and 8C, and international taxis at 4C. At Terminal 2, Seoul-bound taxis use 5C, deluxe and jumbo taxis use 5D and 7D, and international taxis use 1C.

Regular taxis start at ₩4,800 and deluxe or jumbo taxis at ₩7,000, with the meter running from there. Night surcharges apply to regular taxis: 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.

Fares and times compared

Option	Adult fare	Time to Seoul Station	First and last (from T1)
AREX all-stop	₩4,750 (T1), ₩5,350 (T2), card	59 min (T1), 66 min (T2)	05:14 to 23:38
AREX express	₩13,000	43 min (T1), 51 min (T2)	05:24 to 22:48
K Airport Limousine	₩18,000	Depends on route and traffic	Varies by route
Taxi	Meter from ₩4,800	Depends on traffic	Taxi stands at both terminals

Fares in the all-stop row are for a reloadable transit card; add ₩100 for a single-journey ticket (₩4,850 from T1, ₩5,450 from T2). From Terminal 2, the first all-stop train to Seoul Station leaves at 05:08 and the last at 23:32.

Common mistakes

Boarding the late train that stops short. On the Terminal 1 timetable, the 23:56 departure ends at Digital Media City, not Seoul Station. Check the destination on the platform screen.
Tapping in for the express. The express needs a ticket bought in advance. If you only have a transit card, take the all-stop train.
Ignoring the terminal. Terminal 2 adds 7 to 8 minutes to the train ride and a higher fare. Taxi stands and bus stops are numbered differently in each terminal.
Boarding a bus without a ticket. From Incheon, K Airport Limousine asks you to buy a ticket at the booth or machine first.

When this does not apply

If your next flight leaves from Gimpo Airport, the AREX all-stop train also stops there (₩4,350 from Terminal 1 with a transit card), so you do not need to go into central Seoul first. If you are heading straight to another city, plan that leg separately. Fares and timetables change, so check the official page before you fly.