Travel guides › From Incheon Airport to Central Seoul: AREX, Airport Bus or Taxi?
From Incheon Airport to Central Seoul: AREX, Airport Bus or Taxi?
Incheon International Airport sits about 50 km west of central Seoul on Yeongjong Island. You can reach the city by airport railroad, airport bus or taxi, and first-time visitors often find it hard to tell which suits them. This article explains the strengths and weaknesses of each option and how to choose for your situation.
Decide three things first
Which way is best depends on where you are staying, how much luggage you have and when you land. Settling the three points below first makes the choice much easier.
- Arrival terminal: the airport has Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, and your airline determines which one you arrive at. Train platforms and bus stops are in different places in each terminal.
- Your accommodation: check the nearest subway station or airport bus stop to where you are staying.
- Arrival time: if you land late at night or very early in the morning, check train and bus operating hours separately.
AREX (Airport Railroad): the most predictable travel time
AREX is a commuter train linking Incheon Airport and Seoul Station. Its biggest advantage is that road traffic does not affect it, so your arrival time is easy to predict. The all-stops train takes roughly an hour to Seoul Station, and the express train has been described as reaching Seoul Station non-stop in the 40-minute range. Whether the express runs and what it costs can change, so check the official guide.
AREX connects with Seoul subway lines at Hongik Univ., Gongdeok and Seoul Station. If your accommodation is near one of these three stations, this is the easiest choice. If it is far from a station, transfers and stairs can be a burden, so travelers with large bags may want to compare other options.
Airport bus (limousine bus): when you have lots of luggage and a stop near your hotel
Airport buses run several routes to hotels and major stops around Seoul. They have a separate luggage compartment, which makes big bags easy, and if you can get off near your hotel you can reach it without transferring.
Travel time varies greatly with traffic, though. It is usually about an hour to an hour and a half and can be longer in rush hours or on busy weekends. Route numbers, stops, fares and intervals change often, so check the airport's official site shortly before you arrive. Tickets can be bought at the ticket booths on the arrival floor, and some routes accept a transit card.
Taxi: for groups or late-night arrivals
A taxi can be taken right from the stand on the arrival floor and takes you to your door, so it is the most convenient. If three or four of you travel together, the cost per person also drops. Fares depend on distance and time of day, and night-time and outer-Seoul surcharges may apply. Bridge tolls on the Yeongjong or Incheon Bridge are usually paid by the passenger, so ask the driver before you set off.
Save your hotel address in both Korean and English and show it on your screen to make communication easy. A taxi-hailing app shows a fare estimate and the route.
Recommendations by situation
- Accommodation near Hongdae, Gongdeok or Seoul Station and an average amount of luggage: AREX
- A bus stop near your hotel and big bags: airport bus
- Two to four people together, or arriving after the last train: taxi
- First time and unsure of the way: first consider AREX to the station nearest your accommodation
Things worth doing right after you arrive
- Get a transit card: buy one at a convenience store or an airport shop and you can use it for all subway and bus rides in Seoul.
- Sort out data: decide on a SIM, eSIM or Wi-Fi device in advance. Finding your way without a map app is hard.
- Allow time for immigration: immigration and baggage claim can take a while, so leave plenty of room before check-in or any reservation.
Transport information changes often. Always check the latest timetables, fares and bus routes on the official sites below.
Official sources
Rules, fares and opening hours change often. Check the latest details on the official sites below.