Incheon Airport to Seoul: AREX, Bus and Taxi
Incheon Airport to Seoul Station takes 66 minutes on the AREX all-stop train from Terminal 2. Compare AREX, airport buses, night buses and taxis.
There are three ways into Seoul from Incheon Airport. The AREX airport railroad reaches Seoul Station in about 66 minutes from Terminal 2. Airport buses run straight to the main hotel areas, with a fare of 17,000 won on most routes, and taxis wait outside both terminals. For Seoul Station the train is the simplest. For Myeong-dong, Hongdae or Gangnam, a bus saves a transfer. All the figures here come from the Incheon Airport Corporation’s own pages, so check fares and times with the operator before you travel.
AREX airport railroad
AREX has two airport stations, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, both in the basement Transportation Center of each terminal. The airport lists the minutes from Terminal 2 to each stop:
| Stop | Minutes from Terminal 2 |
|---|---|
| Terminal 1 | 6 |
| Gimpo Airport | 44 |
| Digital Media City (DMC) | 54 |
| Hongik University | 58 |
| Gongdeok | 62 |
| Seoul Station | 66 |
From Terminal 1 that is about 6 minutes less. Seoul Station connects to Subway Lines 1 and 4, the Gyeongui-Jungang line and KTX. Hongik University connects to Line 2 and the Gyeongui-Jungang line. Gimpo Airport connects to Lines 5 and 9, the Gimpo Gold Line and the Seohae line. The airport’s pages don’t list AREX fares or first and last train times, so you’ll need to get those from AREX. Its hotline is 1599-7788.
The train also links the two terminals. The airport gives about 6 minutes and 1,050 won for that ride. Airport shuttle buses (AIRPORT 03 and 04) also run between the terminals, from about 04:30 until 23:20 or 23:35, depending on the route.
Airport buses to Seoul
Buses are the better choice when your hotel isn’t near an AREX station, and you won’t have to change. At Terminal 1 the Seoul buses stop outside exits 3 to 7 on the first floor. At Terminal 2 they leave from the bus terminal in the basement (B1) of the Transportation Center. Tickets are sold at booths next to the stops, and the airport lists the fares below for adults.
| Route | Main stops | Fare | First and last bus, Terminal 1 (Terminal 2) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6001 | Seoul Station, Namdaemun Market, Myeong-dong, Dongdaemun Design Plaza | 17,000 won | 05:29 to 23:09 (05:39 to 22:49) |
| 6002 | Hongik University, Sinchon, Ewha, Gwanghwamun, Jongno, Dongdaemun | 17,000 won | 05:44 to 23:29 (05:24 to 23:09) |
| 6009 | Sinsa, Gangnam Station, Yangjae, Dogok | 17,000 won | 05:40 to 23:12 (05:20 to 22:52) |
| 6006 | Apgujeong, Galleria, COEX, Jamsil | 17,000 won | 06:20 to 23:10 (06:00 to 22:50) |
| 6011 | Yonsei, Gyeongbokgung Station, Anguk, Changdeokgung | 17,000 won | 05:44 to 23:14 (05:24 to 22:54) |
| 6005 | World Cup Park, DMC, Seoul City Hall | 17,000 won | 07:29 to 22:54 (07:09 to 22:34) |
| 6008 | Yeongdeungpo, Sinpung, Boramae | 17,000 won | 07:04 to 22:59 (06:44 to 22:39) |
| 6003 | Gimpo Airport, Magok, Mokdong, Guro | 16,000 won | 05:49 to 23:29 (05:29 to 23:09) |
The weekday and weekend schedules are the same on these routes. The airport doesn’t give day-bus journey times, so allow extra time for Seoul traffic. For Myeong-dong, take the 6001. For Hongdae, take the 6002. For Gangnam, the 6009 serves Gangnam Station and the 6006 serves Apgujeong and COEX.
Night buses
If you land late, night buses run once the day buses have stopped. The airport lists these fares for adults, and its pages disagree on the N6002 (17,000 on one, 18,000 on another), so confirm with the operator, Airport Limousine, on +82-2-2664-9898:
| Route | Goes to | Fare | Minutes from Terminal 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| N6000 | Gangnam Express Bus Terminal | 17,000 won | 70 |
| N6002 | Hongdae, Gwanghwamun, Dongdaemun, Cheongnyangni | 17,000 or 18,000 won | 45 to Hongdae |
| N6701 | Seoul Station, Euljiro, Dongdaemun Design Plaza | 18,000 won | 60 to Seoul Station |
| N6703 | COEX, Jamsil, Gwangnaru | 18,000 won | 65 to COEX |
From Terminal 2 add about 20 minutes. Tickets are sold at the ticket booths and machines, and for the N6002, N6701 and N6703 in the Tmoney GO app. Check the departure times on the airport’s night bus pages, because the airport’s tables mix both directions.
Taxi
Taxis leave from designated stands outside the arrivals halls. The airport lists these base fares:
- Standard taxi: 4,800 won base fare in Seoul.
- Deluxe or jumbo taxi (9 seats): 7,000 won base fare.
- International or smart taxi: a flat fare in Seoul, which the airport doesn’t state. Foreign visitors can call 1644-2255 for the International Taxi or 032-743-2357 for the Smart Taxi.
There’s no boundary surcharge when you go to Seoul. A night surcharge applies from 22:00 to 04:00. For a standard taxi in Seoul it’s 20% from 22:00 to 23:00, 40% from 23:00 to 02:00 and 20% from 02:00 to 04:00. The airport warns that call vans posing as taxis overcharge, and says to use the designated stands. It doesn’t publish an estimate for the ride into central Seoul, so ask the driver about the meter.
Which option is best?
- Seoul Station, or a hotel near an AREX stop: AREX, with a transfer to the subway at Seoul Station, Hongik University or Gimpo Airport.
- Myeong-dong, Hongdae or Gangnam: the matching airport bus, which saves the transfer. See where to stay in Seoul for the areas.
- Landing late: a night bus, or a taxi with the night surcharge.
- Heavy bags: the airport says Seoul Metro’s T-Luggage service delivers luggage on the same day between subway stations and the airport (Tluggage.co.kr).
The airport advises that you allow 1 to 2 hours for immigration after you land. Once you’re in the city, the things to do in Seoul guide and the Seoul travel tips fill the first days.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get from Incheon Airport to Seoul Station?
Take AREX from the airport’s basement Transportation Center. From Terminal 2 the all-stop train reaches Seoul Station in about 66 minutes, and from Terminal 1 in about 6 minutes less.
How do I get from Incheon Airport to Myeong-dong?
Take the 6001 airport bus, which stops at Myeong-dong. The fare is 17,000 won.
How much is the airport bus to Seoul?
17,000 won for most routes, and 16,000 won for the 6003. Night buses cost 17,000 or 18,000 won.
Is there a bus from Incheon Airport to Hongdae?
Yes, the 6002 stops at Hongik University Station and Sinchon. A night bus, the N6002, goes to Hongdae too.
How do I get from Incheon Airport to Gangnam?
Take the 6009 to Gangnam Station or the 6006 to Apgujeong and COEX. At night the N6000 goes to Gangnam Express Bus Terminal.
How do I get between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2?
By AREX in about 6 minutes, or by the AIRPORT 03 and 04 shuttle buses.
Is there a surcharge for taxis at night?
Yes. Between 22:00 and 04:00 a surcharge of 20% to 40% applies to standard taxis in Seoul.
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Photos show the actual places, licensed under Creative Commons and credited to their photographers.
Incheon Chinatown Photo: Jjw / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0) 
Seodaemun Prison History Hall Photo: Noh Mun Duek / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0) 
Lotte World Adventure Photo: InSapphoWeTrust from Los Angeles, California, USA / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0) 
Euljiro Nogari Alley Photo: Stephen Kelly Find hotels in Seoul
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