Incheon Airport (ICN) to Seoul
AREX Express is about KRW 9,500 and the all-stop about KRW 4,150 to 4,750; both run to Seoul Station on the same tracks.
- Two AREX trains use the same line. The Express is about KRW 9,500 and takes about 43 minutes nonstop; the All-Stop is about KRW 4,150 to 4,750 and takes just under an hour.
- Roughly twice the price for about twenty minutes. Both end at Seoul Station.
- The All-Stop is an ordinary metro service - use a T-money card and tap through as you would on any Seoul line.
- The Express has reserved seats and luggage space, which is the real argument for it with heavy bags.
- Get a T-money card at the airport if you are staying more than a day; it works on every bus, metro and most taxis in Korea.
Two trains, one line
| AREX Express | AREX All-Stop | |
|---|---|---|
| Fare | about KRW 9,500 | about KRW 4,150 to 4,750 |
| Time to Seoul Station | about 43 min | just under 60 min |
| Stops | nonstop | all stations |
| Seating | reserved | ordinary metro |
The Express saves about twenty minutes for roughly double the money. Its case is not speed alone - it has reserved seats and proper luggage racks, which on a long-haul arrival with two suitcases is worth something the fare comparison does not capture.
The All-Stop is a normal metro train. Tap in with a T-money card, stand or sit as you find space, change at Seoul Station or anywhere else on the line. For a solo traveller with a backpack it is the obvious choice.
T-money
- Buy one at a convenience store or machine in the terminal.
- It works on every bus and metro in Korea, plus many taxis and convenience stores.
- The All-Stop AREX takes it directly; the Express needs its own ticket.
- Korea is close to cashless and this card removes almost every friction point in getting around.
Airport buses
- Limousine buses run to most districts of Seoul and drop closer to hotels than the train does.
- They cost more than the All-Stop and less than a taxi, and they sit in traffic.
- Worth it if your hotel is far from a station on the AREX or its connections.
Two Seoul airports
Gimpo (GMP) is much closer to the city and handles domestic flights plus some short-haul international. The AREX line connects the two, so an ICN to GMP transfer is straightforward - but allow for it, because they are not the same place.
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