Transport from the airport in South Korea
Incheon is 60 km west of Seoul. The AREX Express runs non-stop to Seoul Station in 43 minutes from Terminal 1 for 13,000 KRW, or around 11,000 KRW booked online; the All-Stop train does the same run in about an hour for roughly 4,750 KRW and stops at Hongdae. Rail stops before midnight, after which it is a night limousine bus at 17,000-18,000 KRW or a taxi.
- Incheon is 60 km west of Seoul. The AREX Express is non-stop to Seoul Station: 43 minutes from Terminal 1, 51 from Terminal 2, 13,000 KRW at the counter or around 11,000 KRW booked online.
- The All-Stop train is the budget option - about 4,150-4,750 KRW from Terminal 1, just under an hour, and it stops at Hongdae and Gimpo on the way.
- The last express leaves Terminal 1 around 22:48; the last All-Stop runs about an hour later.
- Limousine buses go to the major hotel districts, with night services N6000 (Gangnam, 17,000 KRW), N6002 (Cheongnyangni, 18,000 KRW), N6701 and N6703.
- A standard taxi to Myeong-dong is 47,000-52,000 KRW plus a 7,900 KRW toll; an international taxi costs about 20 % more and a deluxe one 40-50 % more, and a late-night surcharge applies on top.
- Never accept a ride offered inside the arrivals hall - use the marked outdoor ranks and make sure the meter is running.
- From Gimpo, the AREX or metro lines 5 and 9 reach the centre in 20-40 minutes on the 1,550 KRW card fare.
Incheon International Airport (ICN)
On Yeongjong Island, about 60 km west of central Seoul.
- AREX Express Train - non-stop to Seoul Station, 43 minutes from Terminal 1 and 51 from Terminal 2, departing every 20 to 40 minutes from the Transportation Center on level B1F of both terminals. First trains just after 05:15, last around 22:40 from T2 and 22:48 from T1. 13,000 KRW at the counter, or around 11,000 KRW if you buy online in advance. Seoul's own tourism site still shows an older 9,500 KRW fare, so do not be surprised by the difference at the machine.
- AREX All-Stop Train - the commuter service, 14 stops including Gimpo Airport and the student district of Hongdae. About 4,150 to 4,750 KRW from Terminal 1 and up to 5,350 KRW from Terminal 2, paid by tapping a T-money card at the gate. Just under an hour from T1, 66 minutes from T2. Every 5 to 10 minutes, from about 05:08 until 23:30-23:40.
- Limousine Bus - runs to the major hotels and hubs; 6001 to Myeongdong, 6002 to Hongdae, 6009 to Gangnam. Daytime fares run in the region of 5,000 to 15,000 KRW depending on the route, 60 to 90 minutes. The night routes are priced separately: N6000 to Gangnam Express Bus Terminal 17,000 KRW (70 min), N6002 to Cheongnyangni 18,000 KRW (90 min), N6701 to Dongdaemun Design Plaza 18,000 KRW (70 min), N6703 to Gwangnaru (85 min). Buy at the self-service kiosks by card; buses leave from level 1F at T1 and B1F at T2.
- Official taxi - to Myeong-dong, 47,000 to 52,000 KRW and 80 to 90 minutes, plus a 7,900 KRW bridge and highway toll the driver adds to the meter. An international taxi costs about 20 % more, a deluxe (black) taxi 40 to 50 % more, and a late-night surcharge applies on top of any of them. Board only at the marked outdoor ranks; anyone offering you a ride inside the terminal is unlicensed and charging a flat invented rate.
Gimpo International Airport (GMP)
Domestic flights and a handful of regional Asian routes, and much closer to the centre.
- AREX All-Stop train - straight to Seoul Station, about 20 minutes.
- Metro lines 5 and 9 - line 5 to the historic centre (Gwanghwamun, Jongno), line 9 including its express services to Gangnam. The Seoul base fare is 1,550 KRW with a T-money or bank card, 1,650 KRW for a cash single ticket, and the ride takes 30 to 40 minutes.
- City and express buses - route 6101 to Nowon at 7,500 KRW, from stand 570 at the domestic terminal.
- Taxi - 20,000 to 30,000 KRW into central Seoul depending on traffic, from the ranks outside both arrivals halls.
Recommendations by traveler type
AREX Express for solo travellers, the limousine bus for families because it stops at hotel doors and skips the metro stairs, and the night buses N6000 or N6002 once the trains stop. The All-Stop AREX is the budget option at about 4,750 KRW. City transit needs a tap in and a tap out on every vehicle, buses included.
- Solo travellers: the AREX Express - fastest into Seoul Station and immune to the highway traffic.
- Families: the limousine bus - it stops at hotel doors and spares you dragging luggage through metro underpasses.
- Rail stops before midnight, so a late arrival means a night limousine bus or a taxi on the night tariff.
- On a budget: the All-Stop AREX, about 4,750 KRW from Terminal 1 with a T-money card.
- Tap in and tap out on every vehicle, buses included - forgetting the tap-out costs you a penalty fare.
- Solo traveller - the AREX Express to Seoul Station. Fastest, straightforward, and it cannot be caught in traffic on the way in.
- Family with children - the limousine bus. It costs more than the train but it stops at the major hotels, which removes hauling suitcases up and down the stairs of a metro interchange. Several routes carry a family discount.
- Late-night arrival - AREX stops before midnight. Take a night limousine bus - N6000 to Gangnam Express Bus Terminal at 17,000 KRW, N6002 to Cheongnyangni at 18,000 KRW, N6701 to Dongdaemun Design Plaza at 18,000 KRW - or a taxi, on which the late-night surcharge applies.
- Tight budget - the All-Stop AREX, about 4,750 KRW from Terminal 1 with a T-money card, just under an hour, and it puts you down at Hongdae if that is where you are staying.
- Once you are in the city, transit runs on tap-in and tap-out - on the metro and on buses. Missing the tap-out is charged as a penalty on your next ride.
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