Incheon Airport to Seoul: AREX train, airport bus and taxi fares and times

By the Real Korea 101 editorial team · Published November 13, 2026 · Facts checked November 13, 2026

Short answer: the cheapest way from Incheon Airport into Seoul is the AREX all-stop train, which costs 4,750 KRW from Terminal 1 to Seoul Station with a transport card and takes about 59 minutes. The AREX Express goes nonstop to Seoul Station in 43 minutes from Terminal 1 (51 minutes from Terminal 2) for 13,000 KRW. Airport limousine buses cost 17,000 to 18,000 KRW for an adult and stop near many hotels, and a standard taxi starts at a 4,800 KRW base fare plus distance, tolls and any night surcharge. All fares were checked on the operators' own pages on November 13, 2026.

The four options at a glance

AREX all-stop train

The all-stop train (일반열차) is run by Airport Railroad Co., Ltd. (AREX) and works like a subway line. You tap a transport card such as T-money at the gate, and the fare depends on distance. The operator's fare table, read on November 13, 2026, lists these adult transport card fares from the airport:

• Single-journey card: if you buy a single-use transport card from a station machine instead, AREX adds 100 KRW for adults and takes a 500 KRW deposit, which you get back at the arrival station.
• Children and youth: the child fare (ages 6 to 12) starts at 550 KRW, and the youth fare (13 to 18) starts at 900 KRW, with discounted distance charges. Children under 6 ride free, up to three per adult.
• Transfers: the line connects with KTX and Lines 1 and 4 at Seoul Station, Lines 5 and 6 at Gongdeok, Line 2 at Hongik Univ., Line 6 at Digital Media City, Line 9 at Magongnaru, and Lines 5 and 9 at Gimpo Airport. Several of these stations also connect to the Gyeongui-Jungang Line.
• Frequency: the Seoul Metropolitan Government's arrival guide says all-stop trains leave every 5 to 10 minutes, from about 5:30 a.m. to midnight depending on the station.

New to T-money? Our T-money card guide covers where to buy and top up a card. One catch: the Seoul Climate Card short-term pass lets you get off at the airport stations but not board there, so pay your first ride into Seoul with T-money or a single-journey card.

AREX Express train

The Express (직통열차) runs nonstop between Seoul Station and the two airport terminals. It does not stop at Hongik Univ., Gongdeok or Gimpo Airport. AREX lists the following on its Express page, checked November 13, 2026:

• Time: 43 minutes between Seoul Station and Terminal 1, 51 minutes to Terminal 2.
• Fare: 13,000 KRW for an adult. AREX shows a higher "regular fare" of 18,500 KRW (Terminal 1) and 19,100 KRW (Terminal 2), but 13,000 KRW is the adult price it lists.
• Discounts: 9,500 KRW for children aged 6 to 12. The same price applies to Korean nationals aged 65 and over, and to registered disabled people and national merit recipients with proof. Online partner discounts also exist, and discounts cannot be combined.
• Where to buy: the Express customer centers on B1 of the Transportation Center at Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, and on B2 at Seoul Station. You must have a ticket before you board; a T-money tap does not work for the Express.
• On board: assigned seats, cabin crew, free Wi-Fi (network "AREX Free Wi-Fi") and drinking water on request. AREX says the toilet in car 4 is wheelchair accessible.

The Seoul city guide says Express trains leave every 20 to 40 minutes, so check the next departure before you buy if you are in a hurry.

Airport limousine buses

Limousine buses leave from the bus stops at each terminal and go directly to hotel areas, which can save a subway transfer when you have large bags. Two operators run most Seoul routes. Their own pages, read on November 13, 2026, list:

Buy your ticket at the ticket booths or machines in the terminal before boarding. Airport Limousine says ticket holders board first; on routes 6001, 6002 and 6015 at Terminal 1 it also accepts cash and transport cards on a first-come basis, while Terminal 2 requires a paper ticket on all routes. Other routes are listed on each operator's site.

Arriving late: night buses

Incheon Airport's late-night bus page lists four routes into Seoul that run when the trains have stopped:

• N6000 to Gangnam Express Bus Terminal and N6002 to Cheongnyangni via Hongdae and Dongdaemun: 17,000 KRW adult, 10,000 KRW child.
• N6701 to Dongdaemun Design Plaza via Seoul Station and N6703 to Gwangnaru Station via COEX and Jamsil: 18,000 KRW adult, 12,000 KRW child.
• Departures from Terminal 1 on these routes run from about 23:40 to 04:50, with gaps of up to two hours between buses on the same route. Buy a ticket at the booths or machines; the N6701 and N6703 can also be booked in the Tmoney GO app.

Taxis from Incheon Airport

Incheon Airport's taxi page sets out the official types, base fares and pickup stands:

The airport is a shared operating area for taxis from Seoul, Incheon and four Gyeonggi cities, so no boundary surcharge applies on trips to Seoul. The Seoul city arrival guide adds that the Incheon International Airport Expressway toll is paid on top of the meter. We have not listed a typical total fare because it depends on traffic, time of day and your exact destination.

Which one to choose

• Lowest cost: the all-stop train, especially if your hotel is near Hongik Univ., Gongdeok or another station on the line.
• Fastest to Seoul Station: the Express, with a guaranteed seat. It only makes sense if Seoul Station is your stop or your transfer point.
• Heavy luggage, hotel near a bus stop: a limousine bus, which stops close to many hotels in Myeong-dong, Gwanghwamun and Gangnam.
• After midnight: a night bus or a taxi. Remember the 40% surcharge between 23:00 and 02:00 on standard Seoul taxis.

Heading on from Seoul Station to the south? See our guide to Seoul to Busan by KTX. Flying on to Jeju? Domestic flights mostly leave from Gimpo Airport, which is on the AREX line; see how to get to Jeju.

Fares, timetables and boarding rules change. For anything that affects your trip, the official pages below are the final authority.