How to Get from Incheon Airport to Seoul | Taking the Cheapest Regular Train
When preparing for a trip to Korea, the first thing you worry about is how to get from Incheon International Airport to downtown Seoul.
There are various options like buses, taxis, and express trains, but today I’ll introduce the most economical and reasonable method,
which is using the Airport Railroad Regular Train (A’REX All-Stop Train).
🚆 Main Transportation Options from Incheon Airport to Downtown Seoul
- Airport Limousine Bus → Comfortable but somewhat expensive
- Taxi → Most convenient but expensive (especially during late night hours)
- Airport Railroad (A’REX) → Reasonable fare and fast transportation
| Transportation | Fare | Duration | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airport Limousine Bus | 17,000~18,000 won | 60~80 min | Comfort, guaranteed seats, easy luggage storage | Delays during traffic jams, expensive fare |
| Taxi | 60,000~100,000 won | Within 60 min | Door-to-door service, 24-hour availability | Very expensive fare, late night surcharge |
| Airport Railroad Regular Train | 4,450 won | About 1 hour | Cheap fare, punctuality, convenient transfers | May need to stand during rush hours |
TIP:
If you want to save money, choose the Airport Railroad Regular Train,
If you want comfort, choose the Limousine Bus,
If you want fast door-to-door service, choose a taxi!
Among these, the most cost-effective choice is definitely the Airport Railroad Regular Train.
As long as you can tolerate a little inconvenience!
💰 Fare and Duration
- Regular Train (All-Stop Train)
- Fare: 4,450 won (about 450 yen / about 3 dollars)
- Duration: About 1 hour
- Frequency: 15~20 minutes
- Express Train
- Fare: 17,700 won
- Duration: About 43 minutes
- Advantages: All reserved seats, comfortable seated travel
If you need to get to downtown Seoul quickly, the Express Train is also good,
but if you want to save money, the Regular Train is much more advantageous.
Route Check
First, we need to know the route we want to take, right? Most of you probably use Google Maps.
Naver Map
However, Naver Map has much more data and is more accurate in Korea, so please use Naver Map for Korean travel. When you use Naver Map to set your desired destination, it will show you the optimal route, travel time, and price information like below.
Naver Map screen showing route from Incheon Airport → Yangcheonhyanggyo Station
The above image shows a Naver Map search screen for the route from ‘Incheon Airport’ to ‘Yangcheonhyanggyo Station’ (my home).
When you enter departure and arrival points, you can see optimal public transportation routes, travel time, fares, and transfer information at a glance.
TIP:
Naver Map supports various languages including English, Japanese, Chinese, etc.,
so you can easily use it even if you’re not familiar with Korean!
Using Naver Map, you can easily and accurately find public transportation routes not only from Incheon Airport to downtown Seoul,
but anywhere in Korea, so please try using it.
Let’s follow this route and go from Incheon Airport to Yangcheonhyanggyo Station. Here I used Yangcheonhyanggyo as an example, but you can go anywhere like Seoul Station, Myeongdong Station, etc.
Going to Take the Airport Railroad from Incheon Airport
Incheon Airport Terminal 1 arrival hall
The above photo shows Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 arrival hall.
After getting off the plane, completing immigration inspection and baggage claim, you’ll come out to this arrival hall.
‘Airport Railway’ icon visible inside the airport
From here, just follow the ‘Airport Railway’ signs.
The airport interior has good guidance in various languages including English, Chinese, Japanese, etc.,
so even first-time visitors can easily find their way.
TIP:
Keep following the ‘Airport Railroad’ or ‘공항철도(A’REX)’ signs.
It takes about 10~15 minutes on foot.
Airport Railroad Express Train and Regular Train boarding gate guide
When moving to take the Airport Railroad from Incheon Airport,
you’ll come to a section where the Express Train and Regular Train boarding gates are separated.
- Express Train:
- Goes directly to Seoul Station without intermediate stops
- All reserved seats
- Expensive fare but comfortable and fast
- Mainly used by tourists and business passengers
- Regular Train (All-Stop Train):
- Stops at all stations
- Free seating (can sit or stand)
- Cheap fare and can transfer to major Seoul subway stations
- Recommended for locals, long-term travelers, and those who want to save money
TIP:
Choose the train you want based on your destination, budget, and convenience!
Most travelers will find the Regular Train sufficient.
We’re taking the regular train today. Following the blue signs to take the regular train, you’ll find the ticket office.
🎫 How to Buy Tickets
Airport Railroad Regular Train ticket vending machine
To use the Airport Railroad Regular Train,
if you have transportation cards like T-money, WOWPASS, you can pass through the gate directly.
If you don’t have a transportation card,
you can buy a one-time ticket from the automatic vending machine like in the photo.
- You can select language (English, Chinese, Japanese, etc.) on the screen
- Select destination station (e.g., Seoul Station)
- Enter number of people
- Pay with cash or card
- You’ll get a ticket and card with 500 won deposit included
TIP:
After arriving at your destination, put the ticket in the deposit refund machine next to the gate
to get back the 500 won deposit.
Transportation cards can be easily purchased at convenience stores, transportation card vending machines, etc. inside the airport,
so if you plan to stay long-term or use public transportation multiple times, it’s convenient to prepare in advance.
Going to Board the Train
Incheon Airport Airport Railroad Regular Train platform
After tagging your issued transportation card and passing through the gate to take the regular train,
following the blue guide line will take you to the platform.
Incheon Airport Airport Railroad Platform 1, 2 guide
Please use Platform 2 for Seoul-bound trains.
- Trains run at about 10~15 minute intervals,
and you can check the next train arrival time on the display board. - Don’t worry even if you have a lot of luggage!
Large luggage storage space is provided at the front and back of the cars. - When the train arrives, board after the doors are completely open.
(It’s polite to let passengers getting off exit first before boarding.)
TIP:
English, Chinese, Japanese announcements are also provided inside the train,
so you can use it without worry even if you don’t know Korean.
Now let’s board the train and depart for Seoul!
🚉 Useful Information When Boarding
- Seoul-bound trains depart from Platform 2
- Luggage storage space provided inside cars → convenient for travelers
- Seats are free seating → may need to stand during rush hours
- Most people can sit, and you can check current location and stops on the screen inside the car
Transfer
Gimpo Airport Station Line 9 transfer guide
When you arrive at Gimpo Airport Station as shown by Naver Map, follow the Line 9 (gold line) transfer signs.
Korean subways usually distinguish lines by color. Follow the gold color of Line 9 and wait for the next train.
Line 9 connects major Seoul areas like Gangseo-gu, Yeouido, Gangnam, Jamsil, etc.
quickly.
🚇 Transfer Summary at a Glance
- When transferring: You must tag your transportation card again at the gate, so please tag it.
- Line 9: There are express/regular trains, so check well and board according to your destination.
- Route map/guide: Line 9 route maps and transfer guides are well displayed in Korean/English throughout the station.
- Free transfer: Most Seoul subways allow free transfers.
- Subway ↔ Bus transfer: Using transportation cards like T-money, WOWPASS allows transfers between subway and bus.
- Transportation card preparation: If you plan to use public transportation frequently in Korea, be sure to prepare a transportation card.
If you remember the above points when transferring, you can conveniently use Seoul subway and buses!
Arrival at Destination
Arrival at Yangcheonhyanggyo Station
Finally arrived at our destination, Yangcheonhyanggyo Station. When getting off, just tag the card you used when boarding at the gate.
Subway deposit refund machine
In this video, I explained using subway tickets. Since this ticket can refund a 500 won deposit, when you get off, you can return the card to a machine like above and get a 500 won cash refund. WOWPASS or T-money cards don’t have this process, so they’re much more convenient.
🛫 Conclusion
There are various ways to get from Incheon Airport to downtown Seoul,
but the most economical and safe choice is the Airport Railroad Regular Train.
Even first-time visitors to Korea can use it without difficulty,
so please refer to this and have a pleasant trip 🇰🇷✨
📌 Related Tags
#KoreaTravel #IncheonAirportRailroad #SeoulTravel #AREX #RegularTrain #KoreaTransportation #SeoulTravelTips #KoreaTourism