South Korea

Seoul

Old and new Seoul face each other across the Han River, tied together by one of the world's largest metro networks.

Airport access (Incheon & Gimpo)

The gates don't take contactless credit cards yet - you ride on T-money or a paper ticket. From Incheon the AREX is the workhorse: a cheap all-stop and a reserved-seat Express. Arrive late and it's a taxi or night bus.

Updated on July 30, 2026

How to ride

1
Pick your ride first

Cheapest: the all-stop AREX. Fastest: the Express. Door-to-hotel: a limousine bus. Late night: taxi or night bus.
2
All-stop train - tap in with T-money

The station is under both terminals (B1). Buy a T-money at a convenience store and add cash, or a single-journey card. Tap in.
3
In a hurry? Take the Express

Buy an Express ticket at the counter, machine or online, then scan the QR at the orange Express-only gates. T-money won't work.
4
Limousine bus - ticket first

Buy your ticket first at a counter or machine; T2 downtown buses must pre-ticket at the B1 transport center. No cards on board.
5
After hours, take a taxi or night bus

International Taxi (flat rate, English OK): book 24h ahead or ask at the arrivals info desk on the day. Night buses: N6000 series.
6
Gimpo Airport is even easier

Gimpo (Haneda, domestic flights): AREX ~20 min to Seoul Station, Line 5 to Gwanghwamun, Line 9 express to Gangnam - tap T-money.

Fares

Single fares6

AREX all-stop (airport to Seoul Station)

4,750 won from T1, 5,350 from T2 (card fare). Single-journey cards add 100 plus a refundable 500-won deposit

4,750〜5,350 KRW ≈ $4

AREX Express (reserved seats)

Walk-up price; around 11,500 online, children 9,500. No T-money

13,000 KRW ≈ $10

Limousine bus (to central Seoul)

Direct downtown 17,000 won, 16,000 via Gimpo; premium K-Limousine 18,000

16,000〜18,000 KRW ≈ $12–13

Night bus (N6000 / N6701 series)

17,000 or 18,000 won by route; serves Seoul Station and Gangnam

17,000〜18,000 KRW ≈ $13

International Taxi flat rate (to Seoul)

Zone-based flat fares for standard cars; deluxe/jumbo 100,000-140,000 won

70,000〜95,000 KRW ≈ $52–70

Regular taxi (metered, to Seoul)

Tolls extra; night surcharge from 22:00 to 4:00

60,000〜100,000 KRW ≈ $44–74

Passes & multi-ride1

Climate Card short-term pass (1-7 days)

Unlimited city subway/buses (AREX Gimpo-city OK). No Express or limousines; Incheon exit-only

5,000〜20,000 KRW ≈ $4–15

Card itself1

T-money card purchase

Card cost, top-ups separate (non-refundable); sold at arrivals-floor convenience stores and station machines

3,000 KRW ≈ $2

Estimates use exchange rates as of September 5, 2026

Express seats are all reserved, but same-day tickets are fine - booking online drops the fare to around 11,500 won.

A metropolitan-rail ticket machine: it issues single-journey cards and tops up transit cards (photographed at Yongsan Station). Taken Jan 2023 © YKJJ・CC BY-SA 4.0

Payment

Tap to ride

No tap-to-ride at gates or on buses (from 2027); fine for buying tickets

IC card

T-money: all-stop train, subway and taxis. Top-ups are cash-only

App tickets

Express tickets sell online as QR codes; Kakao T covers taxis

Paper tickets

Express QR tickets, limousine bus tickets and single-journey cards

Cash

For T-money top-ups, ticket machines and taxis - keep some won handy

Tap for where to get the app

Quick facts

Hours

5:15–23:30 (airport)

Frequency

All-stop every 5-15 min

Fares from

4,750 KRW+

The airport railway (AREX) sign at Seoul Station: the station name in Korean, English, Japanese and Chinese, with an arrow to Incheon Int'l Airport below. Taken Feb 2024 © Sean Young (@assanges)・CC BY 4.0

Heads-up

Taxi touts in the arrivals hall overcharge

Touts offering "taxi?" in the arrivals hall are a classic overcharge - always use the official taxi queue, International Taxi, or Kakao T.

Timetable

Operating hours 5:15–23:30 (airport)

Typical duration Express 43 min from T1 (51 from T2), all-stop about an hour to Seoul Station. Buses run 70-90 min, taxis 60-70

Check the official site for the latest times and service status