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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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 ≈ $52–71
Regular taxi (metered, to Seoul)
Tolls extra; night surcharge from 22:00 to 4:00
60,000〜100,000 KRW ≈ $45–74

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 November 3, 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

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
Editor Naotaka