How To Get From Incheon Airport To Seoul In 2023

One of the things people usually consider just before flying to Korea is how to get from Incheon Airport to Seoul. I’ve seen this question many times and so I thought I would make a helpful guide to transport options from Incheon Airport to Seoul.

The good news is that getting from Incheon Airport to Seoul can be cheap and hassle free, especially with a little bit of knowledge before you travel.

Which option you choose to get into Seoul from Incheon Airport depends a lot on your budget, arrival time, how many people are travelling, and what level of convenience you want. For those on a tight budget, you can find a method to get from Incheon Airport to Seoul that suits your needs.

Read more:
Money Saving Tips For Seoul
How Much Does It Cost To Travel In Korea

First time travellers to Korea will find this really useful to work out the best way to get around. However, even if you’ve never been to Korea before, you don’t need to worry. Korea has lots of English signs, the country is really well organised, and there are transport options that run all day and night.

Arriving and travelling from Incheon Airport is a breeze and you’ll be able to start your dream trip to Korea with one less thing to worry about, especially if you follow the guide below and choose the right transport options for your journey.

If you’re only visiting Incheon Airport for a short layover, or if you will spend a lot of time at the airport, then you’ll really appreciate this guide to spending a layover at Incheon Airport. There are loads of great activities, details about where to go, what to eat, how to get around, and lots more.

Read more:
What To During A Layover At Incheon Airport

Now, find out the best ways to get started on your dream trip and straight into Seoul below.

Korea Essentials:

Here are some of my favourite resources that will help you save time and money on your journey to Seoul:

Flights To Korea:
Trip.com | JetRadar

Hotels In Seoul:
Myeongdong | Hongdae | Gangnam

Recommended Tour Companies:
Klook
| Trazy | Get Your Guide | Voyagin

Travel & Tour Passes:
T-Money Card | Discover Seoul Pass

Internet / Mobile:
4g Sim Card | Portable 4g WiFi

Airport Transportation:
AREX Train Ticket
| Incheon Airport Pickup

Follow Me On Social Media:

Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links and I may earn commission for purchases made after clicking one of these links. Affiliate Disclaimer

Plane Arriving at Incheon Airport in Korea

The Best Ways To Get From Incheon Airport To Seoul

There are four main ways to get from Incheon Airport to Seoul:

1: airport limousine buses

2: airport trains

3: taxis

4: private airport transfers.

The cheapest option is the airport train – this can cost under 5,000 won per person, but you might have to pay more to transfer once you arrive in Seoul. You also have to shift your luggage around a lot.

The most convenient options are taking a taxi or organising a private airport transfer as they will take you exactly where you want to go. However, these are significantly more expensive, too.

I think the best option for most travellers will probably be the airport limousine bus. This is because you can travel throughout the day (thanks to the night buses) and you can get to a wide range of locations across Seoul.

Airport Limousine Bus

1: Airport Limousine Buses

There are two options for airport limousine buses from Incheon Airport to Seoul – the deluxe limousine bus and the standard limousine bus.

The airport limousine buses come with free Wifi and are a comfortable and convenient way to get from Incheon Airport to many different locations throughout Seoul.

You can pre-book limousine bus tickets with Klook and other travel agencies to avoid waiting for buses during busy times.

It is important to check which bus you need and where to get off. Fortunately, Incheon Airport is really easy to navigate and there are signposts and maps in English that will tell you where to go. For example, the picture below shows you all the transport options for Terminal 1.

Transport Map To Show How To Get From Incheon Airport To Seoul

1.2: Airport Limousine Bus Details

Buses for Seoul:
There are many buses that go from Incheon Airport to Seoul. Here is a list of all airport limousine bus numbers and destinations.

Departure Times:
Regular buses run from the early morning until late at night. There are also a couple of late night buses that will get you into Seoul at night. These go to Seoul Station or Gangnam.

Where to board the bus:
Terminal 1 – outside the Arrivals Hall on the ground floor (1F).
Terminal 2 – outside the Arrivals Hall on the ground floor (1F).

Where to buy tickets:
Terminal 1 – The ticketing offices are located close to exits 4 and 9 (Arrivals Hall), first level (indoor) and offices close to exits 4, 6, 7, 8, 11, 13 and 9C (outdoors).
Terminal 2 – At the ticketing offices located in the Traffic Center (B1).

Benefits of the airport limousine bus:
The airport limousine bus covers a wider range of locations than the trains do, and is considerably cheaper than taking a taxi. This is especially true when there are only one or two travellers.

The airport limousine stops at hotels in Seoul; convenient when you have lots of luggage. If you arrive at night, taking the late night bus might be your only option besides an expensive taxi transfer.

Drawbacks of the airport limousine bus:
The airport limousine bus is more expensive than taking a train and can be very busy. You might have to wait a while if you haven’t pre-booked tickets, especially during busy arrival times.

Pre-book tickets with Klook to ensure that there is a seat waiting for you.

1.3: Deluxe & Standard Airport Limousine Buses

The deluxe limousine bus goes directly to several locations within Seoul and throughout the country and makes fewer stops. It also has more comfortable chairs.

The cost of a deluxe limousine bus is 14,000 – 16,000 won.

The standard limousine bus isn’t as luxurious as the deluxe limousine bus and makes more stops. However, this might mean that it stops closer to your hotel than the deluxe limousine bus.

The cost of a standard limousine bus is 9,000 – 10,000 won.

Take the AREX from Incheon Airport to Seoul

2: Trains From Incheon Airport To Seoul

There are two options to get from Incheon Airport to Seoul by train.

Firstly, there is the Airport Express, also known as AREX. This is a non-stop train from Incheon Airport to Seoul Station that only stops at Incheon Airport Terminals 1 & 2.

Secondly, there is a the All Stop train that stops at a number of different subway stops between Incheon Airport and Seoul, including Gimpo Airport. This is useful if you need to make a connection between these airports.

The final stop for both of these trains is Seoul Station. From here you can take several subway trains, buses, or taxis to other locations.

Seats on the AREX train from Incheon Airport to Seoul

2.1: Airport Express (AREX)

Price:
The non-stop Airport Express costs 9,500 won for a single trip. This includes a 500 won deposit for the ticket (I don’t know why!) that can be refunded at your final stop. If you’re flying with certain Korean airlines, you can get a discount of 1,500 won.

You can get discounted one-way tickets from Klook – only 5,400 won per person.

Train Time & Frequency:
Trains from Terminal 2 take 51 minutes.
Trains from Terminal 1 take 43 minutes.
Frequency – every 40 minutes on average.

First and last train times:
First train departs at 05:15 from Terminal 2 and 05:28 from Terminal 1.
Last train departs at 22:40 from Terminal 2 and 22:48 from Terminal 1

Where to board the train:
Terminal 1 – go to the first basement level (B1).
Terminal 2 – go to the first basement level (B1)

Benefits of the Airport Express:
The Airport Express is a really cheap and convenient way to get into central Seoul. It is also comfortable and you get a reserved seat. There is free WiFi throughout the train, which is certainly very helpful for people who have been without Internet during a long flight.

Drawbacks of the Airport Express:
The Airport Express does not run all night so late night arrivals can’t take this train. Furthermore, the long waiting time between trains can be frustrating if you just miss the train. Getting luggage all the way to the train can be slightly inconvenient for larger groups and families.

Seats on the All Stop train from Incheon Airport to Seoul

2.2: All Stop Train (Subway)

Price:
The All Stop train costs 4,750 won for a single trip. This includes a 500 won deposit for the ticket that can be refunded at your final stop.

You can use T-Money Card or the Korea Tour Card (which has T-Money) to pay for this train. If you do, you won’t have to pay a deposit.

Train Time & Frequency:
Trains from Terminal 2 take around 1 hour.
Trains from Terminal 1 take 55 minutes.
Frequency – every 10-15 minutes on average.

First and last train times:
First train departs at 05:18 from Terminal 2 and 05:25 from Terminal 1.
Last train departs at 23:32 from Terminal 2 and 23:39 from Terminal 1

Where to board the train:
Terminal 1 – go to the first basement level (B1).
Terminal 2 – go to the first basement level (B1)

Benefits of the All Stop train:
The All Stop train runs more frequently, is cheaper, and stops at more locations than the Airport Express. This is great if your accommodation is not near Seoul Station and if you want to go to Gimpo Airport. There is more space for luggage due to the smaller seats and standing room.

Drawbacks of the All Stop train:
This train is not as fast or as comfortable as the Airport Express and does not come with free WiFi. The train is a subway train and so seats are limited and face inwards. This is good for luggage space, but not good for people who want to sit down.

3: Taxis From Incheon Airport To Seoul

There are three types of taxis that will take you from Incheon Airport to wherever you want to go in Seoul. These are the basic ‘taxi‘, the nicer ‘deluxe taxi‘ and the larger ‘jumbo taxi‘. You can find them on the ground floor outside the Arrivals Hall of Terminals 1 & 2.

Taxi drivers at the airport are more likely to speak English than those in the city, as they are used to dealing with foreigners. However, that isn’t guaranteed. Try to have a printout of your hotel’s address to show them. It would be even better if it also has the Korean address.

You can pre-book taxis to take you to your hotel, or go to the taxi waiting area outside and get one waiting there.

Basic Taxi at Incheon Airport

3.1: Basic Taxi

The basic taxi is a regular taxi that you’ll find in most cities across South Korea. This will comfortably fit 4 people but might not hold too much luggage in the trunk. Cars will be heated / air conditioned and provide a comfortable ride to your hotel.

You can find the expected prices for certain locations in Seoul below.

Taxi fares from Incheon Airport to Seoul
Deluxe Taxi

3.2: Deluxe Taxi

The deluxe taxi is more comfortable and slightly larger than a basic taxi, however, it doesn’t hold much more luggage. The seats are usually leather and the ride is more comfortable.

You can find the expected prices for certain locations in Seoul below.

Taxi fares from Incheon Airport to Seoul
Jumbo Taxi

3.3: Jumbo Taxi

The jumbo taxi is the largest and most comfortable of the taxi options at Incheon Airport and will have the most space for luggage. The price of this taxi is the same as the deluxe taxi and is the better option if you want more space in your seat and room to store more luggage.

You can find the expected prices for certain locations in Seoul below.

Taxi fares from Incheon Airport to Seoul

3.4: How Much Should You Pay For Taxis?

There are two factors that affect the price of the journey – the type of taxi and where you’re going. The basic taxi is the cheapest, the deluxe and jumbo the most expensive. Travelling at night will be more expensive than the standard fare.

There are guidelines for the expected charges you should pay to get to each district in Seoul that are visible in the taxi waiting areas

There are extra charges that can be applied at the end of your journey. These include tolls for bridges and toll roads and will be added depending on your route. You can see details of the expected tolls below.

Taxi Charges at Incheon Airport

A Warning About Taxis

Whilst many people use taxis to get from Incheon Airport to Seoul all the time, there are some times when the taxi drivers have exploited foreigners.

Your taxi fare shouldn’t be much more than 100,000 won (around $100) unless you’re outside of Seoul.

The taxi driver should also be using the meter to show how much you are meant to pay. If the taxi driver does not turn on the meter, or charges a fare that seems too high, you might want to threaten to contact the police.

There are contact details in the picture below to help you if you think you’ve been scammed by a taxi driver. This problems can be avoided by asking for an expected fare when you get in the taxi and making sure the meter is running.

As I said, many people take taxis and have no problems, but the issue is real and it’s always worth being careful when you visit a new country. Even experienced travellers can fall for taxi scams if they aren’t aware of them.

Advice for illegal taxi pratices at Incheon Airport
Private Airport Transfer

4: Private Airport Transfers

You can pre-book taxis to take you from Incheon Airport to Seoul, or vice-versa. This can be really useful, especially if you need to travel at night or early in the morning.

The taxi-collection service from Klook will collect you after your flight arrives at Incheon Airport and take you to your hotel. This is a very convenient service that provides an English speaking driver and a guaranteed price. Get to your hotel with minimum hassle.

4.1: How To Book Private Airport Transfers

A private airport transfer is a great option for larger groups and those travelling with young children. You can book a car or van to collect you from the airport and take you directly to your hotel. This is more convenient than a taxi and you can book larger vehicles.

Drivers will speak English and will wait for you in the Arrivals Hall, ready to help you get to your destination. Because you can pre-book, the driver will already know where you’re going and can plan the fastest route to your hotel.

This option is available both from Incheon Airport to Seoul, and from your hotel to Incheon Airport.

There are many options available for private collection. Klook offers reasonably priced private airport transfers from Terminals 1 & 2.

You can also book from companies such as Trazy and BlackLink.

Whichever option you choose from those listed, I hope you have a wonderful trip to Seoul and South Korea.

Flying to Korea soon? Want to know how to get the best prices on flights to Korea and when to book your flights? Then check out this guide about how to get cheap flights to Korea.

Incheon Airport To Seoul FAQs

Finally, here’s a few FAQs about getting from Incheon Airport to Seoul, in case the above information didn’t cover enough for you.

How long does it take to get from Incheon Airport to Seoul

45 minutes. The fastest method to get from Incheon Airport to central Seoul is on the Airport Express, which takes around 45 minutes to get to Seoul Station. It’s a high speed train that goes between these two locations. You can take the Airport Express from both terminals at Incheon Airport.

How can I get from Incheon Airport to Seoul?

Bus, train, taxi, and private transfer. There are lots of options for getting from Incheon Airport to Seoul. The most convenient option is a taxi, but this is also a lot more expensive. Cheaper alternatives include the airport limousine buses, Airport Express train directly to Seoul Station, or the local train that stops at various subway stations in central Seoul.

Is there a train from Incheon Airport to Seoul?

The AREX (Airport Express) and local train (subway) will take you from Incheon Airport to Seoul. The Airport Express is fastest, but also costs more. It goes directly to Seoul Station. The local train is slower, but costs less. It makes more stops and also travels to Seoul Station. The local train passes the Hongdae area and is convenience for people staying there.

How much is a taxi from Incheon Airport to Seoul?

45,000 KRW and upwards. To get to central areas in Seoul, such as Myeongdong, City Hall, or Seoul Station, expect to pay around 45,000 – 50,000 KRW. Taxi prices do not include the toll or highway fees, so expect to pay another 5,000 – 10,000 KRW on top of this. Larger taxis that can accommodate more people will charge a higher price.

Can I visit Seoul if I have a layover at Incheon Airport?

Yes. As long as you are eligible for a visa-on-arrival, you can leave Incheon Airport and travel into Seoul or other areas. There are free transit tours provided at the airport that will take you to various areas in Seoul, including around the traditional markets, shopping areas, or on cultural tours.

Is Incheon Airport open 24 hours a day?

Yes. Many facilities are open through the night, including convenience stores, seating and sleeping areas, saunas, and hotel facilities. There are night buses into Seoul from Incheon Airport throughout the night.

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