How To Get From Seoul Incheon Airport To Seoul
If you’re travelling to South Korea, you’ll likely find yourself flying into Seoul, the country’s capital and biggest city.
Despite having two large airports, most international arrivals into Seoul land at Seoul Incheon Airport.
It can be confusing navigating your way around the airport and trying to work out the best way to get from Incheon Airport into Seoul but fear not, that is why we have created this handy guide for getting into Seoul City Centre.
So, let’s dive into: Seoul Incheon Airport to Seoul
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Downtown Seoul
How To Travel From Incheon Airport (ICN) to Seoul: Quick Overview
| ICN to Seoul | Transport | Time | Rough Price | How to Book? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall Option | Airport Railroad Express Train (AREX) | 45 mins | ~£5/$7 | Book tickets here |
| Most Comfortable | KAL Limousine Airport Bus | 30-90 mins |
~£5-£9/$7-$11 |
Book tickets here |
| Most Convenient | Incheon Airport Private Transfer | 30 - 90 mins |
£50/$60 |
Buy transfer here |
Incheon Airport to Seoul Distance: How far is Incheon from Seoul?
The Distance from Incheon Airport to Seoul is roughly 50km, and the journey into Seoul City Centre from Seoul Incheon Airport can often take upwards of an hour.
There are 4 main ways of making this journey - Airport Railroad Express (AREX), KAL-Limousine Bus, Private Transfer, and Taxi - and each varies in terms of convenience, cost and time.
Underneath, we have highlighted each of the ways to get from Incheon Airport to Seoul and tried to offer our advice regarding which option you should take, depending on what kind of time scale and budget you are travelling on.
Important Tip: getting a Korean SIM Card is one of the best tips for visiting South Korea. Here’s everything you need to know about buying a SIM Card at Seoul Incheon Airport
Incheon Airport to Seoul: Taking the Airport Railroad Express Train (AREX)
The Airport Railroad Express (AREX) is an easy, affordable, and convenient way to travel from Incheon Airport to downtown Seoul.
The journey takes approximately 45 minutes when you jump on board the express train, and it takes you directly to Seoul Station - the central train station in the heart of Seoul. From here, jumping on the subway or a bus to your final destination is relatively straightforward.
Airport Railroad Express (AREX) Map - From Incheon Airport to Seoul
Airport Railroad Express Train (AREX) Important Information
When do the trains run? The first train of the day is 5:15 am and the last departs Incheon Airport at around 11:50 pm
How much does it cost? Express Train: Adult - 9500 won, Child - 7500 won. All-stop Train: Terminal 1 - 4150 won, Terminal 2 - 4750 won
How long does the AREX take? Express Train (No-stops) = 45 mins. All-stop train (13 different stops) = 55-65 mins.
Where does the train depart? Express train departs from International Terminal 1 and International Terminal 2. The All-stop train also departs from International Terminal 1 and International Terminal 2.
How to book tickets? Easiest way: Book your discounted AREX tickets online here and collect them at the kiosk at the station (booking online is roughly 15% more than directly at the airport)
Incheon Airport to Seoul: KAL Limousine Airport Bus
Another simple way of getting from Incheon Airport into Seoul City Centre is to take the KAL-Limousine Bus - dedicated airport buses that take you on various routes to various popular destinations in Seoul.
The buses are very comfortable and convenient, offering a luxury service at a very affordable price from Incheon Airport to Seoul.
KAL Limousine Airport Bus - Seoul Incheon Airport
KAL Limousine Airport Bus Important Information
KAL Bus Routes from Incheon Airport to Seoul
6001: Incheon Airport - Dongdaemun (Departs every 20-25 mins) - up to 15000 won
6002: Incheon Airport - Cheongnyangni Station (Departs every 15 mins) - up to 10000 won
6005: Incheon Airport - City Hall (Departs every 30-40 mins) - up to 15000 won
6015: Incheon Airport - Myeongdong (Departs every 8-12 mins) - up to 15000 won
6030: Incheon Airport - Itaewon (Departs every 30 mins) - up to 15000 won
KAL Bus Pick-up Locations at Incheon Airport
Incheon Airport International Terminal 1: Arrivals 1st Floor - A-F - Gates 1-14
Incheon Airport International Terminal 2: Arrivals 1st Floor - Gates 1-6 - Transportation Centre (B1F)
KAL Bus Options from Incheon Airport
Deluxe Limousine Bus - typically 15000 won, fastest option, fewer stops, more comfort.
Standard Limousine Bus - typically 10000 won, slower options, more crowded but likely to get you closer to your destination.
How to buy KAL Bus Tickets from Incheon Airport
The easiest and most efficient way is to buy a KAL Limousine Bus Ticket online and present your QR code to the bus driver when you board the bus - buying them this way saves you up to 20% compared to buying tickets at the airport.
To purchase your tickets in person, head either towards the Terminal 1 booking offices close to Exit 4 in the arrivals hall or to the transportation centre in Terminal 2.
Korean Air plane flying from Seoul Incheon Airport
Incheon Airport to Seoul: Private Transfer
Undoubtedly, the easiest and most hassle-free way to get from Incheon Airport to Seoul City Centre is to hire a private transfer from Incheon Airport.
When you book the private transfer, you input your flight details, and your driver will simply be waiting for you upon your arrival in Seoul. Then, you hop into the transfer and are whisked directly to your hotel or accommodation. It is that straightforward and that easy.
Incheon Airport Private Transfer Important Information
How much does a private transfer cost? Prices vary depending on where in Seoul you are travelling to, but they typically start from around £50/$60
How long does the transfer take? Again, this varies depending on where you aim to get to in Seoul. Typically private transfers into Seoul take anywhere between 30-90 minutes.
How many people can fit into the private transfer? The smallest private transfer options will fit 3 passengers and a little luggage, while the biggest private transfers can accommodate 20+ passengers
What are the private transfer options from Incheon Airport? You can request standard, 4x4, van, luxury and coach private transfers.
How to book a private transfer? Easiest way: book a private transfer from Incheon Airport online and get greeted by your driver on arrival in Seoul
Seoul Incheon Airport
Incheon Airport to Seoul: Taxi
A final handy way of travelling to Seoul from Incheon Airport is to jump in a taxi once you get to the arrivals hall in the airport.
Taxi stands are located on the 1st floor of Terminal 1 and in the Transportation Centre of Terminal 2.
A taxi is guaranteed to be more expensive than the AREX or KAL Limousine, but it offers far more convenience than either of those options, particularly when you are bringing heavy luggage into Seoul.
Incheon Airport Taxi Important Information
How much is a taxi from Incheon Airport to Seoul? Obviously, this varies greatly depending on your final destination in Seoul, but typically, a fare into the city centre would cost between 60,000-100,000 won ($45-75)
How long is the taxi journey? Incheon Airport lies 50km outside of Seoul City Centre, so the journey is likely to take 60-90 minutes, depending on the traffic
There is a 20% surcharge fee added to all night-time taxi fares to/from Incheon Airport (Midnight-04:00 am)
Make sure to jump into a Grey, Orange or White taxi - black taxis are international taxis that charge an inflated rate
You can download one of the best apps to use in South Korea, Kakao T and book a taxi directly through the app
N Seoul Tower - one of the highlights of Seoul
Incheon Airport to Seoul Alternative Suggestion: Renting a Car
The final option we will highlight for getting from Incheon Airport into Seoul is to rent a hire car for the duration of your visit to South Korea.
We only recommend this option for those exploring large parts of the country and wishing to use a car to get around South Korea. Driving in Seoul isn’t the easiest option, mainly as the city is home to one of the world’s best and most-efficient Subway systems.
If you are planning to hire a car in Seoul Incheon Airport, however, it is best to pre-order a rental car online before arriving in the country to guarantee that you get the right rental car for you.
Useful Tips for visiting Seoul Incheon Airport
Seoul Incheon Airport is the most popular airport in South Korea and one of the busiest airports in the whole of East Asia, so here’s a few tips for maximising your visit to Seoul Incheon Airport:
Buy Premium Airport Lounge Access (from as little as £20/$24) online, ready for a comfortable and relaxing journey to your next destination
Purchase a Korean SIM Card and Transportation Card online and simply pick-up at Incheon Airport once you land - there are pick-up locations in both international terminals
Do you arrive into Seoul Incheon Airport in the middle of the night? Then we’d recommend booking a hotel close to Seoul Incheon Airport for the night and travelling into the city the next day
Know where to stay in Seoul before you book your transport option from Seoul Incheon Airport because you may find that some areas of the city are easier to reach via a different mode of transport.
There we have it, folks, a comprehensive round-up of all the best options when it comes to getting from Seoul Incheon Airport to Seoul City Centre.
South Korea is one of the most fascinating places we have ever visited, so hopefully, this guide has helped you to make the transition from the airport to the city as smooth as possible in anticipation of all the adventures that lie ahead.
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