What is the cheapest way from Incheon Airport to Seoul?

The AREX All-Stop train to Seoul Station, about ₩4,950 with a T-money card and around 59 minutes. It stops at Gimpo Airport and Hongik Univ (Hongdae) on the way, so you can get off earlier if your hotel is near those stations.

What's the difference between the AREX All-Stop and Express trains?

Both end at Seoul Station. The All-Stop is about ₩4,950 with T-money and takes ~59 minutes; the Express is non-stop in about 43 minutes but costs around ₩11,000 (about ₩8,000–9,000 discounted online) and needs a separate ticket.

Can I use a T-money card on the AREX?

Yes, on the All-Stop train — tap in and out at the gates and the fare (about ₩4,950) is deducted automatically, and you can transfer straight to Seoul's subway. The Express train needs its own ticket and can't be paid with T-money.

How much is a taxi from Incheon Airport to Seoul?

Roughly ₩65,000–100,000 depending on traffic and whether it's a regular or 'deluxe' black taxi, plus tolls — far more than the ₩4,950 AREX All-Stop train.

How long does the train from Incheon Airport to Seoul Station take?

The AREX All-Stop train takes about 59 minutes to Seoul Station; the non-stop Express does it in about 43 minutes from Terminal 1.

What is the best way from ICN to downtown Seoul?

For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: the AREX All-Stop train to Seoul Station in the city centre, about ₩4,950 with a T-money card and around 59 minutes.

How do you get from Incheon Airport (ICN) to downtown Seoul — the cheapest way?

The cheapest way from Incheon Airport (ICN) into central Seoul is the AREX All-Stop train straight to Seoul Station: tap in with a T-money card and it's about ₩4,950 (roughly $3.60), taking around 59 minutes. Just tap through the gates marked for the All-Stop (general) train, or take the AREX Express if you'd rather save ~15 minutes. Don't buy the Express by default — at about ₩11,000 it is more than double for the same Seoul Station endpoint, and a taxi runs ₩65,000–100,000 into the city.

How to find it

AIRPORTIncheon International Airport (Seoul)
01After immigration and baggage claim in Terminal 1, follow the blue 'AREX / Airport Railroad / Train' signs down to the Transportation Center in the basement, where the AREX station is.
02Buy or top up a T-money card at a convenience store or vending machine (or use a contactless foreign credit card or a WOWPASS card), then tap in at the fare gates marked for the All-Stop / general train — not the separate AREX Express gates.
03Board the All-Stop train towards Seoul Station. It stops at about ten stations including Gimpo Airport and Hongik Univ (Hongdae); the ride to Seoul Station takes around 59 minutes.
04Tap out at Seoul Station and the fare (about ₩4,950) is deducted automatically. From here you can transfer to Metro Line 1 and Line 4, the KTX, and city buses.
CITY CENTRESeoul

Ticket

AREX All-Stop (general) train fare to Seoul Station, paid with a T-money card

Where to buy: Tap in at the AREX gates in the basement Transportation Center. Buy or top up a T-money card at any convenience store (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven) or the vending machines by the station; a contactless foreign Visa/Mastercard or a WOWPASS card also works.

How to pay: Just tap the card in at the gate and out at Seoul Station — the fare (about ₩4,950) is deducted automatically. A single-journey ticket from the machine works too but adds a ₩500 refundable deposit you reclaim at the destination.

Local's trick: Pay with a T-money card (or a contactless foreign Visa/Mastercard or a WOWPASS card) and just tap through the gates for the All-Stop / general train — you skip the Express ticket counter and the ₩500 single-journey deposit, and you transfer straight onto the Seoul subway. If your hotel is in Hongdae or Mapo, get off at Hongik Univ station rather than riding all the way to Seoul Station — the All-Stop stops there but the Express doesn't.

Trap to avoid: Don't buy the AREX Express (about ₩11,000) assuming it's the only airport train — it ends at the same Seoul Station as the All-Stop but costs more than double and saves only about 15 minutes. A taxi is far worse at roughly ₩65,000–100,000 plus tolls into the city.

All ways to downtown, compared

Option	Price	Time	Ticket
TrainCheapest route	₩4,950	1 h 5 min	AREX All-Stop (general) train fare to Seoul Station, paid with a T-money card
Train	₩11,000	50 min	AREX Express one-way ticket (Incheon Airport → Seoul Station)

Frequently asked

What is the cheapest way from Incheon Airport to Seoul?: The AREX All-Stop train to Seoul Station, about ₩4,950 with a T-money card and around 59 minutes. It stops at Gimpo Airport and Hongik Univ (Hongdae) on the way, so you can get off earlier if your hotel is near those stations.
What's the difference between the AREX All-Stop and Express trains?: Both end at Seoul Station. The All-Stop is about ₩4,950 with T-money and takes ~59 minutes; the Express is non-stop in about 43 minutes but costs around ₩11,000 (about ₩8,000–9,000 discounted online) and needs a separate ticket.
Can I use a T-money card on the AREX?: Yes, on the All-Stop train — tap in and out at the gates and the fare (about ₩4,950) is deducted automatically, and you can transfer straight to Seoul's subway. The Express train needs its own ticket and can't be paid with T-money.
How much is a taxi from Incheon Airport to Seoul?: Roughly ₩65,000–100,000 depending on traffic and whether it's a regular or 'deluxe' black taxi, plus tolls — far more than the ₩4,950 AREX All-Stop train.
How long does the train from Incheon Airport to Seoul Station take?: The AREX All-Stop train takes about 59 minutes to Seoul Station; the non-stop Express does it in about 43 minutes from Terminal 1.
What is the best way from ICN to downtown Seoul?: For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: the AREX All-Stop train to Seoul Station in the city centre, about ₩4,950 with a T-money card and around 59 minutes.

Last verified: Jul 1, 2026. Prices and timetables change — confirm at the official transport source.