Incheon Airport to Seoul: AREX vs Bus vs Taxi

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Your best way into Seoul depends mostly on when you land. Trains stop around midnight, and allow 1 to 2 hours for immigration. Enter your details to see which options are running, roughly how long they take and what they cost. Everything is calculated in your browser.

How this tool decides

The tool adds a 1 to 2 hour buffer after landing, because Incheon Airport's own transport page says to allow 1 to 2 hours for immigration when booking public transportation out of the airport. It then checks that window against the all-stop AREX service hours listed by the Seoul Metropolitan Government (about 5:30 AM to 12 AM, varying by station). The recommendation is the cheapest option that is actually running; luggage, children and transfers are shown as notes, not scored. Taxi estimates switch to the deluxe/jumbo range (40-50% more) when the group is 5 or more people or 5 or more large suitcases; this threshold is our own rule of thumb, not an official one. The night surcharge shown is for 90 minutes after landing, our estimate of when you reach a taxi; for jumbo/deluxe taxis the tool shows their separate 20% rate.

OptionWhat the official pages say
AREX all-stop (local train)Seoul Station in 59 min from Terminal 1, 66 min from Terminal 2. Every 5-10 minutes. Some trains take 2-6 minutes longer. Fare listed as a range, ₩4,150-4,750 (Seoul city page). Runs about 5:30 AM to 12 AM, varying by station.
AREX Express (non-stop)Seoul Station in 43 min from Terminal 1, 51 min from Terminal 2. Every 20-40 minutes. Fare listed as ₩13,000 one-way. Express tickets are sold at booths at Seoul Station and both airport terminals (Seoul city page). Last-train time is not stated on the pages we checked: confirm it on the AREX timetable.
Airport limousine busAbout 60-80 minutes depending on route and traffic. ₩5,000-15,000 depending on the bus. Tickets at airport booths (cash, major credit cards, Tmoney). Operating hours were not stated on the pages we checked.
Late-night bus (N-routes)Seoul routes from Terminal 1: N6000 (Gangnam), N6002 (Hongdae, Dongdaemun, Cheongnyangni), N6701 (Seoul Station, Euljiro, Dongdaemun Design Plaza), N6703 (COEX, Jamsil, Gwangnaru). Listed fares: ₩17,000 (N6000), ₩18,000 (N6002, N6701). Timetables are on the airport's page. Terminal 2 departures are not covered by this tool.
TaxiStandard taxi base fare ₩4,800. Night surcharge on standard taxis in Seoul and Incheon: 20% from 22:00 to 23:00, 40% from 23:00 to 02:00, 20% from 02:00 to 04:00. Expressway toll (₩7,900 on the Seoul page) is added to the meter fare. Deluxe and jumbo taxis cost 40-50% more per the Seoul page. Deluxe and jumbo (9-seat per the airport page; up to 8 seats per the Seoul page) taxis: night surcharge 20% from 22:00 to 04:00 in Seoul and Incheon, base fare ₩7,000 (airport taxi page; Gyeonggi taxis start at 23:00).

Fares and times above are as listed on the official pages on 2026-10-26 and "subject to change" per those pages. Taxi totals in the tool are the Seoul city page's own estimates for the hotel or area named (not available for every destination; Yeongdeungpo's is for one named hotel), not a quote.

What this looks like when you actually arrive

Landing late at night

If you land around 10 PM or later, the passport-control buffer can push you past the last all-stop trains. After midnight the choices become the late-night bus (limited routes and set departure times from Terminal 1) or a taxi with a night surcharge. The tool flags this as "tight" or "not running" so you can book a fallback before you fly.

Landing early in the morning

Before about 5:30 AM the trains are not running yet. The tool shows "wait for first train" when your buffer ends close to that time. Late-night buses depart Terminal 1 at set times through the night (for example, the Gyeonggi routes at 00:30 per the airport page); check the timetable. The last Terminal 1 departures on the four Seoul routes are listed between 04:20 and 04:50, so if you clear immigration after about 05:00 and before the first train, a taxi is likely your only option.

Which terminal

AREX serves both terminals. Trains run from Terminal 2 through Terminal 1 on the way to Seoul, so a trip from Terminal 2 takes longer (66 vs 59 minutes by all-stop). The airport's late-night bus pages list Terminal 1 stops, and its bus page gives Terminal 1 boarding details only, so from Terminal 2 confirm the pickup point with the airport information desk. The airport site also has a separate "Late-night Bus (Terminal 2)" page that we did not check, so ask about night buses at Terminal 2.

Luggage and children

AREX to Seoul Station is a direct ride. For most other districts you transfer to the subway or walk, which can be awkward with several large suitcases or a stroller. A taxi goes door to door but costs more. The tool lists transfers and flags them when you have 3 or more suitcases or small children.

Examples

InputResult
Land 15:30, Terminal 1, Seoul Station, 2 people, 2 suitcasesCheapest running option: AREX all-stop, 59 min. Express (43 min) also running.
Land 22:30, Terminal 1, Myeong-dong, 2 peopleAREX all-stop marked "tight" (you may miss the last trains). Tool picks the N6701 late-night bus as cheapest (₩36,000 for 2; Euljiro Entrance is the closest listed stop on the route, so expect a walk or short ride to Myeong-dong). Taxi is ₩47,000-52,000 plus a 40% night surcharge.
Land 23:30, Terminal 2, Yeongdeungpo, 2 peopleNo train running. We list no late-night bus here (none of the Seoul routes we checked stop in Yeongdeungpo, and the tool only covers Terminal 1 departures), so taxi (40% night surcharge at the estimated pickup time).

FAQ

Does a transit card work on AREX?

The Seoul city page says single-use cards are sold at in-station vending machines and prepaid transportation cards are sold at convenience stores. It does not list which cards each train accepts, so check with AREX. Express tickets are sold at booths at Seoul Station and both terminals.

Is there a family discount on the airport bus?

The Seoul city page describes one free passenger fare for a group of at least three lineal family members including at least one minor on airport buses, but its note is dated 2017. Ask at the ticket booth.

Is my information sent anywhere?

No. The comparison runs entirely in your browser.

Sources (checked 2026-10-26)

Prices, timetables and rules change. Confirm on the official pages before you travel. This page is a planning aid, not a booking or a quote.