Getting from Incheon International Airport to Seoul

Incheon International Airport (ICN) serves Seoul. The fastest option listed here is the AREX Express train to Seoul Station: 43 minutes, non-stop, adult fare KRW 13,000. The AREX All-Stop train covers the same route for KRW 4,750 from Terminal 1 (KRW 5,350 from Terminal 2) in about 59 minutes from Terminal 1 (66 from Terminal 2). Airport limousine buses take about 60-80 minutes depending on route and traffic. A private transfer is a fixed price quoted at booking (see the live From price on this page). Taxis are metered, with tolls added on top.

ICN has two terminals. Korean Air, Asiana, Jin Air, Air Seoul, Air Busan and Delta use Terminal 2, while Jeju Air, Eastar Jet, Air Premia and many foreign airlines use Terminal 1; codeshares can differ, so check your e-ticket. An inter-terminal shuttle bus runs about every 10 minutes (05:00-23:00) and takes about 15 minutes from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 and about 18 minutes the other way; the Airport Railroad also links the terminals in about 6 minutes.

Airport bus tickets are sold at booths on the 1st floor of Terminal 1 and in the basement of Terminal 2. Taxis queue outside the Arrivals Hall.

The AREX Express is non-stop between the airport and Seoul Station and departs every 20-40 minutes; tickets are sold at the Transport Centers in both terminals and at Seoul Station. From Seoul Station, you can transfer to the Seoul Metro to reach anywhere in the city.

The All-Stop AREX is much cheaper - KRW 4,750 from Terminal 1, KRW 5,350 from Terminal 2 with a transit card, KRW 100 more on a single-use card - and connects directly to the Seoul subway network, but takes 59 minutes from Terminal 1 (66 from Terminal 2).

Airport limousine buses serve routes including Myeongdong (6015), Gangnam/COEX (6703) and Jamsil (6006). At the bus terminal you can pay with a transport card or credit card before boarding.

A private transfer is a fixed price quoted at booking (see the live From price on this page for your route).

Taxis use meters, so the total is not known in advance. Tolls are added on top of the metered fare rather than included in it, and you pay them.

Seoul's late-night taxi surcharge is not a flat 20% after midnight, which is what most guides say. The city's tariff steps it: 20% from 22:00 to 23:00, 40% from 23:00 to 02:00, and 20% again from 02:00 to 04:00 (Seoul Metropolitan Government tariff for Seoul regular taxis; deluxe, jumbo and International Taxi, or taxis licensed outside Seoul, may be charged differently, so confirm with the driver). A further 20% applies to journeys that leave the city limits (up to 60% stacked), but according to Incheon Airport no boundary surcharge applies on trips from the airport to Seoul, Incheon, Goyang, Gwangmyeong, Gimpo or Bucheon.

Private transfers include tolls in the quoted price and do not carry the night surcharge.

Check the AREX timetable and your bus route's last departure for your travel date.

Late at night, your options are taxis, selected night buses (N-buses, listed on airport.kr) and pre-booked transfers. The late-night taxi surcharge applies - and it is steeper than most guides admit: 40% between 23:00 and 02:00, 20% either side of that, plus 20% for leaving the city limits (not charged on airport trips to Seoul).

A pre-booked transfer is quoted at a fixed price at booking, so you know the cost before you land, and your driver meets you at arrivals, if meet-and-greet is included in your booking.

Both terminals have nursing rooms and a Kids Zone for children under 8, and strollers can be borrowed free at any information desk. With luggage and small children, a van transfer gives you more room; confirm the vehicle size at booking.

Do not count on a car seat in a regular taxi. If you need one, request it through a private transfer at booking.

AREX train: Transport Centers in both terminals sell Express tickets; All-Stop riders need a transit card (single-use cards are sold at station machines).

Airport buses: Ticket booths are on the 1st floor of Terminal 1 and in the basement of Terminal 2.

Taxis: Standard Seoul taxis load at 5C, 6C and 6D at Terminal 1 and 7C at Terminal 2. International taxis (foreign-language support, for foreign nationals) load at 4C (Terminal 1) and 3C (Terminal 2).

Private transfers: Your driver will hold a name sign in the arrivals hall, if meet-and-greet is included in your booking. Exact details come in your booking confirmation.

Take the AREX Express if you want speed and value, are comfortable with trains, and your hotel is near Seoul Station or on a subway line.

Take the limousine bus if your hotel is in Myeongdong, Gangnam, Jamsil, or another district on a bus route and you want a direct ride with luggage space.

Take a taxi if you have moderate luggage, prefer door-to-door service, and are traveling during the day.

Book a private transfer if you are arriving late, traveling with family, want to request an English-speaking driver at booking, or prefer a fixed price quoted in advance.