Getting Around Korea
Most trips to Korea start at Incheon International Airport, so this section starts there. You have three main ways to reach Seoul: the AREX train, the airport limousine bus and the taxi. Our Incheon Airport to Seoul comparison puts them side by side.
- AREX train (공항철도): the all-stop train to Seoul Station costs ₩4,750 from Terminal 1 or ₩5,350 from Terminal 2 with a transit card such as T-money (AREX fares). The non-stop Express costs ₩13,000 (AREX Express). Read the AREX Express vs all-stop train guide.
- Limousine bus: routes to Seoul cost ₩17,000–18,000 and stop near many hotels (Incheon Airport bus search). At Terminal 2 you need a paper ticket before boarding (Airport Limousine). See where to buy limousine bus tickets and where to board.
- Taxi: regular taxis use the meter, starting at ₩4,800, and the passenger pays highway tolls (Incheon Airport taxi guide, Korea Herald). A taxi from the airport to Seoul has no out-of-city surcharge (Seoul Metropolitan Government). Our Incheon Airport taxi fare guide covers stands, meters and scams.
Arriving late changes your options. The last AREX train that reaches Seoul Station leaves Terminal 1 at 11:38 p.m., and later trains stop at Digital Media City (AREX T1 timetable). After that, night buses run from the airport to Seoul until about 4:50 a.m., with tickets sold at the bus ticket counters and kiosks (Incheon Airport late-night bus).
Two rules help on any taxi ride. Taxis in Seoul accept cash, credit cards and transit cards, and Seoul taxi receipts show key items in English (Korea Herald). Take taxis only from official stands, because Incheon Airport warns that call vans pretending to be taxis solicit illegally and overcharge (Incheon Airport taxi guide).