AREX Incheon Airport Train: Express vs All-Stop (2026)
As of November 2026, the AREX all-stop train from Incheon Airport to Seoul Station costs ₩4,750 from Terminal 1 (T1) or ₩5,350 from Terminal 2 (T2) with a transit card and takes about 66 minutes (AREX fares, Incheon Airport railroad). The AREX Express costs ₩13,000 and reaches Seoul Station non-stop in 43 minutes from T1 or 51 minutes from T2 (AREX Express). Late at night, check the train's destination: the last all-stop trains of the day do not go to Seoul Station.
Updated November 2026. All prices and times checked Nov 13, 2026.
What is the difference between the AREX Express and the all-stop train?
The AREX Express (직통열차) is faster and has reserved seats, but it only goes to Seoul Station. The AREX all-stop train (일반열차) is cheaper, stops at 13 stations and connects to the Seoul subway (AREX).
| AREX all-stop train | AREX Express train | |
|---|---|---|
| Adult fare to Seoul Station | ₩4,750 (T1) / ₩5,350 (T2) with a transit card | ₩13,000 |
| Time to Seoul Station | About 66–67 min | 43 min (T1) / 51 min (T2) |
| Stops | 13 stations | Non-stop |
| Seats | Unreserved | Reserved |
| Ticket | Transit card (T-money) or single-journey card | Buy before boarding |
| First / last train to Seoul Station (from T1) | 5:14 a.m. / 11:38 p.m. (weekdays) | 5:24 a.m. / 10:48 p.m. |
| How often | About every 4–19 min (T1, weekdays) | About every 30–55 min |
Sources: AREX fares, AREX Express, Express timetable, AREX T1 timetable, AREX.
Where is the AREX station at Incheon Airport?
The AREX stations are on B1 of the Transportation Center (교통센터) at both terminals (Incheon Airport railroad). Follow the train signs from the arrivals hall.
The Terminal 1 station spans B1–B4 of the T1 Transportation Center and has 16 ticket vending machines. The Terminal 2 station spans B1–B3 and has 10 ticket vending machines (AREX T1, AREX T2).
How do I take the AREX all-stop train?
To ride the AREX all-stop train, you tap a card at the gate and board. Here are the steps.
- Go to the AREX station on B1 of the Transportation Center.
- Tap a transit card such as T-money at the gate. If you don't have one, buy a single-journey card at a vending machine.
- A single-journey card costs ₩100 more than the transit-card fare, plus a ₩500 deposit. You get the deposit back at your arrival station (AREX fares).
- Board a train toward Seoul Station and get off at your station or transfer to the subway.
The AREX fare page lists exact fares only between the airport and Seoul Station. For other stations, check the fare on the vending machine screen.
Children and teens pay less on the all-stop train. Children aged 6–12 pay a ₩550 base fare plus 50% of the adult distance charge, and youths aged 13–18 pay a ₩900 base fare plus 80% of it (same source).
How do I buy an AREX Express ticket?
You must buy the AREX Express ticket before you board, because seats are reserved (AREX Express). Express customer centers are on B1 of the Transportation Center at T1 and T2, and on B2 at Seoul Station (same source).
The adult Express fare is ₩13,000, and the fare for children, seniors, people with disabilities and national merit recipients is ₩9,500. The AREX page also shows a "regular fare" of ₩18,500 (T1) or ₩19,100 (T2), but ₩13,000 is the fare it lists for adults (same source).
The AREX Express runs 28 times a day from the airport to Seoul Station, with the same timetable on weekdays and holidays. The first train leaves T2 at 5:16 a.m. and T1 at 5:24 a.m. The last train leaves T2 at 10:40 p.m. and T1 at 10:48 p.m. (Express timetable).
AREX added 4 Express runs a day from Oct 23, 2026 (AREX press release). Check the live timetable before you go, because we could not confirm that the timetable above already includes them.
Express passengers also get free use of the City Airport Terminal (도심공항터미널) at Seoul Station, free Wi-Fi and free shuttle buses to partner hotels (AREX Express).
Which AREX stations connect to the Seoul subway?
The AREX all-stop train connects to the subway at several stations on the way to Seoul Station (AREX route):
| AREX station | Transfer to |
|---|---|
| Geomam | Incheon Line 2 |
| Gyeyang | Incheon Line 1 |
| Gimpo Airport (김포공항역) | Lines 5 and 9, Gimpo Goldline, Seohae Line |
| Magongnaru (마곡나루역) | Line 9 |
| Digital Media City (디지털미디어시티역) | Line 6, Gyeongui-Jungang Line |
| Hongik Univ. / Hongdae (홍대입구역) | Line 2, Gyeongui-Jungang Line |
| Gongdeok (공덕역) | Lines 5 and 6, Gyeongui-Jungang Line |
| Seoul Station (서울역) | Lines 1 and 4, Gyeongui Line, KTX |
What time is the last AREX train to Seoul Station?
The last AREX all-stop train that reaches Seoul Station leaves T1 at 11:38 p.m. and T2 at 11:32 p.m. on weekdays (AREX T1 timetable, AREX T2 timetable).
This is the last-train trap. Later trains leave T1 at 11:56 p.m. and T2 at 11:50 p.m., but they stop at Digital Media City and do not go to Seoul Station (same sources). If you land late, read the destination on the train and the platform screen before you board.
If you miss the last train, night buses run from Incheon Airport to Seoul until about 4:50 a.m. (Incheon Airport bus search). For a taxi, see our Incheon Airport taxi fare guide, which covers late-night surcharges.
Korean names you'll need
| English | Korean (show this) |
|---|---|
| AREX (Airport Railroad) | 공항철도 |
| Express train / All-stop train | 직통열차 / 일반열차 |
| Incheon Airport Terminal 1 Station | 인천공항1터미널역 |
| Incheon Airport Terminal 2 Station | 인천공항2터미널역 |
| Transportation Center | 교통센터 |
| Seoul Station | 서울역 |
FAQ
Is the AREX Express worth it?
The AREX Express is worth it if you are going to Seoul Station and want a reserved seat. It saves 15–23 minutes over the all-stop train but costs more than twice as much, and it runs only every 30–55 minutes (AREX Express, Express timetable).
Can I use T-money on AREX?
Yes. A transit card such as T-money works on the AREX all-stop train and gives a lower fare than a single-journey card (AREX fares).
Does AREX go to Hongdae?
Yes. The AREX all-stop train stops at Hongik Univ. Station (Hongdae), where you can transfer to Line 2 and the Gyeongui-Jungang Line (AREX route). The AREX Express does not stop there.
Who do I call about AREX?
The AREX hotline is 1599-7788 (Incheon Airport railroad).
Summary
- The AREX all-stop train is the cheapest way from Incheon Airport to Seoul and connects to the subway.
- The AREX Express is the fastest way to Seoul Station, with a reserved seat.
- Late at night, check the destination: the last trains of the day end at Digital Media City. Compare every option in our Incheon Airport to Seoul guide, or see the limousine bus guide if your hotel is near a bus stop.
How this guide was made: every price, time and rule was checked on the sources listed below on Nov 13, 2026. AI tools helped draft this guide, and the facts were checked against those sources.
Sources
- AREX general train fares — checked 2026-11-13
- Railroad – Incheon International Airport — checked 2026-11-13
- AREX Express Train — checked 2026-11-13
- AREX customer site — checked 2026-11-13
- AREX Express timetable — checked 2026-11-13
- AREX Incheon Airport T1 station timetable — checked 2026-11-13
- AREX Incheon Airport T2 station timetable — checked 2026-11-13
- AREX corporate site (press releases) — checked 2026-11-13
- Bus Search – Incheon International Airport — checked 2026-11-13