What is the Airport Railroad Express (AREX)?
The AREX is a dedicated train service in Seoul, designed to provide convenient transportation between the city (Seoul Station) and Incheon International Airport, which is located west of Seoul.
It’s a faster way to get to and from the airport compared to other alternatives, such as the bus, or taxi.
How to catch the Airport Railroad Express (AREX) train in Seoul
The AREX has two main lines, the Express Train and the All Stop Train.
Express train
This is the most direct route between Incheon Airport and Seoul, making it a faster journey. There is also free Wi-Fi and a pre-assigned seat system so you know you won’t be standing.
Travel Time: 45min
Cost: 9,500 KRW (adult)
Operating Hours: 5:15 am – 10:48 pm
All Stop Train
The fare for this train is half the price, operating at a slower pace than the Express train. Although it stops at 11 subway stations, it only takes an additional 15 minutes. This option doesn’t have pre-assigned seating and the carriage layouts are similar to the Seoul subway network so less seating is available.
This train does also allow you to transfer to other metro lines that are along the way which may be useful depending on where you’re staying.
Travel Time: 1hr
Cost: 4,150 KRW (adult)
Operating Hours: 5:18 am – 11:32 pm
Note: The All Stop Train is more frequent, departing every 5-15 minutes compared to the Express train which departs every 30-45 minutes.
Should you catch the AREX Express Train or the All Stop Train?
We arrived in Seoul at 9 pm so chose to take the All Stop Train as it was less likely to be crowded.
When we were returning to Incheon Airport, we however chose the Express train as we were travelling during a busier time of the day.
Having caught both of these trains we would recommend taking the Express Train if you’re looking for more comfortable seating, and guaranteed space for your luggage.
The time of day we caught the All Stops train was very quiet (more people were lining up for the Express train) and we were able to get seats and space for our bags. At a busier time, there is the risk that you will need to stand and not have space for your luggage.
If however, time is important, it may be quicker to take the more frequent All Stop train rather than waiting for the next Express train which may be a 30-minute wait.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to catching the AREX at Incheon Airport:
- Upon arriving at the terminal, follow the signs directing you to the AREX station. There are clear indications throughout the airport leading to the train station.
- You can purchase tickets from either a vending machine or a ticket counter. If you’re catching the All-Stop Train you can catch this using a T-Money card (if you’ll be spending time using Seoul’s subway during your visit I’d recommend purchasing a card). Unfortunately, you cannot use a T-Money card to catch the Express Train.
- Boarding/Departure: Once you have your ticket, proceed to the designated platform for the train you’ve chosen (the entrances are marked in English). The All Stop Train has blue signage and the express train has orange signage. Ensure you’re on the correct platform for the train heading to your desired destination in Seoul (e.g.Seoul Station).
How much does it cost to travel from Incheon Airport to Seoul?
The cheapest option is the All Stops AREX train at 4,150 KRW ($3.11 USD | $4.71 AUD)
The more comfortable option is the Express AREX train at 9,500 KRW ($7.12 USD | $10.79 AUD)
Let’s compare this to other transport options:
Airport Bus
Standard Fare: 9,000 – 10,000 KRW
Deluxe Fare: 14,000 – 16,000 KRW
If you’d prefer to avoid the subway, the buses are also an affordable option to get into Seoul (stopping at Seoul Station). There are also multiple other stops that may be closer to your accommodation, you can search for these here.
There is also a late-night bus which is an affordable choice if you’re arriving at Incheon after the AREX has stopped for the night (between 11:32 pm and 5:15 am).
Taxi
Starting Fare: 3,800 KRW per kilometre ($2.84 USD | $4.32 AUD / per km)
Taxis are on-demand, allowing you to catch them at any time, even after the AREX train has stopped. There may also be additional charges such as highway fees or nighttime fees, but if you would prefer a door-to-door service and are willing to pay for this convenience, I’d grab a taxi.
Van
70, 000 – 80, 000 KRW ( $52 – $59 USD | $79 – $90 AUD)
Similar to a taxi, vans also provide after-hours services and added convenience. This may be a better choice if you’re in a larger group.
All the staff we encountered at the airport were very welcoming and also spoke English, so will be able to assist if you’re lost or unsure upon your arrival.
Feature Image courtesy of Unsplash
