Guide to AREX: Incheon Airport to Seoul Express Train

Go from Incheon Airport to Seoul via the Airport Railroad Express train! Book AREX tickets at a cheaper price on Klook here.

In a nutshell

• What is the AREX train? This is South Korea’s Airport Railroad Express train (AREX) that offers a fast and non-stop ride between Incheon Airport and Seoul Station. With only 43 minutes of travel time, it’s the fastest way to get to Seoul or back to the airport.
• How much is a ticket? A one-way AREX train ticket costs $8.5, but you can book for less than $6.4 here.
• AREX map or route. The Express Train only has 3 stops: Incheon Airport Terminal 1, Incheon Airport Terminal 2, & Seoul Station.
• AREX vs. All-Stop Train. Aside from the AREX train, travelers also have the option to take the All-Stop Train, which runs from Incheon Airport to Seoul. As the name suggests, the all-stop train stops in multiple stations (around 13 stops) before getting to Seoul or the airport. Compared to the AREX’s travel time of 43 minutes, the all-stop train offers a slightly longer travel time of 53 minutes (with no reserved seating and dedicated luggage compartments).
• Is AREX worth taking? Booked over 800k, the AREX is definitely the preferred choice to go from Incheon Airport to Seoul and back. Here’s a review from a satisfied customer: “The best and most affordable way to get to Seoul Station from Incheon Airport! [The voucher] was easy to redeem. Just go to the kiosk at the platform entrance, claim voucher, scan the qr code and wait for the actual ticket to be printed. Thanks Klook!” Find more reviews here.
• Tip! Aside from an AREX train ticket, make sure to book a T-Money transportation card. If you plan to transfer from Seoul Station to other stations like Myeongdong, Gangnam, Hongdae, Yeongdeungpo, and others, you will need a T-Money card to ride the subway. 🚙 🚌 🚎

AREX Express Train for Incheon Airport to Seoul

If you’ve already booked flight tickets to South Korea, then I’m almost sure that you’ve pondered on this thought: How do I get to Seoul from Incheon Airport? While you can get to the capital in a variety of ways, including this comfy airport bus, cab, private transfer, or even the all-stop train, the AREX or the Incheon Airport Express Train remains the best way to get travel between downtown Seoul and Incheon Airport. Here’s a quick comparison:

• AREX Express Train
  • PRICE: Book here starting at $6.7
  • TRAVEL TIME: 43 minutes (Terminal 1) & 51 minutes (Terminal 2)
• K Airport Limousine (KAL) Bus
  • PRICE: Book here starting at $13.1
  • TRAVEL TIME: Around 1-2 hours (depending on traffic conditions)
• Airport Taxi
  • PRICE: Book here for starting at $60
  • TRAVEL TIME: Around 1-1.5 hours (depending on traffic conditions)
• Private Incheon Airport Transfer 🚘
  • PRICE: Book here starting at $50
  • TRAVEL TIME: Around 1-1.5 hours (depending on traffic conditions)

7 Reasons to Book an AREX Ticket

Aside from the unbeatable price and travel time, the Incheon Airport Express Train also provides a very comfortable journey. Here’s what you’ll get when you choose to book an AREX train ticket (amenities and services subject to availability):

1. Access to the Airport Terminal at Seoul Station

When you purchase an AREX Incheon Airport express train ticket, you will be given access to the City Airport Terminal at Seoul Station. This means that if you’re flying to an international destination via Jeju Air, Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, T’way Air, or Eastar Jet, you can check in your bags at Seoul Station and select your seats ahead of your departure (depending on the availability of airline counters). No more carrying or lugging your bags all the way to the airport.

My friends who visited me in South Korea were able to check in their bags a few hours before their Jeju Air flight, and they told me that the process went smoothly at Seoul Station. This not only saved them time but also energy as they did not have to lug their bags on their way to the airport.

2. Reserved seating

With an Incheon Airport Express Train ticket, you are guaranteed to have a seat when traveling from Incheon to Seoul and vice-versa. The seats also recline and have pullable desks for passengers to use. Compared to the All-Stop Train with no guaranteed seating, the Express Train offers a more comfortable transfer.

3. Luggage storage and overhead compartments

For tourists and locals, the AREX train remains the preferred way of traveling because of its luggage storage and overhead compartments. You’ll have plenty of space to store your luggage (by the doors), so you can sit back and relax in your seat.

4. Cabin crew service at Airport Express Train for Incheon Airport to Seoul

Need assistance or special care for your travel? You can rely on AREX Incheon Airport express train crew to help you.

5. Porter service at Seoul Station

If you do not want the hassle of lugging or carrying your bags all the way to the boarding area of Seoul Station, you may take advantage of the porter service that comes with the purchase of an AREX Incheon Airport to Seoul ticket.

6. Toilets

Sure, having a toilet inside the train may be the least of your concern as you prepare for your Korea trip, but having this space to get changed, put some powder on, cleanse your face, and you know, answer nature’s call, can be very helpful.

7. Use of customer lounge

When you buy the AREX ticket, you’ll get automatic access to the customer lounge located at Incheon Airport Terminal 1.

Aside from these amenities, other services offered at and by the Incheon Airport Express Train include a Kids’ Zone inside the train, electronic cart rides at the airport, and complimentary use of shuttle buses for affiliated hotels (for a list of AREX’ partner hotels, you may inquire at the AREX booth found at the airport’s Transportation Center).

Book AREX Train Tickets: One-Way + Promo Deals

AREX train tickets (Express train) are available for booking online at a cheaper price here — no promo code needed. Here are the ticket options along with customer reviews:

1. AREX Incheon Airport Express Train Ticket (One-Way)

• PRICE: Book here starting at $6.65 (vs. regular price of $8.5)
• PROMO CODE: Up to 8% off with Klook promo code TRAVLISTS
• WHAT YOU’LL GET: Single-journey ticket for AREX (Incheon Airport to Seoul Station or Seoul Station to Incheon Airport) & free Wi-Fi connection
• REDEMPTION LOCATION: Transportation Center at Incheon Airport Terminal 1 or 2 or Seoul Station
• REVIEWS: “We bought the ticket online just one day before leaving and it is nice. Just reserve the tickets by following the instructions and the train will take you from Seoul Station all the way to the airport! Cheap and fast way and it is good if you travel solo or in small group,” says a passenger who booked AREX tickets on Klook. “Cheaper than buying directly. Will use this again soon.”

2. AREX Train Ticket + T-Money Card + 4G South Korea SIM Card

• PRICE: Book here for only $19.35 (vs. regular price of $26.7)!
• WHAT YOU’LL GET: Single-journey ticket for AREX (Incheon Airport to Seoul Station or Seoul Station to Incheon Airport) and South Korea SIM card that doubles as a T-Money card
• REDEMPTION LOCATION: Transportation Center at Incheon Airport Terminal 1 or 2 or Seoul Station
• BEST REVIEW: “We rode AREX to and from Seoul. It’s so easy to find in the Arrival and Departure area of Incheon T1. It’s clean and comfortable, I fell asleep. Worth the money and very easy to exchange for a QR ticket. I will book again when I go back to Seoul.”

The next three options are AREX ticket promotional bundles that may or may not be available on your travel dates:

3. AREX Train Ticket (One-Way) + 4G South Korea eSIM

• PRICE: Book here for only $17.8!
• PROMO CODE: Up to 8% off with Klook promo code TRAVLISTS
• WHAT YOU’LL GET: Single-journey ticket for AREX (Incheon Airport to Seoul Station or Seoul Station to Incheon Airport) & South Korea eSIM (to be sent via email)
• REDEMPTION LOCATION: Transportation Center at Incheon Airport Terminal 1 or 2 or Seoul Station
• BEST REVIEW: “Love this ticket because its easy to redeem. I can just exchange it at the machine. Only need to select the timing and scan the voucher. Its an open ticket so at least we could adjust the timing. Customs may take longer than expected since its a plus point on that. Very fast to seoul station as well”

4. AREX Incheon Airport Express Train Ticket (One-Way) + N Seoul Tower Observatory Ticket

• PRICE: Book here for only $19!
• PROMO CODE: Up to 8% off with Klook promo code TRAVLISTS
• WHAT YOU’LL GET: Single-journey ticket for AREX (Incheon Airport to Seoul Station or Seoul Station to Incheon Airport) & admission to N Seoul Tower Observatory
• REDEMPTION LOCATIONS.
  • AREX Ticket: Incheon Airport Terminal 1 or 2
  • N Seoul Tower Observatory: 5F N Seoul Tower Plaza (Observatory Deck Entrance)
• BEST REVIEW: “Very easy to redeem. No need to reserve seats. Staff at Incheon station saw us with pram and promptly assisted us. Once on train, a staff will check ticket and issue you a free 330ml bottled water. Note that kids under 6 ride for free. There’s also a group discount for 3 or more adults not provided by Klook.”

5. AREX Incheon Airport Express Train Ticket (One-Way) + KLIA Ekspres Airport Express Train

Our final option combines tickets for AREX in Korea and KLIA Ekspres in Malaysia. If your flight to Incheon will originate from Kuala Lumpur International Airport and you intend to ride the train, you can save money by getting this bundle.

• PRICE: Book here for only $15.69 (vs. regular price of $17.35)
• PROMO CODE: Up to 8% off with Klook promo code TRAVLISTS
• WHAT YOU’LL GET: Single-journey ticket for AREX (Incheon Airport to Seoul Station or Seoul Station to Incheon Airport) & admission to N Seoul Tower Observatory
• REDEMPTION LOCATIONS.
  • AREX Ticket: Incheon Airport Terminal 1 or 2
  • N Seoul Tower Observatory: 5F N Seoul Tower Plaza (Observatory Deck Entrance)
• BEST REVIEW: “Very easy to redeem. No need to reserve seats. Staff at Incheon station saw us with pram and promptly assisted us. Once on train, a staff will check ticket and issue you a free 330ml bottled water. Note that kids under 6 ride for free. There’s also a group discount for 3 or more adults not provided by Klook.”

AREX Train Map

Check out the map below to see the stops for both the Express Train (non-stop) and All-Stop Train:

As you can see, the AREX Express Train travels between 3 stops only: Incheon Airport Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and Seoul Station. On the other hand, the All-Stop Train stops at 11 more stations including Cheongna International City, Gimpo International Airport, Digital Media City, Hongik Univ., Gongdeok, etc.

If you’re checking in Hongdae or Sinchon, taking the All-Stop Train may make more sense since you can get to Hongik Univ. Station directly (if you don’t mind a cramped space and non-reserved seats). However, if you’re bound to other places like Myeongdong, Itaewon, Gwanghwamun, Jamsil, Gangnam, etc., then getting a ticket for the AREX Express train would be more ideal.

Schedule

As for the operating hours of AREX trains, here’s a quick summary:

• Incheon Airport Terminal 1 to Seoul Station: 5:23am-10:48pm (departs every 40 minutes)
• Incheon Airport Terminal 2 to Seoul Station: 5:15am-10:40pm (departs every 40 minutes)
• Seoul Station to Incheon Airport: 6:10am-10:50pm (departs every 40 minutes)

You can also refer to the following timetables to see a more detailed schedule:

1. Incheon Airport to Seoul AREX Timetable

From ICN Airport Terminal 2	From ICN Airport Terminal 1	To Seoul Station
05:15, 05:50	05:23, 05:58	06:07, 06:41
06:30	06:38	07:21
07:05	07:13	07:57
08:10, 08:40	08:18, 08:48	09:03, 09:31
09:20	09:28	10:11
10:00, 10:40	10:08, 10:48	10:51, 11:31
11:20	11:28	12:11
12:00, 12:40	12:08, 12:48	12:51, 13:34
13:20	13:28	14:11
14:00, 14:40	14:08, 14:48	14:51, 15:31
15:20	15:28	16:11
16:00, 16:40	16:08, 16:48	16:51, 17:31
17:25	17:33	18:17
18:00, 18:45	18:08, 18:53	18:52, 19:38
19:29	19:37	20:20
20:00, 20:50	20:08, 20:58	20:51, 21:41
21:36	21:44	22:27
22:40	22:48	23:31

2. Seoul to Incheon Airport Timetable

From Seoul Station	To ICN Airport Terminal 1	To ICN Airport Terminal 2
06:00, 06:47	06:43, 07:30	06:51, 07:38
07:30	08:14	08:22
08:10, 08:50	08:54, 09:33	09:02, 09:41
09:32	10:15	10:23
10:10, 10:50	10:53, 11:33	11:01, 11:41
11:30	12:13	12:21,
12:10, 12:50	12:53, 13:33	13:01, 13:41
13:30	14:13	14:21
14:10, 14:50	14:53, 15:33	15:01, 15:41
15:30	16:13	16:21
16:10, 16:50	16:53, 17:34	17:01, 17:42
17:20, 17:57	18:03, 18:40	18:11, 18:48
18:50	19:33	19:41
19:32	20:15	20:23
20:15, 20:50	20:58, 21:33	21:06, 21:41
21:30	22:13	22:21
22:10, 22:50	22:53, 23:33	23:01, 23:41

How to Use the AREX Train Ticket

After booking your AREX ticket online, you will instantly get a mobile voucher that you can use to redeem your actual train ticket. Here’s the process:

1. Find the 13-digit code on your voucher.
2. Proceed to the ticket machine at the Express Train zone inside the airport (Transportation Center) OR visit the AREX website to make reservations online before your trip.
3. Enter the 13-digit code to redeem your AREX ticket. Your train and seat number will be displayed on the ticket.
4. At the AREX gate or turnstile, scan your QR code to enter.

Note that you can reserve a seat as early as 2 months in advance and up to 5 minutes before your train ride.

Fine Print: Incheon Airport Express Train Ticket

Before booking your AREX ticket, make sure to read our fine print below 👇

• Train frequencies may change especially during low seasons. Check the timetable here before booking.
• Kids 3 and below ride the airport express train for free.
• Klook sells the same AREX ticket for adults and children. To buy the discounted train ticket for kids, you may proceed to the Transportation Center at Incheon Airport or Seoul Station.
• Eating and drinking inside the AREX train is not allowed.