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Arrive · Seoul

Incheon International Airport (ICN)

ICN to Seoul: the AREX train to Seoul Station in about an hour, then one subway leg; the risk is landing after 23:00 when the last train has gone and a taxi costs ten times more.

Key facts

Default ride
AREX all-stop train to Seoul Station
Ride time
62–75 min
p50–p90
Fare
KRW 5,000 (≈ US$4)
Late night after
22:00
last printed 23:30
Rules in force · 8Bukchon and many guesthouse lanes are steep
  • East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
  • East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
  • South Korea ↗Check K-ETA and visa status on the official sites before you fly; the list of nationalities exempted from registering online changes year by year.
  • South Korea ↗Google Maps gives poor walking and driving directions in Korea; use Naver Map or Kakao Map for routes.
  • South Korea ↗Buy a T-money card (or use a phone-based transit pass) for subway and buses; it also pays at convenience stores and many taxis.
  • Seoul Capital Area ↗Dec–Feb in the capital area is dry and very cold (−10 to 3°C): pack a windproof layer and warm socks.
  • Seoul ↗Bukchon and many guesthouse lanes are steep: large suitcases go from the car or subway exit straight to the door.
  • Seoul ↗The subway stops around midnight; after that use taxis and check the last train in your map app.
--:--local time in Seoul
More
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Directions
From where I am

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Plan

Your landing time, your bags, your bed

Lock your path to bed

Needs: landing time · bag class · sleep area
feasibledesk 24hlandside ready ~22:55 (p90)

Take AREX all-stop train to Seoul Station at 23:00. Bed by ~00:43 (+1) (p90).

Last printed AREX: 23:30Last viable for this bed: 23:30 (land by 21:35)

Sleep area not decided? Check the area first.

On the groundHideSteps from the gate, and what to do if it breaks

On the ground

Step by step from the gate, and what to do if it breaks

Zero-brain vs precision

Daytime default
AREX all-stop from the airport to Seoul Station, then subway Line 4 (Myeongdong) or stay on AREX to Hongik Univ. (Hongdae).
Precision
Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 have separate AREX stations; check your terminal before you leave the hall (field-verify).
Late-night threshold
22:00

Steps from landing

p50 / p90 minutes

  1. 8 / 15 min

    Gate to immigration (long walks, shuttle train at Terminal 1)

    all arrivals

  2. 20 / 50 min

    Immigration (arrival card; K-ETA if required)

    only intl checked, intl cabin

  3. 15 / 30 min

    Baggage claim + customs

    only intl checked, domestic checked

  4. 10 / 20 min

    SIM and T-money, then the AREX platform (B1)

    all arrivals

  5. 62 / 75 min

    AREX all-stop train to Seoul Station

    every 10 min · first 05:20 · last printed 23:30 · KRW 5,000 (≈ US$4)

If it breaks

  • Landing after 22:30: check the last AREX departure on the platform board before buying anything.
  • Missed the last train: airport limousine bus if still running, else taxi (ask the meter, not a flat quote), else an airport hotel.
  • Message your lodging with your flight number if you will arrive after 23:00.
Other flights, questions and sourcesHideOther flights

Deep dive

Other flights

Still choosing flights? Compare inbound options before you lock this path.Google Flights ↗FlightConnections ↗

Sources

FieldValueSource typeConfidence
primary.last23:30secondary40%
primary.yen₩4,000–6,000secondary50%