Incheon Airport AREX Express: Your 2026 Guide to Seoul
Speed up your journey from Incheon Airport to Seoul! The AREX Express offers a comfortable 43-minute direct ride to Seoul Station. Get 2026 timetables, fares, and smart booking tips here.
Have you heard of the Incheon Airport Express Train, AREX?
It's a fantastic transport option I only recently discovered myself!
Based on my own experience, I'll share everything you need to know: the latest timetable, how to book your tickets, whether there are restrooms onboard, and the total travel time.
Just a heads-up: the AREX Express Train is completely different from the Airport Railroad's All-Stop Train. The fares are different, and so is the travel time to Seoul Station. Key advantages of the Express include specific services and onboard restrooms.
Honestly, I didn't initially plan to take the AREX Express. I stumbled upon it quite by chance while heading to catch the regular subway. My curiosity was piqued, so I decided to give it a try!
Today's star, the Incheon Airport Express Train, is officially called AREX. I'll cover its timetable, how to book tickets for the best price, and all its unique advantages.
Travel Time, Fares, and Timetable for AREX
The biggest advantage of AREX is essentially buying time with your money. From Incheon Airport Terminal 1 to its final stop at Seoul Station, the journey takes just 43 minutes.
If you take the regular Airport Railroad All-Stop train for the same route, it typically takes 1 hour and 10 minutes. So, with AREX, you're saving approximately 30 minutes!
Naturally, there's a price difference. A standard Airport Railroad All-Stop train ticket for the same distance costs ~$4. The Incheon Airport Express Train, however, is ~$10.
Essentially, you're paying an extra ~$6 to save 30 minutes. This value depends entirely on your situation. It can be incredibly useful if you need to transfer to KTX at Seoul Station or have a tight schedule.
However, there's one minor drawback: the trains depart every 40 minutes. This means it's most beneficial if the timing aligns with your arrival. If you just missed a train, you might not save much time compared to the All-Stop train.
Luckily, a train was departing in just 5 minutes when I arrived! So, instead of booking in advance, I quickly bought a ticket on the spot and rushed down to board, eager to experience it.
Book in Advance for a Better Deal
If you purchase your ticket directly at the station, you'll pay the full price of ~$10. The price difference is quite significant, making you wonder if it's worth just taking the regular subway instead.
If you're planning to use AREX, it's highly recommended to book your tickets in advance through Klook to save money. You can save up to ~$1!
One great benefit is that you can use your booking instantly. After payment, you can simply redeem your ticket at the station. The price is the same for both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, at ~$9.
Incheon International Airport AREX Express Train One-Way Ticket - Klook
Using the Klook voucher is straightforward. They offer three main methods, but I found the first and third options to be the easiest.
The first method involves activating your voucher in the Klook app, which then displays a QR code on your phone. The third method requires you to check the code number on your voucher and then redeem your physical ticket at the station.
The second option, using the AREX website, seemed a bit more complicated and time-consuming.
Since I bought my ticket at the station at full price, I received a physical ticket like this. I paid with my credit card. If only I had known about the Klook discount beforehand!
What I Loved About AREX Express
The Incheon Airport Express Train, AREX, is overwhelmingly popular among international travelers visiting South Korea. I barely saw any locals using it during my ride!
All seats are assigned, ensuring a comfortable and relaxing journey. While not every car has one, there are restrooms available onboard.
Another big plus is that it's a direct route with no intermediate stops. It takes you straight to Seoul Station, so you can comfortably store your luggage in the dedicated compartments without worrying about theft or needing to keep an eye on it during stops.
Each seat also has a coat hanger, and there's overhead storage for bags or smaller carry-on luggage.
During the journey, a friendly attendant walks through the cars, offering complimentary chilled bottled water (often Samdasoo, a popular Korean brand) to passengers who want it.
I didn't specifically find any charging ports. I looked around a bit, but either my seat didn't have one, or it simply wasn't available. Given the short 43-minute ride, I didn't really need one anyway.
You can also choose between forward-facing or rear-facing seats. I quickly grabbed a randomly assigned seat, which turned out to be rear-facing, but it wasn't uncomfortable at all. It's a city train, not a high-speed KTX, so it doesn't go at dizzying speeds.
My Experience and Review
The Incheon Airport Express Train AREX has its own dedicated ticket gates. You can also depart from Seoul Station. After tapping your ticket to exit, you'll need to use a separate transit card or purchase another ticket for onward travel on the regular subway system. International visitors typically need to buy separate tickets for local transit.
Personally, my experience with AREX was quite refreshing. If you manage to get the Klook discount, you're saving 30 minutes for just ~$5. If the timing and your schedule align, it's an incredibly appealing way to travel.
Even though the journey isn't long, having an onboard restroom brings peace of mind, and you can even catch a quick nap if you wish.
Having recently experienced the Incheon Airport Express Train, AREX, firsthand, I can say it's a valuable option if you time it right. Remember to book in advance for discounts, referring to the link above.
It's comfortable with assigned seating and onboard restrooms. From Terminal 1, the travel time to Seoul Station is a swift 43 minutes!
📍 Incheon Airport Terminal 2 Station (Airport Railroad)
444 Je2teomineol-daero, Jung-gu, Incheon
📍 Incheon Airport Terminal 1 Station (Airport Railroad)
271 Gonghang-ro, Jung-gu, Incheon International Airport Station, Incheon
📍 Seoul Station (Airport Railroad)
378 Cheongpa-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
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