Seoul Station City Airport Terminal: AREX Express Check-in

Attention all 9-to-5ers heading straight to the airport after work!!!

Before work, head to Seoul Station,

drop off your checked bags, and complete your immigration check.

Then, after work, simply hop on the Airport Railroad Express (AREX)

and head straight to Incheon International Airport! Here is a complete guide on how to do it!

Eligible Airlines at Seoul Station City Airport Terminal

First, you need to check if your airline

is eligible for the Seoul Station City Airport Terminal.

If you are flying with

Asiana Airlines / Jeju Air / T'way Air / Eastar Jet

Korean Air / Jin Air / Air Busan / Air Seoul,

you are good to use the City Airport Terminal!

(*Note: Some US routes may be excluded, so please verify in advance.)

For Incheon Airport Terminal 1, you must check in at least 3 hours before departure.

For Incheon Airport Terminal 2, you must check in at least 3 hours and 20 minutes before departure.

Make sure to complete your check-in within these timeframes!

Booking Your Incheon Airport Railroad (AREX) Ticket

As a budget-conscious traveler, planning a trip abroad means

saving every single penny wherever possible!

So, naturally...

I booked my tickets in advance on Klook, which offered the best rates,

and activated the ticket right before checking in.

↓ Get the Cheapest Incheon Airport Express (AREX) Tickets Here ↓

Incheon Airport Express (AREX) One-Way Ticket - Klook3ha.in

If you are a busy commuter wanting to save as much time as possible

at Seoul Station before heading to work,

remember that to check in early at Seoul Station,

an AREX Express Train ticket is absolutely mandatory.

So I highly recommend securing your ticket in advance before you go!

Once you activate your ticket, a QR code will appear.

Since each ticket has its own unique QR code,

be sure to screenshot and share them with your travel partners!

Your car number and seat number are also shown on the ticket,

so keep an eye on them when you board!

Seoul Station AREX Express Train Timetable

Check out the timetable for the direct Express Train

running from Seoul Station to Incheon Airport!

There are 1 to 2 trains departing every hour,

so you can plan and book according to your commute schedule.

Step-by-Step: Check-in & Immigration Before Work

Where is the Seoul Station City Airport Terminal?

First, head inside Seoul Station (KTX area)

and look for the signboards shown in the photo.

If you are arriving by subway, walk all the way to the back

relative to the main KTX entrance, and you’ll spot it!

Once inside, take the escalator

down two levels.

There are plenty of directional signs along the way,

so just follow them as you make your way down.

If you look at the floor to your left as you step off the escalator,

you’ll see guides painted on the floor for the Express Train and City Airport.

Go right before work (for check-in), and go left after work (to board the train)!

Checking In at the City Airport Terminal

The City Airport Terminal is specifically for those heading straight to Incheon Airport...

This service is exclusively for those who have purchased an Express Train ticket.

That's why you need to scan your QR code to enter, even just for check-in.

The rules regarding portable power banks have changed recently,

which most of you probably know by now, but make sure to keep this in mind before you go!

(If you are carrying two power banks,

you must place them in separate plastic bags.)

I had completely forgotten to do mobile check-in,

and when I finally checked on the morning of my flight, only separate seats were left, so I had pretty much given up hope.

But during my check-in at the Seoul Station City Airport Terminal,

I got super lucky and scored an exit row seat!

Once you drop off your checked baggage and receive your boarding pass,

your Seoul Station City Airport Terminal check-in is complete!

Just wait nearby for about 5 to 10 minutes

to make sure there are no issues with your checked baggage,

and if they don't call your name, you're good to go!

Departure Immigration

Departure immigration is just as important as checking in!

You must complete your immigration clearance here as well.

I was a bit worried since it was the peak summer vacation season,

but perhaps because it was a weekday morning, both check-in and immigration clearance

went super fast with almost no waiting time at all.

Once you get this stamp on your boarding pass,

your pre-work check-in is officially done!

Now, you can head off to work with a light heart and empty hands.

After Work

Back at Seoul Station City Airport Terminal after working hard all day!

If the check-in counters were on your right,

the boarding area for the Incheon Airport Express Train is on your left.

You can enter the platform area

by scanning the ticket QR code you bought in advance on Klook!

Since the boarding and exiting paths are separate,

you won't get mixed up with arriving passengers at all!

The Express Train runs very punctually,

so make sure you don't miss your train!

The interior was super clean, almost like brand new,

and surprisingly, it wasn't crowded at all.

On my way to Incheon Airport, feeling so incredibly excited! ~

I was pretty tired right after work,

but because it was a non-stop train straight to Incheon Airport,

I was so happy to get some quality sleep without worrying about transfers.

Best of all, traveling without hauling a heavy suitcase was pure bliss...

When you arrive at Incheon Airport and head to the departure hall...

Without having to wait in line separately,

you can breeze right through the fast-track lanes for flight crews, City Airport travelers, and priority passengers

and head straight inside!

So even if you're running a bit tight on time for your flight, there's absolutely no need to panic!~

Seoul Station City Airport Terminal & AREX Express Train

Booking, Check-in, and Riding Review

I've always taken the airport limousine bus in the past,

so this was my very first time using the City Airport Terminal—

and I was absolutely blown away by how incredibly convenient and easy it was!

▼ Get the best price on Seoul Station AREX Train Tickets ▼

Incheon International Airport AREX Express Train One-way Ticket - Klook Korea3ha.in

As an office worker trying to save every bit of annual leave,

heading straight to Incheon Airport right after clocking out

can feel so rushed, and dragging a heavy suitcase around is exhausting.

But being able to get all of this sorted out in advance was an absolute lifesaver!

It seriously makes me want to move closer to Seoul Station!