AREX to Seoul Guide: AREX Express vs All-Stop, Tickets & Timetable

Check how to Ride AREX between Incheon Airport and Seoul Station. Compare AREX Express vs All-Stop trains, AREX ticket prices & discounts, AREX route map, and timetables.

What is AREX, Seoul?

AREX (Airport Railroad Express) is Seoul’s airport train that gets you from Incheon International Airport to downtown Seoul in about 51 minutes. It has 2 types of trains: AREX Express Train (no stops, faster) and AREX All-Stop Train (cheaper, stops at every station).

At Seoul Station, there’s a City Airport Terminal where you can check your bags, print boarding passes, and even do immigration early if you’re flying with Korean Air, Asiana, or Jeju Air. Pay with cash, T-money cards, or credit cards. Then just hop on AREX and relax.

AREX Route Map - Express Train Route & All-Stop Train Route

Express Train Route (Orange Line)

Stops: Seoul Station → Geomam → Incheon Airport T1 → T2.

• Why take it? No stops, just speed. Perfect if you’re hauling luggage or hate crowds.
• Key spot: Geomam Station (transfer to AREX Line 2 if needed).

All-Stop Train Route (Blue Line)

Stops: Seoul Station → Gongdeok → Hongik Univ. → Digital Media City → Magongnaru → Gimpo Airport → Geomam → Cheongna → Yeongjong → Unseo → Cargo Terminal → T1 → T2.

• Why take it? Cheaper, and stops at hot spots like:
• Hongik Univ. Station (Hongdae): Cafes, street art, nightlife.
• Gimpo Airport: Switch to domestic flights.
• Digital Media City: K-pop fans, this connects to KBS and MBC studios!

AREX - How to Check Schedule & Timetable

AREX - Ticket Price & Discounts

Trip.com often sells AREX tickets at 15-20% off official prices. No need to mess with AREX’s website—just buy AREX ticket on Trip.com, get a QR code, and scan it at the airport/station.

AREX Express - User Reviews

AREX - Express Train vs. All-Stop Train

• Express Train: Zips nonstop to Seoul Station in 43-51 minutes (Terminal 1 or 2). Pricey but comfy.

• All-Stop Train: Cheaper, slower (59-66 minutes), but connects to subways (like Hongdae or Gimpo Airport).

Some useful Korea transport cards/tickets You might need in Seoul😆

AREX - Express Train

Why pick it? This is the VIP option. No stops, no crowds—just you zooming from Incheon Airport to Seoul Station in 43 minutes (Terminal 1) or 51 minutes (Terminal 2). Perfect if you’re tired, in a rush, or just want to relax.

What’s included?

• Price: ₩13,000 for adults | ₩9,500 for kids (cheaper than a taxi!).
• Seats: Reclining leather seats (nap-friendly!). Spacious 2x2 seating (think airplane-style rows). No squeezing.
• Free Wi-Fi + charging ports (Choose AREX Free Wi-Fi > Connected).
• Onboard toilets and a kids’ play area (lifesaver for families).
• Early check-in: Drop luggage, get boarding passes at Seoul Station’s City Airport Terminal.
• Extras: Free shuttle buses to hotels near the airport.

How to buy tickets:

• Grab them at the Express Train counters (look for signs in the airport basement or Seoul Station).
• Pro tip: Book ahead online if you’re traveling during peak hours—it fills up fast!

AREX - All-Stop Train

Who’s it for? Backpackers, budget travelers, or anyone who wants to save cash. It takes longer (59 minutes from Terminal 1, 66 from T2), but you’ll pay way less (exact fare depends on your stop).

Why it’s worth it:

• Connects to Seoul’s subway system: Hop off at Hongdae (trendy cafes), Gimpo Airport (for domestic flights), or other stops.
• Pay with cash or prepaid cards (like T-money)—no fancy ticket needed.
• Runs frequently: Every 10–15 minutes, so no long waits.

Downsides to know:

• Crowded during rush hour (7–9 AM, 5–7 PM).
• No reserved seats or luggage racks—pack light!
• Basic amenities (no Wi-Fi, o). Basic subway-style benches (some face each other). First-come, first-served.

How to Book AREX Express Train Tickets Online​​

Buy Tickets on Trip.com​​

1. ​​Go to Trip.com​​ → Search “AREX Express Train” → Pick your date and buy a ​​one-way ticket​​.
2. ​​Get your e-ticket​​: You’ll receive an email with a ​​QR code​​ and a ​​13-digit voucher number​​.
3. ​​Exchange for a physical ticket​​:
• At Incheon Airport or Seoul Station, find the ​​yellow AREX kiosks​​.
• Enter your 13-digit voucher → Print your ticket.
• No kiosk? Show the QR code to staff at the Express Train counter.

​​Good to know:​​

• Trip.com tickets are ​​fixed-date​​—you can’t change the train time after booking.
• Use the QR code directly at the gate if you don’t want a paper ticket.

​​Reserve Seats on AREX Official Website​​

Follow these steps to book specific seats for free (if you have a promo code):

1. ​​Visit AREX’s official website​​ → Click “Express Train Reservation.”
2. ​​Search trains​​: Pick your date, departure (e.g., Incheon Airport T1 → Seoul Station).
3. ​​Choose your train​​: Select a time slot (e.g., 9:00 AM Express Train).
4. ​​Click “Non-member Booking”​​: No need to create an account!
5. ​​Enter details​​:Email addressPassenger name (match your passport)
6. ​​Pick your seat​​: Choose from available seats (window/aisle).
7. ​​Apply discounts​​: Got a ​​13-digit coupon code​​? Paste it here → Total drops to ​​₩0 KRW​​.
8. ​​Confirm booking​​: Double-check the $0 total → Complete booking.
9. ​​Get your e-ticket​​: The QR code arrives instantly by email.

How to Ride AREX from Incheon Airport to Seoul​

Step 1: Head to the Airport’s B1 Floor​​
After landing, follow signs for ​​“Transportation Center”​​ or ​​“AREX”​​ (usually near baggage claim). Take elevators or escalators down to ​​B1​​.

​​Step 2: Buy Your Ticket​​

• ​​Express Train:​​ Buy tickets at the ​​Express Train counters​​ (look for staff in uniforms) or automated machines. Tip: Credit cards work here.
• ​​All-Stop Train:​​ Use the ​​gray ticket machines​​ (cash or cards) or just tap your ​​T-money transport card​​ (cheaper and faster).

​​Step 3: Scan Your Ticket​​
Find the ticket gates labeled ​​“AREX.”​​ For paper tickets, scan the QR code. For transport cards, tap on the reader.

​​Step 4: Go to the Platform (B3 Floor)​​
Follow signs down to ​​B3​​. Trains to Seoul Station leave from ​​Platforms 1-2​​.
Don’t stress: Screens above the platform show train times and types (​​Express​​ = orange, ​​All-Stop​​ = gray).

​​Step 5: Board the Train​​

• ​​Express Train:​​ Check your seat number (printed on the ticket). Stow luggage in racks near the doors.
• ​​All-Stop Train:​​ Grab any seat or stand—no reservations needed.

How to Ride AREX from Seoul to Incheon Airport​

Step 1: Go to Seoul Station’s B2 Floor​​
Head to ​​Seoul Station​​ (subway Lines 1/4 or KTX trains). Follow signs for ​​“AREX Airport Railroad”​​ down to ​​B2​​.

​​Step 2: Buy Your Ticket​​

• ​​Express Train:​​ Hit the ​​Express Train counter​​ (look for the blue signs) or use the kiosks. Pro tip: Book round-trip tickets if you’re returning—it’s slightly cheaper.
• ​​All-Stop Train:​​ Skip the counter—just tap your ​​T-money card​​ at the gates (way faster).

​​Step 3: Scan and Enter​​
Find the gates marked ​​“To Incheon Airport.”​​ For paper tickets, scan the QR code. For transport cards, tap and go.

​​Step 4: Go Down to B7 Platform​​
Yep, it’s deep—take the elevators (or escalators) down to ​​B7​​. Check the screens: trains to ​​Incheon Airport​​ leave from ​​Platforms 3-4​​.

​​Step 5: Hop On the Right Train​​

• ​​Express Train:​​ Check your seat number (on the ticket). Luggage racks are near doors.
• ​​All-Stop Train:​​ No seat numbers—sit wherever. Avoid the doors during rush hour (it gets packed).

​​Don’t Miss This:​​

• ​​Airport check-in at Seoul Station:​​ If you’re flying Korean Air/Asiana/JEJU Air, drop bags and get your boarding pass here before riding. Saves you time at the airport!
• ​​Timing:​​ Express Trains run every 20-40 mins; All-Stop Trains every 6-15 mins. Give yourself at least ​​1.5 hours​​ before your flight.

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