From Seoul Airport to City Center by Train | Practical Travel Guide

Welcome back to another post from Consigliviaggiasia! Today, we’re diving into South Korea, explaining step by step how to reach downtown Seoul from Incheon International Airport by train. If you’re planning a DIY trip to Seoul and looking for budget-friendly ways to get around while saving money, this article is for you.

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Now that you’re officially part of the Consigliviaggiasia world, let’s see how to take the train from Incheon Airport to reach the vibrant heart of Seoul.

How to Take the Express Train from Seoul International Airport

Before starting, I want to clarify that this post only contains instructions for the one-way trip (Incheon International Airport – Seoul Central Station). For the return trip, I will refer you to a dedicated post.

Now, let’s go over, step by step, where to go to catch the express train to Seoul and how to purchase tickets.

Once you arrive at Seoul Airport and collect your luggage, simply exit the ‘Baggage Claim’ area. From there, follow the blue signs inside the airport (see photo).

Important: Do not leave the airport. The train platforms are located on the lower level.

Follow the signs and take the escalator down to the airport’s lower level. Once there, turn left and walk along the long corridor, continuing to follow the signs. At the end of the corridor, turn right. A few meters away, you’ll find ticket vending machines.

Pay attention to this detail: there are two trains to Seoul Central Station. The first is orange – slightly more expensive but faster – while the second is blue, cheaper but a bit slower. This guide focuses on helping you take the orange train. If you prefer the blue one, stay tuned for a future post dedicated to it.

When facing the orange ticket machines, select English on the display. On the right side of the screen, tap ‘Select a train.’ Departure and arrival times for the express train will appear. Choose your preferred time and press ‘Select.’ Enter the number of tickets you need and press ‘Pay’ to complete the purchase. Each ride costs 11,000 South Korean Won (KRW), approximately €7.50.

You can pay conveniently in cash or by credit/debit card. By the way, have you heard of the ‘Wise Multi-currency Travel Card’? If not, and you’re traveling without a multi-currency debit card, I recommend checking out this link to discover all its benefits. With Wise, traveling to countries with currencies different from the euro becomes simpler and cheaper – no more worries about high exchange fees.

After making the payment, collect your tickets from the slot below the machine and head to the nearby platform.

But before continuing, let’s take a look at the ticket details.

As shown in the photo below, the ticket provides several pieces of information:

Departure terminal (in this case, Terminal 1)
Departure time
Arrival stop
Arrival time
Reserved seat

After validating the ticket, take the escalator down one more level. You’ll see two platforms; follow the orange arrow – you can’t go wrong.

At the platform, find the correct door for your train car. It’s super easy! Follow the door signs.

The journey takes about 50 minutes. The trains are new, comfortable, and equipped with bilingual monitors displaying the stops. In any case, you can’t miss it – the train stops at Seoul Central Station.

Once at the station, you have two options to reach your hotel:

Enjoy a pleasant walk to the city center, less than two kilometers away.
Alternatively, you can take a taxi outside the station. I can’t provide the fare, as we opted for a walk.

That brings us to the end of this travel guide, explaining how to take the train from Seoul International Airport to reach the city’s central station for just a few euros. The airport is about 50 km from South Korea’s capital. Opting for private transport or a taxi can cost over €150, while the express train is a valid and economical alternative that allows significant savings. During the train ride, you can admire scenery you might miss when driving.

In upcoming posts, I’ll cover how to return to the airport using the blue train line, the best apps for walking around the city, where to book a fabulous stay near major attractions, and where to find a charming vegan restaurant.

Before departing, don’t forget to activate your Holafly eSIM! If you have a compatible phone and want to connect to the local network stress-free, do as I did – choose Holafly. It’s super easy to install, ultra-reliable, and allows you to browse, send photos, and stay connected with friends and family wherever you are.

Don’t waste time with complications – activate your eSIM for South Korea now by clicking this link! Plus, if you activate it through my site, you’ll receive an exclusive 5% discount.