55–60 minutes from ICN to Seoul Station for about $3–5
AREX All-Stop runs from both T1 and T2 to Seoul Station in roughly 55–60 minutes, hitting every airport-city stop along the way. Trains run every 10–12 minutes from early morning to around midnight, so you rarely wait long on the platform. It’s the cheap, flexible pick if you’re headed to Hongik Univ (Hongdae), Gimpo Airport, or anywhere along Lines 2 and 9.
Route, terminals, and key stops
The all-stop AREX starts at Terminal 2, calls at Terminal 1 about 6–8 minutes later, then continues through major stations like Gimpo Airport, Digital Media City, Hongik Univ, Gongdeok, and finally Seoul Station. Hongik Univ Station on Line 2 is the go-to stop for Hongdae hotels and guesthouses, and Gimpo Airport Station connects straight into domestic and some international flights. If you’re changing to KTX or long-distance trains, stay on until Seoul Station at the end of the line.
Tickets, T-money, and fares
A one-way ride usually costs around $3–5 depending on your exact station, with ICN–Seoul Station sitting at the top end of that band. You can tap in and out using a T-money card, which Reddit regulars call the easiest option for AREX plus subway transfers. Single-journey tickets are sold from machines near the AREX gates at both T1 and T2, but queues build around peak times and after big bank of arrivals.
Onboard setup and luggage
The train runs as a regular commuter line, not a reserved-seat express, so expect longitudinal seating and open standing space. FlyerTalk users note luggage racks near the doors, but these fill quickly once the train passes Gimpo Airport Station. Many locals stand with suitcases at their feet, so aisles tighten, especially between Gimpo and city stations like Hongik Univ and Gongdeok.
What regulars do
Frequent riders aim for the middle of the car where luggage racks are more available and crowds slightly thinner than right at the doors. Some locals suggest riding one stop past Hongik Univ to Digital Media City during rush hour, then backtracking toward downtown to grab a seat into Seoul Station. Korea-based Redditors also push T-money over paper tickets to shave a few hundred won off transfers and skip ticket-machine lines.
Watch out for peak crowds and last trains
Weekday morning and evening rush hours see standing-room-only loads between Gimpo and central Seoul, with people squeezed in at Hongik Univ and Gongdeok. One r/Seoul commenter warns that tapping out at the wrong stop, like Gongdeok instead of Seoul Station, means you pay extra if you re-enter. Also note: the last AREX all-stop leaves ICN before some late-night long-haul arrivals, so check the exact last departure time on your date or plan for a night bus or taxi.
Quick step-by-step from arrivals
- 1. After customs in T1 or T2, follow "Airport Railroad" / AREX signs down one level.
- 2. Load a T-money card at a CU/7-Eleven or use machines near the AREX gates.
- 3. Tap in at the "All-Stop" turnstiles; don’t enter the separate Express gates.
- 4. Check the overhead screens for local train times (every 10–12 minutes) and platform number.
- 5. Board toward the middle cars, stash luggage in racks or by your legs, and stay aware at Gimpo where crowds jump.
- 6. Get off at Hongik Univ, Gimpo Airport, or Seoul Station as needed, then tap out carefully at your intended station to avoid extra charges.
Pro tip: Screenshot the AREX + Seoul subway map before landing so you can pick the exact station (Hongik Univ, Gongdeok, or Seoul Station) that lines up with your hotel and skip backtracking with bags.