The difference between express train of Incheon airport railroad and fast train of regular subway

AREX express train 

After transfer passageway of Seoul station opened, passengers who transfer to Incheon airport railroad from subway line 1 & 4 have increased. So a growing number of foreign travellers are wondering about how different express train of Incheon airport railroad and fast train of regular subway are.

While you are sightseeing Seoul downtown like Dongdaemun, you can find there are fast trains passsing 3~4 stops without stopping in the case of subway line 1, which passes 1~2 stations by nonstop in subway line 9 that operates up to Sports complex station through Sinnonhyeon station. So lots of foreign tourists think express train of Incheon airport railroad is the same to the regular subway.

AREX express train interior

Express train of Incheon airport railroad is totally different from fast train of regular subway. Fast trains of subway line 1, line 9 are the same type and fare of regular trains. But express train of Incheon airport railroad runs nonstop between Seoul station and Incheon airport station without intermediate stop. Its interior and fare differ entirely from all-stop train’s.

AREX express train_toilet

Chairs of sit-down style like KTX are installed inside AREX express train. And its interior is so quiet, due to its automatic doors by button-touch. Also there will be cabin crews that give some guides to passengers. AREX express train has drink stand and toilet inside the train. This train runs only 43 minutes between Seoul station and Incheon airport station. And its one-way fare is 8,000KRW. But this train also operates diverse discount systems such as 6,500 KRW over 3 persons and 6,900 KRW in linkage with Korail train.

Seoul station City Airport Terminal

▲ Seoul station City Airport Terminal

AREX Incheon airport station

▲ Incheon airport station

Express train has got only only ticket gate at Seoul station and Incheon airport station respectively. The ticket gate at Seoul station is next to city airport terminal on 2nd basement(gate for all-stop train on 3rd basement), while the ticket gate at Incheon airport station is on the right side(all-stop’s on the left side).

In the case of using AREX express train at Seoul station, passengers can get some other services such as check-in, luggage consignment(passenger of Korean air, Asiana airlines, Jeju air, etc), departure review of immigration office quickly.

AREX All stop train interior

On the other hand, all-stop train has the same interior like trains of metropolitan subway and stops all 12 stations. It takes 58 minutes between Seoul station and Incheon airport station. Its one-way fare is 4,150KRW.

Find out more information about AREX All stop train fare from AREX official website.

- Read more about AREX Express Train and AREX All stop train.