Do you have questions about the Airport Railroad?

Do you have questions about the Airport Railroad? Five questions most frequently asked by foreigners:

The Korea Travel Hotline, “1330,” received over 400 calls from foreigner travelers in 2013. Most of the questions asked were regarding the Airport Railroad. Among the calls, 38.9% were in Chinese, 31.4% in English, and 16.7% in Japanese. Here are the top five most frequently asked questions regarding the Airport Railroad.

1. What is the departure time of the first train from Seoul Station to Incheon International Airport?
On the Airport Railroad, there are Express “non-stop” trains that run between Seoul Station and Incheon International Airport Station as well as regular “all-stop” trains that stop at all ten stations on the line. The first Express train departs from Seoul Station at 6 a.m. and takes 43 minutes to reach Incheon Airport. The ticket price is KRW 8,000. The first regular “all-stop” train departs from Seoul Station at 5:20 a.m. and takes 53 minutes to reach Incheon Airport Station. The ticket price is KRW 4,050 (cash only). If you wish to pay for an Express ticket in cash, you must purchase a single-use transportation card. This card requires a deposit of KRW 500, which you can get back by using a transportation card refund machine at the destination station.

2. How do I get from Hongik University Station (Line No. 2) to Incheon International Airport Station?
After entering the station through Exit No. 8, go to the ticket gate. Transferring from Subway Line No. 2 to the Airport Railroad Line takes about seven minutes. Since the transfer route is slightly complicated, subway station staff members are available to help you. It takes 47 minutes from Hongik University Station to Incheon International Airport Station. The fare is KRW 3,950 (cash).

3. How do I get to the City Air Terminal on the Airport Railroad?
The City Air Terminal, where you can check in, check your baggage, and go through immigration, is located on the second basement level of Seoul Station. The check-in, baggage-check, and immigration services at the City Air Terminal are available only to passengers carrying international flight tickets with Korean Air, Asiana, and Jeju Air and departing from Incheon International Airport. These passengers may take only the Express train to Incheon Airport.

To go from Seoul Station to the Airport Railroad’s City Air Terminal, just follow the signs that begin at the subway platforms of KTX Seoul Station. These signs will guide you out of the subway station, up to the second floor of KTX Seoul Station, and straight ahead to the route connecting to the entrance of the City Air Terminal. In August 2014, a transfer route between Airport Railroad Seoul Station and Subway Lines No. 1 and 4 will be opened at Seoul Station, making it more convenient to transfer to or from the Airport Railroad Line.
At the old Seobu Station, where Sowha Children’s Hospital and the National Theater Company of Korea are located, you can see the front gate of Seoul Station on the right side of the stairway leading to KTX Seoul Station. Enter the front gate of Seoul Station and take the escalator on your right, and then go down to the City Air Terminal on the second basement level.

4. How do I get from Incheon Airport to Dongdaemun Market?

At Incheon Airport, just follow the yellow Airport Railroad signs at the Passenger Terminal of Incheon Airport Immigration (first floor) and go down to the first basement level, where you will find Incheon Airport Station. Take a regular “all-stop” train from Incheon Airport Station and transfer to Subway Line No. 5 at Gongdeok Station, and then get off at Dongdaemun History and Culture Park Station. It will take about one hour and 33 minutes, and the fare will be KRW 3,950 (cash only). Take Exit No. 14 out of Dongdaemun History and Culture Park Station, go straight, and you will soon see Good Morning City, Apm, Doota, and the Cheongyecheon on your right. 

5. How do I get from Incheon Airport to Myeongdong?

Take a train from Incheon Airport Station on the Airport Railroad to Seoul Station. If you are tired or have a lot of luggage, it would be much more convenient to take an Express train with its comfortable individual seats. Upon arrival at Seoul Station, walk through KTX Seoul Station on the second floor and transfer to Subway Line No. 4, then get off at Myeongdong Station. It will take about one hour and 30 minutes, and the fare will be KRW 3,950 (cash only). Take Exit No. 6 of Myeongdong Station, go straight, and you will find Myeongdong, Korea’s shopping mecca.