Fuss-free ways to get into Seoul.

By far this is one of the most frequently asked question I get is, “How can I get from the airport to the city? Do I take a cab?”

Getting to the city from the airport is a breeze really. First and foremost, I really would not advise anyone to take the taxi. This is not Singapore whereby the airport itself is located in the city. South Korea’s airport, Incheon (pronounced In-chawn) International Airport is located in, yes you guessed that right, Incheon. Incheon is a city located in northwestern Korea, bordering Seoul on the east. It takes about at least an hour from Seoul to Incheon International Airport by car, and while cabs are generally pretty affordable compared to Singapore or Japan, it can still be a hefty affair.

It really is quite a no brainer when you consider the modes of transport available to get you out of the airport.

1. Airport Limousine (standard 10,000KRW, with different buses going to different parts of Seoul)
   The Airport Limousine (just a classy way of calling a bus) service runs from early in the morning (some as early as 3am) till about 11-12pm at night. For more information on which bus you can take to get to your destination, please check out http://www.cyberairport.kr/mo/main.do?lang=en
2. Airport Railway Express (AREX)
   The Airport Railway Express, or AREX as it is commonly known as, is a subway service connecting the two airports, namely Incheon International Airport and Gimpo International Airport to the city of Seoul. There are a total of 11 stations along the subway line, with popular destinations such as Hongik University Station and Seoul Station among its stopovers. The total time required to get to the final stop, Seoul Station is slightly less than an hour, and it costs about 8,000KRW from the first to the last station. To get to the train station after you have cleared immigration, simply follow the signs which says ‘Airport Railway’ to get to the station. It is about 10 minutes walk from the arrival hall at Incheon International Airport.

There you have it, two immensely convenient and inexpensive ways to get from the airport to the city. Fret not even if you are carrying lots of luggage with you, as the limousine drivers generally get down to help passengers with their luggages. If you opt for the AREX option, you will come to realise how spacious and clean the train is. Save the cab fare for your shopping in Seoul!