Airports → city
Getting around

Airport → city, decoded

Every option from the moment you step off the plane to the moment you check in. ICN, Gimpo, Gimhae (Busan) and Jeju — with the timings and hidden costs.

ICN

Incheon International Airport

인천국제공항 · Incheon

Korea's main international gateway, with two terminals (T1 and T2). Your booking shows which one you land at; a free shuttle bus links them.

From plane to outside

  1. 1Disembark → follow the signs to immigration.
  2. 2Immigration — K-ETA holders need no arrival card; other visitors fill one in (the free e-Arrival Card can be submitted online within 3 days before arrival).
  3. 3Baggage claim — the screens show your flight's carousel.
  4. 4Customs — green channel if you have nothing to declare; red channel if your goods exceed the US$800 duty-free allowance or include restricted items.
  5. 5Arrivals floor (1F) — information desks and carrier roaming counters; AREX is in the Transportation Center (B1).

Ways into the city

🚆 AREX Express

Seoul Station (non-stop)
₩13,000
43 min

Non-stop and unaffected by road traffic: 43 min from T1, 51 min from T2.

Catch at: Transportation Center B1 (T1 and T2) — follow the AREX signs.

🚆 AREX All-Stop

Gimpo Airport / Hongik Univ. / Gongdeok / Seoul Station
₩4,750

Cheaper, and stops at Hongdae (Hongik Univ.) and Gimpo Airport on the way.

⚠ Fare shown is T1 → Seoul Station with a transit card; from T2 it is ₩5,350.

Catch at: Transportation Center B1 — same station as the Express.

🚌 Limousine Bus 6001 / 6015 / 6030

Central Seoul (stops differ by route)
₩17,000

Your bags go in the hold; no transfers.

⚠ Journey time depends on road traffic. Check each route's stops on airportlimousine.co.kr.

Catch at: Bus stops outside the arrivals floor (1F).

🚕 Standard taxi

Anywhere in Seoul

Door-to-door with luggage; no booking needed.

⚠ Metered — ₩4,800 base fare (₩7,000 for deluxe/large taxis); expressway tolls and a late-night surcharge (22:00–04:00) are added.

Catch at: Official taxi stands outside the arrivals floor (1F).

🚕 International Taxi

Seoul — fixed fare by zone
₩70,000–95,000

English-speaking drivers; the fare is fixed in advance (large taxis cost more).

⚠ Book at least 24 hours ahead on www.intltaxi.co.kr.

Catch at: As arranged in your booking.

🚐 Private transfer (Klook / KKday / hotel)

Your hotel

Families and groups with lots of luggage; booked in advance.

Catch at: The meeting point stated in your booking.

📱 k.ride / Kakao T / Uber

Anywhere

The app carries your destination, so no language exchange is needed.

⚠ Start with k.ride — Kakao Mobility's app for visitors: sign up with your phone or a social account and pay by card, Alipay+, WeChat Pay or PayPal. Kakao T needs a Kakao account; Uber runs in Korea as Uber Taxi.

Catch at: Set your pickup at your terminal's arrivals floor.

Facilities

  • Information desks. On the arrivals floor (1F); in T1 they are in front of exits 5 and 10.
  • Roaming counters. SKT, KT and LG U+ counters in the T1 arrival hall; the area near Arrival Hall F is open 24 hours.
  • Capsule & transit hotels. Darakhyu capsule hotel (T1: Transportation Center B1, before security) and airside Transit Hotels on 4F near gate 11 (T1) and gate 252 (T2).
  • Terminal shuttle. Free shuttle bus between T1 and T2 about every 10 min, 05:00–23:00 (15–18 min). AREX links the terminals in about 6 min for ₩1,050.

Late-night reality

The last AREX Express leaves T2 at 23:00 (first 05:16); all-stop trains run later — check airportrailroad.com for tonight's last train. Taxis run around the clock; a late-night surcharge applies 22:00–04:00.

Hidden tips

  • • Duty-free allowance: US$800 per person, with alcohol (2 L, up to US$400), 200 cigarettes and 100 ml of perfume allowed on top.
  • • The K-ETA exemption for listed countries runs through 31 Dec 2026 (k-eta.go.kr). Exempt travellers can still apply for a K-ETA (₩10,000) to skip the arrival card.
GMP

Gimpo International Airport

김포국제공항 · Seoul (Gangseo-gu)

Seoul's second airport, in Gangseo-gu — domestic flights plus a smaller set of international routes. Much closer to central Seoul than ICN.

From plane to outside

  1. 1Disembark → immigration (international arrivals) → baggage claim → customs → arrivals.
  2. 2Gimpo Airport station (Line 5, Line 9, AREX, Gimpo Goldline, Seohae Line) is down the escalators on the west side of the domestic terminal (1F).

Ways into the city

🚆 Subway Line 5

Yeouido / Gwanghwamun / Jongno 3-ga / Dongdaemun History & Culture Park
₩1,550

Downtown without a transfer.

⚠ ₩1,550 base fare with a transit card for the first 10 km, plus distance fare beyond.

Catch at: Gimpo Airport station — follow the Line 5 signs.

🚆 Subway Line 9

Yeouido / Express Bus Terminal / Sinnonhyeon
₩1,550

Heads south of the river toward the Gangnam district (Line 9 does not stop at Gangnam station itself).

⚠ ₩1,550 base fare with a transit card for the first 10 km, plus distance fare beyond.

Catch at: Gimpo Airport station — follow the Line 9 signs.

🚆 AREX

Hongik Univ. / Seoul Station
₩1,750

Quick hop to Hongdae and Seoul Station.

Catch at: Gimpo Airport station — follow the AREX signs.

🚕 Standard taxi

Anywhere in Seoul

Door-to-door with luggage.

⚠ Metered — ₩4,800 base fare in Seoul.

Catch at: Taxi stands outside arrivals.

Late-night reality

Check the last train on the operator's timetable — Seoul subway last trains reach the end of the line around 01:00 on weekdays and around midnight at weekends and on holidays, so they leave central stations earlier. After that, taxis.

PUS

Gimhae International Airport

김해국제공항 · Busan (Gangseo-gu)

Busan's airport, in Gangseo-gu, with domestic and international flights.

From plane to outside

  1. 1Disembark → immigration → baggage → customs → arrivals.
  2. 2For the city, take the Busan-Gimhae Light Rail (BGL) from Airport station — it connects to Busan Metro Line 2 at Sasang and Line 3 at Daejeo.

Ways into the city

🚆 Busan-Gimhae Light Rail (BGL)

Sasang (Line 2) / Daejeo (Line 3)
₩1,600–1,800

Rail link into Busan Metro — continue on Line 2 toward Seomyeon and Haeundae.

⚠ BGL card fare: ₩1,600 for 1 zone, ₩1,800 for 2 zones.

Catch at: Airport station — follow the Light Rail signs.

🚕 Taxi

Anywhere in Busan

Door-to-door.

Catch at: Taxi stands outside arrivals.

Late-night reality

BGL runs from 05:06 to 23:48 at Airport station. After that, taxis.

CJU

Jeju International Airport

제주국제공항 · Jeju City

Jeju's airport, in Jeju City, with domestic and international flights.

From plane to outside

  1. 1Disembark → immigration (international arrivals) or straight to baggage claim (domestic).
  2. 2Baggage → arrivals. Airport Limousine 600 leaves from Gate 5.

Ways into the city

🚐 Rental car

Anywhere on Jeju

Reaches sights away from bus routes at your own pace. You need an IDP (1949 Geneva / 1968 Vienna convention or a bilateral agreement) plus your licence and passport.

Catch at: Your rental company's shuttle pick-up — see your booking.

🚌 Airport Limousine 600

Jungmun resort area / Seogwipo

To the south coast without renting a car.

⚠ Fare depends on distance. Runs 06:00–22:40, every 16–40 min (Samyeong Transportation, 064-713-7000).

Catch at: Gate 5.

🚕 Taxi (to Jeju City)

Jeju City

The city centre is close by.

Catch at: Taxi stands outside arrivals.

Late-night reality

The last Airport Limousine 600 leaves at 22:40; after that, taxis.