
Getting from Incheon Airport to Myeongdong is simple if you understand all the different methods of transport available in Seoul. However, I get that it can be really confusing if it’s your first time visiting the city. There’s just so many options, it can be overwhelming… never mind, navigating everything in a foreign language.
But don’t stress. I got you covered.

How will you get from Incheon Airport to Myeongdong? © Minseong Kim (CC BY-SA 4.0)
In this total transportation guide, you’ll learn:
- how to get from Incheon Airport to Myeongdong via bus, taxi, express train, all-stop train or private car
- which transport cards are useful for getting around
- the best transport choices for families, large groups, and those on a budget
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In this guide
- 1 Incheon Airport to Myeongdong
- 2 Quick Guide to Seoul Transport Cards
- 3 From Incheon Airport to Myeongdong by AREX
- 4 Incheon Airport to Myeondong via K-Limousine Bus
- 5 Incheon Airport to Myeondong via Airport Bus #6015
- 6 Incheon Airport to Myeondong via Private Car
- 7 Incheon Airport to Myeondong via Taxi
Incheon Airport to Myeongdong
Most visitors to Seoul, land at Incheon International Airport, before making their way to different parts of the city. Myeongdong with its pulsing energy, central location, and shopping streets, is one of the most popular places to stay in Seoul for visitors from all around the world.

Myeongdong is a popular place to stay in Seoul © Camelpress, Korea Tourism Organization,
The first thing travellers need to do upon arrival, is figure out the best way to get from Incheon Airport to Myeongdong.
Whether you choose to take a taxi, bus, all stop subway, express train, or private car depends largely on your traveling conditions. Are you traveling with children? Do you have a lot of luggage? Are you on a budget? Are you a large group?
I’ll make it easy for you, and recommend the best options for getting from Incheon Airport to Myeongdong, in each of these situations.

On the streets of Myeongdong © Sarah Mak
Quick Guide to Seoul Transport Cards
In order to get between Incheon Airport and Myeongdong effectively, it’s best to equip yourself with a Korean transit card of some kind.
T-Money Card
The most widely used transit card by Seoul locals is the T-Money card. This card is similar to the Octopus card in Hong Kong, or the Suica pass in Japan. You can use it to beep in and out of subway stations, board buses, pay a taxi fare, and buy things in a convenience store.

Use a T-Money Card for free transfers between subway stations and buses © Jon Aslund (CC BY 2.0)
If you plan to take the AREX Express or all-stop subway from Incheon Airport to Myeongdong, you’ll need a T-Money Card to make the transfer from Seoul Station to Myeongdong Station at no extra cost.
You can buy one at a kiosk in any subway station, or find them in any convenience store. Just ask at the counter.
KOREA TOUR CARDS / T-MONEY CARD | The Korea Tour Card is designed specifically for travellers! It’s a T-Money Card that comes in an app version, so you can arrive in Korea, with your transit card already in hand. It’s already loaded with a 5,000 won credit and offers discounts at hundreds of attractions around the country. Get a Korea Tour Card here.
Advantages of using the T-Money Card
Discover Seoul Pass
The Discover Seoul Pass doubles as a T-Money card and a tourism pass.
It provides free admission to 42 attractions, 35 discounted attractions, and 28 discounted experiences. If you plan to see many things over a period of 24, 48 or 72 hours, the Discover Seoul Pass might be the right choice for you.

Entrance into Gyeongbokgung Palace is included with the Discover Seoul Pass.
DISCOVER SEOUL PASS | The Discover Seoul Pass provides incredible value if you use it right. It doubles as a T-Money transit card, includes a free 1 way, 1 time AREX railway ticket, includes free entrance into 66 popular attractions, and discounts for 101 more. Check full details here.
From Incheon Airport to Myeongdong by AREX
AREX stands for Airport Railroad. It connects Incheon and Gimpo Airports to various points in Seoul.
It’s important to understand that there are 2 different train services available on the AREX line. An Express Train, and an all-stop commuter train.

The AREX train departs from the Incheon Airport Train Terminal © Ken Eckert (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Korea Travel Essentials
Travel Visas
Travel requirements, visas, and passport photos for a trip to South Korea
Hotels and Other Accommodation
Booking | Agoda | Klook | HotelsCombined
Travel Insurance for South Korea
Malaysian Residents | Singapore Residents | Thai Residents
Wifi, SIM Cards, and Portable Wifi
4G unlimited data SIM card | Portable and Pocket 4G WiFi
Airport Transfers and Luggage Delivery
AREX Incheon Airport Express Train
K Airport Limousine Bus from Incheon Airport
Incheon Airport to Seoul Private Transfers
Gimhae Airport to Busan Private Airport Transfers
Luggage Delivery To / From Hotel or Airport
Money-Saving Transit and Transport Passes
Visit Busan Pass with FREE admission to 31 attractions + 77 discounted
Korea Tour Card (T-Money) Transit Card
Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tours
Seoul City Hop-on Hop-off Tour Bus Day | Seoul Night View Course
Daegu Hop-on Hop-off Tour Bus Tour
Day Tours and Discounted Admission Tickets
Get Your Guide | Klook | Trazy | Viator
AREX Express Train
The Express train does not travel directly from Incheon Airport to Myeongdong. It goes direct to Seoul Station, without making any stops along the way. It’s the fastest and most convenient way to get between these 2 locations. It does NOT STOP at Gimpo Airport, so don’t make the mistake of taking the AREX Express Train if you’re transferring airports.
If you leave from Terminal 1, it takes a total of 43 minutes to reach Seoul Station. From Terminal 2, it takes 51 minutes. The cost for a one-way adult ticket is 9,000 won, but you can avoid queueing for tickets and get a small discount by booking AREX tickets in advance online.
Remember that a 1 way, 1 time Express Train ticket is included with the Discover Seoul Pass.

Seating on the AREX Express is pre-assigned © Nesnad (CC BY 4.0)
The Express Train has very comfortable pre-assigned seating, free wifi, power, toilets, and ample space for bags and luggage. Trains begin running from Terminal 2 at 5:15AM and make a stop at Terminal 1 at 5:23, before arriving at Seoul Station at 6:07AM.
AREX Express Trains run every 40 minutes, with the last train departing from Terminal 2 at 10:40PM.
If you’re traveling in the opposite direction, from Seoul Station to Incheon Airport, the first train leaves at 6:10AM, and the last train departs at 10:50PM.

Seoul Station in located in central Seoul.
Getting from Incheon Airport to Myeongdong via AREX Express Train
To get from Incheon Airport to Myeongdong via AREX Express train, you’ll have to transfer at Seoul Station.
This is super simple, as Seoul Station and Myeongdong are only 2 stops apart, on the same subway line 4. However, keep in mind that you’ll have to transfer from the Seoul Station train to a Seoul Station subway. These are NOT the same and in separate areas, so you’ll have to walk for about 10 minutes to get between the 2 stations.

Some walking is required to use the AREX train lines © Doo Ho Kim (CC BY-SA 2.0)
If you have a lot of luggage, or are traveling with children, it might be more convenient to exit the train at Seoul Station directly, instead of making the trek to transfer to the subway. A taxi to your hotel in Myeongdong takes around 8 minutes and costs around 4,000 won.
To make things easy, be sure to have the address and phone number for your final destination written out in Korean for your taxi driver.
Good for: almost everyone, except those with a lot of heavy luggage, or anyone with mobility issues
HASSLE-FREE LUGGAGE DELIVERY | Don’t want to deal with heavy bags and luggage? You can get it delivered directly from Incheon Airport to your hotel in Seoul, so you can start exploring right away. Check details here.
Getting from Incheon Airport to Myeongdong via the All-Stop Train
If you’re on a real budget, taking the all-stop commuter subway is the cheapest option. This train costs just over 4000 won, and takes around 80 minutes to get from Incheon Airport to Myeongdong Station, with a transfer required at Seoul Station. There are 13 stops between the 2 stations.
You can buy single journey tickets at the train station, or use a Korea Tour Card / T-Money Card.

The AREX commuter train stops at every station © Doo Ho Kim (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Keep in mind that this is a commuter train, and as such it can get incredibly crowded at certain times of the day. Do not be fooled by all the empty seats on the subway at Incheon Airport. It WILL fill up and become very crowded, the closer you get to Seoul.
If you have tons of luggage, it might be wiser to travel from Incheon Airport to Myeongdong by splurging a little for the AREX Express Train, taking the bus, or having your luggage delivered directly to your hotel.
If you’re a backpacker traveling light, and want to experience some local flavour, this is a great option for you.
Good for: budget travelers, backpackers, and people traveling without a lot of luggage
Incheon Airport to Myeondong via K-Limousine Bus
The KAL Limousine bus is a good option for getting from Incheon Airport to Myeongdong if you have heavy luggage, or want the convenience of being dropped off close to hotels in the area.
If you’re tired from a long flight, this is a good bet as the bus has super comfy, wide, business class style seating that reclines almost flat. I’ve had some of the best post-flight naps of my life on this bus. 😉 Free wifi, water, and under-bus luggage storage are included with your ticket.

The KAL limousine bus is extremely comfortable © Minseong Kim (CC BY-SA 4.0)
K-Limousine Buses run on 4 separate routes, so be sure to check exact information before boarding the bus. To get from Incheon Airport to Myeongdong hotels, you’ll likely have to take bus number 6701 or 6702. Check route details here.
Good for: travellers with luggage, a mid-range budget, and families
DISCOUNTED K-LIMOUSINE BUS TICKETS | Tickets can be purchased onsite at Incheon Airport or booked in advance online. Check route info and details here.
> Tickets can be purchased at the KAL Limousine Counter, next to Gate 4 on the 1st Floor, or at the Outdoor Airport Bus Ticket Booth.
> The bus stop is just outside of Gate 4 on the 1st floor.
> The first bus leaves from Terminal 1 at 4:53AM. The last bus departs at 10:50PM, with service running every 20-30 minutes in between.
> Tickets can be purchased at the Bus ticket office near the Transportation Center on Level B1.
> You can catch the bus at stops number 17, 18 or 19, outside of level B1.
> The first bus leaves from Terminal 2 at 5:13AM. The last bus departs at 11:10PM, with service running every 20-30 minutes in between.
Incheon Airport to Myeondong via Airport Bus #6015
Airport bus #6015 runs from Incheon Airport to Myeongdong Station, stopping at many hotels along the way. The trip usually takes 75-90 minutes depending on traffic. However, if you’re arriving in rush hour or on a holiday, it can take a lot longer, so plan accordingly.
This bus doesn’t differ much from the KAL Limousine bus, in terms of comfort or cost, but it will take longer to get from Incheon Airport to Myeongdong because it makes many more stops than the KAL Limousine bus.

The bright lights of Myeongdong are just a train ride away © Korea Tourism Organization
It costs 15,000 won on site, and it’s not possible to reserve tickets for it in advance. You can buy tickets at the kiosk on the Arrivals level of the airport, pay the driver in cash on board the bus, or use a T-Money Card or Discover Seoul Pass to pay your fare.
Good for: travellers with luggage, a mid-range budget, and families, who don’t have time limitations
> The bus stop is just outside of Gate 5 on the Arrivals level. Line up at stop #5B-1.
> The first bus leaves from Terminal 1 at 5:45AM. The last bus departs at 11:15PM, with service running every 8-12 minutes in between.
> You can catch bus #6015 at stop number 28 outside of Gates 7 and 8, on level B1.
> The first bus leaves from Terminal 2 at 5:25AM. The last bus departs at 10:55PM, with service running every 20-30 minutes in between.
Incheon Airport to Myeondong via Private Car
If you’re traveling with children, a large group, or arrive late at night, a private car is undoubtedly the best and most comfortable option for getting from Incheon Airport to Myeongdong, quickly and safely.

A private car from Incheon Airport to Myeondong is ultra relaxing © Ming-yen Hsu (CC BY-ND 2.0)
You’ll be whisked away by an English speaking driver and dropped off right in front of your hotel. Each private car accommodates up to 7 people, so this is actually the best and most economical option for large groups.
Good for: large groups, anyone who wants ideal comfort and convenience and families
TIP | If you’re a large group, or traveling with kids, booking a private car to transfer between Incheon Airport and Myeongdong is the best and most comfortable option. Check prices for private cars here.
Incheon Airport to Myeondong via Taxi
If you’re traveling with a small group, have children, or arrive late at night, and don’t want to book a private car, you can take a taxi from Incheon Airport to Myeongdong.

If only we could all take a helicopter to Myeongdong
Just follow the signs in the airport to the taxi stand and queue for one. You won’t have to wait long for your taxi from Incheon Airport to Myeongdong. Taxis in Seoul are very affordable, relative to other developed countries.
There are regular, jumbo and international taxis. However, there are a few things you should know before deciding if a taxi is actually your best option.
Regular Taxi from Incheon Airport to Myeongdong
The approximate cost of a regular midsize taxi between Incheon Airport and Myeongdong is 60,000 to 70,000 won. Keep in mind that for standard taxis, there’s an extra 20% surcharge between midnight and 4AM, and you’ll be responsible for any toll charges that occur along the way.
Taxis in Seoul run on LPG gas, hence a large portion of a taxi’s trunk space is filled with a huge tank for the liquified gas. Don’t worry, it’s not dangerous, but it does reduce how much luggage you can place in the trunk. If you’re more than 3 people, with 3 large suitcases, it might be difficult to fit into a regular mid-sized sized taxi in Seoul.

You can take a taxi if you arrive late at night © Doo Ho Kim (CC BY-SA 2.0)
You should also be aware that not all, but some taxi drivers in Seoul, are not the safest drivers. Don’t be afraid to speak up and ask them to slow down if you feel they’re going too fast or driving dangerously.
They will not be equipped with car seats, and unfortunately, they also won’t be too happy to wait for you to strap one in yourself. A taxi is maybe not the best, or safest option for getting from Incheon Airport to Myeongdong for families with young children. 🙁
Good for: 2-3 people traveling together, with a higher budget
GOOD TO KNOW | Tipping a taxi driver is not normal practice in Korea, so don’t ever feel pressured to do so.
95% of taxi drivers in Korea are honest, but of course there are a few bad apples. If you should you run into a dishonest one, on your journey from Incheon Airport to Myeongdong, you can call +82-2-120 with a non-Korean phone, or 02-120 with a Korean phone to make a complaint. Languages available are English, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese and Mongolian.
Jumbo Taxi from Incheon Airport to Myeongdong
If you’re a large group, you can opt for a Jumbo Taxi, which can accommodate up to 8 people. The base fares for these taxis is 6,500 won, and of course, the overall fare is higher than a regular taxi.
Don’t confuse the Jumbo Taxi with a Call Taxi. They’ll both be larger mini-van style vehicles, but the Jumbo Taxi is metered, while the Call Taxi fare from Incheon Airport to Myeongdong is negotiated with the driver. Jumbo Taxi will be written on the side of the car in large letters, so it’s easy to tell the difference.
Most taxi drivers speak limited English, so be sure to have your address written out in Korean.
Good for: large groups and those arriving late at night
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Incheon Airport to Myeongdong: FAQs
All clear on how to get from Incheon Airport to Myeongdong now? Happy travels!
Lexi
What a great guide! I’m a big fan of Korean Air and so my boyfriend and I travel through Seoul a lot. Leaving the airport on our own has always seemed a little intimidating to learn for just a few short hours (and the free transit tours never seem to line up with our schedule). I feel like next time we fly through I know what to do now! Thanks!
shelley
I LOVE Korean Air, and have pretty much ONLY flown them since my daughter was born… they just make family travel so much less stressful. I’d say if you’ve got 6 hours for a layover, you could totally leave the airport and explore a little. Take the AREX train somewhere next time and have a wander. 🙂
lexklein
I know you got me into Seoul on some bus that worked perfectly, so I’d trust you on this one, too! 🙂
shelley
If there’s one thing Seoul does right, it’s transportation. Now, get back over here, so we can meet in person! 😉