Incheon Airport to Seoul by Train (Nov 2026): Strike Called Off, More Express Trains

Hi, I'm Kim, a local living in Incheon, the city where Korea's main airport is.

On this blog I share practical, up-to-date tips for visiting and living in Korea, the kind of things I tell my own friends before they fly in.

Let's start with the trip every visitor makes first: getting from Incheon Airport into Seoul by train.

Good news first: the airport train strike was called off

The airport railroad (AREX) union had planned a warning strike for November 13, 2026.

At 3:30 a.m. that same day, the company and the union reached a tentative wage deal, and the strike was withdrawn.

AREX says both the Express Train and the All-Stop Train run on their normal schedules from the first train.

If you saw strike news and were worried about your arrival, you can relax.

Source: AREX press release (Nov 13, 2026, Korean)

Two kinds of airport trains

Express Train: runs non-stop between the airport and Seoul Station. It has reserved seats, so it feels more like a comfortable intercity train.

All-Stop Train: stops at every station on the line, such as Gimpo Airport, Magongnaru, Hongik University (Hongdae), Gongdeok and Seoul Station. It is a regular commuter train, so you just tap your transit card.

If your hotel is near Seoul Station, the Express is the easy choice.

If you are staying around Hongdae or Gimpo, the All-Stop Train is often more convenient because you can get off on the way.

More Express Trains since October 23

From October 23, 2026, AREX added four more Express Trains a day, going from 52 to 56 runs.

The extra trains were added between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., when the average gap between trains became about 35 minutes instead of 39.

AREX also says that about 79.8% of last year's Express passengers were foreign visitors, so you will not be the only traveler with a suitcase.

Source: AREX press release (Oct 21, 2026, Korean)

My local tip: avoid the 3 p.m. rush

According to AREX, the airport-to-Seoul Station Express was 98.7% full on average in the 3 p.m. hour in September 2026.

If you land in the afternoon, buy your Express ticket as soon as you clear customs instead of after shopping or a coffee break.

If the next Express is full, the All-Stop Train is a fine backup. It takes longer, but it runs often and you can board with a transit card.

Before you go: a quick checklist

Check the latest timetable and fares on the official AREX website, because schedules changed this autumn.

Decide where you are staying, then pick Express (Seoul Station) or All-Stop (Hongdae, Gimpo and other stops).

If you plan to take the All-Stop Train or the subway, get a transit card ready so you can tap in right away.

In the next posts I'll cover transit cards, tax refunds when you shop, and how to book a skin care appointment in Korea.

Have a question about arriving in Korea? Leave a comment and I'll answer from a local's point of view.

This post summarizes official announcements in my own words. Schedules and fares can change, so please check the official AREX website (www.arex.or.kr) before you travel.
Korea Local Guide by Kim | Practical tips from a local in Incheon.