Choose All-stop

AREX Terminal 2 station sign

For Hongdae, take AREX All-stop to Hongik University station, A03. Express goes non-stop to Seoul Station and skips Hongik University, so it creates an unnecessary backtrack for this route.

  • Save your hotel's exact entrance and Korean address before leaving airport Wi-Fi. A Hongdae-area hotel may be nearer another station.
  • Start from your actual arrival terminal: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 have different railway stations. Allow for immigration, baggage and the walk before choosing a departure.

Find the railway

All-stop Train entrance at Incheon Airport Terminal 1

After customs, follow Airport Railroad / AREX signs toward the transportation centre at B1. Look specifically for All-stop Train, not the separate Express ticketing area.

  • Use the terminal map for your own building; do not walk to another terminal just because a photograph looks different.
  • At a junction, check both the AREX symbol and service name. An Express reseller QR is not an All-stop fare card.

Prepare a card

Seoul subway ticket and reload machines

Use a supported transit card with enough balance, or buy a single-journey ticket with Hongik University as the destination. All-stop does not require a reserved seat.

  • Card purchase price and travel balance are separate. Check your balance before the gate and the current machine's accepted payment; carry won as a backup.
  • For the linked Tmoney product, select card-only or balance-included carefully and check the collection terminal, counter and hours. Airport pickup is useful before this journey, not after you have already reached Hongdae.
  • If a counter is closed, compare local card purchase or a station ticket instead. Do not buy an Express ticket simply because it is the first online result.

Board for Seoul

All-stop platform at Incheon Airport Terminal 1

At the All-stop platform, confirm a Seoul Station-bound service whose stopping list includes Hongik University. Stay on until A03; there is no need to change at Seoul Station.

  • Keep the same fare card throughout. Listen for Hongik University and compare the display with A03 before getting off.
  • Keep luggage within reach and doors clear. All-stop seats are not assigned, so buying a fare does not guarantee that you will sit together.

Choose your exit

Hongik University station Exit 9

After alighting, follow the exit numbers toward your saved hotel entrance. Exit 9 is a reference for the Hongik University and shopping-street side, not a universal hotel exit.

  • The university's official directions use Exit 9 for its main-campus approach. The AREX platform and Line 2 side are spread across the station, so allow for the connecting walk.
  • For large bags, follow lift symbols and the current station map rather than choosing stairs because they look shorter. Tap out using the same fare card.
  • The exit photograph is a location reference; use today's signs for closures and lift availability. Check the hotel entrance again after reaching the street.

Return to the airport

Airport-bound AREX platform at Hongik University

Back at Hongik University, follow AREX and confirm an airport-bound All-stop train that reaches your flight's terminal. Some services terminate earlier, so the train destination matters.

  • Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are different stops. Confirm the airline terminal from your booking before entering the station.
  • Check the correct day's first or last service in the official timetable, including the train's final destination. Add check-in, security and station walking separately.
  • The Hongik platform photograph shows the airport-bound side; do not use it to choose the platform on your arrival journey.

Sources & photo credits

Photo credits

Photos are resized and converted to WebP. Archival images illustrate signs and spaces; they do not show current service conditions.