How to Get From Incheon Airport to Myeongdong (3 Ways)

Thinking of doing some shopping in Seoul? Then Myeongdong should be the first place on your list. Here you'll discover extensive options— clothes, cosmetics, and traditional souvenirs— perfect for some self care or gifting.

Myeongdong is a haven for food enthusiasts, especially those who haven’t yet tried Korean cuisine and street food, which are in a class of their own. It’s also near several historical and cultural landmarks, such as Gyeongbokgung Palace, N-Seoul Tower, and Bukchon Hanok Village.

If you want to experience an authentic Korean market, there are several convenient ways to get from Incheon Airport to Myeongdong. In this article I share the best transportation options and tips to help you make the journey from the airport to Myeongdong a breeze.

Ticket Information and Pricing

A K Airport Limousine Bus ticket costs around ₩18,000 (~$13USD) one way. You can get a ticket from booths inside the arrival hall (found on the 1^st floor of Terminals 1 and 2), but there’s another ticketing box outside the Airport, strategically placed near the bus pickup area.

While in the bus parking area, you can also spot departure times by checking their respective platforms. Note that if you booked the service online, you still have to visit the ticketing box to exchange your QR code for a physical ticket.

Bus Routes and Stops

To get to Myeongdong, you can take the KAL Bus #6701. This bus stops at several major hotels, like Seoul Garden Hotel, Koreana Hotel, The Plaza Hotel, Westin Josun Hotel, and Lotte City Hotel. If you have a reservation at any of these Seoul hotels, this bus will also drop you off; it operates in a loop.

Another option is the 6015 Airport Bus, which runs 7 days a week and has multiple departures per hour from the airport. A ticket costs ₩15,000 (~$11USD).

Travel Duration and Schedule

The KAL Limousine Bus usually takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to get to Myeongdong, but it can take quite a bit longer if there’s a lot of traffic, like during rush hour. These buses come every 20 minutes, which is great because it gives passengers arriving at Incheon Airport plenty of options.

On the other hand, the 6015 Airport Bus takes about 75-95 minutes to reach Myeongdong, and you can catch it between 4:20 am-10:45 pm every day. Just be aware of the bus schedule when planning your arrival, and choose the most appropriate Myeongdong airport bus option for your needs based on timing and convenience.

AREX Ticket Information and Pricing

The Airport Express Train also lets you enjoy a direct line to Seoul Station, and from there, you can ride the subway Line 4 to Myeongdong. There are two types of AREX trains: 

• Express Train: This line directly connects Incheon Airport to Seoul Station without any stops, and it takes about 45 minutes to get to your destination. A pass from the AREX Express ticketing booth costs ₩9,000 (~$7USD) for adults and ₩7,000 (~$5USD) for children.
  
• All-Stop Train: Unlike the Express train, this line stops at various stations between Incheon Airport and Seoul Station, taking approximately 1 hour and 7 minutes to reach its destination. To ride the train, you’ll need a T-Money card, and the fare for the journey is between ₩4,150 (~$3USD) to ₩4,750 (~$4USD).

Transfer to Myeongdong Subway Station

Once you arrive at Seoul Station via AREX, you must transfer to the Seoul Metro Line 4 (Sky Blue Line). To do this, just follow the signs for Line 4 and board a train headed toward Myeongdong Station.

After getting off AREX, it'll cost you an additional ₩1,250 (~$1USD) to reach Myeongdong Station - keep your ticket or T-Money Card handy, as you may need to swipe it again when transferring between metro lines.

Travel Duration and Schedule

The total travel time from Incheon Airport to Myeongdong, including the transfer at Seoul Station, ranges from 55-80 minutes, depending on which AREX train option you choose and the wait time for transferring to Line 4. The trains on AREX run frequently, with the following schedule:

• Express Train: AREX Express Train runs from 5:15 am-10:48 pm and departs every 30-45 minutes.
• All-stop Train: It operates from 5:18 am until 11:32 pm and departs every 10-15 minutes.

For more information on AREX and the schedules, visit the AREX website.

Standard Taxi

Standard taxis are popular and convenient for traveling from Incheon Airport to Myeongdong. They're available from directly outside the airport's arrival hall. Take a taxi from the designated queue to ensure your safety and fair pricing on the meter.

International Taxi

For a more traveler-friendly experience, consider using an International Taxi. These taxis have drivers who can communicate in English, Japanese, or Chinese, making it easier to ask questions or provide specific instructions. To take an International Taxi, proceed to their separate designated taxi stand at the airport.

Estimated Fare and Travel Time

Taxis offer a stress-free ride because you don't have to share the vehicle with others, and you can enjoy the journey without any stops along the way. It also offers door-to-door service, but keep in mind that it’s pricier than other options.

The trip usually takes around an hour, depending on traffic, but there are more cost-efficient options that can take you the same amount of time to reach your destination. So, if you're looking for a more budget-friendly alternative, there are other ways to travel without breaking the bank.

Taxi fares vary as well, as different types of Korean taxis have different rates. Colors are used to distinguish these different types of taxis: standard taxis (white) cost approximately ₩50,000 (~$37USD)-₩65,000 (~$48USD), while deluxe taxis (black) range from ₩85,000 (~$63USD) to ₩95,000 (~$70USD).

Pro Tip: take an orange taxi if you have trouble communicating in Korean. Orange taxi drivers are fluent in multiple languages, such as Chinese, Japanese, and English.

Third-party services like My Korea Cab and Viator also make it easier for foreigners to book taxi services from Incheon Airport to their desired destination ahead of time.

Download Korean subway apps

Downloading Korean subway apps is highly beneficial for efficient navigation with up-to-date information, real-time updates, and multilingual support. It offers convenience, offline access, and tourist information, saving costs and enhancing your experience traveling in South Korea.

Purchase a T-Money Card

In Korea, getting a T-Money Card for convenient and cost-effective travel is highly recommended, especially if you have plans to ride buses or the Seoul subway a lot. It’s a rechargeable card for buses, subways, and taxis, allowing easy tapping for rides without buying separate tickets.

With discounts and a long validity period, it saves money and simplifies transportation during your stay. Plus you can reload it in any designated T-Money Card reloading machine, or go to any convenience store and ask them to “charge” the card by saying, “timeoni kadeureul chungjeonhago sip-eoyo” (I’d like to recharge my T-money card, please).

Check the transportation schedule

Keep an eye on the train and bus schedules to avoid unnecessary waiting time at the airport; ensuring you arrive at the relevant platform or bus stop with enough time to spare will make your journey more relaxed.

Download a map of Seoul's subway system or use a smartphone app like Naver Map or KakaoMap for real-time information on routes and schedules.

Pack light

If possible, try to minimize the luggage you bring by storing it in any of the luggage storage stations found in some of Line 2’s major train stations and at Incheon Airport. This will make navigating the public transportation system notably easier and help you avoid extra fees for oversized or heavy bags.

Bring a translator

Using Papago can be incredibly helpful for travelers who aren’t familiar with hangul or can’t speak Korean at all. This particular translation app is especially handy because it can decipher signs and documents encountered during your journey.

Because it was developed in Korea by Koreans, its real-time translation feature is fine-tuned to understand and communicate with locals on the spot (in fact, this is also the go-to app locals use to speak to foreigners). 

Bring cash

Although Korea is a cashless society, Myeongdong is still a market, and not all stores cater to cards yet. Also, make sure that your credit cards can be used in Korea - I recommend checking with your bank before purchasing a plane ticket.