Updated November 14, 2026
Incheon Airport to Gyeongbokgung Palace: train, bus or taxi
The cheapest way from Incheon Airport to Gyeongbokgung Palace is the AREX all-stop train to Gongdeok, then Line 5 to Gwanghwamun, four stops on. The AREX part costs ₩4,650 by transit card from Terminal 1. Allow about 70–90 minutes door to gate. With big bags, the 6002 limousine bus (₩17,000) stops at the Four Seasons Hotel in Gwanghwamun, and you don't have to change.
Train, bus or taxi at a glance
| Option | Route | Adult fare | Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| AREX all-stop + Line 5 | Airport → Gongdeok, then Line 5 to Gwanghwamun | ₩4,650 (T1) / ₩5,250 (T2) to Gongdeok, plus a little for Line 5 | 1 |
| AREX express + subway | Airport → Seoul Station (43 min from T1, 51 from T2), then subway or taxi | ₩13,000 | 1 |
| Limousine bus 6002 | Airport → Four Seasons Hotel (Gwanghwamun) stop | ₩17,000 | 0 |
| Taxi | Door to door; time depends on traffic | About ₩60,000–100,000 incl. tolls (sources differ) | 0 |
AREX fares and times from the official AREX site (airportrailroad.com), November 2026. The express fare is a discounted ₩13,000; some older guides still say ₩9,500 or ₩11,000. A single-journey card adds ₩100 and a ₩500 deposit you get back at the exit. Bus fare from the airport limousine operator. Taxi fares are estimates from travel guides, not an official table.
Step by step: the train route
- Find the AREX station
Follow the "Train" signs from arrivals at Terminal 1 or Terminal 2. Tap a T-money card, or buy a single-journey card at the machine.
- Take the all-stop train toward Seoul Station
Not the express: the express doesn't stop at Gongdeok. The all-stop takes 59 minutes from T1 to Seoul Station (66 from T2), and Gongdeok is the stop before.
- Change at Gongdeok to Line 5
Take the eastbound train, toward Macheon or Hanam Geomdansan, not Banghwa. Four stops: Aeogae, Chungjeongno, Seodaemun, Gwanghwamun.
- Get off at Gwanghwamun (Line 5)
Walk north up Gwanghwamun Square to the palace's main gate, Gwanghwamun.
If you booked hanbok near Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3), exits 3, 4 and 5, you can walk there from the palace gate along its west side. Hanbok rental near Gyeongbokgung
My tip: Check the day before you fly. Gyeongbokgung closes on Tuesdays, and from November to February the last entry is 16:00. If your flight lands after lunch, go to your hotel first and save the palace for the next morning.
When the bus is better
- Two big suitcases: the 6002 bus takes them underneath, and Gongdeok has long walks between lines.
- Staying near Gwanghwamun or Jongno: 6002 also stops along Jongno 1-ga to 4-ga after Gwanghwamun.
- Going back to the airport: bus 6005 also picks up at Gwanghwamun (Donghwa Duty Free stop), but only in the airport direction.
Buy bus tickets at the counter or machine in the arrivals hall. Traffic decides the time, so the train is safer when you have a timed booking. Need to drop bags first? Luggage storage in Seoul
Questions
How to get from Incheon Airport to Gyeongbokgung Palace?
From Incheon Airport to Gyeongbokgung Palace, take the AREX all-stop train to Gongdeok, change to Line 5, and ride four stops to Gwanghwamun. The palace gate is a short walk north. Bus 6002 is the no-change option.
How far is Incheon Airport to Gyeongbokgung Palace?
Incheon Airport to Gyeongbokgung Palace takes about 70 to 90 minutes by train with one change. A taxi or the 6002 bus depends on traffic, and rush hour adds time.
Is there an Incheon Airport to Gyeongbokgung Palace train without changing?
No. AREX ends at Seoul Station, so you change once: at Gongdeok for Line 5 to Gwanghwamun, or at Seoul Station for the subway. Only the 6002 limousine bus goes to Gwanghwamun with no change.
Which bus goes from Incheon Airport to Gwanghwamun?
Limousine bus 6002 goes from Incheon Airport to the Four Seasons Hotel (Gwanghwamun) stop for ₩17,000 per adult. Bus 6005 stops at Gwanghwamun only on the way back to the airport.