Incheon Airport To Hongdae | By Subway, Bus And Taxi

· Updated April 10, 2023 THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS

Are you staying in one of Seoul’s most bustling areas, Hongdae? Arriving at Incheon Airport and trying to find out how to navigate here? Well, this article covers everything you need to know about going from Incheon Airport to Hongdae including how to buy tickets, the distance, time tables and more. Read on to find out more.

Things To Know About Hongdae

Listed below are some other relevant articles which would help you plan the perfect holiday.

Luggage Storage – Need a place to store your luggage before being able to check into your hotel? Check out this article about luggage storage in Seoul.
Itineraries – Use these Seoul itineraries to help you plan your trip in Seoul. Check this 4 day, 5 day or 7 day itinerary here.
What to pack – The things to pack will depend on what season you are visiting Korea in. Check our full guide on what to pack for Korea here.

Hongdae, also known as the Hongik University area, is a vibrant and trendy neighborhood located in the western part of Seoul, South Korea. The area is named after the university it surrounds, and it’s known for its youthful energy, art scene, and bustling nightlife.

Hongdae is a hub for young creatives, musicians, and artists, and its streets are filled with colorful murals, street performances, and indie fashion shops. The area is also famous for its numerous cafes, restaurants, and bars that cater to a diverse range of tastes and preferences.

Overall, Hongdae is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the dynamic and creative spirit of modern-day Seoul.

Incheon Airport To Hongdae

When going from Incheon Airport to Hongdae there are 3 options, the best, cheapest and fastest option is going by subway. There is a direct subway running between Incheon Airport and Hongdae. Two other options are going by bus or taxi. The latter is especially recommended when arriving late at night.

How?	Cost	Time	Book
Subway	4050 krw	50 minutes	Buy transportation card
Bus	10 000 krw	55 minutes	Pay in bus
Taxi	around 50 000 krw	50 minutes	Reserve taxi here

How To Go From Incheon Airport to Hongdae

If you’re arriving at Incheon International Airport and need to get to Hongdae, there are a few transportation options to choose from. The quickest and easiest way is to take the Airport Railroad Express (AREX) train from Incheon Airport to Hongik University Station, which is located in the heart of Hongdae. The journey takes around 45 minutes and costs around 4,000 KRW (approximately $3.50 USD).

Alternatively, you can take a taxi from the airport to Hongdae, which will take around 45 minutes and cost between 50,000 and 70,000 KRW (approximately $45 to $62 USD). However, traffic can be heavy during peak hours, so the journey time may be longer.

There are also bus options available, but they tend to take longer than the train or taxi.

Overall, taking the AREX train is the most convenient and cost-effective option for getting to Hongdae from Incheon Airport.

1. By Subway

A direct AREX subway runs between the airport and Hongdae Station. This is the recommended method as this is mostly faster than going by bus or taxi. It is also way cheaper.

The all stop subway leaves both from terminal 1 (level B1) and terminal 2 (level B1). Make sure NOT to take the non stop AREX train, this goes all the way to Seoul Station and does not stop in Hongdae. When getting to level B1 in Incheon go to the blue gate, not the orange gate. The blue gate leads to the all stop train.

From Incheon Airport Terminal 1 it takes 52 minutes to reach Hongdae and from Terminal 2 it takes 1 hour. The first train leaves from Terminal 2 at 5:18 AM and the last train leaves at 23:32 from Terminal 2. Every 15 minutes a new train comes.

1.1 How To Buy Subway Tickets

There are two ways of getting a ticket for the subway, first one you buy a single ticket at the vending machine in the subway station or second you buy a transportation card. The single ticket costs 4150 krw (from terminal 1)/ 4950 krw (from terminal 2) and can only be bought using cash. It is highly recommended to purchase a transportation card if you are planning on using public transportation in Seoul often. The ticket price with a transportation card is 4050 krw (from terminal 1)/ 4850 krw (from terminal 2).

The transportation card allows you to transfer from bus to subway and back without paying extra. It also gives a discount in comparison with buying single tickets. The transportation can be bought in any convenience store (cash only) or online. If you purchase it online it comes with travel credit, so no need to top it up when arriving in Incheon Airport. Click here for more info on the transportation card.

TIP! If you have purchased a Discover Seoul Pass, you don’t need to get a transportation card. The DSP card is also a T Money Card, except for the BTS edition.

2. By Bus

The second option is going by bus. This is more expensive than the subway and isn’t faster. So the only reason why you would take the bus instead of the subway is if stops right in front of your hotel. To check if you bus stops in front of your hotel you can contact your hotel and ask or use a navigation app like Kakao or Naver Maps.

The 6002 is the only bus that goes directly to Hongdae Station. From terminal 1 it takes about 50 minutes, but this can be longer depending on traffic. The bus comes every 15 minutes and a ticket costs 10 000 krw. Tickets can be bought on the bus or at the ticket office on the first floor. The bus runs from 5:30 till 23:40.

bus from incheon airport to hongdae — 6002 Bus from Incheon Airport to Hongdae

3. By Taxi

The last option is going by taxi to Hongdae Station. If you are traveling with a big group or are arriving late at night, this is the best option. A taxi ride from terminal 1 to Hongdae Station takes around 50 minutes, but again, this depends on traffic. The taxi fare is around 45 000 krw + a toll gate fee of 6600 krw. If you are traveling at night there is a 20% night fee surcharge.

TIP! If you are arriving late at night, why not stay in one of the hotels near the airport?

There are two ways of getting a taxi, first you can just go to the taxi area and wait your turn to get a taxi or you can book a taxi online. The benefit of booking a taxi online is that he will be waiting for you when you arrive and if you are traveling with a big group you can book a jumbo taxi. Click here for more info and prices.

incheon airport to hongdae station — Taxi Incheon Airport to Hongdae Station

Gimpo Airport To Hongdae

To get from Gimpo Airport to Hongdae, you have a few transportation options. The quickest and most convenient way is to take the subway. Gimpo Airport has a direct subway line, Line 5, that connects directly to Hongdae Station. The journey takes around 20-25 minutes and costs approximately 1,500 won.

Alternatively, you can take a taxi or bus. Taxis are readily available at the airport and will take around 20-30 minutes depending on traffic. The fare will be around 20,000-25,000 won.

If you prefer taking the bus, there are several options that go to Hongdae, including the 6003 and 6015 buses. They take around 40-50 minutes, depending on traffic, and cost approximately 1,500-2,500 won.