Landing at Incheon After Midnight? Night Buses, Last Trains, Taxis and Where to Sleep
If you land at Incheon Airport late at night, you can still reach Seoul. The last AREX all-stop train to Seoul Station leaves Terminal 1 at 11:38 p.m. and Terminal 2 at 11:32 p.m. After that, four night buses run until about 5 a.m.: the N6002 to Hongdae and Cheongnyangni, the N6701 to Seoul Station and Dongdaemun, the N6000 to the Gangnam Express Bus Terminal and the N6703 to COEX and Jamsil, for 17,000 to 18,000 won. A taxi costs more after 10 p.m. If you'd rather not travel at 2 a.m., you can book a capsule room at the airport, stay at a hotel nearby, or wait in the arrivals hall, which is open all night.
What Are Your Options After a Late-Night Landing?
A late-night arrival at Incheon is any landing that puts you in the arrivals hall after about 11 p.m., when the trains into Seoul stop running and most regular airport buses have made their last run. The airport itself never closes, and four night bus routes keep running until dawn, so you always have a way into the city.
Allow time for the formalities. The airport advises leaving one to two hours between landing and any bus or train you book, for immigration, baggage and customs. A plane that lands at 11 p.m. often means a 12:30 a.m. start into Seoul.
| Option | When it works | Cost (adult, approx.) | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| AREX all-stop train | Last trains to Seoul Station leave around 11:30 p.m. | About 5,000 won | Pay with a transit card; the express train stops earlier |
| Night bus (N6000, N6002, N6701, N6703) | Roughly 11:30 p.m. to 5 a.m. | 17,000 to 18,000 won | Buy a ticket before boarding; buses run every 30 to 60 minutes or so |
| Taxi | Any time | Metered, plus tolls and a late-night surcharge | Use the official taxi stands only |
| Capsule room or airport hotel | Any time | Varies by room and length of stay | Sleep first and travel in daylight |
| Arrivals hall | All night | Free | Seats, toilets and some 24-hour shops |
When Do the Last AREX Train and Airport Buses Leave?
The AREX all-stop train is the cheapest way into Seoul and runs the latest of the regular options. The last all-stop train to Seoul Station leaves Incheon Airport Terminal 1 Station at 11:38 p.m. and Terminal 2 Station at 11:32 p.m., according to the AREX timetable. The weekend and holiday timetable ends at the same times. The ride from Terminal 1 to Seoul Station takes about an hour, with stops at Gimpo Airport, Hongik University (Hongdae) and Gongdeok on the way.
Two more trains leave a little later, at 11:56 p.m. from Terminal 1 and 11:50 p.m. from Terminal 2, but they end at Digital Media City, short of Seoul Station. From there, you'll need a taxi for the rest of the way. The non-stop express train stops much earlier: the last one leaves Terminal 2 at 10:40 p.m. and Terminal 1 at 10:48 p.m.
The all-stop fare from Terminal 2 to Seoul Station is 5,350 won. Tap in with a transit card such as T-money or WOWPASS; our guide to Korea's transit cards explains which one to get at the airport.
Airport limousine buses into Seoul stop earlier. Each route has its own last bus, and the times vary by route, so check the bus timetable on the Incheon Airport website (airport.kr) before you fly. If your flight lands late in the evening, plan on the night bus or the train.
Which Night Bus Goes to Hongdae, Myeongdong or Gangnam?
Four night bus routes run from both terminals between about 11:30 p.m. and 5 a.m., according to Incheon Airport. Each one leaves every 30 to 60 minutes or so, with a longer gap between about 2 and 3:30 a.m., so check the times below against your arrival.
- N6002 to Hongdae and Cheongnyangni. It stops at Hongdae, Gwanghwamun (Four Seasons Hotel) and Heunginjimun (Dongdaemun Gate) before ending at Cheongnyangni. From Terminal 1 it leaves at 12:00, 12:30, 1:00, 1:40, 4:00 and 4:40 a.m., and it's about 45 minutes to Hongdae. Fare: 17,000 won.
- N6701 to Seoul Station, Myeongdong and Dongdaemun. It stops at Mapo Station, Seoul Station and Euljiro 1-ga, a short walk from Myeongdong, before ending at Dongdaemun Design Plaza. From Terminal 1 it leaves at 11:50 p.m., then 12:40, 1:40, 3:45 and 4:40 a.m. Fare: 18,000 won.
- N6000 to Gangnam. It stops at Songjeong and Yeomchang stations before ending at the Gangnam Express Bus Terminal, about 70 minutes from Terminal 1. From Terminal 1 it leaves at 12:10, 12:50, 1:30, 2:10, 3:40 and 4:20 a.m. Fare: 17,000 won.
- N6703 to COEX and Jamsil. It stops at Seorae Village, COEX, Jamsil (Lotte World) and Gangbyeon before ending at Gwangnaru Station. From Terminal 1 it leaves at 11:40 p.m., then 12:20, 1:05, 1:45, 3:50 and 4:50 a.m. Fare: 18,000 won.
All four buses start at Terminal 2, about 20 minutes earlier than Terminal 1. The N6002, for example, leaves Terminal 2 at 11:40 p.m. and 12:10, 12:40 and 1:20 a.m. At Terminal 1, buses stop at the curb outside the arrivals hall on the first floor. At Terminal 2, they leave from the bus terminal in the Transportation Center on the basement level.
Buy your ticket at the bus ticket counter or a ticket machine before you board. For the N6701, you can also book in the T-money GO app.
How Much Is a Taxi From Incheon Airport at Night?
A taxi is the simplest option after midnight, especially if you're in a group or have a lot of luggage. Use the official taxi stands outside the arrivals hall on the first floor. At Terminal 1, regular taxis to Seoul wait at stands 5C, 6C and 6D. At Terminal 2, they wait at 7C. The airport warns travelers to ignore drivers who approach inside the terminal.
Regular taxis are metered, and expressway tolls are added to the fare. Late at night, it costs more. For Seoul taxis, the airport lists a late-night surcharge of 20 percent from 10 to 11 p.m. and from 2 to 4 a.m., and 40 percent from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. The final fare depends on where in Seoul you're going and on traffic.
There are also larger deluxe and van taxis (stands 7C and 8C at Terminal 1, 7D at Terminal 2). International Taxi, the airport's official taxi for foreign visitors, offers help in other languages and charges a set fare by zone for Seoul; its stands are 4C at Terminal 1 and 3C at Terminal 2. Taxi apps such as Kakao T also work at the airport. Have your hotel's address in Korean saved on your phone before you land.
Where Can You Sleep at or Near Incheon Airport?
Sometimes the best plan is to stay put. If you land at 1 a.m. and your hotel in Seoul won't let you check in until the afternoon, a few hours of sleep near the airport and the first train in the morning can make more sense than a 2 a.m. bus ride.
- Darakhyu capsule hotel. Walkerhill runs capsule rooms at both terminals, booked by the hour, with small private rooms, showers and a rest area. The Terminal 1 location is on the first floor of the Transportation Center, on the public side of the airport, so you can use it after immigration. Book ahead if you can. The Terminal 1 location is planning a renovation in 2027, so check the official site for dates.
- Hotels near the airport. Several large hotels sit close to the terminals, and there are more around Unseo Station, about 10 minutes away by taxi. Check whether your hotel's shuttle runs at the time you land.
- The arrivals hall. The terminals stay open all night, and many travelers wait on the benches for the first train, which leaves Terminal 1 for Seoul Station at 5:14 a.m. A few convenience stores and fast-food counters on the public side stay open around the clock. Ask at the information desk for the nearest one.
If you're staying for a while, our guide to things to do at Incheon Airport covers the terminal's daytime side. If you're arriving from a warm country into a Korean winter, see where to leave a winter coat at Incheon Airport.
Sol's Note
Pick your plan before you board, not at the baggage belt. Write down two options: the night bus that matches your neighborhood, and a backup. On a late landing, ten minutes of planning in the departure lounge saves an hour of guessing at 1 a.m.
And if the immigration line is long, don't run for the last train. The night buses start soon after it leaves.
