AREX Incheon Airport Railroad (Express Train)
Direct from Incheon Airport to Seoul Station, nonstop.
≈ US$8and up · checked 10/22
Seoul 4 days 3 nights: a first-timer's itinerary
Last checked 10/23Sample itinerariesSeoul
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The short answer
First trip to Seoul, 4 days 3 nights via Incheon Airport: staying around Myeongdong or Seoul Station is easiest. On day 1, take the AREX Express Train to Seoul Station (Terminal 1 43 min, ₩13,000); from day 2, use the Climate Card 3-day pass (₩10,000, physical card ₩3,000 extra) for Gyeongbokgung, Bukchon and N Seoul Tower; day 3 is Lotte World or Hongdae; on day 4, take the AREX all-stop train back to the airport, where you can get off with the 3-day pass. Gyeongbokgung is closed every Tuesday, so don't plan it for a Tuesday.
- Incheon Terminal 1 → Seoul Station
- AREX Express Train 43 min, ₩13,000
- AREX all-stop train
- Seoul Station ⇄ Terminal 1 59 min, ₩4,750 (transport card)
- Climate Card 3-day pass
- ₩10,000 (physical card ₩3,000 extra)
- Gyeongbokgung
- Foreign adults ₩3,000; closed every Tuesday
- N Seoul Tower observatory
- Adults ₩29,000; weekdays 10:00–22:30
How to plan 4 days: one table
This sample itinerary assumes flying in and out of Incheon Airport and staying in Myeongdong. Myeongdong is on subway Line 4, 2 stops from Seoul Station on Line 4 (about 3 min per Seoul Metro's route search), and airport buses 6001 and 6015 also stop in Myeongdong.
For city transport, use Seoul's Climate Card short-term pass: top up a 3-day pass on the morning of day 2, and it's valid from the first train that day until the last train on day 4, with unlimited rides on Seoul city subways and buses; on day 4, you can also take the AREX all-stop train back and get off at Incheon Airport Terminal 1 or 2 station.
Gyeongbokgung is closed every Tuesday (the next day if Tuesday is a public holiday), so plan day 2 to avoid a Tuesday.
| Day | Main areas | Transport pass | Book ahead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Incheon Airport → Seoul Station → Myeongdong | AREX Express Train + T-money or single-journey ticket | AREX ticket |
| Day 2 | Gyeongbokgung, Bukchon, Insadong → N Seoul Tower | Climate Card 3-day pass (starts) | Hanbok rental (if you want to wear one), N Seoul Tower |
| Day 3 | Lotte World (or Hongdae) | Climate Card | Lotte World tickets |
| Day 4 | Myeongdong, Dongdaemun → Incheon Airport | Climate Card (you can get off at the airport stations on the AREX all-stop train) | — |
WOWPASS prepaid card (with T-money transit card)
Exchange currency, pay by card, and use it as T-money on the subway and buses.
≈ US$4and up · checked 10/22
Korea eSIM (SK Telecom unlimited data)
Buy before you go and get online as soon as you land; check that your phone supports eSIM first.
≈ US$4and up · checked 10/22
Compare areas: Myeongdong, Hongdae, Dongdaemun, Seoul Station · City Hall, Gangnam
Hotel Skypark Central MyeongdongHotel Skypark Central Myeongdong
Good for: those who want to stay right in the middle of Myeongdong for easy evening shopping
- Subway Line 2 Euljiro 1-ga Station Exit 5
- Double rooms about 21.45㎡
- Rooms with bathtub
- Breakfast: the Table restaurant on B2, 7:00–10:00 (price not listed on the official site)
Good to know:Double rooms 21.45㎡; check-in 15:00, check-out 12:00; ages 6+ count as adults, and occupancy can't exceed the room's limit.
Source:Hotel's official website(checked 10/22)
L7 HONGDAE by LOTTE HOTELSL7 Hongdae by Lotte (L7 HONGDAE by LOTTE HOTELS)
Good for: those taking the Airport Railroad who want to reach the hotel 1 minute(s) from the station
- Subway Line 2 / Airport Railroad Hongik Univ. Station Exit 1, about 1 min walk
- Double rooms about 24.8㎡
- Breakfast: buffet at The Place on floor 21, 7:00–10:00; adults ₩25,000, children ₩16,000
Good to know:Some standard rooms have a bathtub and some only a shower, so ask first if you want a bath; check-in 15:00, check-out 11:00.
Source:Hotel's official website(checked 10/22)
Day 1: Incheon Airport → AREX to Seoul Station → Myeongdong
From Incheon Airport, take the AREX Express Train to Seoul Station: the official site says 43 min from Terminal 1 and 51 min from Terminal 2, adult ₩13,000 (the official site lists regular fares of ₩18,500 / ₩19,100, currently sold at ₩13,000), all seats reserved, nonstop.
To save money, take the AREX all-stop train: Seoul Station to Terminal 1 59 min and Terminal 2 66 min (some trains take 2–6 min longer), ₩4,750 and ₩5,350 by transport card.
At Seoul Station, change to subway Line 4 for 2 stops to Myeongdong and explore Myeongdong's shopping street in the evening. With lots of luggage, take airport bus 6001 or 6015 straight to Myeongdong instead, adult ₩17,000.
| Suggested time | Itinerary | Transport & tickets |
|---|---|---|
| After arrival | Incheon Airport → Seoul Station | AREX Express Train 43 min (Terminal 1), ₩13,000 |
| Late afternoon | Seoul Station → Myeongdong | Subway Line 4, 2 stops |
| Evening | Myeongdong shopping street | Walk |
Don't top up the Climate Card on day 1: the short-term pass counts from the day you top it up, and it can't be used to board at Incheon Airport stations.
AREX Incheon Airport Railroad (Express Train)
Direct from Incheon Airport to Seoul Station, nonstop.
≈ US$8and up · checked 10/22
Day 2: Gyeongbokgung, Bukchon, Insadong → N Seoul Tower night view
In the morning, buy a physical Climate Card (₩3,000) at a new-type transport card machine in a subway station and top up a 3-day pass for ₩10,000; on Android you can also get a mobile card through the Mobile T-money app, but iPhone users need the physical card.
Gyeongbokgung's hours vary by month: months 9–10 9:00–18:00 (last entry 17:00), months 11–12 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:00); foreign adults aged 19–64 ₩3,000; closed every Tuesday. The official site also has rules on free entry when wearing hanbok, so check before you go if you plan to wear one.
In the afternoon, head east to Bukchon and Insadong. In the evening, go up N Seoul Tower's observatory: adults ₩29,000, weekdays 10:00–22:30, weekends and holidays 10:00–23:00, last entry 30 min before closing.
| Suggested time | Itinerary | Transport & tickets |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Buy a Climate Card and top up a 3-day pass | Physical card ₩3,000 + 3-day pass ₩10,000 |
| 9:00 | Gyeongbokgung | Foreign adults ₩3,000 |
| Afternoon | Bukchon, Insadong | Walk |
| Evening | N Seoul Tower observatory | Adults ₩29,000 |
Gyeongbokgung hanbok rental
Wear a hanbok for free entry to Gyeongbokgung; includes choosing and dressing.
≈ US$15and up · checked 10/22
N N Seoul Tower observatory
Observatory on Namsan; a classic way to see Seoul at night.
≈ US$4and up · checked 10/22
Seoul City Tour Bus (hop-on hop-off)
Downtown, palace and Namsan routes, for those who'd rather walk less.
≈ US$20and up · checked 10/22
Day 3: Lotte World (or Hongdae)
Option A: Lotte World Adventure (Jamsil Station, subway Line 2). Official prices: Park Pass 1 Day adult ₩64,000, After4 (entry after 16:00) adult ₩52,000; the Combined Pass including the Folk Museum, 1 Day ₩67,000. The official site says phone screenshots aren't accepted for entry; bring a physical ticket.
Option B: Hongdae. Subway Line 2 and the Airport Railroad both stop at Hongik Univ. Station; shops and cafés by day, street performances at night.
Both options stay within the Seoul subway area, so with the Climate Card there's no extra fare.
| Option | Itinerary | Ticket |
|---|---|---|
| A | Lotte World Adventure | Park Pass 1 Day adult ₩64,000 |
| A (afternoon only) | Lotte World After4 | Adults ₩52,000 |
| B | Hongdae | — |
Lotte World Seoul tickets
Indoor and outdoor theme park, open in the rain too.
≈ US$26and up · checked 10/22
Lotte World Tower Seoul Sky Observation deck
Observatory in Seoul's tallest building, in the same area as Lotte World.
≈ US$17and up · checked 10/22
NANTA Show NANTA
Almost no dialogue, so you can enjoy it without knowing Korean.
≈ US$23and up · checked 10/22
Day 4: Myeongdong, Dongdaemun → AREX back to Incheon Airport
In the morning, do last-minute shopping in Myeongdong or Dongdaemun, collect your luggage at the hotel and take AREX from Seoul Station.
AREX all-stop train: Seoul city's announcement says the Climate Card can be used boarding at a covered station and getting off at Incheon Airport Terminal 1 or 2 station (not the other way round), so on the last day of the 3-day pass there's no extra fare back to the airport; Seoul Station to Terminal 1 takes about 59 min.
The AREX Express Train needs a separate ticket (₩13,000); the Climate Card isn't valid on it.
AREX Incheon Airport Railroad (Express Train)
Direct from Incheon Airport to Seoul Station, nonstop.
≈ US$8and up · checked 10/22
Korea eSIM (SK Telecom unlimited data)
Buy before you go and get online as soon as you land; check that your phone supports eSIM first.
≈ US$4and up · checked 10/22
Where to stay for this itinerary
First visit and want to shop: stay in Myeongdong. Line 4 and airport buses 6001 / 6015 all go there.
Want the AREX Express Train or have lots of luggage: stay around Seoul Station, where the Express Train ends.
Want to save on hotels: the budget hotels we found at under NT$3,000 (Taiwan dollars) on official sites are in Dongdaemun, with airport bus 6001 running direct. For hotels in each area, minutes to the station and breakfast prices, see Compare areas.
Compare areas: Myeongdong, Hongdae, Dongdaemun, Seoul Station · City Hall, Gangnam
Hotel Skypark Dongdaemun 1Hotel Skypark Dongdaemun 1 (Hotel Skypark Dongdaemun I)
Good for: tight budgets, staying in Dongdaemun with a bathtub
- Subway Line 5 Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station Exit 6, about 5 min walk
- Double rooms about 22.5㎡
- Rooms with bathtub
- Breakfast: The Table on floor 2, 7:00–10:00 (price not listed on the official site)
Good to know:No parking at the hotel; toothbrushes and toothpaste are sold separately in the amenity vending machine; check-in 15:00, check-out 12:00.
Source:Hotel's official website(checked 10/22)
FAQ
Which transport card should I get for 4 days 3 nights in Seoul?
If you ride 3+ times a day, use the Climate Card 3-day pass from day 2 (₩10,000, physical card ₩3,000 extra); if you ride less, pay per ride with T-money, subway base fare ₩1,550. See the comparison in “Choosing a Seoul transport card.”
How do I get from Incheon Airport to Myeongdong?
AREX Express Train to Seoul Station (Terminal 1 43 min, ₩13,000), then Line 4 for 2 stops; or airport bus 6001 or 6015 direct to Myeongdong, adult ₩17,000.
Which day is Gyeongbokgung closed?
Closed every Tuesday; if it falls on a public holiday it opens as usual and closes on the next non-holiday instead. Foreign adults (aged 19–64) ₩3,000.
How late is N Seoul Tower open?
Observatory weekdays 10:00–22:30, weekends and holidays 10:00–23:00, last entry 30 min before closing; adults ₩29,000.
Can I ride to Incheon Airport with the Climate Card?
Boarding at a station in Seoul and getting off at Incheon Airport Terminal 1 or 2 station is allowed; boarding at the airport isn't, so buy a separate ticket on arrival day, and it can't be used on the AREX Express Train either.
Read next
Done reading? Still to book for this trip
Hotels, airport transfer, eSIM: click to book directly on the platform.
Seoul hotelsNot sure where to stay? Compare areas first
AREX Express TrainDirect from Incheon Airport to Seoul Station, nonstop.
Korea eSIMBuy before you go and get online as soon as you land; check that your phone supports eSIM first.
Sources
- AREX: Express Train (times, fares)
- AREX: all-stop train (times)
- AREX: all-stop train fare table
- Seoul Metro: Seoul Station → Myeongdong route search
- Seoul city transport: Climate Card (short-term pass) overview (prices, coverage, where to buy)
- Korea Heritage Service, Royal Palaces and Tombs Center: Gyeongbokgung opening hours
- Korea Heritage Service, Royal Palaces and Tombs Center: admission fees
- N Seoul Tower: opening hours and observatory prices
- Lotte World Adventure: ticket prices
- Airport bus 6001 route and fares
- Airport bus 6015 route and fares
Figures are from official announcements checked on 10/23; fares, timetables and opening hours may change, so check the official websites again before you go.