Checking out of your hotel in the morning but flying out of Incheon in the evening? You can drop your suitcase at Seoul Station, spend a few more hours in the city without it, then come back for your booked AREX Express train.
The City Airport Terminal is on B2 of the AREX side of Seoul Station. To use it, you need an eligible same-day international flight from Incheon and an AREX Express ticket to your departure terminal.
Check who operates your flight
Look for “operated by” on your reservation and confirm your flight with the airline before buying the train ticket. Some routes are excluded even when the airline appears on the AREX eligibility list. Korean Air, for example, accepts eligible codeshares operated by Korean Air, including flights sold under another airline’s number. A Korean Air flight number on a flight operated by another carrier does not qualify under Korean Air’s rules.
Check with the airline if you’re taking oversized luggage, sports gear or anything that needs special handling. If your flight or bags do not qualify, plan to check in at Incheon Airport.
Work out your Seoul Station cutoff
AREX lists check-in hours of 05:20–19:00, with last intake at 18:50. You also have to finish check-in before the cutoff for your flight’s departure terminal.
| Your flight departs from | Finish check-in at Seoul Station by | Example for a 19:30 flight |
|---|---|---|
| Incheon Terminal 1 | 3 hours before departure | 16:30 |
| Incheon Terminal 2 | 3 hours 20 minutes before departure | 16:10 |
Use the earlier limit when planning your visit and leave time for the queue. For a 23:30 flight from Terminal 2, subtracting 3 hours 20 minutes gives 20:10, but AREX stops accepting check-in customers at 18:50. That cutoff is separate from the time your train leaves. Departure immigration at Seoul Station runs 05:30–19:00. Hours and eligibility were checked on November 10, 2026.
Drop your bags, then take the Express
- Buy an AREX Express ticket from Seoul Station to the terminal on your flight booking. You can buy it online or from a machine on B2. Scan the ticket’s QR code to enter the City Airport Terminal.
- Check in at the airline counter. Show your passport, collect your boarding pass and hand over your checked bag. Wait until staff confirm it has passed screening. You’ll collect it at your destination airport.
- Complete departure immigration on B2. Bring your passport and boarding pass. When it’s time for your train, go down to the Express platform on B7.
- Use the designated departure lane at Incheon. On the third-floor departures level, look for the lane for City Airport Terminal passengers. You still go through airport security before heading to your gate.
When choosing a train, leave enough time between its arrival and your flight’s boarding time for the walk through the terminal and security.
