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Traveling to Seoul on Chuseok?
Our other thought was, we land at 5 am on 9/15, we can go into the city and walk around and then stay overnight and leave for Taipei on 9/16, and just come back to Seoul after Chuseok. Would it be easy to get the airport on the first day of Chuseok?
Please help!
yeah the split trip idea makes sense. landing at 5am you can totally grab a quick breakfast at a 24hr place like a gimbap cheonguk near hongdae or jongno, they're everywhere and dirt cheap. then just wander around for a few hours before heading back to the airport. the AREX all stop train is fine too and only like 1,500 won more than the express if u miss the timing, runs every 6 mins or so
for taipei you'll have way more food options open during their normal days. chuseok in seoul is fine for a morning but after lunch most places start shutting down until the next day. the palaces are open but the real charm is in the alley markets and those are mostly closed. i'd do seoul on the 15th morning then fly out that afternoon, come back after the 17th when things pick up again
honestly i'd say stick around for a bit on the 15th. landing at 5am means you can drop bags at a jimjilbang near myeongdong or hongdae for like 15,000 won and just crash for a few hours. then wander around gyeongbokgung area around 9am when it opens - it'll be dead quiet, feels almost surreal compared to normal chaos
for getting to the airport on chuseok day, the AREX express train from seoul station is your best bet. trains run every 30 mins and they're never full heading out of the city that morning. takes about 43 mins to incheon
one thing nobody mentioned is that convenience stores and most cafes in tourist zones stay open during chuseok. you wont starve. also namsan cable car is usually running and way less crowded than normal weekends. i'd def do seoul first then taipei, you get a nice contrast that way
imo you should just go to taipei first and come back after chuseok. the 15th is the day before the actual holiday so you'll still get some of that quiet city vibe in the morning but you wont be stuck dealing with the full shutdown on the 16th. landing at 5am you can hit gwangjang market for early breakfast it opens at like 7 and the mayak gimbap stalls are already going
the AREX nonstop to seoul station is only 9,500 won and takes 43 mins. way easier than a taxi at that hour. if you're only staying one night just book a cheap guesthouse in jongno or insadong so you're close to the palaces and can walk everywhere
the real move is coming back after chuseok ends on the 17th or 18th. everything reopens and you get the normal seoul experience without the holiday weirdness. plus taipei is amazing and you'll prob want more than just a few days there anyway
Seoul Airport to City Center (2026)
The AREX Express is the fastest way from Incheon Airport to Seoul Station, taking 43 minutes nonstop. Tickets cost 9,500 won for adults, and you can buy them at the airport k… 🚆 AREX Express Train
The AREX Express is the fastest way from Incheon Airport to Seoul Station, taking 43 minutes nonstop. Tickets cost 9,500 won for adults, and you can buy them at the airport kiosks or online in advance. Trains run every 30 minutes from 5:20 AM to 11:40 PM.
🚇 AREX All-Stop Train
For a cheaper option, the AREX All-Stop train makes local stops and costs 4,150 won with a T-money card. It takes about 66 minutes to reach Seoul Station, but it's convenient if your destination is near a stop like Hongdae or Digital Media City. Trains run every 6-10 minutes from around 5:30 AM to midnight.
🚌 Airport Limousine Buses
Airport limousine buses serve many hotels and districts, with fares between 10,000 and 18,000 won. Routes like 6015 to Myeongdong or 6002 to Hongdae run every 10-20 minutes from 4:30 AM to 10:30 PM. You can buy tickets at the airport bus stops or from the driver with cash or T-money.
🚕 Taxi Options and Scams
Regular taxis from Incheon to central Seoul cost around 50,000-70,000 won, while deluxe taxis are about 80,000-100,000 won. Avoid unlicensed drivers at the arrivals hall; always use the official taxi queue. Some drivers may refuse the meter, so insist on the meter or choose a different cab.
🚗 Ride-Hailing Apps
Apps like Kakao T and Uber are available in Seoul, offering fixed prices for airport trips. A ride from Incheon to Gangnam costs roughly 60,000-80,000 won. Book through the app to avoid language barriers and ensure transparent pricing.
🚐 Private Transfer Services
Pre-booked private transfers cost around 70,000-120,000 won depending on vehicle size and destination. Companies like KTravelBus or Seoul Airport Transfer offer door-to-door service with English-speaking drivers. This is ideal for groups or those with heavy luggage.
💳 T-Money Card Tips
Buy a T-money card at the airport convenience store for 2,500 won and load it with cash. It works on AREX trains, city buses, and subways, and you can get a refund for remaining balance at the airport. To save time, load at least 20,000 won for your first few days.
⏰ Late-Night Travel
After midnight, the AREX and most buses stop running, so your options are taxis or ride-hailing apps. The N6001 night bus runs from Incheon to Seoul Station from 11:30 PM to 4:30 AM, costing 9,000 won. Taxis at night may have surcharges, so check the meter carefully.
The guide is solid, but one thing I'd add is that if you're landing at Terminal 2, the AREX Express actually starts there and stops at Terminal 1 before heading to Seoul Station. A lot of people don't realize that and end up waiting for the wrong train. Also, for the limousine bus, the 6015 to Myeongdong is great but traffic on the way in can turn that 60-minute ride into 90 minutes easily, especially on Friday afternoons.
yeah the guide covers it well but one thing i'd mention is that if you're traveling with a group of 3 or 4, a regular taxi from the airport to central seoul can actually be cheaper per person than the express train and way more convenient. split 60k won four ways and it's only 15k each, plus no hauling luggage through the station. just make sure they use the meter or you'll get ripped off
Nice write-up. One thing I'd add is that Kakao T has a "call taxi" option where you just put in your destination and it shows the fare upfront, which is perfect for avoiding the language barrier with drivers who don't speak English. I've used it a few times from the airport and it always worked smoothly, even late at night.