Leaving Seoul from Hongdae and heading to Incheon Airport? The cheapest, most weatherproof way is the AREX airport train — it runs underground straight into the airport terminal, so bad weather never delays you, and it costs a fraction of the airport bus. There’s just one trap that catches a lot of first-timers at Hongik Univ Station, and we’ll clear that up first.
The short version
From Hongik Univ Station (홍대입구) you take the AREX all-stop (commuter) train — the nonstop Express only runs between Seoul Station and the airport, so it doesn’t stop at Hongdae. Find the Airport Railroad entrance on the AK Plaza side (Exits 3–5), not the Line 2 side. Tap in with a T-money card or buy a single-journey ticket from the English machine, ride about 52–60 minutes, and pay roughly ₩4,650 to Terminal 1 or ₩5,250 to Terminal 2. Simple, once you’re on the right platform. (If you’re weighing it against the bus or a taxi, see our Incheon Airport to Seoul guide.)
Why take the AREX from Hongdae?
Hongik Univ is the AREX station most foreign travelers use, and for good reason:
- It’s cheap. About ₩4,650–5,250 versus ₩16,000–18,000 for an airport limousine bus.
- It’s weatherproof. You go down from the street and come up inside the airport terminal — no waiting in the rain, no traffic.
- It’s reliable. A train every few minutes, unaffected by the road congestion that can wreck a bus or taxi timing.
First, find the right station: the AK Plaza side, not Line 2
Here’s the trap. Hongik Univ Station is really three stations stacked together — Line 2, the AREX airport train, and the Gyeongui–Jungang line — each with its own gates and exits. People habitually walk to the Line 2 side and end up on the wrong platform.
The easy landmark: the AK& Hongdae (AK Plaza) department store sits right on top of the AREX entrance, around Exits 4–5. Look for the “Airport Railroad / 공항철도” signs (a plane-and-train icon, station code A03) — the entrance is literally marked “공항철도입구” (Airport Railroad Entrance).
Quick rule of thumb for the exits: Line 2 = Exits 1, 2, 8, 9; AREX = Exits 3, 4, 5. If you’re transferring from Line 2, just follow the “Airport Railroad (AREX)” signs to the separate airport-train gates — allow a couple of minutes for the walk.
Express vs all-stop — from Hongdae, take the all-stop
AREX runs two services, and this is where Hongdae is different from Seoul Station:
- Express (직통) — nonstop, reserved seats, Seoul Station ↔ airport only. It does not stop at Hongdae.
- All-Stop / Commuter (일반) — stops at every AREX station, including Hongik Univ. This is the one you take.
On the platform, check the direction sign: Incheon Int’l Airport one way, Seoul Station the other. Make sure you’re on the Incheon Airport side.
Buying a ticket
Two easy options:
- T-money / transit card (cheapest, simplest) — just tap in and tap out. Nothing to buy.
- Single-journey ticket — use the touchscreen machine (it has an English menu), pick your destination (Incheon Airport Terminal 1 or 2), and pay by cash or card. You get a plastic card with a ₩500 deposit built in.
Hold onto that single-journey card — when you arrive, drop it into a deposit-refund machine to get your ₩500 back.
Fares and journey time
Prices and times from Hongik Univ (checked 2026 — confirm on arex.or.kr):
| To | Transit card | Single-journey ticket | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incheon Terminal 1 | ₩4,650 | ₩4,750 + ₩500 deposit* | ~52–54 min |
| Incheon Terminal 2 | ₩5,250 | ₩5,350 + ₩500 deposit* | ~58–60 min |
*The ₩500 deposit is refunded when you return the ticket at the airport. Terminal 1 comes first; Terminal 2 is the last stop — check your airline’s terminal before you board.
Timetable (and the late-night gap)
Approximate all-stop times at Hongik Univ — AREX added trains in December 2025, so always confirm same-day times on arex.or.kr or a live map app:
- Toward the airport: first train ~05:30, last ~00:08 (just after midnight).
- From the airport toward Hongdae: first ~05:20, last all-stop ~22:48.
- Frequency: as tight as every 3–4 minutes at peak since the December 2025 increase; roughly every 10–12 minutes late evening.
- The gap: after the last train (~midnight) there are no AREX trains until dawn — land late and you’ll need an airport bus or taxi.
On the train
The all-stop is a normal commuter train — no reserved seats, so at busy times with big luggage you may end up standing near the doors. It’s still a smooth, quiet ride. The screen above the door shows your current station, your terminal, and which side the doors open, in English too, so you won’t miss your stop.
And there’s a small reward on the way: as the train crosses the bridge to the airport island, you get an open view over the sea.
Mistakes to avoid
- Going to the Line 2 platform. Follow the Airport Railroad / AK Plaza signs (Exits 3–5), not the green Line 2 signs.
- Waiting for the Express at Hongdae. It doesn’t stop here — take the all-stop.
- Boarding for the wrong terminal. T1 first, T2 last stop — know your terminal.
- Cutting the last train close. After ~midnight you’re into taxi territory. Check the day’s schedule.
- Forgetting the ₩500 deposit. Return your single-journey card at the airport to get it back.
FAQ
Does the AREX Express stop at Hongdae?
No. The Express runs nonstop between Seoul Station and the airport. From Hongik Univ you take the all-stop (commuter) train, which stops at every AREX station.
How much is the AREX from Hongdae to Incheon Airport?
About ₩4,650 to Terminal 1 and ₩5,250 to Terminal 2 with a T-money card. A single-journey ticket is roughly ₩100 more plus a ₩500 refundable deposit.
Can I take luggage on the AREX all-stop?
Yes, but there are no reserved seats and limited luggage space, so at peak times you may stand near the doors. It’s still easy and comfortable.
Where’s the AREX entrance at Hongik Univ Station?
On the AK& Hongdae (AK Plaza) side, around Exits 3–5. Look for the “Airport Railroad / 공항철도” signs, not the Line 2 exits.
Is there early check-in near Hongdae?
Not at Hongdae. The city airport terminal for early check-in and bag drop is at Seoul Station (and Gwangmyeong Station), not at Hongik Univ.
Read next: once you’re in the city, get around with Naver Map, tap through every gate with a T-money card, and get online the moment you land with a Korea eSIM. Not booked a room yet? Here’s which Seoul neighbourhood to base yourself in — Hongdae, where this train drops you, is one of the strongest picks.