AREX — Map, Lines, Route, Hours, Tickets

AREX Information

AREX, spelled A’REX for branding purposes, is essentially a rapid transit service in South Korea that connects the capital city of Seoul with Incheon International Airport and Gimpo Airport. The line between these two airports was opened in March 2007, and in December 2010 the line was extended to Seoul Station. Owned by the Korea Rail Network Authority and operated by Airport Railroad Co. Ltd, the AREX metro has 11 stations and covers 61 km.

After its great success in Seoul, the city of Incheon requested the construction of three new stations. This year, the AREX will pass through Geomam station, eventually connecting with Incheon Subway Line 2. Interestingly, the South Korean government wants to further improve the service by reducing travel time from Seoul to 95% of the country by 2020.

AREX Line Map

Map of AREX howing its stations. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the AREX map in PDF format.

AREX Phases

Originally abbreviated IREX, Phase 1 of the line was planned to run between Incheon International Airport and Gimpo Airport. Planned in 1998, the line was renamed AREX due to various problems and became operational in March 2007. The line was 37.6 km long.

Phase 2 became fully operational in November 2011 and runs between Gimpo International Airport and Seoul Station. With a depot included in this section, the total length of the network increased to 61.7 km.

AREX Schedule

The first trains depart around 5:00 a.m. and the last trains leave the station at midnight.
The express trains that run between Incheon International Airport and Seoul Station run every 20-40 minutes and the journey takes about 43 minutes. The All Stop trains, on the other hand, run every 15 minutes and take slightly longer, taking a total of 56 minutes.

However, between Gimpo International Airport and Seoul Station there are only All Stop trains, which take approximately 20 minutes between each station.

AREX Fares, Tickets and Cards

Fares for express trains between Incheon International Airport and Seoul City are 8000 won for adults and 6,900 won for children. No deposit is required for these tickets.

Fares for All Stop trains between Incheon International Airport and Seoul City are slightly cheaper at 4250 won for adults, 3090 won for youth and 1900 won for children.

Travelling between Gimpo Station and Seoul Station is cheaper, with a ticket costing 1450 won.

Note: A 500-won deposit is required at the time of purchase and is refundable upon return of the card at the destination. Fares are based on single use tickets.