Railway Linking Seoul Station and Incheon Airport Opens

December 29, 2010 11:33

The railway between Seoul Station and Gimpo Airport opened on Tuesday, finally completing the long airport train route linking downtown Seoul with Incheon International Airport.

Construction of the Gimpo-Seoul Station line took seven years and cost some W2.48 trillion (US$1=W1,149). The 37.6-km section between Gimpo and Incheon airports began operating in March 2007.

Crew check the interior of the airport train operating between Seoul Station and Incheon International Airport at the opening ceremony in the railway station on Tuesday. /Yonhap

Traveling from central Seoul to Incheon Airport now takes just 43 minutes on express trains, which leave every 30 minutes and cost W13,300. Normal trains, which operate every six minutes, take 53 minutes for W3,700.

Train fare between Seoul Station and Gimpo Airport is W1,200.

In comparison, limousine bus service from central Seoul to Incheon Airport costs around W10,000 for a 70-minute journey, while taxis charge W67,500 and take about an hour. Driving also takes about an hour, and incurs costs of some W15,500.

The train will stop at Digital Media City Station, Hongik University Station, and also Gongdeok Station, which is due to be open at the end of 2011.

A luggage terminal also opened in Seoul Station on Tuesday, allowing passengers to check-in and drop off luggage to be transported to the airport.