Smooth Ride to Incheon Airport: Seoul Station City Airport Terminal Experience

This post shares a real Chuseok holiday experience using the AREX Express Train from the Seoul Station City Airport Terminal. It covers the entire flow from check-in and luggage drop-off to boarding the express train and arriving at Incheon Airport.
Holiday crowds, airline-specific waiting times, and practical tips for using the AREX system smoothly are included to help travelers plan better during peak seasons.
Using the AREX Express Train During Chuseok
For this trip, the Airport Railroad Express was used from Seoul Station City Airport Terminal during the Chuseok holiday. Since peak seasons often sell out quickly, preparing the AREX Express ticket in advance was essential.
Although on-site ticket purchases are possible, holidays significantly increase the risk of sold-out seats, making pre-booking the safer option.
Step-by-Step Flow at the City Airport Terminal
The overall process was straightforward. After preparing the AREX Express ticket, the next step was lining up at the airline counter to check in luggage, followed by security screening.
Once security was completed and the red stamp was placed on the boarding pass, boarding the AREX Express Train became the final step before heading to Incheon Airport.
Airline Check-in Waiting Time Differences
Waiting times varied greatly by airline. Korean Air passengers experienced longer queues because Morning Calm members and general passengers shared the same line.
The total waiting time for Korean Air check-in reached approximately fifty minutes, while other airlines had noticeably shorter lines.
Asiana Airlines and Priority Line Differences
Asiana Airlines provided a more structured check-in experience by separating lines for general passengers and Diamond or Gold members.
This distinction helped reduce congestion and made the waiting process feel more organized compared to airlines with shared queues.
Security Screening and Final Preparation
After luggage drop-off, passengers proceeded to security screening inside the City Airport Terminal. Receiving the red stamp on the boarding pass was a key step that confirmed completion.
Once this stage was finished, there was no need to repeat standard departure procedures at Incheon Airport, which saved significant time.
Boarding the AREX Express Train
With all procedures completed, boarding the AREX Express Train was smooth and stress-free. Even during Chuseok, the boarding process itself remained orderly.
The express ride directly to Incheon Airport allowed passengers to relax instead of worrying about traffic or transfers.
Arriving at Incheon Airport with Ease
Arriving at Incheon Airport after completing check-in and security in advance felt significantly different from usual holiday travel experiences.
Skipping long airport queues made the overall journey feel efficient and far less exhausting, even during peak travel periods.
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