If you fly into Gimpo instead of Incheon, count yourself lucky. Gimpo Airport sits inside Seoul, so getting to Hongdae or Myeongdong is quick, cheap, and hard to get wrong.
Here is the short version: for Hongdae, ride the AREX all-stop train from Gimpo Airport Station to Hongik University Station, about 15 minutes and roughly 1,650 won. For Myeongdong, stay on the AREX to Seoul Station (about 22 minutes) and transfer to subway Line 4, two stops to Myeongdong Station, or take airport limousine bus 6001 straight there in 45 minutes to an hour for about 7,000 won. I have used the AREX route many times, and it is the most reliable way I know to get into the city from Gimpo.
Photo: Ken Eckert, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
How do I get from Gimpo Airport to Hongdae?
Take the AREX all-stop train directly to Hongik University Station. It is the station for Hongdae, and the train runs straight from the airport without any transfers.
Inside the terminal, follow the signs for the airport railroad (AREX). The station connects to the airport building, so you stay indoors. Tap your T-money card and board any all-stop train toward Seoul Station. Hongik University Station is the fourth stop, and most Hongdae hotels are a short walk from exit 1 or 2.
I rode this route with a full suitcase last spring. The trains have open space near the doors for bags, and the ride is so short that a taxi is rarely worth it unless you arrive very late.
Photo: MNXANL, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
How long does the train take, and what does it cost?
The ride from Gimpo Airport to Hongik University Station takes about 15 minutes and costs roughly 1,650 won with a transit card. Trains run about every 10 minutes through most of the day.
That is one of the best values in Seoul. The same train continues to Seoul Station in about 22 minutes for roughly 1,750 won. Your T-money card works on the AREX from Gimpo. Single-journey tickets need a small refundable deposit.
Which route should I take to Myeongdong?
The simplest train route is AREX to Seoul Station, then Line 4 to Myeongdong Station. Budget about 35 to 40 minutes door to door.
Stay on the all-stop train all the way to Seoul Station, then follow the transfer signs for Line 4 (the blue line) two stops to Myeongdong Station. Both stations have elevators and escalators, which matters when you are hauling luggage.
There is also a no-transfer bus option. Airport limousine bus 6001 runs from Gimpo Airport to Myeongdong, stopping at hotels along the way. The fare is about 7,000 won and the trip takes 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic. Buses run during the day and evening, so confirm one is still running if your flight lands late.
Photo: 阿貴, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Is there a direct bus from Gimpo Airport to Hongdae?
There is no strong reason to take a bus to Hongdae. The AREX train is faster, cheaper, and runs more often than any bus option.
Airport limousine buses do serve Gimpo, but the main routes head to places like Mokdong, Gwangmyeong, and Nowon, not Hongdae. Stick with the train. If you have very heavy luggage and still prefer a door-to-door ride, a taxi from Gimpo to Hongdae takes 15 to 20 minutes and usually meters 20,000 to 25,000 won in daytime traffic.
Photo: U0894629, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Should I take a taxi instead?
A taxi makes sense late at night, with small children, or when you are splitting the fare with friends. Otherwise the train wins.
From Gimpo, a daytime taxi to Hongdae meters 20,000 to 25,000 won, and to Myeongdong about 30,000 won for a ride of roughly 50 minutes. After 10 PM a late-night surcharge applies, so the meter climbs fast. Always use the official taxi stand and make sure the driver turns the meter on. Ordering through the Kakao T app keeps the fare logged and on-meter.
Which option is fastest?
| Option | Route | Time | Fare (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| AREX all-stop to Hongdae | Gimpo Airport to Hongik Univ. Station | About 15 min | About 1,650 won |
| AREX + Line 4 to Myeongdong | Gimpo Airport to Seoul Station, then Line 4 | 35-40 min | Under 2,500 won |
| Bus 6001 to Myeongdong | Gimpo Airport to Myeongdong hotel stops | 45-60 min | About 7,000 won |
| Taxi to Hongdae | Direct, official taxi stand | 15-20 min | 20,000-25,000 won |
| Taxi to Myeongdong | Direct, official taxi stand | About 50 min | About 30,000 won |
Fares are for 2026 and assume daytime travel with a transit card where it applies. Traffic can stretch road times, so the train figures are the most dependable.
What if my flight arrives very late?
If you land close to midnight, the AREX and the subway are near their last trains, so clear the arrivals hall quickly. After the trains stop, your real choices are a taxi or a pre-booked car, and both get more expensive after the 10 PM surcharge kicks in.
Bus 6001 also stops running in the evening, so it is strictly a daytime option. My rule for late arrivals: if your hotel is on a major road, an on-meter taxi is fine. If you are deep in the back streets of Hongdae, where drivers sometimes get confused, a booked pickup is worth the peace of mind.
Photo: Adbar, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frequently asked questions
Can I use my T-money card on the AREX from Gimpo?
Yes. T-money works on the AREX all-stop trains from Gimpo. Just tap in and out like a normal subway ride. If you do not have a card yet, convenience stores in the arrivals hall sell them, and the ticket machines sell single-journey tickets with a refundable deposit.
How do I find the AREX station inside Gimpo Airport?
Follow the signs for the airport railroad (AREX) from the arrivals hall. The station connects to the terminal building, so you stay indoors. The signs are in English. Board a train toward Seoul Station and get off at Hongik University Station.
Is Gimpo Airport far from central Seoul?
Not at all. Gimpo sits inside Seoul's Gangseo district, only about 13 kilometers from Hongdae by road. That is why transfers are so quick and cheap compared with Incheon, which lies well outside the city. From Gimpo, you can usually be at your hotel in under an hour.
Can I take the subway somewhere other than Hongdae or Myeongdong?
Yes. Five rail lines meet at Gimpo Airport Station. Line 5 goes straight to Yeouido, Gwanghwamun, Jongno, and Dongdaemun with no transfer, and the Line 9 express reaches Gangnam-area stations like Express Bus Terminal and Sinnonhyeon. Check a subway map app before you board so you pick the line closest to your hotel.
What should I know about the last train?
Subway and AREX service generally ends around midnight, so late arrivals need to move quickly through the terminal. If your flight is delayed and you miss the last train, use the official taxi stand or a pre-booked car, and do not follow touts inside the arrivals hall.
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