# Which train should you take from Gimpo Airport to your Seoul hotel?

> Choose Gimpo Airport trains by your Seoul neighborhood: AREX all-stop, Subway Line 5 or Line 9. Includes Hongdae, Seoul Station and Myeongdong connections.

- Source: https://clevertourists.com/resources/gimpo-airport-to-seoul-arex-subway-guide
- Authors: Evan & Clara, Clever Tourists (first-hand, from years of travel across 20 countries)
- Published: 2026-11-09

**From Gimpo Airport, choose the AREX all-stop train, Subway Line 5 or Line 9 according to where you are staying in Seoul.** The AREX Express runs between Incheon Airport and Seoul Station without stopping at Gimpo, so it is not the train to book for a Gimpo arrival. Start with the airport code GMP and your hotel’s nearest useful station.

## Gimpo is not Incheon

GMP and ICN are different airports. Domestic connections and some international services use Gimpo, so do not buy an Incheon airport transfer based only on an itinerary saying Seoul. Check the actual arrival airport and terminal before searching for transport.

Korea Airports Corporation’s Gimpo transport page shows the airport railway and subway routes. Follow signs for the railway from your terminal, allowing for the walk to the station. If you need an accessible route, check the terminal map or ask staff before committing to an entrance with stairs.

## Choose a line by the neighborhood

The AREX all-stop route serves Hongik University, Gongdeok and Seoul Station after Gimpo when travelling toward central Seoul. That makes it a useful first comparison for Hongdae or a main-station connection. Read the direction and station list before boarding.

Line 5 and Line 9 serve different parts of Seoul. They can be more convenient for a hotel on their corridor than travelling to Seoul Station and doubling back. Compare a hotel-to-hotel or airport-to-door journey rather than choosing a railway because its name sounds faster.

| Your destination | Route to compare first | What to check |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Hongdae / Hongik University | AREX all-stop toward Seoul | Correct station exit for your hotel |
| Seoul Station | AREX all-stop toward Seoul | The walk onward within a large station |
| Myeongdong | AREX to Seoul Station, then a Line 4 itinerary | Transfer walk and the final hotel exit |
| A Line 5 or Line 9 neighborhood | The relevant subway line | Train stopping pattern and final destination |

## Do not buy the Incheon Express by mistake

The official Seoul airport guide distinguishes the non-stop Incheon Express from the all-stop service that calls at Gimpo. An attractive Express ticket listing is not an upgrade to your Gimpo route if the train does not stop there.

For an all-stop or subway journey, follow the station’s ticket or transit-card instructions. Look up the current fare for your destination rather than applying an Incheon fare to Gimpo. Our [T-money and subway guide](https://clevertourists.com/resources/south-korea-transit-t-money-card-subway-guide) covers the everyday payment decisions.

## Luggage and the last walk may decide it

A rail itinerary with a change can work well when you travel light and the hotel is close to a lift-equipped exit. With several cases, a stroller or limited mobility, compare a properly sized taxi or a suitable direct service against the entire station route.

Keep the Korean hotel address or map pin ready for a driver. Confirm the destination, passenger count, bags and payment arrangement before leaving the pickup point. Avoid treating a quoted base fare or a short road distance as a guaranteed door-to-door total.

## For an early flight, check the first usable train

Search from your real hotel station to the correct Gimpo terminal and work backward from airline check-in. A line that is convenient in the afternoon may not start early enough for your departure. Leave an alternative in the plan if the first train gives no buffer.

For a trip using both Seoul airports, keep separate arrival and departure transfers. Our [Incheon–Seoul guide](https://clevertourists.com/resources/incheon-airport-to-seoul-arex-vs-airport-limousine-bus-guide) covers ICN, while [where to stay in Seoul](https://clevertourists.com/resources/where-to-stay-in-seoul) helps choose a base that suits the rest of the trip.

## Frequently asked questions

### Does the AREX Express stop at Gimpo?

No. Use the AREX all-stop service for Gimpo. The Express runs non-stop between Incheon Airport and Seoul Station.

### Can I go directly from Gimpo to Hongdae by train?

The AREX all-stop route calls at Hongik University on the way toward Seoul Station. Choose the station exit that fits your hotel.

### Should I take Line 5 or Line 9 from Gimpo?

Choose by your hotel’s location and the full journey. The two lines serve different corridors, so neither is the universal best choice.

## Official sources

- [Gimpo Airport: public transport and route maps](https://www.airport.co.kr/gimpoeng/cms/frCon/index.do?CONTENTS_NO=2&MENU_ID=270)
- [Seoul Tourism: AREX express versus all-stop routes](https://english.visitseoul.net/airport-to-seoul)