Enjoy Your Trip Until the Very Last Minute Before Returning Home!

✈️ How to Use Seoul Station's Airport Check-In Service

On the last day of your trip to Korea, getting around with your suitcase is really tough, isn't it? 😭

Have you ever thought, “I want to do a little more sightseeing, but what should I do with this luggage?” or “I have to get to the airport early…”?

Actually, at Seoul Station, you can take care of everything at once: “check-in + baggage drop-off + immigration” ✨

Just knowing about this can completely change how you spend your time on the day you return home!

Sightsee hands-free and head straight to the airport.

It's a great travel hack for making the most of your final day in Korea 🎒

🏢 What Is the Seoul Station City Airport Terminal?

✨ It Feels Like Having an Airport Right at Seoul Station

At the City Airport Terminal on the second basement level of Seoul Station, passengers flying on international flights departing from Incheon International Airport can complete the following three procedures in advance.

📋 What You Can Do at Seoul Station

✅ Check in for your flight

✅ Drop off checked baggage, such as suitcases

✅ Complete immigration procedures (※ eligible passengers only)

In other words, once you've completed everything at Seoul Station, all you have to do is enjoy sightseeing hands-free and then head straight to the airport 🙌

💡 Here Are the Benefits

🎯 5 Major Benefits of Checking In in Advance

① Enjoy sightseeing light and unencumbered by large luggage

② No need to stand in long lines at the airport

③ Pass smoothly through a dedicated lane at Incheon Airport

④ Significantly reduce the time spent checking in at the airport

⑤ Enjoy sightseeing in Seoul until the very last minute on your return day

The biggest appeal is that by reducing the time spent on airport procedures, you can enjoy sightseeing around Seoul for longer than usual 😊

📝 Check the Eligibility Requirements

⚠️ It's Not Available to Everyone

The City Airport Terminal is convenient, but there are several requirements for using it.

Be sure to check them carefully in advance!

✈️ Eligible Airports and Flights

✅ Eligible Flights

• International flights departing from Incheon International Airport only (Gimpo Airport is not eligible)

• Scheduled flights only (charter and nonscheduled flights are not eligible)

• Flights departing on the same day only (check-in is not available the day before)

🏢 Eligible Airlines (as of January 2026)

The airlines available for this service are limited, so be sure to check in advance.

📍 Departures from Incheon Airport Terminal 1 (T1)

• Jeju Air

• T'way Air

• Eastar Jet

📍 Departures from Incheon Airport Terminal 2 (T2)

• Korean Air

• Asiana Airlines (moved to T2 on January 14, 2026)

• Jin Air

• Air Busan

• Air Seoul

【Important Notice for January 2026】

✈️ Asiana Airlines moved to Terminal 2 (T2) on January 14, 2026.

It used Terminal 1 (T1) before then, so the information may vary depending on your flight.

Be sure to check the latest terminal information before boarding.

⚠️ Airlines Not Eligible

Japanese airlines such as JAL (Japan Airlines), ANA (All Nippon Airways), and Peach currently do not support Seoul Station's advance check-in service.

🚄 Purchasing an A'REX Express Train Ticket Is Required

To use the City Airport Terminal, you must have a ticket for the Airport Railroad A'REX express train.

You will need to show the QR code when entering the check-in counter area 📱

💡 Key Points

• Tickets can be purchased on-site or online in advance

• Seat reservations are required

• Tickets may sell out during peak periods, so advance purchase is recommended

• You can check in even if you do not actually ride the A'REX (purchasing a ticket is still required)

⏰ Check-In Cutoff Times (Extremely Important)

The cutoff time differs depending on the terminal.

Once the cutoff has passed, advance check-in will no longer be available, so be sure to check carefully ⚠️

🚨 Cutoff Times

Flights departing from Terminal 1 (T1):

Procedures must be completed no later than 3 hours before departure

Flights departing from Terminal 2 (T2):

Procedures must be completed no later than 3 hours and 20 minutes before departure

Example)

For a flight departing from Incheon Airport Terminal 1 at 17:00

→ Check-in is available from 5:20 to 14:00 on the same day

📌 Hours of Operation

Check-in counter hours: 5:20–19:00 (last check-in at 18:50)

Immigration inspection hours: 5:30–19:00

📍 How to Use the Service (Step by Step)

STEP 1: Go to the Second Basement Level of Seoul Station

Inside Seoul Station, there is tape on the floor marked “Airport Lane.” Simply follow it to easily reach the City Airport Terminal.

If you come from Subway Line 4, you'll be on the opposite side of the station, so approaching from Line 1 or the Lotte Mart side is smoother 💡

STEP 2: Purchase an A'REX Ticket (Skip This Step if You Purchased One in Advance)

If you haven't purchased an A'REX express train ticket yet, buy one at the counter or from a ticket machine on the second basement level.

⚠️ Note for Peak Periods

Afternoon trains may be sold out during busy periods. It's recommended to go earlier or purchase your ticket online in advance.

STEP 3: Go to the Check-In Counter

Scan the QR code on your A'REX ticket to enter through the City Airport Terminal entrance.

Go to the counter for your airline and complete the check-in process just as you would at the airport.

📋 What You Need

✓ Passport

✓ e-Ticket or flight reservation screen

✓ A'REX ticket (QR code)

 STEP 4: Drop Off Your Luggage and Wait 10–15 Minutes

After dropping off your suitcase, you will need to wait for 10–15 minutes.

This is the time needed for your luggage to undergo an X-ray inspection.

If there are no issues, your name will not be called, so proceed to immigration after the designated waiting time has passed.

STEP 5: Immigration (Eligible Passengers Only)

Complete immigration procedures at the immigration inspection area next to the check-in counters.

That's it for your procedures at Seoul Station 🎉

Once you're hands-free and feeling light, enjoy shopping, food, and sightseeing to your heart's content 🛍️

STEP 6: Take the A'REX to Incheon Airport

When it's time for your reserved train, take the dedicated elevator next to the check-in counters on the second basement level to the platform.

Take your reserved seat and enjoy a comfortable ride to the airport 🚄

STEP 7: After Arriving at Incheon Airport

Once you arrive at Incheon Airport, go to the departure floor (third floor).

Do not go to your airline's counter; proceed directly to the departure gate.

You can use the dedicated entrance for “City Airport Terminal users,” located next to the regular entrance, allowing you to avoid the crowds and pass through smoothly ✨

✅ What to Do After Arriving at the Airport

① Go to the departure floor on the third floor

② Go to the dedicated entrance for “City Airport Terminal users”

③ Complete the security screening

④ Show your passport and boarding pass to the staff

⑤ Proceed to your boarding gate

The dedicated lane is genuinely much less crowded, so you can breeze through security screening, which normally takes more than an hour 🙌

⚠️ Important Things to Know

🚨 Be Careful of Crowds During Peak Periods

Check-in normally takes about 10 minutes, but during consecutive holidays and sightseeing seasons, the wait can be anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours.

Low-cost carriers (LCCs), especially Jeju Air and Jin Air, tend to be particularly crowded 💦

💡 Tips for Avoiding Crowds

• During peak periods, plan to arrive at Seoul Station before 7:00 a.m.

• Purchase your A'REX ticket online by the day before

• Make a schedule that allows plenty of extra time

💼 Some Luggage Cannot Be Checked

⚠️ Items That Cannot Be Checked

• Oversized items measuring 150 cm or more in length

• Some sporting equipment (except golf clubs)

• Musical instruments

• Pets

If you have any of these items, you will need to complete the procedure at the Incheon Airport counter as usual.

🛍️ About Tax Refund Procedures

If you need to complete tax refund procedures, the process differs depending on the refund amount.

💰 Tax Refund Rules

Refund amount under KRW 75,000:

Airport tax refund procedures are exempted, so you may place the items in your suitcase and check it in

Refund amount of KRW 75,000 or more:

You must declare the items at airport customs with the products and required documents, so carry them to the airport as hand luggage

🛒 Restrictions on Souvenir Purchases

Any souvenirs purchased after checking in your suitcase through the advance check-in service must be carried onto the plane.

Carry-on baggage is subject to weight and size restrictions, so be careful if you plan to buy a large number of souvenirs 🎁

✈️ How Many Hours Before Your Flight Should You Arrive at the Airport?

Even if you have completed advance check-in, you still need to go through airport security screening.

According to a survey of actual users, approximately 50% aim to arrive at the airport 2 hours before departure.

⏰ Recommended Arrival Time

• Regular periods: 2 hours before departure

• Peak periods: 2.5–3 hours before departure (allow plenty of extra time)

Since you won't need to spend time checking in or going through immigration, you'll have more time to enjoy a final meal or some shopping at the airport 🍴

✨ Summary

Key Points for Advance Check-In at Seoul Station

• Available only for international flights departing from Incheon Airport (Gimpo Airport is not eligible)

• Advance confirmation is essential because only certain airlines are eligible

• Purchasing an A'REX express train ticket is a mandatory requirement

• The cutoff is 3 hours before departure for T1 and 3 hours 20 minutes before departure for T2

• Expect crowds during peak periods and allow plenty of time

• Asiana Airlines moved to T2 on January 14, 2026

• The ultimate time-saving hack: sightsee hands-free and use a dedicated lane at the airport

With this service, you can enjoy sightseeing in Seoul

until the very last minute before returning home 🇰🇷

Free yourself from bulky luggage and enjoy the final day of your trip to Korea light and carefree ✨