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sojusucks
Joined: 31 May 2008
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 Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 2:03 am Post subject: Railway linking Seoul to Incheon airport now open |
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Railway links Seoul to Incheon airport
Korea officially opened a direct railway linking downtown Seoul with the country�s main airport on Tuesday, a move that will greatly improve the convenience of travelers, the government said.
The Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs said full-fledged commercial operation of the second phase of the railway system will start Wednesday and is expected to fuel greater use of trains by travelers.
The 20.4-kilometer section of railway, which cost 2.48 trillion won ($2.15 billion), connects Seoul Station in the central part of the capital city with Gimpo Airport, and will effectively reduce travel time and cost for passengers bound for Incheon International Airport station, located at the country�s largest airport.
The second phase follows the completion of the first leg of construction that linked Gimpo, on the western outskirts of the capital, with IIA. That 37.6-kilometer-long railway was opened to the public in March 2007.
Construction on the entire double-track airport railway line started in 2001 at cost of 4.22 trillion won.
The ministry said a passenger on a train with local service can reach IIA on Yeongjong Island from Seoul Station in 53 minutes at a cost of 3,700 won, compared to traveling over an hour on a limousine bus that costs 15,000. It said that same distance can be covered by a taxi in just under an hour, if there is no traffic, but at a cost of 67,500 won.
People who board an express train can make the trip in 43 minutes for 13,300 won.
Authorities, meanwhile, said the opening of the train service could greatly push up the number of travelers and help the country cut back on energy use by getting people to take public transportation.
Besides the opening of the railway service, Seoul is moving to connect the Korea Train Express bullet train with the Seoul Station-IIA line by the end of 2012. Such a connection would allow a person to travel from Busan, in the southeastern corner of the country, to Incheon airport in two hours and 40 minutes, down sharply from six hours at present.
Because the KTX trains can travel at 180 kilometers per hour, they will be able to ferry passengers from downtown Seoul to IIA in about 28 minutes. (Yonhap News) |
http://www.koreaherald.com/national/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20101228000958 |
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sojusucks
Joined: 31 May 2008
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| Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 2:14 am Post subject: |
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A couple posters have had some intelligent discussions about this new link in the Incheon Airport line to Seoul Station and it is now open. I will repeat my belief that this line is not going to help those of us who live in Korea but it will greatly assist the weekend and weekly tourists from Japan and China who come to Korea to shop at Seoul Station and Myeong Dong, plus it will also aid medical tourists who are also major financial contributors to that part of Seoul.
Anywho, here's a link with the new stations. http://www.arex.or.kr/jsp/eng/main.jsp |
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sallymonster
Joined: 06 Feb 2010
Location: Seattle area
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| Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 2:36 am Post subject: |
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| sojusucks wrote: |
A couple posters have had some intelligent discussions about this new link in the Incheon Airport line to Seoul Station and it is now open. I will repeat my belief that this line is not going to help those of us who live in Korea but it will greatly assist the weekend and weekly tourists from Japan and China who come to Korea to shop at Seoul Station and Myeong Dong, plus it will also aid medical tourists who are also major financial contributors to that part of Seoul.
Anywho, here's a link with the new stations. http://www.arex.or.kr/jsp/eng/main.jsp |
I am so glad this line is open, and I think it will help. During peak travel times, there can be huge waits for the airport buses. For example, when I returned from my trip to Japan at the end of Chuseok week, there was a two hour wait to get on the airport bus to Suwon. Thank god that when I fly back from my upcoming Lunar New Year trip that I'll have another transportation option. |
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Jane
Joined: 01 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 4:21 am Post subject: |
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| Anybody know if you can use your T-money card for the whole journey? |
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sojusucks
Joined: 31 May 2008
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| Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 12:20 pm Post subject: |
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| Jane wrote: |
| Anybody know if you can use your T-money card for the whole journey? |
You can use T-Money on AREX (this line). |
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sojusucks
Joined: 31 May 2008
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| Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 12:25 pm Post subject: |
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http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2930255
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Leaving on a jet-bound train: 43 min. to Incheon
The long-awaited express train from downtown Seoul to Incheon International Airport starts service today, cutting down travel time, allowing in-town check-in for some airlines, and even giving a choice of two fares for travelers on a tight budget.
The Incheon International Airport Railroad (AREX) linking Seoul Station to Incheon International Airport will whisk travelers to their flights in 43 minutes, roughly 15 minutes shorter than via airport limousine. The fare is 13,300 won ($11.59) and makes no stops. The express train runs every 30 minutes, and operating hours are from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
A local train with 10 stops runs the same Incheon route in 53 minutes and only costs 3,700 won. The stops include Hongik University, Digital Media City, Gimpo Airport, Gyeyang, Geomam, Unseo and Incheon International Airport Cargo Terminal. (Gongdeok Station will open at the end of next year.) The hours of the commuter line are 5:20 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Travelers departing for Gimpo Airport can use the local line from Seoul Station. The trip takes 19 minutes and costs 1,200 won.
Travelers departing Incheon on Korean Air, Asiana Airlines and Jeju Air can check in at Seoul Station, select their airline seats and surrender their luggage, and more airlines will be offering the service in the future.
Only passengers taking the express train can check in at Seoul Station.
Immigration services will also be available at Seoul Station in the future, according to the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs, but it didn�t say when.
With the new service from Seoul Station, travelers will be allowed to check in and check their luggage in the morning, go to work or tour around Seoul, and head to the airport in the afternoon or evening.
The new trains will also allow Incheon residents to commute to Seoul in a shorter time. Currently the commute takes more than two hours by express bus.
Analysts said the new line will benefit residents of and visitors to western and northern Seoul, but people from the south side of the Han River are better serviced by airport limousines, which take roughly an hour to get to Gangnam.
Four airlines allow departure procedures at the inner-city terminal in Samseong Station in Gangnam, but it has no direct train to either Incheon or Gimpo airports.
By Yoo Sun-young [[email protected]]
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waynehead
Joined: 18 Apr 2006
Location: Jongno
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| Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 1:37 pm Post subject: |
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| I'm kinda surprised the express train isn't any quicker. 10 minutes less to save man won? I'll take the slow train. |
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JBomb
Joined: 16 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 4:42 pm Post subject: |
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| this is brilliant. can't wait to try this out in Jan when I head out to Malaysia for the holiday. |
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Captain Marlow
Joined: 23 Apr 2008
Location: darkness
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| Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 4:48 pm Post subject: |
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| does anyone know if you can take the ktx from daegu straight to the airport on this new track? or will you have to transfer at seoul station? |
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injuredeagle
Joined: 25 May 2010
Location: Then: Florida Now: Daegu
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| Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2010 1:15 am Post subject: |
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Captain,
I'm doing the same journey.
Yes, you have to take the KTX from DongDaegu to Seoul Station, then transfer to the new express line. I haven't done it yet, but from what I read, it's right in the station there, but I can't find where you buy tickets online so you may have to buy the tickets there. I have a link on my website to a Korea tourist site that gives pictures to show how to buy the ticket at a machine.
http://alexpickett.com/2010/12/29/new-airport-train-opens-daegu-to-incheon-airport-in-just-under-3-hours/ |
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sojusucks
Joined: 31 May 2008
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| Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2010 2:01 pm Post subject: |
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http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2930308
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On opening day, airport express trip�s a breeze
December 30, 2010There were no mile-long queues or busy platforms at yesterday�s opening of the fully completed AREX, the airport express that links Seoul Station and Incheon International Airport. And though there were some teething problems, passengers said they found the trains and service impressive and comfortable.
In a newly constructed annex at the west end of Seoul Station, passengers flying Korean Air, Asiana Airlines or Jeju Air were able to check in to their flights and go through immigration before getting on the train seven floors down.
But things were relatively quiet at the check-in counter in the morning hours yesterday.
�We�ve had roughly 30 people check in their bags, and we expect more throughout the day,� said a Korean Air employee who was working the check-in desk around 8:40 a.m., a little more than three hours after the station opened at 5:20 a.m.
Passing through immigration makes passengers� trips quicker and easier, said Kim Jeong-hwan, an official of Korail Airport Railroad Co., the operator of the newly finished line. Those who go through immigration at Seoul Station are allowed to pass through a specially marked section - without having to stand in line - after going through airport security.
The Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs had been waiting for approval from the Ministry of Justice to open an immigration line at Seoul Station, and only received official confirmation two nights ago - the night before the service to Incheon began. There had been some doubt from the Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs Ministry that they would get approval before the first day.
After bags are checked, passengers can either take the express or commuter line.
The express line goes directly from Seoul Station to Incheon International Airport, or vice versa, in 43 minutes, at an average speed of 100 kilometers per hour (62 miles per hour).
The other option for travelers is the commuter line, which makes seven stops - not including the Seoul Station and Incheon Airport terminals - and takes 53 minutes. Gongdeok Station will be opened in late 2011, which will bring the number of total stops to eight.
Getting tickets for the express train can be tricky for foreigners, because the tickets, which resemble credit cards, are bought at an information desk that doubles as a ticket booth next to the ticket gates. There are currently no English signs indicating where tickets can be bought.
�There are some points lacking because it is just the first day, but we are making improvements,� said Ahn Hye-young, an employee at the information desk.
Passengers who opt to get on the commuter line can use their T-money transportation cards.
Tickets for both the express and commuter lines can also be acquired at automated machines that take cash only. The machines, some of which were not yet operating, were scattered throughout the station and have Korean, English, Japanese and Chinese interfaces.
The express train, which leaves every 30 minutes and is four seats across, was quiet with just a handful of passengers yesterday morning. An attendant came by after the train departed to check that riders had tickets.
Free wireless internet is available on the express line for those who have access to Korean service providers SKT or KT.
There are LCD screens inside the cars that provide flight arrival and departure information, as well as local and international news and world weather information.
The commuter line is much like the Seoul subway, with seats facing each other against the car�s walls.
Passengers who are hungry can stop by at a convenience store after getting off at Incheon Airport, next to the station�s exit gates. Vending machines can also be found on station platforms.
Upon arrival at Incheon, inclined, moving walkways bring passengers to the floor below the airport departure area in about five minutes, and you don�t need to brave the elements outside. An escalator completes the trip to the departure area. The trickle of passengers from the early morning hours steadily grew into a stream towards the afternoon and many found the ride quiet and efficient.
�It was pleasant and we will use it again,� said Ji Bong-geun, 43, who went to the airport for a trip to China with his wife, son and daughter.
�I was planning on taking a car and parking it at the airport, but I heard of this the day before and decided otherwise,� Ji added. �It was much better than taking the car because of the snow and current road conditions.� Ji�s wife complimented the cleanliness of the train.
Erin Smith, 22, also found the trip good, though getting on the train was a little troublesome.
�So far it�s been good, but I think more signage is needed,� said the English teacher, who was headed to Beijing.
�But the people [at the station] were helpful because they came up to me to help when I looked pretty lost.�
For those like Smith, numerous workers have been positioned all over Seoul Station as well as at Incheon International Airport to assist AREX passengers through Jan. 5.
By Christine Kim, Allen Wagner [[email protected]]
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jvalmer
Joined: 06 Jun 2003
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| Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2010 3:03 pm Post subject: |
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| sojusucks wrote: |
| I will repeat my belief that this line is not going to help those of us who live in Korea |
Just wondering why you think it wouldn't help people living in Korea? It's another option, of course it would benefit us. |
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AustSaint
Joined: 26 Jun 2003
Location: Yongmun
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| Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2010 7:05 pm Post subject: |
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| I am looking forward to January to try it out when I go to France, I hope it makes things easier. |
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sojusucks
Joined: 31 May 2008
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| Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2010 7:47 pm Post subject: |
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| What I mean is that the main purpose of this new line is not to help us. It's to help tourists from Japan and China who are here for shopping or medical tourism. Obviously the new line can help some people who live in that area, but that's not very many posters on this board. |
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Koreadays
Joined: 20 May 2008
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| Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2010 8:21 pm Post subject: |
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| sojusucks wrote: |
| What I mean is that the main purpose of this new line is not to help us. It's to help tourists from Japan and China who are here for shopping or medical tourism. Obviously the new line can help some people who live in that area, but that's not very many posters on this board. |
I agree, also it will be beneficial to people living in Korea.
I mean people coming from outside of Seoul who can take the KTX into Seoul station then take the train to incheon airport. this is also great for those who need to get on a train to get home.
the express buses are great. but if you wanted to save money the train is much cheaper. if you arrive at incheon at peek hour traffic then taking the train would be a great option.
or if you are picking someone up. and you live in downtown area. you could ask your friend to meet you at seoul station saving you time driving out to the airport and back. things like this .
for me, if doesn't help because the bus station is right outside my house and the bus only takes 50minutes from where I live in kyung gi do.
but the train will support millions of people .
and I think it will only keep getting better. |
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