Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mindmetoo]

Took the new subway train line to Inchon from the Gimpo subway station. I didn't take the express. It's a bit confusing how to get to the express train platform. Takes about 30 minutes from Gimpo. Costs 3,100 won.

Verdict: I'd only take it if I was trying to get to the airport to meet someone. If you're trying to get there with luggage, forget it. It's better to take a limo bus to the airport. The bus driver loads your luggage on the bus and you're deposited right outside the airport and its luggage carts. You don't want to have to haul bags on the subway system, trundle them between stations, up escalators, etc.

Anyway, here's a whack of photos:



From Gimpo station to the Inchon airport line.




Oh, hrm, you need to T-money card your self out. Doesn't appear like you can use your T-money card to pay for the airport line.




Alright gotta buy this card for 3,100 won. Use it like a T-money card. Slap it on the magnetic reader.




No more knee capping by the little knee high gates. Go through the glass doors after you badge through.




Hrm. There appears to an express train platform and one that stops at the various stations on the way. It's not really clear how you get over to the express platform from the Gimpo end.




Gimpo platform.







Train interiors.








It's above ground for most of the trip.




Doors from the outside.




Platform Inchon.




The express train platform is easier to find at Inchon.




Train station is really close to the airport.




Inchon station.




Going up the Inchon station escalator.




Gates. To exit, don't try to badge out. There's a slot where you deposit the card like you do with the paper tickets.




Touch screen ticket machine in English.




Train station exterior you need to walk through to get to the airport.




Train from the outside.

[yesnoyesyesno]

great stuff!!

reminds me of the train ride from tokyo to narita airport

[seoulsucker]

I didn't see any areas designated for luggage storage on the train. Is that really the case??? Is it set up like any other subway car?

Again, it just seems like they really dropped the ball on this one.

[The Bobster]

Good job. Thanks for all the pictures.

[viipuri]

dude you cut your fingernails really, really short...

[HapKi]

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Great photo essay. I'm debating now whether whether I should take the subway and KTX back to Daegu or just a limo bus. I still think I'll do the latter.

[spliff]

Airport-Limo bus = less hassles and probably faster. After looking at the details in this photo essay I'll stick w/ the bus...

[mindmetoo]

[mindmetoo]

[twg]

Once they extend the line to Seoul Station, it'll be useful.

[Kimchi Cha Cha]

Nice pics, it looks quite impressive.

Big mistake re not enough space for luggage however. Going to an airport is hassle enough itself and people don't want to haul their luggage several kilometres and past numerous obstacles to get there. That's why cabs and shuttle buses are so popular when going to airports.

It seems better, albeit similar, to the rail link Sydney made to their airport just in time for the Olympics. Instead of being a purpose-built link for the airport, it was inter-connected as part of the existing metropolitan rail system. Therefore, using the same rail carriages as all Sydney metropolitan trains - ie. bugger all luggage space, as the metropoltian trains are double-decker with a small single floor area where you enter and exit the carriages. There was also the added hassle of having the train already full on peak hours with there being little or no space for people let alone luggage.

The train - pricer than regular train stops - also costs about the same as a shuttle bus from downtown Sydney and is usually slower (the airport is only about 10km from the city centre) and it is a bit of a hike from the actual airport terminal. So, eight or so years after it was built it is a white elephant with most people still driving, getting a lift, taking a cab or a shuttle bus to the airport as before.


I hope the same doesn't occur with this rail link but one of the good features they've added to the Incheon link is the express service.

The best two airport rail services I've experienced were Hong Kong and KL. You can check in at the rail station before you board the train - no hassle carrying all your luggage - and rock up to the airport quickly in style and no panic with there being plenty of personal and luggage space with fast, dedicated lines for the train service.

[ajgeddes]

[seoulsucker]

For me, it doesn't get any better than the Maglev in Shanghai. 450 Km/h, makes a trip comparable from Seoul Station to Incheon in less than 10 minutes. Roomy, comfortable, and inexpensive.

Just seems like this is another "good enough" attempt.

[endo]

Correction:

You can use your T-Money card.

and

Mindmetoo used the Commuter train. If you use the Express train (a) it goes there a lot faster (oviously), and (b) there is a lot more luggage room.