How to go from Incheon Airport to Busan - Flights, trains and buses

If you’re flying into Korea from Singapore, you’ll likely be headed to Incheon International Airport (ICN)¹, although some flights do also land at Gimpo International Airport (GMP)². But nobody wants to hang out at an airport during their precious vacation days. So, how do you get from Incheon to your next destination in Korea?

This guide looks at how to go to Busan from Incheon airport, covering different options to suit individual needs. Read on to learn all about your options for travel from Incheon airport to Busan by train, plane, bus and car. We’ll also touch on the Wise card briefly - a great way to save when paying for things in Korea.

Can I go to Busan directly from Incheon Airport?

If Busan is your first stop in Korea after arriving in Incheon, you’ll be glad to know that there are several different ways to get there. There are various different Incheon airport to Busan train options, you may prefer to take an Incheon to Busan flight for speed - or you could take the KTX Incheon to Busan if you prefer. There are also options for car or bus - you’ll need to weigh up the costs and convenience of each to decide which is best for you.

Not all of the routes we’re highlighting are direct, which may be a drawback if you have heavy bags. Picking up the KTX, for example, will mean going to Seoul Station first. And flying may also need a transfer to Gimpo airport, which can slow you down a bit. Here’s an outline of the basic methods available - we’ll look in more detail at each later.

Incheon to Busan distance

From Incheon to Busan is around 340 kilometres to travel. If you’re taking the train to Busan from Incheon airport you can sit back and relax as you ride. Or if you've hired a car, you may decide to make it a day trip and stop at places of interest along the way.

We’ll explore both of these options and more, next.

How to go to Busan from Incheon Airport?

Broadly speaking you can go to Busan from Incheon Airport by KTX train, bus, flight or by car. Each option has its own pros and cons, from the time it takes, to the costs, as well as how simple it is to navigate with luggage. We’ll look at how each might work for you, so you can weigh up your choices before you start to make bookings.

Incheon Airport to Busan by KTX train

The KTX train is a super high speed option for travel within Korea, and there are services from Seoul to Busan which can take as little as 2 hours 15 minutes. However, you’ll need to get from Incheon to Seoul Station first, which adds up to an hour onto the journey depending on how you go.

There are several different potential routes from Incheon to Seoul Station. You can use the AREX airport express which takes about 40 minutes, jump on a limousine style transfer, or take the airport rail route which is a stopping service and takes just over an hour.

Once you’re at Seoul Station you need to pick up your KTX train. You can book your KTX train online, up to a month before you travel⁸, and you’ll need to plan to be at the platform with about 20 minutes to spare. Economy class tickets cost from around 59,800 KRW (just over 55 SGD) for a fast train, or you can upgrade to first class for upwards of 83,000 KRW - which adds up to around 77 SGD.

This option may suit budget conscious travellers looking for ways to get to Busan fairly quickly but with an eye on costs. If you can time your arrival to get one of the fastest KTX transfers available, this is a great choice.

Incheon Airport to Busan by bus

You can take the bus from Incheon Airport T1 or T2 directly to Busan, at a ticket cost of about 49,400 KRW per adult (46 SGD). This journey takes about 5 hours - making it a convenient but relatively slow option.

It may still suit people who are travelling with lots of luggage, as you can put your items in the hold and then simply retrieve them at the end of the journey. It’s also one of the cheapest ways to travel from Incheon to Busan. It is worth considering if you’re on a budget - particularly if you can use the time to nap and rest after your flight.

Incheon Airport to Busan by plane

You can fly to Busan from Incheon International Airport - or you can transfer to Gimpo International Airport and fly from there instead.

The flights from either airport to Busan take about an hour - but you will need to be at the check in a couple of hours early ideally, so this isn’t necessarily the very fastest option overall. It does have the advantage of convenience if you go from Incheon directly - but if you’re picking up a flight from Gimpo you will need to factor in the transfer time which can take about 45 minutes by train.

Many local and regional providers cover this flight route, which means that cheap tickets are often available if you book in advance.

Incheon Airport to Busan by car

While you wouldn’t want to take a taxi all the way from Incheon to Busan you can still get there by car in a couple of ways. You may want to hire a vehicle yourself and drive - or there are professional airport transfer services which you can pre book and which will deliver you to your end point in Busan with the utmost convenience.

If you’re planning on hiring a car while you’re in Korea anyway this may be an obvious solution - it’s certainly relatively convenient as you can get to exactly where you need to be in Busan with no changes needed. If you’re not going to need a car outside of the journey, the costs may not stack up. Compare your options to help you decide.

Travel from Busan to Incheon Airport

Getting back from Busan to Incheon is likely to work in pretty much the same way - just in the opposite direction. If you’re heading back to Incheon to get on a flight right away make sure to build lots of time into your return journey. You’ll need to be at check in early, and being under pressure in the closing hours of your vacation is a stress nobody needs.

Think about the travel options carefully, including building in contingencies in case of delayed or cancelled trains or buses, and adding on time if you’re going by road - particularly if you also need to hand back a hire car at the airport.

If you’re travelling fairly light you may decide to head back to Seoul from Busan first, and spend a few hours there to close out your trip and give you a bit of wriggle room in terms of time. You can then get to the airport super easily from the city by train.

Pay for transport, food, and shopping with the Wise card to maximise your SGD to KRW conversions

While you’re in Korea you need easy ways to tap and pay, and to get cash as you go. Check out the Wise card as a smart solution to spending in KRW and 40+ other currencies. You can add money to your Wise digital account in SGD from your bank or with a card, and then either convert to KRW before you travel to see your budget instantly - or leave the funds in dollars and switch when you pay.

You’ll get the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees whenever you convert currencies, and there’s no additional fee to spend a currency you hold in your account. At times where you find yourself needing cash from an ATM in Korea, you can use the physical Wise card to make withdrawals to 350 SGD a month for free before low fees are incurred.

Your Wise account is also a great way to manage your finances across currencies in between trips - send payments to 140+ countries, and get paid from abroad in a selection of currencies.

Get your Wise card for hassle-free payments without any hidden fees in Busan and beyond.

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Sources:

1. Incheon International Airport
2. Gimpo International Airport
3. AREX
4. Incheon Airport - train guide
5. K Limousine
6. Korail
7. Bus booking
8. Korail FAQ