24 Nov 2016 - City Airport Terminal check in at Seoul Station

Decided to try the express train to Incheon airport and checked in at Seoul station and now I am hooked on it!! So easy, seat guaranteed and no need to queue at Incheon airport immigration!   More details at Arex Airport Express.  Unless you have extra luggages to check in here and need to pay the extra charges, you will still need to go through the immigration at Incheon airport. 

You need to buy the Express train ticket first before you can check in your luggage.

After check in, you need to come to this immigration to wait a while for clearance. This is the same in airport where you need to wait a few mins after check in. I think the best thing for me about checking in my luggage here is avoiding the long queue at the airport immigration. I can pass the immigration from a designated entrance.  My friend and her family checked in their luggages here and bought the express train ticket which departs 2 hours later becos the flight was still quite some time away.  During the 2 hours, they went window shopping at Myeongdong lol.  

Correct me if I am wrong.  This check in is called City Airport Terminal check in and only available for passagers taking certain airlines.  However, Express train is open to all.  If you are not taking any of the airlines as stated in their website, you can still take the Express Train.  Upon reaching the airport, you can get back the deposit of 500 won. Fare for the Express train is more than Arex train (all stop stations) but they give a small discount for the airlines specified in their websites. Discount is only possible when you buy the Express train tickets at the counters.  Discount is not applicable for online purchases.

Train schedule from Seoul Station to Incheon Airport.

What a peaceful sight lol

I guess situations at the airport has improved ever since tax refund is allowed on the spot of purchase at more places. If you have claimed back your cash in downtown, you will still need to come here to scan all your receipts, otherwise you will be charged with a penalty fee(deducted from the credit card which you used when you got the refund in cash) and the fees is slightly more than what you have received in downtown.

A credit card is required if you want to get your tax refund in downtown and I think you can only use your own credit card(correct me if I am wrong). If you are doing your tax refund in the airports, you do not need a credit card.  

So peaceful ㅋㅋㅋ

Inside the transit.

You need to come here to receive your cash if you did not claim your cash refund in downtown.  If you have claimed your tax refund in downtown, you only need to scan all your receipts as shown earlier and need not come here. 

Fast and easy ever since they improved on the tax refund system ie getting your refund on the spot. If the tax refund is not deducted right away from my purchases, I will usually do my tax refund claim at downtown.  

*By the way, during my Spring trip 2017, I forgotten to claim my tax refund in Busan and tried my luck to claim the tax refund in Myeongdong. Yes, its possible!!!  Hehehehe