Seoul (ICN) Stopover Tips

[AFF Editor]

This thread is a place to share tips and recommendations for stopovers at Incheon International Airport (ICN) in Seoul. You can discuss things like:

• How to get from the airport to the city
• Things to do (both near the airport and in the city)
• Where to stay/hotel recommendations (both near the airport and in the city)
• Your favourite ICN airport lounges
• Airport facilities such as luggage storage and showers
• Transferring between ICN and GMP airports
• Any other destination-specific tips or "hidden gems" you've discovered that could be useful for someone stopping over

Do you have a great tip that other travellers might find useful when stopping over in Seoul? Add your suggestions to this thread.

 

[Melburnian1]

I have used AREX (rail) a number of times between Incheon International Airport and Seoul station.

My most recent trip took a shade short of an hour using the stopping all stations train. It was pretty easy to obtain a seat at Seoul.

I forget what the fare was as I was using the public transport smartcard called T-Money. However it was not expensive.

The airport express train does not run as frequently, and costs a fair bit more, but the 10 minutes saved is not worth it.

About 100 alighted at Incheon, but there were many more who used this train for shorter journeys. For some of the time there were standees.

If spending a night I'd recommend travelling by train into Seoul and then using the Metro to go a couple of stations to lively Myeongdong.

T-Money cards can be purchased by credit card at 7-11s and other outlets but may only be topped up with cash, so it's essential that one has some Korean won.

Typical of Asia, but food in South Korea is very good if one likes Korean BBQs. There's also a fairly wide range of other cuisines, with Vietnamese for instance available through a chain of restaurants.

The fairer sex will appreciate the emphasis in Myeongdong on ladies' cosmetics. South Korea is well known for this.

The North Seoul observation tower opens until 2300 hours if I recall. I found views fairly pedestrian but others may perceive them as more interesting.

 

[RooFlyer]

Thanks @Melburnian1 , very handy.

A couple of questions which may lead to some other useful tips

I have a 27 hour stopover in Seoul coming up, arriving ICN at about 7am and departing about 10am the next day.

I'm proposing to stay at an airport hotel and go into the city for the rest of the day.

Any recommendations for airport hotels, especially any that are inclined to allow early check-in?

 

[Melburnian1]

I've only ever stayed in the Seoul central area.

Incheon Airport is efficient so unless you want to spend time in the airport lounge, there's little need to check in at the airport next day at 0700 for your 1000 flights. The airport railway station is an easy escalator and then travelator walk to check in. It took me about five to seven minutes.

 

[RooFlyer]

Thanks. It wasn't so much the time to check in issue as having to lug suitcase and carry-on on the metro, then to the hotel ( via taxi?) and then back the next day. I'm thinking to pop over to an airport hotel, hopefully check in, if not leave bags and shower in the ?gym then head into town for the rest of the day.

But if there is a hotel right next to a station on the airport line, then that's a possibility.

 

[Melburnian1]

Others may not, but with suitcases having wheels and it being easy to also carry a backpack, I find transferring to metros (subways/underground rail) easy in places like Seoul. I never use taxis!

 

[RooFlyer]

I have had a look at the T1 map for arrivals on the ICN airport web site. Incheon International Airport

It doesn't show ATMs. They are no doubt there ... any directions to find them, please?

 

[Melburnian1]

TripAdvisor has an elderly thread (five or six years old) re 'Gobal ATMs at Incheon International Airport.'

It suggests ATMs are near the moneychanger offices at arrivals. This was true of Busan when I recently arrived mid evening, but ATMs at Busan Airport would not accept my Australian credit card. With the moneychangers closed - not what I expected, as I wrongly presumed they'd be open for all international arrivals - I had to change money from a Caucasian stranger, never an ideal situation, as I needed cash for travel. Don't repeat my stupid mistake.

Cash arguably plays a far larger part in Asians' daily lives than here. I doubt these ATMs have been removed.

 

[pauly7]

Do QF SG’s and WP’s get lounge access when using the QF codeshare on Asiana to Syd from Seoul?

 

[Mattg]

Do QF SG’s and WP’s get lounge access when using the QF codeshare on Asiana to Syd from Seoul?

Yes, if booked on the QF codeshare. You should get a lounge invitation when you check in at ICN.

 

[burmans]

Personally I would travel into and stay in town rather than at the airport. Aside from Barbeque, highly recommend Korean Fried Chicken. Not a health food option but I love it, also Samgyetang (whole baby chicken with Ginseng in a broth), delicious.

Hongdae is a happening place to spend a few hours (student area so cheap and good food/drinks available) and interesting street entertainment (k-pop and all that).

 

[Melburnian1]

At least one recent internet article has suggested South Korea is he world's tech capital. Recession or not, it's a 'happening' place with a relative paucity of Oz visitors.