Incheon Airport: Sleeping Pods Available For Weary Travelers?

Seoul's Incheon Airport (ICN) is a large airport with two terminals. The airport offers a variety of services and facilities, including airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, and nearby hotels. For travellers looking for a comfortable place to sleep during a layover, the airport offers transit hotels inside the terminals, as well as a capsule hotel located pre-security. These hotels provide short-term and overnight rates, with rooms available for six-hour blocks or standard 24-hour periods. Additionally, there are free Nap Zones with lie-flat lounge seats located airside after security.

Sleeping pods in Incheon Airport

Seoul's Incheon Airport is a large airport divided into two terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, with a free underground train and street-level buses connecting the two. The airport offers a variety of sleeping options for travellers with layovers or overnight sleepovers.

For travellers seeking a comfortable sleep, there are two transit hotels located inside security, offering both short-term and overnight rates. The Incheon Airport Transit Hotel has locations in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, with rooms available in six-hour blocks or standard 24-hour bookings. Single rooms are priced at 70,000 won for six hours or 140,000 won for 24 hours, while double rooms are 90,000 won and 180,000 won, respectively.

Additionally, Incheon Airport is home to capsule hotels, including the Darakhyu capsule hotel, located in the transportation centres of both terminals. These hotels offer windowless rooms with single or double occupancy, with or without showers. The rooms provide ample storage space, including space underneath the bed for suitcases, and access to communal bathrooms. The capsule hotels are priced at around $50 to $57 per stay.

For those seeking a more economical option, the airport also offers free Nap Zones with lie-flat lounge seats located airside after security. However, access to these areas may be limited depending on flight schedules and security checkpoint closures. It is recommended to check the availability of these areas before planning to sleep in the airport.

When sleeping in any airport, it is important to prioritise safety, especially when travelling alone. Travellers should consider staying near other travellers or close to security, keeping valuables hidden, and knowing the location of the security office and nearby video cameras.

Transit hotels

Seoul's Incheon Airport is a large airport divided into two terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, with a free underground train and street-level buses connecting the two. The airport offers a variety of services and facilities, including airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, and nearby hotels.

For travellers looking for a comfortable place to sleep during layovers or overnight stays, Incheon Airport offers transit hotels and capsule hotels. There are two transit hotels located inside security, one in each terminal, offering both short-term and overnight rates. The Incheon Airport Transit Hotel in Terminal 1 is located on the 4th floor near Gate 11, exclusively for travellers transiting between international flights. Rooms can be booked in six-hour blocks or standard 24-hour periods, with single and double rooms available. The transit hotel in Terminal 2 is located airside, opposite Gate 251.

In addition to the transit hotels, Incheon Airport also features capsule hotels, including the Darakhyu capsule hotel, located in the transportation centres of both terminals. These capsule hotels offer windowless rooms with options for single or double occupancy, with or without a shower. The rooms provide ample storage space, including space underneath the bed for suitcases, and access to clean communal bathrooms. The capsule hotels offer a comfortable and affordable option for travellers looking to rest and combat jet lag.

It is important to note that sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. Travellers are advised to take precautions such as knowing the location of the security office, staying near other travellers or close to security, and keeping valuables hidden to ensure their safety and the security of their belongings.

Safety tips for sleeping in airports

Seoul's Incheon Airport (ICN) is a large airport divided into two terminals. The airport offers a variety of services and facilities, including airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, and nearby hotels. Travellers can also find sleeping pods or transit hotels within the airport.

Know the Airport Policies and Layout:

Before your trip, check if the airport allows overnight stays as some airports close at night. Understanding the airport's layout and available amenities, such as designated sleeping areas, nearby hotels, or sleep pods, can help you prepare for your stay.

Choose a Safe Spot:

Look for well-populated areas with minimal foot traffic to balance privacy and safety. If you're travelling alone, consider staying near other travellers or close to security. Knowing where the security office and video cameras are located can also help you choose a safer spot.

Protect Your Belongings:

Use your bags strategically as pillows or invest in luggage locks to secure your belongings. Keep valuables out of plain sight to deter potential thieves.

Prepare for Comfort:

Bring essentials like a travel pillow, blanket, eye mask, and earplugs to create a comfortable sleeping environment amidst the airport's noise and light. Dress in layers to adapt to varying temperatures.

Stay Informed and Alert:

Be aware of your surroundings and keep an eye on your belongings, especially in busy airports. Set alarms to ensure you don't miss your flight, and be respectful of other travellers and airport staff.

Additional Tips:

Some other items to consider packing include an inflatable raft, sunglasses, bottled water, snacks, entertainment devices, hand sanitiser, and an alarm clock. If you're travelling solo, a pen and post-it notes can be useful for leaving wake-up messages for yourself and other travellers.

Capsule hotels

Seoul's Incheon Airport (ICN) is a large airport divided into two terminals. The airport offers a variety of services and facilities, including airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, and nearby hotels.

For travellers looking for a place to rest during layovers, there are two transit hotels inside the airport's secure zone, as well as a capsule hotel located pre-security. The transit hotels offer both short-term and overnight rates, with rooms available in six-hour blocks or standard 24-hour bookings.

The capsule hotel, known as the Darakhyu Capsule Hotel, is located at Incheon Airport Terminal 1. This hotel is for day-use only, with operating hours from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm and a minimum usage time of three hours. The capsule hotel is not accessible to transfer passengers as it is situated in the public area outside the terminal.

The Darakhyu Capsule Hotel offers single and double rooms equipped with modern amenities for a comfortable stay. The rooms feature individual heating and cooling systems, noise-cancelling technology, high-speed Wi-Fi, Harman Kardon Bluetooth, and luxurious Simmons mattresses and Hungarian goose down pillows. The hotel also has shower facilities and an IoT system that allows guests to control lighting and temperature using their smartphones.

Overall, Incheon Airport and its surrounding area provide a range of accommodation options, ensuring that travellers can find a suitable place to rest during their layovers or extended stays.

Nearby hotels

While Incheon Airport does offer sleeping pods, travellers may prefer the comfort of a hotel room. There are several hotels near Incheon Airport that offer free shuttle services to and from the airport.

The Airportel, for example, provides short-term accommodation for travellers flying through Incheon Airport. The hotel offers a free shuttle service for guests. Similarly, the Howard Johnson Incheon Airport is located near the Woonseo subway station, making it a convenient choice for those using public transportation.

For those seeking a more luxurious option, the Paradise City Hotel is one of the most expensive hotels near Incheon Airport. It offers a magnificent location for conferences and very frequent shuttle services.

Other nearby hotels include the Grand Hyatt ICN, which is accessible via the free AICC airport shuttle, and the Golden Tulip, which is just a one-minute walk from the Arex airport train Unseo station.

There are 23 hotels within a mile of Incheon International Airport Station, located in Jung-gu, providing a range of options for travellers with different preferences and budgets.

Frequently asked questions