Navigating Seoul's Airports: Efficiently Switching Airports Like A Local

Seoul, South Korea's capital, is a popular layover city, known for its vibrant culture, cuisine, and architecture. The city is easily accessible from its two airports, Incheon International Airport and Gimpo. Changing airports in Seoul is a straightforward process, with a few transportation options available. The Airport Railroad Express (AREX) connects the two airports and is a convenient way to transfer between them. Additionally, free shuttle buses are available for intra-terminal transfers at Incheon Airport. This guide will provide essential information on navigating Seoul's airports and the city during a layover.

Getting from Incheon to Gimpo Airport

Seoul's Gimpo Airport (GMP) and Incheon Airport (ICN) are two different airports, and transferring between the two can be a little tight time-wise, so it's important to plan your journey. The minimum recommended connection time for domestic transfers within Incheon is 90 minutes, but you'll need three hours if you're transferring from Incheon to Gimpo or vice versa.

The best way to get from Incheon to Gimpo without a car is by taking the AREX (Airport Railroad Express) train, which takes around 39 minutes and costs $2-4. The trains depart every 15 minutes and arrive at the Incheon Int'l Airport T1 station. From Gimpo Airport, the AREX train station is signposted as "airport railroad" and is in the same direction as the signs for the subway. When you arrive at Gimpo, head to the left of the building to find the escalators that will take you down to the moving walkways on level B1. Go straight along the moving walkways for about 300m, then turn right into the AREX station. Take the lift or escalators down to the platform, where the trains to Incheon are on B4.

There is also a direct bus between the two airports, which takes about an hour and costs $11-12. The bus departs from the Gimpo Airport Domestic Terminal and arrives at the Incheon Int'l Airport T1 station.

If you're driving, the distance between the two airports is 35 miles, and it takes approximately 44 minutes to make the journey by car, taxi, or town car.

Using the Airport Railroad Express

The Airport Railroad Express (AREX) is a convenient way to get between Seoul's Incheon International Airport and Gimpo Airport, which is used for domestic flights and some short-haul international routes. The journey between the two airports takes around 45 minutes via the Airport Railroad Express.

AREX trains depart from both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 of Incheon International Airport. The trains run to Gimpo Airport and Seoul Station in the city centre approximately twice an hour. The journey from Terminal 1 to the city centre takes 43 minutes, while the journey from Terminal 2 takes 51 minutes. The service costs ₩9000 ($7.50).

All-stop trains also run from both terminals. From Terminal 1, the journey takes 55 minutes and costs ₩4150 ($3.50). From Terminal 2, the journey takes one hour and costs ₩4950 ($4.15).

You must pay a fee to use the Airport Railroad Express to transfer between terminals at Incheon International Airport. The journey between terminals takes around 6 minutes and costs KRW 1,050. For further details on train fares, schedules, and other services, contact the airport railroad hotline (1599-7788) or visit the official website.

Shuttle buses between terminals

Seoul has two airports: Incheon International Airport and Gimpo International Airport. Both airports have multiple terminals.

Incheon International Airport offers a free shuttle bus service between its terminals. The service runs every 5 minutes and the journey takes approximately 15-18 minutes. The Terminal 1 Stop is near Exit 8, at the centre of the 3rd floor, and the Terminal 2 Stop is located between Exits 4 and 5, at the centre of the 3rd floor.

Although I could not find specific information about shuttle buses between terminals at Gimpo International Airport, the airport does offer a free shuttle service to Gimpo Light Rail Station, which connects to Incheon International Airport.

International to international connections

Seoul's Incheon International Airport is known for its efficiency in handling international connections. If you are making an international-to-international connection, the minimum connection time is 45 minutes. You will not need to pass through customs or passport control unless you are entering South Korea. There is one additional security check for international transfers, but the process is very efficient.

If your journey was booked as a single itinerary, your baggage should be automatically checked through by your airline. However, if you are changing airlines or have separate itineraries, you may need to exit the terminal, collect and recheck your luggage, and go through security again. In this case, it is recommended to allow 3 to 4 hours for the transfer.

To get from Incheon International Airport to Gimpo Airport, you can take the Airport Railroad Express (AREX), which takes about 45 minutes. The AREX also connects Terminals 1 and 2 at Incheon Airport, with a journey time of 6 minutes and a fare of KRW 1,050. Alternatively, you can use the free shuttle bus service, which runs every 5 minutes and connects the terminals in 15-18 minutes. For wheelchair users, a free lift car service is available by contacting the Shuttle Bus Operations Division.

Incheon Airport offers a variety of amenities to keep you occupied during your layover. Both terminals feature performance stages, "Korea Traditional Culture Experience Centers", and art installations showcasing ancient and high-tech LED art. Terminal 2 has an observatory on the fifth floor for plane-spotting and virtual reality experiences. The airport also offers a gym, gardens, a golf club with an 18-hole putting course, and a wide range of dining and shopping options, including traditional Korean cuisine and unique "K-beauty" products.

Exploring Seoul on a layover

If you're looking to explore Seoul on a layover, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Firstly, the minimum time you'll need to leave the airport and explore the city is about 7 hours. This will give you around 3 hours to explore, so an 8-10 hour layover is ideal. Here's a breakdown of the time you'll need:

• 30-45 minutes to deplane and go through immigration and customs
• 45-60 minutes to transit to downtown Seoul
• 45-60 minutes to return to the airport
• 2 hours to go through security, get to your gate, and board the plane

Getting to Seoul from the Airport

The best way to get from Incheon International Airport to the city centre depends on your budget and time constraints. Here are a few options:

• Airport Railroad Express (AREX) trains: These run from Terminals 1 and 2 to Gimpo and Seoul Station downtown, with trains departing approximately twice an hour. The cost is ₩9000 ($7.50), and the journey takes 43 minutes from Terminal 1 and 51 minutes from Terminal 2.
• All-stop trains: These run from both terminals and are a more affordable option, costing ₩4150 ($3.50) from Terminal 1 and ₩4950 ($4.15) from Terminal 2. The journey takes 55 minutes from Terminal 1 and 1 hour from Terminal 2.
• Buses: Buses run from Incheon Airport to hotels in the city centre for ₩9000 ($7.50) and take about 1 hour.
• Taxi: A taxi will cost around ₩65,000 ($54) and can take up to 70 minutes, depending on traffic.

Exploring Seoul

Once you're in Seoul, there are plenty of sights to explore, depending on your interests and the length of your layover. Here are some suggestions:

• Historical Palaces: Seoul is home to the "Five Grand Palaces" from the Joseon Dynasty. Changdeok Palace, a Unesco World Heritage Site built in 1395, is a great option as it tends to be less crowded than some of the other palaces. Gyeongbokgung Palace is another popular choice, where you can catch the changing of the guards ceremony.
• Bukchon Hanok Village: This neighbourhood is filled with traditional Korean houses, art galleries, and antique shops. It's a great place to wander and get a sense of Seoul's history.
• Namsan Seoul Tower: Located on a mountain in the middle of the city, Namsan offers walking paths, hiking trails, and a viewing platform at the top with panoramic views of Seoul.
• Dongdaemun Design Plaza: This steel building, designed by Zaha Hadid, is an example of Seoul's hypermodern architecture. It's a bizarrely shaped structure that resembles an alien ship.
• Gwangjang Market: This bustling market is the place to go for local dishes and a true taste of Seoul's food scene.
• Hongdae: If you're looking for nightlife, Hongdae is the place to be. It's known for its clubs, bars, and street performances.

Free Layover Tours

If you're short on time or prefer a guided experience, Incheon Airport offers free layover tours ranging from 1 to 5 hours. These tours are designed specifically for passengers in transit and will ensure you don't miss your connection. The tours cover various themes and include visits to temples, entertainment areas, historical palaces, and markets. Be sure to book in advance, as they can fill up quickly.

Visa Requirements

If you're from a visa-exempt country like the US, you'll need a K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) to leave the airport during your layover. This can be applied for online and will allow you to stay for up to 90 days, excluding work. For citizens of non-visa-exempt countries, a visa will need to be obtained from a South Korean embassy.

Frequently asked questions