Incheon International Airport (Seoul, South Korea) is one of the largest and most famous airports in Asia. Incheon Airport is located on an island about 70km west of Seoul, and is the main “territory” of airlines: Asiana Airlines, Korean Air and Polar Air Cargo. Currently, Incheon has risen to become the main airport for flights in East Asia. The airport consists of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 – Terminal 1 is 5 floors high while Terminal 2 is 6 floors high. In addition to the two main terminals, Incheon International Airport has additional transit areas, public areas and a duty free area. This airport has a large area and many convenient services to serve the needs of passengers.
The first destination you visit when coming to Korea is Incheon International Airport, which is one of the most modern and bustling airports in the world. It is not only the terminal for the take-off and landing of flights, but it is also a very large entertainment center and shopping complex. In this article, we will inform you of everything you need to know about Incheon International Airport.
Incheon Airport Website: https://www.airport.kr/co/en/index.do
1. You can connect to free wifi everywhere within the airport
When you arrive at this airport, if you want to, you can comfortably watch videos and watch online news because here wifi is arranged everywhere. Or if you need to use the computer, the computer in the Internet lobby is also available for you, it is even connected to a machine so passengers can prepare documents or print their e-tickets. In addition, if you want to rest while being able to connect to the Internet, you can also go to the waiting room. This area is located in Tax Free Zone 4F East/West.
2. Self check-in and baggage check-in service for passengers
For faster legal procedures, please use automatic check-in kiosks (English, Japanese, and Chinese translations are supported) and self-check-in luggage services for your convenience. The location of these self-check-in kiosks is dependent on the airline and is only applicable for certain visas or for self-check-in and baggage check-in procedures upon request. You can print tickets from these kiosks by scanning your passport or entering your seat number. For checked baggage, please print your luggage label and attach it with your luggage before checking in. Self-check-in at the Kiosk located at: Passenger Terminal 3F (Near counter A-F).
Note: Your self-check-in may not be supported due to visa requirements. Guests also need to check with their airline in advance for details on check-in and check-in procedures upon arrival.
3. Tax Refund Area for Tourists
After your trip is over, don’t forget to go to the airport to get your tax refund back. Guests will easily receive their tax refunds at individual kiosks (English, Chinese and Japanese languages are available).
When coming here, people just need to scan their passports and then the corresponding invoices for each item you buy. Once completed, passengers will receive their tax refund via bank card account or paid in cash. However, if your refunded tax amount is higher than 75,000 won, you need to go through the inspection and approval at the tax refund counter.
Easy tax refunds at counters:
- Duty-free Zone Floor 3, near Gate 28
- Terminal 2 public accessible area Floor 3, D, E near Check in counter, Duty-free Zone Floor 3, near Gate 253
Using the automated kiosk for tax refund:
- Terminal 1 public accessible area Floor 3, near Customs Desks, near the central pharmacy. Terminal 1 Duty Free Zone Floor 3, near Gates 28.
- Terminal 2 Duty Free Zone Floor 3, near Gates 250, 253
4. Inha University Airport Medical Center
Those who feel tired, and unwell after the flight, just need to go to Inha University Airport Medical Center located right in the airport to be taken care of by a doctor. This hospital supports customer care from dentistry to internal medicine. The working hours are between 08:30 and 17:30 on weekdays, and the emergency room is always open 24/7.
In particular, all patients treated here will receive a Meda voucher – this is an international treatment record, it is used to send to a hospital in your country for later treatment when returning. And if you find it inconvenient to set foot in the hospital, there are many drugstores scattered throughout the airport ready to serve you. Inha University Airport Medical Center is located at: Passenger Terminal B1F East Wing (Gate 5).
Pharmacies available in the airport:
Terminal 1:
– Top Pharmaceuticals in the World: Duty Free Zone 3F (Gate No. 28) / 06:30-21:30
– Optima Plaza Pharmacy: Located at passenger terminal 3F (Waiting Gate G) / 06:30-22:00
– W-Store Star Pharmacy: Train Station 3F (Waiting Gate F) / 06:00-22:00
– Lead Pharm Pharmacy: Waiting gate 3F Central Area / 06:30-23:00
– Medipharm Pharmacy: Passenger terminal B1 East Wing / 07:00-20:30
Terminal 2:
– Balance Pharmacy: Public area B1 West Gate / 07:00-21:00
– Skypharm Pharmacy: Public area 3F Central area / 06:00-21:00
– Prime pharmacy: 3F duty-free sales area (Boarding Gate 253 & 254)/ 07:00-22:00
*Note: Pharmacy hours are subject to change depending on the actual situation.
5. How to get to the city center from Incheon Airport
There are many means of transportation from Incheon Airport to Seoul, visitors can choose from airport bus, airport taxi or take the AREX train. If using these vehicles, visitors can rest assured because the bus routes from Incheon airport to Seoul operate day and night. Visitors can view detailed information and buy tickets on the 1st floor with 2 types of bus: high-class bus and standard bus.
The Airport Express Train on the AREX line is the fastest and most efficient way for travelers to travel between Incheon International Airport and downtown Seoul. It is suitable for passengers carrying a lot of luggage. The fast train costs 14,800 won, in approximately 43minutes, slow train costs 4,250 Won, going for about 1 hour or maybe longer. Passengers only need to buy tickets at the Transportation Center or Information Counter No. 45 upon arrival at the airport. Once you have a ticket, you will have to move to the B1 floor of Incheon International Transportation Center to start boarding. The AREX Express is equipped with extremely comfortable seats and has plenty of room for you to store your luggage. All trains run every 25-40 minutes, which shouldn’t take too long to bring people into the city center.
Airport taxi is the right vehicle for those who want convenience and don’t want to wait. There are 3 types of vehicles with 3 clearly listed prices: Luxury taxis cost about 80,000 – 110,000 Won; Large taxis cost from 80,000 – 110,000 Won; standard taxis cost from 55,000 – 75,000 Won.
6. There is an area for young children
If you are traveling by Korean Air with an infant, then when you arrive at this airport, you will not feel tired as it is equipped with all the amenities with a baby room. Here you have space to comfortably feed your newborn, change diapers or rest while the kids can enjoy themselves in the airport playroom.
Kids zone is located at: near gate 25 on 4F, Terminal 1
The play area is located at: Passenger Terminal 3F (Gate 10, 15, 41 and 45) / Passenger Terminal 4F East Wing / Passenger Terminal 4F West Wing.
7. Passengers can buy 4G sim cards and convenient wifi transmitter right at the airport
Travelers can stay connected by purchasing a prepaid 4G LTE SIM card right at the Incheon airport with 3 types of packages: 5 days, 15 days and 30 days. This SIM card is available over the counter and you can check the SIM card information with your phone. Once installed, you will have unlimited 4G LTE. You can also choose to buy a mini wifi transmitter which is very convenient to bring along.
Places where people can get 4G sim cards at Incheon International Airport:
– 1st floor gate 6-7 (24 hours per day)
– Gate 4-5 (from 7:00 a.m – 10:00 p.m)
– Gate 10-11 (from 6:00am – 10:00pm)
– 1st floor, gate 2-3 KT International Roaming Center (KT Roaming Center) (24 hours per day) Terminal area.
8. Incheon Airport has hotels, spas, and bathrooms
If you have just landed in the evening or after midnight, when public transport has stopped working, then finding a place to rest is the most important issue. To cater to this need of passengers, Incheon Airport has designed convenient hotels and bathrooms at affordable prices. Darakhyu – a capsule hotel or Spa On Air – a relaxing sauna with a dormitory area is a perfect choice. If you don’t need to lie down but want some cool water to refresh yourself after or between flights, you can use the bathroom at the airport, which is open 24 hours a day. The bathroom has both shampoo and shower gel available and is always free for all passengers. You can also buy towels and other items for a small amount at the bathroom in Terminal 1, which is especially free for transit passengers. However, the station only sells bathing suits from 7am to 9pm. Capsule hotels and baths are available in both terminals, while saunas are only available in Terminal 1.
Spa On Air – sauna
Location: Terminal 1 Public area B1, end of East Gate.
Darakyu – capsule hotel
Location
– Terminal 1: 1F central transportation area
– Terminal 2: B1F transit area East (Near bus ticket sales)
Airport bathroom
Location
– Terminal 1: Central Lobby 4F / Duty Free Area 4F (Boarding Gate 25 & 29)
-Terminal 2: Duty Free Area 4F (Boarding Gate 268 & 231)
Fee: Free (Shower: 3,000 won for general passengers/free for transit passengers)
Hours of Operation: Open 24 hours, all year round
9. You can explore the Korean cultural spaces
Korean cultural spaces are scattered throughout Incheon International Airport. Here, tourists can not only admire but also experience the most outstanding traditional culture of Korea. Korean Cultural Street is one such space, a relaxation spot right in the middle of Terminal 1 for every passenger. The natural and cultural heritage of Korea is displayed here through exhibits and videos. Korean Cultural Street also includes great traditional Korean getaways such as Mangyeongjeong and the Biseonru pavilion. The Biseonru pavilion is specially designed to give passengers an impressive view of the airport interior. From the pavilion, visitors can see firsthand the landing/takeoff at the outer runway.
Both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 have Korean Traditional Culture Experience Centers. The perfect spot for passengers to shop for last-minute souvenirs or watch shows while waiting to board. Handmade souvenirs are made up of a variety of traditional materials such as hanji (traditional Korean paper), najeon (nacre) and minhwa (folk paintings). All shows are free for international visitors, using traditional instruments such as the haegeum (a two-stringed, violin-like instrument), the janggu (double-headed hourglass-shaped drum) and the piri (bamboo oboe).
Terminal 2 also has a broadcast hall and a specially designed observatory on the 5th floor. The observatory is designed so that passengers can enjoy watching the runway with planes coming out. The promotion hall integrates VR technology (virtual reality technology) so that visitors can tour the airport as well as explore the changes of the airport from the day it opened to the present. Among other interesting attractions is a photo exhibition themed “Palace Tour with a Character” that allows visitors to tour Korean palaces.
10. Enjoy shopping right at the airport
You can satisfy your shopping addiction by visiting duty-free shopping stores at Incheon airport. The items sold here are extremely diverse, with all levels of different prices. It is possible to buy items from affordable prices to high-end goods. Especially, the duty-free shops here are open all year round with opening hours from 7:00 am to 9:30 pm
everyday. An important thing you need to keep in mind when shopping here is to show your passport with full information such as: flight number, departure time, etc. upon request. Don’t forget to watch your watch regularly so you don’t miss your flight because you’re too busy shopping. Besides, you also need to carefully store the receipts for the items you purchased to use when needed or for a tax refund.
