Korea's top airport is none other than Incheon International Airport. The airport consists of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, with a transportation center, public area, and duty free area each, and Terminal 1 being connected to an additional concourse. Terminal 1 has five floors, while Terminal 2 has six. With such a vast area, most people are unaware of the many outstanding facilities available. Whether you arrive hours before your flight or have an overnight layover, with our helpful guide, you can enjoy your time at Incheon International Airport to the fullest!
Perhaps you just need a few hours of shut-eye but don't want to shell out a lot of cash for an expensive hotel room. Darakhyu, a capsule hotel, or Spa On Air, a sauna with a lounge area, are the perfect compromises, allowing one to get a good night's rest at an affordable price. If you don't need to rest but would like to freshen up between or after a flight, you can make use of the airport's shower room, open 24 hours and equipped with shampoo and body wash. They are available to all passengers for free. Shower kits can also be purchased for a small fee (free for transit passengers) at the shower room in Terminal 1. However, the kits are only available from 07:00 until 21:00. Darakhyu and airport shower rooms are available in both terminals, but Spa on Air is only available in Terminal 1.
Traveling with young children can be tiring. Thankfully, Incheon International Airport is fully equipped with facilities throughout the airport to offset the difficulties parents face. Parents can comfortably feed infants, change diapers or simply rest at the nursery rooms, open 24 hours a day, all year round. Young children will love letting out their energy in the Kids Zones. Use of the play equipment in the Kids Zones is restricted to children ages 3-8.
All travelers should pay special attention to maintain their health when traveling abroad. However, there’s no need to worry if you suddenly feel ill or get hurt at the airport; simply visit the Airport Medical Center Inha University. As the only hospital within the airport, travelers can receive a range of treatments, from dental care to internal medicine. The medical center in Terminal 1 is open 24 hours all year round, while the center in Terminal 2 operates 08:30 to 18:00 on weekdays, and 08:30 to 15:00 on weekends and public holidays. All patients can receive a Meda form, an international treatment record, to submit to a hospital in their home country for follow-up treatment upon return. Pharmacies are also available within the airport in case you need any over-the-counter medicine.
There are cultural spaces spread throughout the airport where international travelers can not only see but also experience first-hand Korea’s outstanding traditional culture. Korean Cultural Street is one such place, a hidden rest area within Terminal 1 open to all visitors. Korea’s nature and cultural heritages are on display here through exhibitions and videos. Korean Cultural Street also features great rest areas designed in the traditional Korean style through Mangyeongjeong and Biseonru Pavilions. Biseonru Pavilion in particular offers outstanding views of the airport interior as well as the airplanes coming and going on the tarmac outside.
Both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 have Korean Traditional Culture Experience Centers, perfect for making a last-minute souvenir or watching performances to pass the time. The crafts available use a variety of traditional materials from hanji (traditional Korean paper) to najeon (mother-of-pearl), and minhwa (folk painting). All of the programs are free for international visitors. Performances include traditional instruments such as haegeum (two-stringed vertical fiddle), janggu (double-headed hourglass-shaped drum), and piri (bamboo oboe).
Terminal 2 also features an advanced PR hall and observatory on the fifth floor. The observatory allows people to watch the planes as they taxi on the tarmac. The PR hall uses VR technology for a tour of the airport as well as exploring the changes the airport has gone through from its grand opening until now. Additional attractions include a photo exhibition with the theme “Palace Tour with a Character,” a display of Korean relics, and Oseongsan Observatory.
To go through the check-in and baggage drop process as quickly as possible, use the self check-in kiosks (English, Japanese & Chinese language supported) and self bag drop services. The location of self check-in kiosks depend on the respective airlines and use may be limited for travelers with certain visas or required check-in procedures. Your ticket can be printed from the kiosks by scanning your passport or typing in your reservation number. For self bag drop, print your luggage tag and attach it to your bag before taking it to the bag drop.
When your trip is over and you’re getting ready to return to your home country, don’t forget to get your tax refund in the Tax Refund Zone. The process has been made as easy as possible; simply scan your passport and then the receipts one by one into the kiosk (English, Japanese, and Chinese language support). However, refunds of over 75,000 won must also be checked and approved at a Tax Refund Counter. After completion, your tax refund can be returned either through your card or in cash.
* This column was last updated in May 2019, and therefore information may differ from what is presented here. We advise you to check details before visiting.
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