ICN

Incheon International

Seoul, South Korea

Verified2026-09-11

CurrencyKRW

Local time—

Incheon is huge and split across two terminals (T1 and T2) that sit far apart, so check which one you need for any onward flight. Before you land, sort your entry online — most Western visitors are K-ETA-exempt through end-2026 but still need the free e-Arrival Card. Into Seoul, the AREX train or a limousine bus beats a taxi; grab a T-money card for everything else. For help in English, 1330 is a lifesaver.

Overall progress0/11

Before you do anything

Do your entry form before landingMost Western visitors don't need a K-ETA through end-2026, but everyone must submit the free e-Arrival Card online (within 3 days before arrival) unless they hold a valid K-ETA. Sort it out before you fly.

Two terminals, far apartT2 is Korean Air/Delta/Air France/KLM/SkyTeam; T1 is most others. If you have an onward flight, check your terminal — a free shuttle links them in about 15 minutes.

Need English help? Call 1330The Korea Travel Hotline (1330) is free, 24/7 and English-speaking — for directions, transport, or if anything goes wrong. Emergencies: 112 police, 119 fire/ambulance.

Get a T-money cardBuy one at any airport convenience store. It pays for the all-stop AREX, the subway and buses — foreign contactless cards mostly don't work on Korean transit.

Just connecting through Incheon?

Check whether your onward flight leaves T1 or T2The two terminals are a shuttle ride apart (~15–18 min, free, from the arrivals level), or one stop on the AREX. Leave time if you have to switch terminals.

Long layover? The airport is built for itIncheon has free rest zones, nap spots and showers, and even free transit tours for some layovers. Ask at a transit information desk or call 1330.

Smart habits at any airport

Bussed to the terminal? Get off the plane lastIf there is no jet bridge and a shuttle bus takes you from the aircraft to the terminal, don't rush to be first off the plane. The bus won't leave until it's full, so early boarders just stand and wait — often with no air-conditioning. Get off among the last: you'll be near the doors and step out first when the bus reaches the terminal, putting you at the front of the passport-control queue.

Use a bank's ATM and always decline 'conversion'At any airport, withdraw from a bank's own ATM rather than a standalone machine like Euronet where you have the choice. And whenever a machine or card reader offers to charge you in your home currency, always DECLINE and choose the local currency — 'dynamic currency conversion' hides a markup.

Sort your K-ETA or e-Arrival Card before you land

Nationals of 67 countries (including the US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia and Singapore) are exempt from the K-ETA through 31 December 2026 — from 2027 a K-ETA is expected to be required again. Whether or not you're exempt, submit the free e-Arrival Card online within 72 hours before arrival; travellers who already hold a valid K-ETA are exempt from it. Check the rule for your own passport before you travel.

Scam warning: Use only the official government sites (k-eta.go.kr and the e-Arrival Card portal). Look-alike sites charge a fee for what is free.

Official K-ETAneeds internet

Passport control — fingerprints and a photo

Foreign visitors give fingerprints and a photo at immigration. Have your Korean address or hotel ready. Queues can be long when several long-haul flights land together.

20–60 min at busy times

Customs: declare on your phone or the green channel

You can complete your customs declaration on the mobile app or a paper form. Walk out through the green channel if you have nothing to declare and are within the duty-free limits.

Find your belt on the screens

Check the baggage screens for your flight number to find the carousel — the hall is large, so follow the signs. Keep your bag-tag receipt until you've left the airport.

If your bag doesn't arrive, don't leave the hall

File a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) at your airline's baggage desk in the reclaim hall before you exit — it's much easier than starting a claim later.

Get won from a 'Global ATM'

Not every Korean ATM takes foreign cards — look for machines marked 'Global ATM' (Shinhan, Woori, Hana, KB Kookmin or Citibank) in the arrival halls. Choose to be charged in won and decline any conversion to your home currency. Korea is very card-friendly once you're in the city.

Korea Travel Hotline — 1330

Buy a T-money card for transit

Pick up a T-money card at any airport convenience store (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven) and load some cash onto it. You'll need it for the all-stop AREX, the subway and city buses; it also works to pay in convenience stores.

Data: SIM counters or an eSIM

SK Telecom, KT and LG U+ have SIM and pocket-wifi counters in arrivals, or you can use a travel eSIM. Korea is extremely well-connected, so getting online is quick.

Best value: the AREX train to Seoul

The Airport Railroad (AREX) runs to Seoul Station. The Express is non-stop in about 43 minutes (≈₩11,000, buy a QR single ticket — T-money isn't valid on the Express). The All-Stop commuter train is about a third of the price (≈₩4,950) and takes ~66 minutes, paid with T-money and connecting into the subway. Trains run roughly 05:20–23:30.

43–66 min≈₩4,950 all-stop · ≈₩11,000 express

Direct with luggage: a limousine bus

Airport limousine buses run to hotels and districts across Seoul for about ₩18,000, taking 60–90 minutes depending on traffic — handy with a lot of luggage or if your hotel isn't near a station. Buy tickets at the airport bus counters.

60–90 min≈₩18,000

Taxi: the official rank or a Kakao T / UT app

A taxi into central Seoul runs about ₩65,000–85,000 and takes 60–90 minutes. Take one from the official rank, or book through the Kakao T or UT apps for the same metered fare with English support. 'International taxis' offer set fares and English-speaking drivers. Expect a 20% surcharge between midnight and 04:00 on regular taxis.

60–90 min≈₩65,000–85,000 incl. tolls

Something went wrong? Emergency help

My bag didn't arrive

Before leaving the baggage hall, file a PIR at your airline's baggage desk and keep your tag receipt and a photo of the bag. You'll get a reference number to track the claim.

Lost, stuck, or need English help

Call the Korea Travel Hotline on 1330 — it's free, 24/7 and English-speaking, and can help with directions, transport, translation and what to do next. For police call 112; for fire or an ambulance call 119.

Lost or stolen passport

Report it to airport police, then contact your country's embassy or consulate for an emergency travel document. Keep a photo of your passport's ID page on your phone before you travel.

Medical emergency

Go to an airport medical point or information desk, or call the local emergency number (shown in this airport's arrival tips) — it usually works from any phone, even with no SIM. Numbers differ by country, so don't assume 112 works everywhere.

An ATM kept my card

Do not leave immediately — note the ATM's bank and location, then call your card issuer to block the card. Machines inside bank branches are safer to retrieve from than standalone ones.