Korean Air Skypass - 15 hour layover in ICN..what to do?

I will be flying BKK-ICN-YYZ in March...we land in ICN at 5:55am and do not depart until 8:55 pm. While its a horrible 15 hour layover, we want to make an opportunity out of it. We dont want to sit at the airport for 15 hours. Any suggestions? We thought about going into Seoul but didn't want to carry our luggage all around...

I also had a layover recently, overnight, and stayed in a hotel. I didn't go anywhere because the timing was awkward, but I did a little research as I was thinking about the possibility. I believe it takes around 90 minutes from the airport to Seoul. The return trip is therefore three hours, and allowing for airport time (say two hours), this gives you ten hours for Seoul. I have not used the left luggage facuility at ICN, but I believe there is one. I would think that is your best bet. This may help:
http://www.airport.kr/helpdesk/bul/bulView.iia?gubun_code=B10&bul_q_seq=14113&item=&langGubun=E

If you are travelling KAL straight through on one ticket, your bags should be checked right through. If you want to store carry-on, you should be able to at ICN...

I would head into the City Hall area of Seoul, where there are a number of palaces, Namdaemun Market, more upscale shopping, the Cheongye Stream and a few other things worth seeing all with a 15-20 minute walking radius. If the weather is nice you can also take a cable car up Namsan (South Mountain).

If you end up being really tired, there is a spa/sauna/public bath in the basement. They also have a sleeping room and there is a place you can store your luggage. If I remember, entrance fee is 15,000W (12 dollars).

If you want to store your luggage at the airport, one place is the Hanjin shipping (owned by same group that owns KE) desk on the departure level (3) over to the very right, next to the entrance for the domestic gates. For the day it's 6,000 W per carry-on size piece. Hours are 6am - 10pm.

If you end up wanting to look around yourself, I would suggest getting a Seoul City Bus tour pass (http://english.visitseoul.net/visit2007en/activities/citybustour/citybustour.jsp?cid=37). It connects all the major things to see in Seoul and more importantly, is extensively documented in English. Basically you get off where you want, and another bus comes around every 30 minutes. Keep in mind that a lot of things are closed on Mondays - even some malls (some are closed Tuesdays).

If you have more money than effort, the airport authority actually has "transit tours" (http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_5_1.jsp).

As for what to see, depends on what you like. Seoul has tons of historical/palace/cultural stuff as well as shopping, "street culture," etc. If you are particularly adventuresome, going to the DMZ is also doable.

I believe aside from going into Seoul, there are also some inexpensive and short tours to sights around the Incheon area (less than 10 USD). Also, there are some free "Experience Korean Culture" booths in the airport where you can, e.g., try on traditional Korean clothes and have your photo taken, learn about tea and food, etc.

If you'd like to go into Seoul, the City Tour Pass is a good option, especially if you'll be going soon. Right now is a lovely time of year, temperate weather, clear skies.

I'm booked on a trip on KE, YYZ-ICN-DPS. the YYZ flight arrives 3:30am, and the DPS flight dosen't leave until after 5pm.

First of all, dose anyone have the opening hours of the lounges, I couldn't find anything on the KE website.

I'm booked into Prestige class, but i found this passage on the KE website

If the Korean Air lounge provides both First Class and Prestige Class lounges (Seoul/Incheon, Osaka, Los Angeles, New York), Morning Calm Premium Club and Million Miler Club members may access the lounge for a class higher than the ticketed class. Lounge benefit is subject to lounge availability and capacity.

Any chance that benefit is available to other skyteam elite plus members from other airlines?

And lastly, how long, and troublesome is the trip into Seoul, would a trip be worth it.

I'm booked on a trip on KE, YYZ-ICN-DPS. the YYZ flight arrives 3:30am, and the DPS flight dosen't leave until after 5pm.

First of all, dose anyone have the opening hours of the lounges, I couldn't find anything on the KE website.

I'm booked into Prestige class, but i found this passage on the KE website



Any chance that benefit is available to other skyteam elite plus members from other airlines?

And lastly, how long, and troublesome is the trip into Seoul, would a trip be worth it.

ICN offers lots of tour program to Seoul, Incheon, and far to DMZ (demilitarized zone between North and South Korea). Here's the link: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_5_1.jsp

Have a good time at Korea!!

I'm booked on a trip on KE, YYZ-ICN-DPS. the YYZ flight arrives 3:30am, and the DPS flight dosen't leave until after 5pm.

First of all, dose anyone have the opening hours of the lounges, I couldn't find anything on the KE website.

I'm booked into Prestige class, but i found this passage on the KE website



Any chance that benefit is available to other skyteam elite plus members from other airlines?

And lastly, how long, and troublesome is the trip into Seoul, would a trip be worth it.

Lounge hours.
http://www.koreanair.com/local/na/gd/eng/aa/ia/eng_aa_ia_tm04.jsp

The trip to Seoul is only slightly more troublesome than scrolling down the flyertalk skypass page. (it's a joke, don't take it personally)
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/korean-air-skypass/994785-15-hour-layover-icn-what-do.html

I'm sort of in the same boat as the OP, but my layover is on Monday, no DMZ tour, and from the sounds of it, lots of places are closed, is it still worth going into the city? Also, has anyone been to the spa in the basement, how is it?

I'm sort of in the same boat as the OP, but my layover is on Monday, no DMZ tour, and from the sounds of it, lots of places are closed, is it still worth going into the city? Also, has anyone been to the spa in the basement, how is it?

Never been, but from what I've heard, it's pretty nice/clean. I don't know if I'd spend all day there...

Looking from your profile I see that you wouldn't be too blown away by any other Asian city, but I think it's worth it to go in. On a Monday the palaces and museums will be closed, but Insadong (the arts district), Namsan (N Seoul Tower), and the shopping areas (myeongdong, namdaemun) will be open. Like I said, it's not amazingly unique, but it has its own flavor. Namsan will be particularly nice this time of year because of the leaves changing color. There's also a collection of traditional houses at the base of the mountain.

That said, a massage, soaking in the tub, followed by a nap doesn't sound too bad either, especially if you are traveling for work... haha