Transit in ICN
Oct 20, 2014, 4:51 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: MCI
Programs: UA PP, AA, DL, WN
Posts: 91
Transit in ICN
I'm flying UA into ICN, then after a 3 1/2 hour layover, continuing on to TAE on KE.
Any suggestions as to how to spend the time?
I know I need to pick up the domestic boarding pass in ICN since UA can't issue it. My bag is tagged to TAE, but I assume I'll need to pick it up and drag it through customs?
I won't have access to any lounges, will I? I'm *A Gold.
I do need to stop by KBooks to pick up an EG Sim Card I ordered online. What else? The restaurants landslide sound okay. Airside, not so much?
Any suggestions as to how to spend the time?
I know I need to pick up the domestic boarding pass in ICN since UA can't issue it. My bag is tagged to TAE, but I assume I'll need to pick it up and drag it through customs?
I won't have access to any lounges, will I? I'm *A Gold.
I do need to stop by KBooks to pick up an EG Sim Card I ordered online. What else? The restaurants landslide sound okay. Airside, not so much?
Oct 20, 2014, 8:44 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: BKK/SEL/YQG
Posts: 2,543
I'm flying UA into ICN, then after a 3 1/2 hour layover, continuing on to TAE on KE.
Any suggestions as to how to spend the time?
I know I need to pick up the domestic boarding pass in ICN since UA can't issue it. My bag is tagged to TAE, but I assume I'll need to pick it up and drag it through customs?
I won't have access to any lounges, will I? I'm *A Gold.
I do need to stop by KBooks to pick up an EG Sim Card I ordered online. What else? The restaurants landslide sound okay. Airside, not so much?
Any suggestions as to how to spend the time?
I know I need to pick up the domestic boarding pass in ICN since UA can't issue it. My bag is tagged to TAE, but I assume I'll need to pick it up and drag it through customs?
I won't have access to any lounges, will I? I'm *A Gold.
I do need to stop by KBooks to pick up an EG Sim Card I ordered online. What else? The restaurants landslide sound okay. Airside, not so much?
Oct 21, 2014, 7:59 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: MCI
Programs: UA PP, AA, DL, WN
Posts: 91
The domestic portion of ICN is not nearly as nice as the rest, and services are pretty limited. Since there are only a handful of connecting flights here, as most domestic flights leave GMP. You should triple check that your flight isn't actually leaving from GMP. Your best bet will be to stay out in the landside area to eat and shop before heading into domestic departures area.
I ended up spending most of the time in one of the restaurants landside on the 4th floor. I didn't head into the domestic area until about 40 minutes before my flight departure. According to the signs, passengers aren't even allowed in until 1 hour before flight time.
Oct 24, 2014, 7:00 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: MCI
Programs: UA PP, AA, DL, WN
Posts: 91
I'd read a couple of threads that suggested the services were a little sparse in the domestic concourse at ICN. There is (almost) nothing there!
Seriously, there is one very small convenience store. VERY small. With extremely limited selection/stock. I bought a bottle of water. That was probably 10% of the selection in the place!
Nov 18, 2014, 4:44 pm
#6
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: YVR
Programs: AE, MP, DL, AA, Accor Platinum (But aren't we all?)
Posts: 268
Unless there was a major fare difference which made TAE cheaper than ICN, check for the KTX Bullet Trains down to TAE from ICN. Given the transfer/ waiting/boarding/flying/deplaning time to change to the domestic flight, you probably could have been in Daegu already and the train is really not very expensive. You could even ride it down in F! 
This point cannot be emphasized enough!
I'd read a couple of threads that suggested the services were a little sparse in the domestic concourse at ICN. There is (almost) nothing there!
Seriously, there is one very small convenience store. VERY small. With extremely limited selection/stock. I bought a bottle of water. That was probably 10% of the selection in the place!
I'd read a couple of threads that suggested the services were a little sparse in the domestic concourse at ICN. There is (almost) nothing there!
Seriously, there is one very small convenience store. VERY small. With extremely limited selection/stock. I bought a bottle of water. That was probably 10% of the selection in the place!