Complexity of Incheon Airport
Oct 19, 2016, 1:10 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: EMA (how boring) but BHX is more convenient.
Posts: 2,357
Complexity of Incheon Airport
Hi all. At Christmas I will be flying with my 17yo son UK -> NZ. It looks as if we will go with Korean Airlines.
However, my son will return before me. This will mean that he will transit in Incheon alone. My partner is extremely concerned by this, as he'll be half-way around the world alone, switching planes.
Is anyone familiar with Incheon? Is it a simple, well-organised airport? Or is it like some airports where you may have to travel on a train from one part to another, and not all screens show all flights, etc?
Personally I think things will be fine as we can scope out the airport on the way out. However, opinions/impressions of travellers who know the airport would be appreciated.
However, my son will return before me. This will mean that he will transit in Incheon alone. My partner is extremely concerned by this, as he'll be half-way around the world alone, switching planes.
Is anyone familiar with Incheon? Is it a simple, well-organised airport? Or is it like some airports where you may have to travel on a train from one part to another, and not all screens show all flights, etc?
Personally I think things will be fine as we can scope out the airport on the way out. However, opinions/impressions of travellers who know the airport would be appreciated.
Oct 19, 2016, 1:38 am
#2
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Greater Seattle Area
Programs: Star Alliance
Posts: 134
Incheon Airport is a modern and convenient airport, it's clearly instructed and marked. The only thing would be that only very limited convenience store that are open 24 hours, so that's the downside. So I would say you're fine, and they're accustom to tourists and visitors so the english communication level is very sufficient.
Oct 19, 2016, 5:41 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: EMA (how boring) but BHX is more convenient.
Posts: 2,357
Incheon Airport is a modern and convenient airport, it's clearly instructed and marked. The only thing would be that only very limited convenience store that are open 24 hours, so that's the downside. So I would say you're fine, and they're accustom to tourists and visitors so the english communication level is very sufficient.
Oct 28, 2016, 7:42 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LGA - JFK
Programs: UA, AA, DL, B6, CX, KE, Latitude, VIFP, Crown & Anchor, etc.
Posts: 2,589
ICN has excellent bilingual Korean/English signage throughout the terminal, including important announcements such as boarding messages. Airport is 24/7 but reduced services late night but never fully closed as a handful of shops will stay open in the early morning/pre-dawn hours & comes to life around 6 AM again ... our A380's landed at 4 AM local time and had we needed help for transfer, etc. - the friendly & helpful, centralized kiosk was staffed and there are KA staff on hand to help transit pax with the transfer. All int'l pax deplane at the lower level & head for either the transit area with security screening (no liquid allowed, except 3-1-1) - then proceed upstairs to the departure level where most services are situated. There are ATM's and credit cards are widely used & accepted, and, very good duty-free prices for popular products, especially cosmetics & facial masks (DW loved buying there whenever we stopped.)
KA is the flagship carrier and depending on OP's layover time, upstairs on level 4 are hi-speed, free WiFi lounges & PC terminals, comfortable loungers to rest & take short naps; and free showers for all departing pax (complimentary towels) on a walk-in basis (open at 7 AM till late). All of the KA int'l flights use the gates at the main terminal - no need to worry about switching terminals and getting lost, etc.
On the way out, pickup one of the pocket ICN Airport Guide, it will provide all the necessary details ... of course, we almost didn't want to leave the KA Lounge when it was time for us to head back downstairs.
KA is the flagship carrier and depending on OP's layover time, upstairs on level 4 are hi-speed, free WiFi lounges & PC terminals, comfortable loungers to rest & take short naps; and free showers for all departing pax (complimentary towels) on a walk-in basis (open at 7 AM till late). All of the KA int'l flights use the gates at the main terminal - no need to worry about switching terminals and getting lost, etc.
On the way out, pickup one of the pocket ICN Airport Guide, it will provide all the necessary details ... of course, we almost didn't want to leave the KA Lounge when it was time for us to head back downstairs.
Oct 30, 2016, 9:45 pm
#6
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea
Programs: KE Skypass Morning Calm Member, OZ Club
Posts: 2,351
Just to correct a small point, there are no ATMS inside the airport past security. Made that mistake once. You can use check and credit cards to make purchases at all stores, of course.
And yes, I THOROUGHLY recommend the free showers.
And yes, I THOROUGHLY recommend the free showers.
Nov 15, 2016, 8:08 pm
#7
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Somewhere in Y class
Programs: OZ D+ Lifetime
Posts: 1,181
ICN has excellent bilingual Korean/English signage throughout the terminal, including important announcements such as boarding messages. Airport is 24/7 but reduced services late night but never fully closed as a handful of shops will stay open in the early morning/pre-dawn hours & comes to life around 6 AM again ... our A380's landed at 4 AM local time and had we needed help for transfer, etc. - the friendly & helpful, centralized kiosk was staffed and there are KA staff on hand to help transit pax with the transfer. All int'l pax deplane at the lower level & head for either the transit area with security screening (no liquid allowed, except 3-1-1) - then proceed upstairs to the departure level where most services are situated. There are ATM's and credit cards are widely used & accepted, and, very good duty-free prices for popular products, especially cosmetics & facial masks (DW loved buying there whenever we stopped.)
KA is the flagship carrier and depending on OP's layover time, upstairs on level 4 are hi-speed, free WiFi lounges & PC terminals, comfortable loungers to rest & take short naps; and free showers for all departing pax (complimentary towels) on a walk-in basis (open at 7 AM till late). All of the KA int'l flights use the gates at the main terminal - no need to worry about switching terminals and getting lost, etc.
On the way out, pickup one of the pocket ICN Airport Guide, it will provide all the necessary details ... of course, we almost didn't want to leave the KA Lounge when it was time for us to head back downstairs.
KA is the flagship carrier and depending on OP's layover time, upstairs on level 4 are hi-speed, free WiFi lounges & PC terminals, comfortable loungers to rest & take short naps; and free showers for all departing pax (complimentary towels) on a walk-in basis (open at 7 AM till late). All of the KA int'l flights use the gates at the main terminal - no need to worry about switching terminals and getting lost, etc.
On the way out, pickup one of the pocket ICN Airport Guide, it will provide all the necessary details ... of course, we almost didn't want to leave the KA Lounge when it was time for us to head back downstairs.
Just for clarification,
KA = Dragon Airlines, based out of Hong Kong.
KE = Korean Airlines