Is a Transit Tour ending at 13:00 too tight for a 14:10 departure?
Jan 12, 2018, 11:48 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: NorCal
Posts: 658
Is a Transit Tour ending at 13:00 too tight for a 14:10 departure?
On the day I'm arriving, there are very few Transit Tour options for English speakers. It's nearly all Chinese and Japanese only. It looks like my only option is a 4 hour tour from 9AM-1PM. My connecting international flight to KIX leaves at 2:10PM. Is that too tight? 4 hours would be a great way to kill my LONG layover as I get in at 4:30 AM. Or will security/immigration make things too tight? When does Asiana require me to board?
Jan 12, 2018, 12:00 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: DTW
Programs: Marriott Platinum, SPG Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 394
By the time you deplane and pass through immigration it should be 6ish. I would just do some sight seeing yourself instead of waiting until 9 for a tour. It's quite easy to get to the main sites in Seoul. After walking around you can have some lunch or go shopping.
Anyways you won't make your flight if it leaves at 210pm.
Anyways you won't make your flight if it leaves at 210pm.
Jan 12, 2018, 12:10 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: NorCal
Posts: 658
Thanks. It did seem tight. No way I'd do it in the US, but I've heard the big Asian airlines are much more efficient/prompt so I thought I'd at least ask.
Both my legs are through Asiana. SFO-ICN-KIX. Do I have to collect my bags when I go through immigration, or are they just checked through? What about customs?
Both my legs are through Asiana. SFO-ICN-KIX. Do I have to collect my bags when I go through immigration, or are they just checked through? What about customs?
Jan 12, 2018, 5:51 pm
#4
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: DTW
Programs: Marriott Platinum, SPG Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 394
Bags are checked straight to your final destination. Your boarding pass and carry on will be scanned since you're in transit. If you want to leave the airport then you will have to tell let someone know at the transit desk so they can point you in the right direction.
Very efficient but you can't account for lines and other mishaps.
Very efficient but you can't account for lines and other mishaps.
Jan 13, 2018, 10:05 am
#5
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: ICN
Programs: OZ Diamond, KE, AA, UA, *G
Posts: 107
I agree. Trains to the city start running around 5:30, and with a 4:30 (scheduled) arrival it's possible you might be ready even before 5:30 (based on my own experience). If it were me, I'd take the AREX to Gongdeok (second last stop), transfer to line 5, get off at Gwanghwamun, and then do a solo walking tour from there. It's a great area for just wandering around. I would depart for the airport from Seoul no later than 11:15. From downtown Seoul it would take about 80 minutes including walking time, factor in another 30+ minutes for security/immigration, and if the departure is 2:10 then your boarding time is probably 1:40.
Jan 14, 2018, 8:01 pm
#6
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea
Programs: KE Skypass Morning Calm Member, OZ Club
Posts: 2,352
Boarding is always 30 minutes before departure whether its a 737 or an A380 for Asiana or Korean Air. And they stick to it. They don't magically board early. In the mid afternoon, it's not that busy for security. BUT let's say you cut it too close and get to the security line at 1:30 with your boarding pass. You can show it to the staff and they will let you skip the line and use the crew security lanes without a wait.
Jan 15, 2018, 11:52 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: NorCal
Posts: 658
Wow, great tips! Thanks.
It sounds like they're used to travelers just taking day trips into Seoul. So, when I arrive, I'm going to go through full customs and immigration, right? If I take a day trip, will I need to go through customs/immigration again? Or is it just some shortened version since I'll have a boarding pass that shows I'm leaving that day and I should have already gone through immigration when I initially arrived?
It sounds like they're used to travelers just taking day trips into Seoul. So, when I arrive, I'm going to go through full customs and immigration, right? If I take a day trip, will I need to go through customs/immigration again? Or is it just some shortened version since I'll have a boarding pass that shows I'm leaving that day and I should have already gone through immigration when I initially arrived?
Jan 23, 2018, 10:42 am
#9
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 29
Check With The Main Desk After Immigration
Wow, great tips! Thanks.
It sounds like they're used to travelers just taking day trips into Seoul. So, when I arrive, I'm going to go through full customs and immigration, right? If I take a day trip, will I need to go through customs/immigration again? Or is it just some shortened version since I'll have a boarding pass that shows I'm leaving that day and I should have already gone through immigration when I initially arrived?
It sounds like they're used to travelers just taking day trips into Seoul. So, when I arrive, I'm going to go through full customs and immigration, right? If I take a day trip, will I need to go through customs/immigration again? Or is it just some shortened version since I'll have a boarding pass that shows I'm leaving that day and I should have already gone through immigration when I initially arrived?
Jan 24, 2018, 11:52 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: LAS
Programs: A3*S, IHG Platinum, CP Gold
Posts: 20
On the day I'm arriving, there are very few Transit Tour options for English speakers. It's nearly all Chinese and Japanese only. It looks like my only option is a 4 hour tour from 9AM-1PM. My connecting international flight to KIX leaves at 2:10PM. Is that too tight? 4 hours would be a great way to kill my LONG layover as I get in at 4:30 AM. Or will security/immigration make things too tight? When does Asiana require me to board?