Minimum check in time enforced at ICN?
Nov 5, 2014, 10:22 am
#16
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I am inclined to say that this would be impossible.
You go from Dorasan (which is in the military restricted zone - so obviously no taxi) straight to Jayuro (Freedom Highway) which connects to Olympic Highway before getting off south of the river.
So it involves either convincing the bus driver to take an unscheduled exit from the highway or convincing the bus driver to let you off on a highway.
Google Panmunjom Tour. I think there are only three or so (including USO) that does the tour of the actual Panmunjom.
You go from Dorasan (which is in the military restricted zone - so obviously no taxi) straight to Jayuro (Freedom Highway) which connects to Olympic Highway before getting off south of the river.
So it involves either convincing the bus driver to take an unscheduled exit from the highway or convincing the bus driver to let you off on a highway.
Google Panmunjom Tour. I think there are only three or so (including USO) that does the tour of the actual Panmunjom.
Nov 5, 2014, 10:27 am
#17
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I am inclined to say that this would be impossible.
You go from Dorasan (which is in the military restricted zone - so obviously no taxi) straight to Jayuro (Freedom Highway) which connects to Olympic Highway before getting off south of the river.
So it involves either convincing the bus driver to take an unscheduled exit from the highway or convincing the bus driver to let you off on a highway.
Google Panmunjom Tour. I think there are only three or so (including USO) that does the tour of the actual Panmunjom.
You go from Dorasan (which is in the military restricted zone - so obviously no taxi) straight to Jayuro (Freedom Highway) which connects to Olympic Highway before getting off south of the river.
So it involves either convincing the bus driver to take an unscheduled exit from the highway or convincing the bus driver to let you off on a highway.
Google Panmunjom Tour. I think there are only three or so (including USO) that does the tour of the actual Panmunjom.
OP need to contact the tour operators and get answers about potential arrangements in writing.
Are there any issues in bringing luggage on the tour if it enters the military restricted area?
Nov 5, 2014, 10:37 am
#18
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Highway connects straight to the checkpoint - so doubt it.
But OTOH, (1) you are going to a military instillation that borders a hostile country and (2) the place even has a dress code to visit (http://fieldflower.webini.net/bbs/bo..._id=126&page=0) - so I am inclined to say, no you can't bring your suitcases...
Nov 5, 2014, 10:42 am
#19
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Highway connects straight to the checkpoint - so doubt it.
But OTOH, (1) you are going to a military instillation that borders a hostile country and (2) the place even has a dress code to visit (http://fieldflower.webini.net/bbs/bo..._id=126&page=0) - so I am inclined to say, no you can't bring your suitcases...
Nov 5, 2014, 10:59 am
#21
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If they do much to search people on the way in, they probably prohibit luggage, although there could be exceptions for things left in the bus during the visit.
OP might want to ask in the destination forum where there might be people around who have taken some of the DMZ tours.
OP might want to ask in the destination forum where there might be people around who have taken some of the DMZ tours.
Nov 5, 2014, 11:04 am
#22
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There is no way you can make 1530 express train. Those express trains are very reliable. Taking 1600 express train gives you 12 minutes to go from ICN train station to DL check in. You may want to look up ICN airport map to be familiar layout and run for it.
Nov 5, 2014, 4:02 pm
#23
Join Date: Jan 2012
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Delta check-in counters are typically in the K area. Takes at least 10 minutes from train station to K area walking at a fast pace. Getting through security could be a bigger problem for you - depending on the time of the day, it could take 30+ minutes. Getting though immigration and shuttle train to the concourse adds another 20 minutes. You are seriously pushing your luck!
Nov 5, 2014, 8:13 pm
#24
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Delta check-in counters are typically in the K area. Takes at least 10 minutes from train station to K area walking at a fast pace. Getting through security could be a bigger problem for you - depending on the time of the day, it could take 30+ minutes. Getting though immigration and shuttle train to the concourse adds another 20 minutes. You are seriously pushing your luck!
0630 Arrive at CALT. Check in, check bags, and clear immigration for evening flight.
0730-1530 - Participate in tour
1530-1600 - Transit to Seoul Station and purchase AREX tickets
1600-1643 - AREX to ICN
1643-1720 - No need to visit ticketing counter, Proceed through designated CALT entrances and through security and then onto Delta gate
1720 - Board for 1755 departure.
Seems like it should work
Nov 5, 2014, 8:32 pm
#26
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Great info thanks. This makes it seem almost impossible. However, let me put out a game plan and see if it makes sense.
0630 Arrive at CALT. Check in, check bags, and clear immigration for evening flight.
0730-1530 - Participate in tour
1530-1600 - Transit to Seoul Station and purchase AREX tickets
1600-1643 - AREX to ICN
1643-1720 - No need to visit ticketing counter, Proceed through designated CALT entrances and through security and then onto Delta gate
1720 - Board for 1755 departure.
Seems like it should work
0630 Arrive at CALT. Check in, check bags, and clear immigration for evening flight.
0730-1530 - Participate in tour
1530-1600 - Transit to Seoul Station and purchase AREX tickets
1600-1643 - AREX to ICN
1643-1720 - No need to visit ticketing counter, Proceed through designated CALT entrances and through security and then onto Delta gate
1720 - Board for 1755 departure.
Seems like it should work
Call and change the ticket to depart another date.
Nov 5, 2014, 9:42 pm
#27
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Great info thanks. This makes it seem almost impossible. However, let me put out a game plan and see if it makes sense.
0630 Arrive at CALT. Check in, check bags, and clear immigration for evening flight.
0730-1530 - Participate in tour
1530-1600 - Transit to Seoul Station and purchase AREX tickets
1600-1643 - AREX to ICN
1643-1720 - No need to visit ticketing counter, Proceed through designated CALT entrances and through security and then onto Delta gate
1720 - Board for 1755 departure.
Seems like it should work
0630 Arrive at CALT. Check in, check bags, and clear immigration for evening flight.
0730-1530 - Participate in tour
1530-1600 - Transit to Seoul Station and purchase AREX tickets
1600-1643 - AREX to ICN
1643-1720 - No need to visit ticketing counter, Proceed through designated CALT entrances and through security and then onto Delta gate
1720 - Board for 1755 departure.
Seems like it should work
If it's a go, you might be able to save a bit of time and avoid some uncertainty by purchasing the AREX tickets early, in the morning or even the day before.
Nov 5, 2014, 10:02 pm
#28
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This may work. I just realized that OP is checking in at CALT Gangnam, not SSCAT, but take AREX train, not limo bus. A bit confusing as CALT is setup for limo bus while SSCAT is setup for AREX train. DL does participate in CALT check in with baggage. They key thing is to catch 1600 AREX train. That's not how it was setup for but it may work.
Nov 5, 2014, 10:23 pm
#29
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 206
Thanks everyone for the input thus far. I'll update this once we are back and through. At this point we will be doing the tour, and either using the schedule I posted earlier, (view-with-a-room seems quite adamant it will fail but no reason why?) or more likely, using a driver that contacted me through my similar Tripadvisor post, offering a ride from Imjingak parking lot near DMZ to ICN for $200. He has told me he is friends with a USO tour guide and that being dropped off here won't be a problem.