Im scheduled for about 6 hrs at ICN airport, at a hotel room.

Is there anything to do around Incheon without going into Seoul?

Thanks!

Last time I was in ICN, I had an 8 hour layover. Since coming from PEK, I wasn't interested in sleeping so I wandered around the terminal. I can't remember where it is but there was a kiosk offering transit tours. You tell them how long you have and they put together a tour for you. I think it was around $60 USD per person and they took us to Changdeok Palace, a temple and a market. They even feed you lunch at a restaurant in the market so you don't have to eat KFC at the airport.

ICN really isnt near Incheon city, and there isnt much other than a big supermarket 2 stations away on the airport train.

You can stare at all the glass and marble....and shop Duty Free but there's not much out there.

ICN is in Incheon and what you can do is eat sea food. Because Incheon is by the ocean, I'd sugest you visit one of the largest sea food market in Korea for some "wheh" (sashimi) in Korean. Just hail a taxi and takes you 20-25 minutes ride to the market.

6 hours isn't really enough time to see Seoul though. You have to look at 20 minutes to get through immigration and customs, 10 minutes to catch the train, an hour to get to Seoul Station, and you should really be at the airport 40 minutes prior to departure, and it's an hour back so you get two/two and a half hours in the city. Maybe you could grab lunch or dinner in Seoul but a tour is practically impossible.

6 hours would be just enough time to wander into seoul and just check it out on the bus ride over from the airport, and then wander around myeong dong (sp) or another single destination to walk around and then come back. it's better than sitting in the hotel room, right?

I guess. Myongdong is kind of touristy and overrated though. Gangnam is a pretty popular area (Airport rail to Gimpo, then take line 9 express to Sinnonhyeon-should be about an hour). Actually Gangnam has more of a Broadway-ish feel to it. Not much to do there besides shopping.

Sounds like a good plan. How much money would one have to exchange for transportation and bowl of soup(?) or other lunch?

The restaurants inside Seoul Station are really not that good. Some el cheapo Korean eateries on the street to the right from the main entrance that can be passable but actually I think you get better food in Airport Town near ICN.

I would head into the Hyatt Regency Spa at ICN but then that's just me.

I am scheduled to arrive at 12:20 and have departure at 19:45 on a weekday at the end of December. Would be easier to take the train to Seoul Central for walk around there or is there something local around the airport, that may be worthwhile exploring, eg. harbour or shoreline?

For certain reasons, I'm very familiar with the area around Seoul Station. There is absolutely nothing to see in the immediate surroundings. Options include climbing the hill up to Namsan, past the Millenium Hilton hotel or then heading towards Namdaemun market and Myeong-dong.

Namdaemun has a cheap feel and the eateries are also not the cleanest. Some ok Korean dumpling shops though. Visitors are lower income Korean and Japanese shoppers.

Myeong-dong is aimed at Japanese shopping tourists but has a few gems like good quality Korean shoes (Landrover etc.) available. For food the square around Pacific Hotel on the Namsan side is quite good. Then there are the Shinsegae and Lotte department stores for imported luxury goods and upscale food courts.

This is my "home area" in Seoul so please allow me to be extra critical.

Actually there are lots to do in/near ICN. Depending on how much time you have, you can take a transit tour. They have 2 tours of 1 hr each (both free!) - one to a nearby Buddhist temple and another one to a shopping plaza I think. I took the temple one and they pick you up and drop you back to the airport in plenty of time (the tour itself is ok but a nice way to get out of the airport).

There are other tours you can get as well such as a longer tour that goes to the temple, a few other places and the beach. I think this one you can fit into the 6 hr slot you have. Longer tours would be for the day tour to Seoul etc. And the prices are all inclusive with food, transportation etc. The tour counter can even store your luggage (although I'd recommend leaving in the lounge under electronic lock if you can - will speed up re-entry into ICN secure areas upon return!)

You can find the transit tour desk right next to the Immigration desk and also after Customs on the arrival level.

Source: ICN layover last month

Thanks, maybe I will stay locally instead of venturing into Seoul for an hour or two. The lonely planet korea seoul guide suggests a West Sea Islands tour using a bus that starts at Incheon subway station. Does anyone have more information on this or has done this tour?

Tagging onto this thread. Have an international connection in business class (so should be quick to exit) at ICN in mid Jan with 5 1/2 hr transit time. Have booked the 2hrs transit tours (temple and Incheon landing) but then started to wonder if I can squeeze a trip to Seoul. Thinking of AREX train and then visit the war museum which is just to the south of Seoul station.

Anyone done this before? I know I won't have much time but the exhibits there are amazing, including a B52. Also knowing it'll be in mid-winter, I wonder how realistic it's going to be to be walking on the streets of Seoul?

Thoughts and ideas? Any other options?