5 hour layover in ICN Seoul
Mar 19, 2012, 8:52 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K, SPG Gold; Hilton Silver; Priority Plat; Marriott Silver
Posts: 127
5 hour layover in ICN Seoul
I've read several posts on things to do with 12 hours in ICN. Are there things to do around ICN with just 5 hours?
Mar 20, 2012, 1:25 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: Skyteam
Posts: 5,759
Clear customs and walk back the area above the ticketing area, try the Korean restaurant selections there. After you eat, go through the security and do some duty free shopping. There is your 5 hours used up quick. Unless you have someone locally that can pickup you up to see incheon for 2 hours, you have no other choice.
Mar 23, 2012, 1:05 am
#5
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,835
If the layover is during the day, 8 hrs makes it more feasible to go to downtown Seoul.
Take bus/train to Seoul, walk around, eat, shop and come back to ICN airport.
There is also a free sleeping lounge at ICN and showers too(but i dont know if you have to pay for the showers).
Take bus/train to Seoul, walk around, eat, shop and come back to ICN airport.
There is also a free sleeping lounge at ICN and showers too(but i dont know if you have to pay for the showers).
May 24, 2012, 11:23 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: Skyteam
Posts: 5,759
I had a 6 hours layover in ICN yesterday so I did the free 1 hour temple tour offered by the ICN airport. 2,3,5 hours and DMZ tour is available for very reasonable price. I believe the prices are $5,10,25 and DMZ was $70 per person person.
May 28, 2012, 1:59 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 710
I recently did a 12hr layover in Seoul, landside. 
That's what happens when you book inwards flight on KE and outwards flight on another airline.
I had reckoned that I could use the transit hotel for some sleep (landed at 5am) bt obviously with no onwards boarding pass, I had to wait for the TG checkin desk to open some 9hrs after I landed!
My fault, but still, bloody boring!
That's what happens when you book inwards flight on KE and outwards flight on another airline.
I had reckoned that I could use the transit hotel for some sleep (landed at 5am) bt obviously with no onwards boarding pass, I had to wait for the TG checkin desk to open some 9hrs after I landed!
My fault, but still, bloody boring!
May 28, 2012, 11:08 pm
#8
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: Skyteam
Posts: 5,759
I recently did a 12hr layover in Seoul, landside.
That's what happens when you book inwards flight on KE and outwards flight on another airline.
I had reckoned that I could use the transit hotel for some sleep (landed at 5am) bt obviously with no onwards boarding pass, I had to wait for the TG checkin desk to open some 9hrs after I landed!
My fault, but still, bloody boring!
That's what happens when you book inwards flight on KE and outwards flight on another airline.
I had reckoned that I could use the transit hotel for some sleep (landed at 5am) bt obviously with no onwards boarding pass, I had to wait for the TG checkin desk to open some 9hrs after I landed!
My fault, but still, bloody boring!
May 29, 2012, 7:25 am
#9
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 710
Wish I had done a tour now, even somewhere like DMZ or Gyeongbokgung Palace would have been nice...
Jun 3, 2012, 8:51 pm
#10
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 278
Checkin is pretty quick at ICN, I think even getting there 1.5 hours early is usually enough. With 5 hours I'd say its almost impossible to explore seoul as it takes about 1 hour to get there, maybe a quick meal but probably better off exploring Incheon area. With 8 hours you could make it to Seoul and back, perhaps go to myeongdong area and do some shopping (there's also many good restaurants in that area)
Jun 21, 2012, 7:06 pm
#11
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: YVR
Programs: AE, MP, DL, AA, Accor Platinum (But aren't we all?)
Posts: 268
5 Hours is way too short for something in Seoul as you will spend most of your time travelling between the airport and the city. Explore Incheon or as skchin suggested, there are a ton of things to do in the airport. Try some Korean food or even the Korean Baths (JimJilBang) in the airport if you want to relax in a cheap and relaxing environment. It's quite an experience. Plus you will get to scrub up nice and clean and feel like you are at a spa.
Aug 14, 2012, 9:32 pm
#12
Join Date: May 2005
Location: ICN
Programs: DL Gold, UA
Posts: 7
If you are stuck landside, there is a sauna ("Spa on Air") located in the basement of the airport. Daytime prices start at 15,000KRW (<$15). You can also rent private rooms if you dont want to share with others. You can leave your luggage in the sauna lobby, where is it watched and tagged for security. It saved me on a 10 hour lay over this summer.
I later found the transit lounge (inside security) also had free internet/computers and free showers. LOL
I later found the transit lounge (inside security) also had free internet/computers and free showers. LOL
Aug 26, 2012, 8:01 pm
#13
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Somewhere in Y class
Programs: OZ D+ Lifetime
Posts: 1,181
Recently the price of the AREX, Airport Express Train (From ICN to Seoul Station) dropped to 8,000 won. It used to be 13,300 won. So you can take this non stop train into the heart of Seoul in 43 mins. If I had a few hour layover, I would leave my baggage at the airport (there is a place to leave your bags for a fee on the departure level) and then head to Seoul station. From there, you can take the subway to Gwanghwamun or Gyeongbokgung (might need to do a transfer). Or go to Anguk station and walk through Insadong area. Nearby is also Jong-ro station, where the Cheonggyecheon stream is nearby.
I would probably avoid the bus and/or taxi during the evening rush hour traffic. A 1 hour taxi ride to Incheon airport (already expensive!) will easily turn into 2 hr ride.
I would probably avoid the bus and/or taxi during the evening rush hour traffic. A 1 hour taxi ride to Incheon airport (already expensive!) will easily turn into 2 hr ride.
Aug 28, 2012, 6:45 pm
#15
Join Date: Feb 2011
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