ICN - Long Layover
 

Looking at some HKG return options. KE offers layovers of either 1:05 (is that long enough?) or 12:55.

I see on the ICN web page there are some tour options at ICN. Anyone have any recommendations for which if any to take? Or am I better off in the transit hotel catching some sleep?

When my partner and I went thru Incheon earlier this year we wanted to do the DMZ tour...but be warned the transit tours only run if they get their required minimum number of people. They had no other people sign up when we were there...so we took the only tour they offered for a group of two...a 'craptacular' tour of the area around the airport and island.

i do the transit hotel, not bad, but they have some nice lounges there if you not want hotel, i not do the tours

Yes - assuming that your first flight is not delayed. The airport is ultra modern and efficient IME. You may have to walk some distance, but one hour should be enough.

To transfer from one international flight to another international flight you go through a transit security check and into the departures area. No immigration or customs. No need to recheck bags.

I agree with one exception at ONE time, the transit security check, I was stuck behind a plane load of transit workers going from one place to another and boy was security and screening tight there and LONG LONG LONG TIME. And I'm not joking, it was a huge number of foreign workers. So the transit check was over an hour right there for that time. They had two folks screening. I was in no rush to catch a plane so I stood there but others tried to jump line to catch connections and the folks were not allowing that when I WAS there.

Other times I had a slight delay at transit but nothing hours. It is a big big airport, hope you have walking shoes on hahahaha.

Thanks for the info. I thought the minimums might be an issue as I am traveling solo. Fortunately for me the discussion is moot at this point.

Whoda thunk at only 3 months out I'd be able to score a business class award ticket on CX? :D

To follow on this thread:

I'll be arriving at ICN at 21:15 on Thursday and leaving at 19:25 on Friday near the end of February en route to SYD.

Can anyone recommend a nice hotel and also something to do on Friday morning/afternoon that will get us back in time for our flight to SYD?

You can do any hotel you want with that length of time. Near the city air terminal (which has bus service to/from the airport like every 10 minutes) are two hotels: the Inter-Continental and the Park Hyatt. These both are also close to subway stations that will take you most anywhere in town that you want to go to. I'd go to to Nandaemun market and wander around, but I haven't explored Seoul that much.

Actually more than 2 hotels: there is the Grand Intercontinental (original Intercon and usually more expensive), the Coex Intercontinental, the Oakwood.....but all are considered 5 star and not cheap. However sometimes can get good on-line deals.

In between the three is the convention center, next door is the high end Hyundai dept store, underneath is the Coex 'mall' - food court, movie theaters, lots of restaurants and shops. You are in the Kangnam area, and the street fronting Grand is the busiest in Seoul.

I've stayed at both the Intercons in Seoul several times. The Intercon-Coex is newer but very wanky about Ambassador Club upgrades ... they'll give you a room on a high floor (in spite of having booked that anyway) and consider that your upgrade. The Grand Intercontinental bumps you up to a Junior Suite ... I'd booked a club room so had lounge access ... fantastic ... and all the staff knew my name on sight ... impressive