Cheongju Airport Overview
Transportation / Tax refund / Automatic customs / Restaurants
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As Cheongju has opened new routes to other countries and offers low-cost airlines, more inquires about Cheongju has come up. However, the information on the web is a bit old and irrelevant. I actually visited Cheongju to answer all your questions.
It contains latest information about traveling from Cheongju. From Cheongju it takes only 1.5 hours to get to Seoul, and it is same as that of Incheon. Isn't it very convenient?
Cheongju Airport / Transportation
1. From Cheongju To Seoul
Cheongju Airport⇋Seoul Bus Tickets|Reserve
Cheonju Airport is relatively small and has only Gate 1 to Gate 3. If you want to take the bus to Seoul go straight to Gate 1. If you want to exchange currency first head to Gate 3 and find Shinhan Bank. It is the only place where you can exchange currency in Cheongju.
If you are taking the bus from Gate 1, remember to buy a ticket first, since you cannot use T-money card for express buses (you can use T-money for other Cheongju buses). I have sorted out the latest information on Cheongju transportation. I recommend that you make a reservation for the ticket, since they almost always run out 1 hour before the departure.
Cheongju Airport⇋Seoul‧Incheon | |||
Cheongju Airport/ Seoul Express Bus Terminal Station 【Reserve now】 | Seoul Nambu Bus Terminal | ||
Depart from Cheongju | Depart from Seoul | Depart from Cheongju | Depart from Seoul |
08:55 | 07:50 | 08:45 | 11:30 |
09:35 | 08:45 | 18:45 | 12:35 |
10:15 | 10:45 | 21:05 | 16:00 |
10:55 | 11:50 | COEX Transfer Station | |
11:35 | 13:50 | Depart from Cheongju | Depart from COEX |
13:45 | 14:45 | 06:25 | 09:30 |
14:25 | 15:10 | 08:35 | 11:30 |
14:55 | 16:50 | 14:45 | 17:30 |
16:55 | 18:20 | 17:10 | 19:30 |
17:15 | 18:50 | Incheon Transfer Station | |
18:15 | 20:10 | Depart from Cheongju | Depart from Incheon |
19:35 | 20:50 | 07:40 | 07:25 |
- | - | 12:40 | 16:00 |
As you can see that there are very few shifts, so it is necessary for you to book a ticket.
Next to Gate 1, there is a self-service machine to buy tickets. You can choose the language, and use cash or credit card. If you don't want to book beforehand, you can try your luck here.
Note : Non-Korean credit card cannot be used. In this case, use cash.
I made the reservation before visiting, and I got the QR code on my phone. I can just tag the QR code when I get on the bus.The bus will arrive on time, and it will arrive at the Bus Stop 1 outside of Gate 1.
It takes about 1.5 hours from Cheongju to Seoul. Sometimes there is traffic jam from Cheongju to Seoul, so when you are making a schedule make it a bit loose.
2. From Seoul to Cheongju
Seoul⇋Cheongju Airport Bus Tickets|Reserve
Express Bus Terminal Station, you need to get to Exit 2 or 7 and get to Honam line (호남선) or the Central Terminal.
When you are taking the bus fromIf you walk straight you will get inside the department store building. Don't worry and just keep ahead.
There are many platform gates. Just find the gate listed on your bus ticket!
Basically, the trains to Cheongju depart from gate 11, but you need to check your ticket to make sure. You can ask the staff about the contents of the ticket. Bus normally arrives 5 minutes prior to departure, so you can get on the bus then.
3. Cheongju Airport - currency exchange and tax refund
The scale of Cheongju airport is very small, and you won't get lost in here. Still, I have gathered information about currency exchange and tax refunds which will come in handy for everyone.
- Cheongju Airport Currency Exchange
Currency Exchange at Cheongju Airport only offers service from Shinhan Bank. If you are traveling through Cheongju, it is better to exchange money from your home country than in Cheongju. You can see the difference in exchange rate in the table below.
If you are going to Seoul there are other methods that provide better exchange rate. Choose the method that best suits you.
- Cheongju Airport Tax Refund
There is no tax refund machine(cash), and you will have to fill out a document for tax refunds. It opens 2.5 hours before the departure, so if you visit the place too early you will not be able to get any service.
Also, there aren't much foreign travelers in Cheongju, so the service is not as perfect in Seoul.
- Cheongju Airport Restaurant / Shop
Cheongju Airport 2F has Yongwoodong (용우동) and Paris Baguette, but they are all open during the meal time, and late in the evening or early in the morning they all close.
- Cheongju Other Services
The tourist information office of Cheongju offers simple consultation. However, if you are here too late or early, there will be no staff available.
Those who want to do automatic customs clearance, there is the Cheongju Immigration Office in gate 3. You can apply for it 09:00 ~ 18:00 on weekdays.
4. Travel within Cheongju
When I visited Cheongju before I never cross the road before, since there were all the long-distance buses on this side of the road. After crossing the road I could take the buses running within the city.
Basically, the buses keep the time table. You can look up the time table for the bus you need and schedule your trip.
In case the bus doesn't arrive on time there is a electronic sign at each terminals so you can estimate the arrival time.
5. From Cheongju to other cities
6. Train from Cheongju to Seoul
The nearest KTX station from Cheongju Airport is the Osong Station. From the airport, the taxi takes about 30 minutes, and bus takes 1 hour to get to the train station. It takes about 1 hour on the train to get to Seoul Station. You decide which transportation is best for you.
I personally think that express bus is cheaper, convenient, and time saving.
This posting was about the latest overview of Cheongju Airport. I tried to answer all of your questions. As more routes are opening in Cheongju, I hope more people visit Cheongju to find out the attractive sides of Cheongju.
If you have questions about information not covered in the blog post, please email us at help@creatrip.com.