Incheon Airport Guide | Terminal 1 & Terminal 2

Incheon International Airport is the largest airport in Korea and is split into 2 main terminals. If you are traveling to Korea from abroad, it is highly likely that you will be coming to Korea via Incheon Airport.

Tourists that travel to Korea through Incheon Airport may be confused about how to navigate the airport or get to their accommodation from the airport, so here is all the information you'll need to know when coming to Korea through Incheon Airport!

Incheon Airport

Terminal 1 Guide

Terminal 2 Guide

Incheon Airport Food Guide

Terminal 1 & 2

Credit: Incheon Airport Official Site

Incheon Airport is divided into Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. The difference between Terminal 1 and 2 is that there are more airlines that fly through Terminal 1 than Terminal 2.

Airlines such as Emirates, Asiana Airlines, United Airlines, and Air Canada fly through Terminal 1. In addition, there are some budget-friendly, and cosmetic airlines such as Jin Air and Jeju Air that fly through Terminal 1 as well.

Credit: Incheon Airport Official Site

Terminal 2 has airlines such as Korean Air, Delta Airlines, Air France, KLM, and more. Make sure to check beforehand what terminal your airline flies in and out of so you do not go to the wrong terminal!

Congestion Levels

You can check the congestion levels and the number of people that are preparing to board or at the terminal through the link below.

Blue means that there are not that many people and that you can expect a smooth check-in, green means normal levels of people, yellow means that it is slightly crowded, orange means that it is crowded, and red is very crowded! Make sure to check beforehand to know how early you should arrive at the airport.

Check Congestion Levels

Transportation

AREX (Airport Railroad Express)

The AREX is one of the most convenient and quick ways to get to and from Seoul and Incheon Airport. The AREX is divided into two different types of trains. The first is a regular train that stops at 13 stations, and the other is a direct train that goes from Seoul Station to Incheon Airport (Terminal 1). AREX boarding for Terminal 1 is on B1, and for Terminal 2 is on B3.

AREX Tickets | Purchase Here

Airport Express Bus / Airport Limousine

Terminal 1 Bus Stop Location

You can purchase bus tickets at the ticketing offices or kiosks next to Exit 4 and 9 in Arrival Hall Floor 1 (indoors) or next to Exit 4, 6, 7, 8, 11, 13, and 9C (outdoors).

Terminal 2 Bus Stop Location

You can purchase bus tickets at the ticketing offices or kiosks indoors on the 2nd Transportation Center (B1).

Shuttle Bus

You can take the airport subway or the shuttle bus between the first and second terminals but there is some distance between the two terminals so keep in mind that there is a bit of travel time between the two terminals.

Maglev Railway (*Service suspended from July 14, 2022 to July 31, 2024)

Location: 2F, T1 Traffic Center

Hours: 07:30-09:00, 18:00-19:00

Cost: Free

Credit: Incheon International Airport Official Site

Don't have any plans while waiting for your flight? You can take the free Maglev train to Incheon and in just 12 minutes, you will reach Yongyu Station, where you can see the beautiful mudflats and the west coast. The Maglev departs from Incheon Airport T1 at 00, 15, 30, and 45 of every hour and departs from Yongyu Station every 01, 16, 31, and 46 of every hour.

Currency Exchange at Incheon Airport

Most currency exchange places in Seoul close at around 20:00, so if you arrive too late and need to exchange money, there are many banks at the airport that provide currency exchange services. However, banks at the airport provide much worse exchange rates than private currency exchange services in the city. If you need cash right away, it is recommended to only exchange the amount needed.

Good news is, there's a way to exchange currency directly at Incheon Airport without getting ripped off at the airport banks! With the Creatrip Airport Currency Exchange Pickup Service, you can make a reservation ahead of time with just a 10,000 KRW deposit payment (which will be refunded once you arrive at the airport) and exchange money right at the airport at much better rates!

(Not a fixed rate)

You can use the Creatrip Exchange Rate Calculator to calculate exactly how much you can exchange USD to KRW for and how much you can save! The calculator is updated twice a day at 12:00 PM and 12:00 AM. Click the link below to check the current rates and make a reservation for currency exchange at the airport.

Incheon Airport Terminal 1

Address: 인천 중구 공항로 271 인천국제공항역
271 Gonghang-ro, Jung-gu, Incheon

Hours: 24 Hours (Please consult the airline for the operating hours of each airline)

You can check in at the corresponding counter according to the airline code. For more information on Terminal 1, you can read our in-depth guide on Terminal 1.

Floor Guide

Incheon Airport Terminal 1 is divided into four floors. B1 is the area to get to public transportation and the subway, parking lot, and food court. 1F is the arrival floor, 2F is the airline office, 3F is the departure floor, 4F is the food court.

Self-Service Check-In and Checked Luggage

Sometimes Incheon Airport can get really crowded and there can be long lines for check-in. Therefore, there are self-check-in machines available for those that want to check in quickly and conveniently. After selecting the airline and scanning your passport, you can just follow the steps listed on the machine. The machine is available in Chinese, English, and Korean. There are always airport staff nearby as well that can help you if needed.

Resting Area and Charging Area

There are lots of seats on the third floor and first floor where you can sit down and rest, charge your electronics, and gather your belongings.

Printing

Gyeongjin Library

Location: 3F, Central

Hours: 07:00 to 21:00

There is a printing machine in front of the Gyeongjin library on the third floor. If you forgot to print any documents out and need them last minute, you can do so here.

SPA

SPA ON AIR

Location: East side of B1

Hours: 24 Hours (Temporarily closed due to the pandemic)

SPA ON AIR is located in B1, and provides Korean baths and steam rooms. There is also a luggage storage service so you can keep your bags there and get a little pampering before you go on your flight!

Shower Room

Location: Central on the fourth floor of T1, boarding gates 25 and 29 in the duty-free area; 231 and 268 on the fourth floor of T2

Time: 24 Hours (temporarily closed due to COVID-19)

Price: 3,000 KRW for general passengers, free for connecting passengers

Medical Center / Pharmacy

Inha Hospital

Location: B1, East Side

Hours: 08:30 to 20:00 (Break from 12:00 to 13:00, 17:30 to 18:00)

W-Store Star

Location: 3F, near the G Counter

Hours: 05:30-21:00

There are also options for those that may need medical resources at Incheon Airport. If you are in urgent need of over-the-counter medications, you can get some at the pharmacy in the terminal. You can also get the treatment done at the hospital if needed.

Luggage Storage and Post Office

Post Office

Location: 2F, Central

Hours: 09:00 to 18:00

If you need to send mail off last minute or want to send off a postcard, you can do so at this post office in the terminal!

Hanjin Express

Location: Behind counters B and N on 3F

Hours: 07:00 to 22:00

If you need to store your luggage while you are at the airport, you can do so at Hanjin Express. The average price is 4,000 KRW per piece of luggage for around four hours. If you do not want to even deal with lugging around your stuff, you can take advantage of TRIPEASY's luggage service.

TRIPEASY is a service that can check and deliver your luggage to or from the airport You can get an additional discount for TRIPEASY if you reserve with Creatrip.

Incheon Airport Terminal 2

Address: 인천 중구 공항로 272
272 Gonghang-ro, Jung-gu, Incheon

Hours: 24 Hours

Terminal 2 has fewer airlines than Terminal 1. When you come to Terminal 2, you should check what check-in counter your airline will be at.

Floor Guide

There are five floors in Terminal 2. B1 is where you can get access to subways, buses, and other public transportation. 1F is the arrival floor, 2F is where the airline offices are, 3F is the departure floor, and 4F is the food area. The fifth floor is the observation hall.

Self-Service Check-In and Luggage Check In

In the D and E areas of Incheon Airport Terminal 2, you will see the self-service check-in machines. However, due to the impact of the pandemic, many right now are closed temporarily.

Resting Area and Charging Stations

There are charging stations as well as resting areas on the third and first floors of the airport. You can charge both wireless and via wires so you do not have to worry if you forgot your cable or charger.

Pharmacy

Balance Pharmacy

Location: B1 West Side

Hours: 08:00 to 18:00

If you are not feeling well but do not want to go to the hospital, you should go to the pharmacy to get over-the-counter pills and medications.

Airport Inn

Darakhyu

Location: 1F, Central

Hours: 00:00-24:00

Location: East of T2

Hours: 18:30 to 08:30

It can be overwhelming to try to figure out a place to stay nearby the airport during a short layover or if you have a really early flight. For times like that, you can take advantage of the airport capsule hotels!

Observatory

On the left side of the escalator on the fifth floor, you will see the observation deck where you can look at planes taking off and landing. It can be quite relaxing, and also great for those with little kids.

Seoul Station Check In

Location: Seoul Station B2

Hours: 05:20 to 19:00 (3 hours before flight)

Some airlines provide check-in and luggage check-in services at Seoul Station, which is located next to AREX on the second basement floor.

Airlines that currently provide check-in services are Korean Airlines, Asiana Airlines, Jeju Air, and Jin Air. After going through the reporting procedures, you should go to the counter and get an inspection for travel abroad.

The yellow area is the Check-In counter and the blue area is the overseas examination office. The red area is the AREX. You can take the AREX direct train to Incheon Airport and pre-check in at Seoul Station.

The process order is as follows:

Buy AREX direct train tickets

Do the pre-check-in procedures

Go through the examination procedures for going abroad

Depart by AREX

After arriving at Incheon Airport, you do not need to go to the airline counter to check in again, but rather you should go directly to the customs clearance area. Those who check in at Seoul Station do not need to go through the general exit to Incheon Airport but can enter from a separate entrance.

This gate is only for those who complete the pre-check-in process at Seoul Station, so they can go through this passage. There is no need to go through the exit passage that usually has a long line. Additionally, because there is an inspection at the station, you do not need to check at the customs office, rather you can go directly to the exit on the side.

PCR Testing Information

PCR Testing Price at Incheon Airport

PCR testing is no longer required for entry as of October 1st, 2022. If you wish to take a PCR or Antigen test, it is still available at Incheon Airport from 7:00~18:00. For more specific information on entry requirements and guidelines, check out our South Korea Entry Guidelines blog in the link below!

South Korea Entry Guidelines

PCR Test Arrival Cost: 80,000 KRW per person
Results will be available in 3-5 hours. If the test is conducted at night, the results will come out the next day. Click here for more information.

PCR/Antigen Test Departure Costs:

Location of PCR test centers in Incheon Airport:

Incheon Airport Terminal 1, Incheon Airport COVID-19 Inspection Center T1 (East)

Location: Terminal 1 Transit Center, 1st-floor Outdoor Area, East side (Next to the capsule hotel, Darakhyu)

Hours: 7:00~18:00 (Lunch Break 12:00~13:00)

Incheon Airport Terminal 1 Incheon Airport COVID-19 Inspection Center T1 (West)

Location: Terminal 1 Transit Center, 1F Outdoor Area, West Side (Near Entrance/Exit door next to capsule Hotel Darakhyu)

Hours: 7:00~18:00 (Lunch Break 12:00~13:00)

Incheon Airport Terminal 2 Incheon Airport COVID-19 Testing Center T2 (West)

Location: Terminal 2 Parking Lot (B1) West (in front of the Security Pass Office)

Hours: Entry 07:00 - 19:00; Exit 07:00 - 18:00 (Lunch break at 12:00 - 13:00)

Incheon Airport

Terminal 1 Guide

Terminal 2 Guide

We hope that this information is helpful when coming to Korea via Incheon Airport! If you have any questions, please leave a comment below or send an email to us at help@creatrip.com. You can also follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook to stay updated on all things Korea!