How I spent my last day using Seoul Station, City Airport Terminal — heading toward Seongsu
ilmicio05
22 days ago
Whenever I travel to Korea, if my return flight is in and out of Incheon Airport, I pretty much always use the City Airport Terminal.
I think opinions are divided on using the City Airport Terminal depending on where your hotel is and how easy it is to get there, but I choose my hotels assuming I will use it, so I’m fully set on that front.
And this time, I took a trip via Seoul from Japan over the Obon holiday period.
I arrived at Incheon Airport at 21:40, then had a connection the next day departing Incheon Airport at 17:25, and I felt like I could enjoy the final day even more smoothly than usual, so I wanted to share.
Lately I often come on this late-night flight, and it’s usually pretty empty, I’m on the train within 20 to 30 minutes.
I usually take this train to Gongdeok, but this time since it was a connection and I wanted to keep costs down, I stayed at a hotel in Unseo, the third stop from Incheon Airport Terminal 2.
Golden Tulip Incheon Airport Hotel
This hotel is super convenient, even if you arrive late it’s basically right by the station, the area around it is well lit, and Olive Young and convenience stores are along the way.
They have both residence-style and hotel-style rooms, and this time I chose the residence.
It’s like an apartment with a kitchen and a washing machine, it would be more convenient for longer stays, but this day I was just sleeping there.
Since it’s close to Incheon Airport, I could go to bed fairly early, and the next morning I left around 8.
From Unseo Station to Seoul Station it’s 10 stops and 52 minutes.
I got to the Seoul Station City Airport Terminal around 9:00, checked in at the Asiana Airlines counter, and by 9:30 I was free and traveling hands-free.
We’re Star Alliance Gold members, and there usually aren’t many people using Asiana Airlines, so it’s fast, but for airlines running promotions you might have to wait quite a bit, so definitely check.
After checking in at the City Airport Terminal, don’t forget the departure immigration screening next door.
Once you’re hands-free it’s so easy, but it was still early and not much was open, so this time I headed to the Seongsu area.
Before that, I topped up my transportation card with one day’s worth, W5,000.
I only had a W50,000 bill and couldn’t use it, and I was wondering how to break it, but the ticket machines at Seoul Station accepted credit cards.
It seems there’s a fee, so it came to W5,200.
From Line 4 at Seoul Station to Dongdaemun, then transfer to Line 2 and go to Konkuk Univ. Station, the stop after Seongsu, it’s about 30 minutes.
My destination was a filming location from Vincenzo,
Common Ground
Even aside from it being a filming location, it’s an amazing spot for photos.
The shops weren’t open yet, but I wanted to see the exterior when it was less crowded, so the timing was perfect.
I rode the train one stop to Seongsu, and since it was around 11:00, I wanted to go to BETON for brunch, but the line was insane so I gave up.
So I went with my second choice, a place that usually has a line too,
Nundong Minari Seongsu Branch
It was light and refreshing, reliably delicious.
After eating, I wandered around Seongsu.
A shop I’d been to at night before,
BLUE ELEPHANT
It looks like a high-end store, but it’s an affordable eyewear shop.
The store is so stylish, but it might feel even more impressive at night.
There’s another Vincenzo filming location, so I headed that way while casually strolling through Seongsu.
I was intrigued by the cute Innisfree shop, but I kept moving because I was in a bit of a hurry.
This is where the cafe used as a Vincenzo filming location used to be,
Haraboji Factory, former site
It’s already closed, I really wish I could have come when it was still operating as a cafe...
Nearby is another warehouse-style place I’d wanted to visit,
Daerim Warehouse Gallery
It was before 12:00 so it was still empty, I could choose any nice seat I wanted.
While drinking something like a watermelon frozen drink, I remembered there was a LOEWE cafe nearby...
It was in the direction of Ttukseom Station, which I was planning to use, so I decided to stop by.
The object display at the H&M store along the way was so surreal...
A fragrance specialty shop with a cafe attached,
LOEWE Perfumes
The cafe is a small space on the second floor, but with stylish interiors.
There aren’t many seats, so I’m glad I went at a quiet time...
But I didn’t have much time left, so I just got it to go and headed toward Ttukseom Station.
From Ttukseom Station on Line 2 to Dongdaemun, then transfer to Line 4 to Seoul Station.
I was supposed to make my reserved 14:10 A’REX, but the transfer train was delayed and I missed it by a hair...
But it’s fine.
With the transportation card, you can take the regular Airport Railroad train from Seoul Station to Incheon Airport Terminal 2, and since I’d already completed departure procedures, being a little late was still within my plan.
On the Airport Railroad, from Seoul Station to Incheon Airport Terminal 2 is 13 stops and 1 hour 7 minutes, and even on A’REX it’s 51 minutes,so it’s not that different.
Honestly, the reason I use A’REX is basically just to check in at the City Airport Terminal, drop off my checked baggage, complete immigration, and travel light.
Plus, now you can even get to Incheon Airport with the transportation card, and you don’t necessarily have to take the exact reserved train, so I recommend getting to the airport by the quickest option from wherever you are last.
The regular train departs from the same B7 level as when you go to Gongdeok.
It was the first train, so I was glad I could get a seat.
I dozed off, and before I knew it I arrived at Incheon Airport Terminal 2.
This time I was using it for a connection to another country, but I always feel that when your final day is fulfilling, your overall satisfaction with the trip goes up, so I was very happy with this one.
There are a lot of flights in the 17:00 hour, so if you’re heading back from Seoul Station you have to take a train in the 14:00 hour, which can feel like there isn’t much time, but if you use the City Airport Terminal you don’t need to go back to your hotel to pick up your luggage, so you can really enjoy yourself.
In Korea, outside central areas like Myeongdong, shops often open late, so I’d love to review another route that lets you do morning-friendly sightseeing, then hit popular cafes and restaurants, shop, and still make it back in time.
