Incheon International Airport
Incheon International Airport is the main hub into Korea and the biggest airport here. Just opened in May 2011, it is sleek, modern, clean and convenient, including standout amenities such as an ice skating rink, a spa, a golf course, a casino, and indoor gardens. The airport handles over 33 million passengers a year and is one of the busiest airports worldwide.
Over 50 airlines fly in and out of Incheon, providing connections to destinations all over the world. North American airlines such as Air Canada, Delta and United offer direct flights to Korea or indirect connections via Japan. Incheon is becoming a popular transit airport and many visitors are using it as a gateway to Asian countries like Cambodia, Japan, China, and Thailand.
The airport has one main passenger terminal which services both arrivals and departures. There are plenty of services both before and after security check, as well as an enormous duty-free shopping area at the boarding gates which includes shops of all the leading luxury brands in the world.
There are both bus and train options to get from Incheon Airport to Seoul. The limousine bus service is convenient and provides connections directly from the airport to leading hotels. Travel times are generally around 1 hour and 30 minutes in average traffic conditions. Not all accommodations are regular stops, but it can be used to go to nearby hotels or Seoul Station. It is also possible to take the subway from the airport, which provides links to Gimpo Airport, Digital Media City, Hongik University, Gongdeok, and Seoul Station. Two car rental companies have desks at Incheon airport: Avis and Hertz. Taxis are also an option from the airport, with many waiting right outside the terminal building. The journey into the city can take roughly 1 hour though so it could get pricy.
Gimpo Airport
Prior to Incheon Airport’s arrival, Gimpo was the largest airport in South Korea. Since then, Gimpo has moved to service more domestic flights and more and more Asian flight connections are being served here. The airport has two terminals; one for domestic flights and one for international, albeit rarer these days. International flights are still available to Japan (Osaka, Nagoya, and Tokyo) and China (Shanghai and Beijing). Gimpo handles over 13 million passengers a year and currently 16 airlines provide links.
Transportation options from the airport include subway, bus, or taxi. Since Gimpo is closer to Seoul city center than Incheon, it is easier and more affordable to take a taxi, which takes about 30 minutes. The subway offers a direct link to Seoul Station, the main train station downtown. Scheduled buses offer routes to Seoul, as well as other cities from the airport.