As a traveler, one of the most common dilemmas is an unplanned extended layover. It’s happened to me more than once, and what was supposed to be just a quick, hour-long stay turned into a 7-hour distressful wait. This is not what I want for you on your Seoul layover.
If you find yourself experiencing a layover at Incheon Airport, fret not, but be aware that you will need to fill out a K-ETA and Q-Code before arriving at Incheon Airport. You're still going to have a great time because there are tons of things to do in Incheon Airport to have fun while awaiting a flight.
Read on to learn how to make your layover in Incheon Airport a worthwhile experience!
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Basics of Travel in South Korea
Visa: Most travelers will need a K-ETA (Korean Electronic Travel Authorization), applied for at least 72 hours before departure. If you needed a visa before, you'll need a K-ETA now. Note that from April 1, 2023, to December 31, 2024, passport holders from 22 countries, including the US, UK, Canada, and several EU nations, can visit visa-free – no K-ETA required!
Currency: South Korean won (KRW or ₩)
Arrival in Korea: all international flights arrive at Incheon Airport (ICN), one of the best-rated airports in the world. It usually takes about 1 hour to get through security & pick up checked bags.
Getting Around: Korea has an extensive & reliable public transport system. A refillable T-Money card is your ticket to buses and trains across the country; you can buy and refill yout TMoney card at any subways station or convenience store in Korea.
Internet & SIM Cards: Rent a Wi-Fi egg or purchase a prepaid Korean SIM card at the airport, available for up to one month of connection.
Travel Insurance: always recommended, though some credit card companies offers limited coverage when booking.
Before a Layover in Incheon Airport (Tips)
If only visiting Korea on a layover, you only need the following two documents, in addition to your passport and boarding pass.
Visa or K-ETA: This is the document required by Korea for you to go through customs and/or leave the airport. If you visited Korea before September 2021, even if you didn't need a visa back then, you will need a K-ETA now.
Check the official site to sort out whether you need a Korean visa or K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization). These are good for 2 years, and you must apply at least 72 hours before your departure.
Note that from April 2023 to December 2024, citizens of 22 countries will temporarily NOT need a K-ETA or visa to visit the Republic of Korea: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Macao, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, the UK, and the US (including Guam).
Q-Code: This is part of the covid tracking system Korea has implemented since the end of 2019. Even though they no longer require you to be vaccinated or take a covid test, they still want to be able track you down if you at some point do test positive for covid. You can fill this out when you arrive.
If you don't want to leave the airport on your layover, for example if your bags are checked on, you don't need either of these documents, though I'd recommend a K-ETA, regardless.
What to Do Inside Incheon Airport
I'm sure that if you find yourself stuck in an airport after a long flight, the first thing that comes to mind is food. It's good then that Incheon Airport boasts a range of restaurants with affordable food you can try.
From fast food to local and traditional delights, you can find these stalls throughout the airport, and most of them are open 24 hours. Lounges also frequently offer one-day access to their buffet tables.
If you're craving something a bit fancy, there are also a few restaurants which serve gourmet cuisine. For those in the mood for relaxation, passengers can visit any of the airport’s facilities without issue– and you'll be happily surprised to learn that this airport has features not seen in an ordinary airline terminal.
Exciting activities to do in Incheon Airport include watching a movie in their CGV theater, touring the golf course, or gliding in their massive ice skating rink.
How to Sleep at Incheon Airport on a Layover
A layover at Incheon Airport may mean that you arrive in Incheon during the wee hours of the morning. Since the airport accommodates flights 24/7, it's pretty natural to expect that there are sleeping zones for weary travelers from around the world.
Within the terminals you can keep your eyes peeled for the designated Nap or Relax Zones to sit in their comfortable reclining chairs, padded benches, and even beds.
All of this is free for transit passengers who aren’t rechecking bags in Seoul, a fact which often surprises visitors. Because this is Korea, generally these are quiet spaces which encapsulate you from the world. There’s plenty of space where you can park your things, especially on a weekday or during the day.
You needn’t worry about thieves, either, because Incheon Airport has a state-of-the-art security system. You can even safely take a shower after getting your much-needed sleep, though there is a time limit for shower use.
While the standard airport seats are quite comfortable for a short rest, some of you may need more privacy to rest optimally. Incheon Airport Transit Hotel is a good choice that provides a pleasant place you can use all to yourself.
What they offer is a relatively spacious room with a comfortable bed and full amenities, right in the airport. If you feel like taking a long, heated bath to relax your muscles before slipping into bed, all of their rooms have a shower area which provides this comfort.
You can choose from a range of Korean, Western, and Chinese cuisine to be brought to your room whenever you get hungry, provided by their 24-hour service.
But if you’re on a tight budget or happen to just be getting off the airport metro station at either Terminal 1 or Terminal 2, Darakhyu Capsule Hotel provides a reasonable space you can sleep in, rented by the hour.
Each capsule is padded with a luxury mattress, and you can adjust the temperature according to your liking. Moreover, a hub next to the bed lets you conveniently charge all your gadgets while connecting your music to the capsule's surround-sound Bluetooth speaker.
What to Do on a Layover in Seoul
Did you know that you can leave the terminal for awhile during a layover in Seoul? Incheon Airport offers this exciting deal for visitors where you can tour for up to 5 hours and witness some of Seoul’s most famous sights.
Just visit their website and choose what you wish to do before leaving on your trip. Recent tour options include stopping by the Songdo Hanok Village and the Triple Shopping Streets for some retail therapy. Please note that all tours are temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 (except tours inside the airport).
Joining these tours also allows you to preview what it’s like to visit Seoul’s markets, with the goal of enticing you back for a longer trip to Korea. Here you can have the chance to interact with locals and get to know their way of life.
You can even purchase fascinating items like Hanji, a type of Korean traditional paper, or Dojang, a type of Korean traditional stamp, for any friends back home who might want a piece of Korean culture.
If historical sights are more of your thing, you can visit two of Korea’s famous traditional palaces right in Insadong. What’s convenient about this particular perk to a Seoul Layover is that the tour shuttles leave and drop off at terminal registration desks, which saves you time in getting back to catch your connecting flight.
If you want to do things on your own, you might want to try a real Jimjilbang (Korean spa) experience relatively near Incheon Airport. Siloam Spa is located near the Seoul station and offers relaxing massage that instantly relieves you from fatigue.
Then you can ride the subway directly to Dongdaemun Design Plaza, a breathtaking architectural marvel designed by radical deconstructivist designer Zaha Hadid.
You should now have a good idea of what to do in and outside Incheon Airport if you're in Incheon Airport on a layover right now. I hope you will be able to try a few of these suggestions before you depart for your next destination.
Nevertheless, all of these are just a small portion of the experiences you could have on a Seoul layover— there are countless other places inside and outside of Seoul that provide even more rewarding experiences.
Aj says
Can we go outside Incheon airport with a Canadian passport? I'm planning on wandering outside the airport after our transit tour.
Max says
Yes, you can go outside the airport, but you'll need a K-ETA before getting to Korea.
C says
Thanks for taking the time to write all this out & share updated info!
Max says
My pleasure!
Bee says
Do I need a visa to have 3 hours layover in Incheon airport? I am not planning to go out of the airport though. I only have short hours.
Max says
Nope! You won't need a visa or a K-ETA if only transiting and not re-checking bags.
RA says
Hello! Can a Philippine passport holder apply for K-ETA and use for this transit tour?
Max says
No, unfortunately a Philippine passport holder will need to apply for a visa to avail of the transit tours.
Jon says
If my bags are checked through to my final destination, can I still take a Transit Tour outside of the airport?
Max says
Yes, but you will need to apply for a K-ETA a few weeks before your trip, and set up your Q-Code within 72 hours of your flight.
Gie says
Hi, thanks for this guide. I'm flying to Cebu from Tokyo via Incheon airport with 9-hour layover using different airlines. I'm not planning to go out of the aiport while waiting for my next flight, will I need a transit visa or the K-ETA? Appreciate your confirmation. Thank you.
Max says
Hi, Gie! Unfortunately you will need a K-ETA or transit visa ONLY IF yo have bags that need to be re-checked, since you'll be flying on different airlines. If you only have carry-ons, you're fine since you won't be exiting the terminal.
Gie says
@Max, thanks a lot for the confirmation. So you mean even if I have different airlines for the connecting flights, I can still check in my next flight without visa as long as I don't have bags to check in which would require me to pass through immigration. Is that correct?
Max says
Yes, that is correct. You'll just show them your boarding pass to get on to your next flight and they'll wave you through the Q-Code line, which is before immigration. Just be sure to check in for your next flight before you leave, or do it as soon as you land and get on airport wifi, if need be.
Sam Purewall says
Hi,
I am traveling to Thailand from Canada with a layover at Incheon Airport for 2hours. I will have a checked in bag & backpack. I do not plan to leave the airport - do I need to apply for a visa or K-ETA?
Max says
That's correct. As long as your bags are checked along to your final destination (you'll have to double-check with the airline), then you won't need to apply for a K-ETA or Q-Code.
Rajiv says
Hi, I and my wife are Indian citizens, traveling to the US on tourist visa. We have a 10 hour layover at Incheon airport. How can we go out and do some sightseeing during this time?
Max says
I'd say you could spend 4 or so hours in the city and still get back on time for your flight; all you need to do is each apply for a K-ETA, which you can do now, and apply for a Q-Code within 72 hours of your flight to Korea. There are also some government-run tours available now, as of January!
MYe says
I'm travelling from phil by jin air and hve a 4 hrs layover in korea going to US. From incheon airport terminal 1 need to transit to terminal to for change plane, which is delta airlines. I have bags to recheck but not planning to outside the airport. Do i still nees K-eTa?
Max says
Yes, unfortunately you'll need either a K-ETA or a transit visa, since you'll need to go through customs to recheck your bags & change terminals.
YZ says
We are Canadians transferring at Incheon airport. During the 15 hours layover, can we pass the customs/immigration and stay in a hotel nearby the airport without bringing our checked-in luggage with us because the luggage will be directly transferred or checked in to the flight to our destination? Thanks.
Max says
Yes, you can leave through customs with a K-ETA applied for in advance, but unfortunately you'll have to double-check with the airline whether or not they'll check forward a bag for a layover of such a duration.
Erl says
Hi, we are Filipinos and we have a flight from US to Philippines and we have a 13hr layover in Incheon. We are planning to go out and explore a little bit. Do we need a visa/K-ETA? Thanks btw for the information.
Max says
No problem! But yes, to leave the airport & go through customs, you'll need a transit visa.
WMyo says
I'm Burmese citizen going to US by Korea Airline and have 10 hours layover time. Can I joint transit tour and what do I need to prepare? Any Visa need?
Max says
Yes, you can join a tour, and just need to sign up ahead of time, but you will also need a transit visa.
WMyo says
@Max,
Can I get transit visa on arrival? Or do I need to apply before?
Thanks for your information.
Max says
You'll need to apply beforehand! 🙂
SFB says
Please elaborate when you stated that "All of this is free for transit passengers who aren’t rechecking bags in Seoul". We are traveling from the US to the Philipines soon. We fly with one airlines, have an overnight layover in Incheon, then fly out with another airlines. Does that mean we have to recheck our bags, and if we do then does mean the airport amenities are not free? Thank in advance for your response.
Max says
Yes, you do have to re-check your bags if flying with two different airlines (assuming you have checked bags rather than only carry-ons). All of those amenities are still free for such passengers, but you won't likely get much use out of them, because if you need to re-check your bags then you won't be able to re-enter the airport terminals until at most 3 hours before your flight (when most desks will open for bag check). If you flew on two different airlines but DIDN'T have any bags to reclaim and re-check, then you could avail of the free nap zones regardless because you wouldn't need to go through customs to reclaim your bags.
Tuujuu says
Hello! I am flying from Canada to Mongolia. I’m planning to go out and sightseeing while waiting for my next flight, will I need a transit Visa or the K-ETA? I am a Mongolian passport holder. Appreciate your help. Thank you.
Max says
Yes, you will need one of those two-- you can visit the K-ETA site to see, but it looks like you will need a visa in order to leave the airport for a transit tour.
Katie Mac says
I have a long layover in ICN (22 hours) and would love to leave the airport to do some sightseeing and shopping for make up and cosmetics. If I have one bag already checked to my final destination, can I check a new baggage when I come back from my shopping haul during my layover?
Max says
That's more a question for your airline (even as to whether you can check a bag for such a long layover), but I suspect that if you have the ability to check two bgs, you can check a second one later on, before going through security.
Alan says
I just saw where US citizens (and 21 other countries) are not required to get a K-ETA effective April 1, 2023. Is that correct?
Max says
Hi, Alan! Yes, this is a new and temporary policy, I think to help boost tourism post-covid. From April 2023 to December 2024, US citizens will temporarily not need a K-ETA in order to visit Korea. I'll update the post, thank you.
Rose says
a Philippine passport holder can avail this program? if yes, is visa needed?
Max says
Yes you can, but yes, a visa is needed ahead of time.
Angie says
To my understanding passengers with long layover can leave the airport without a visa?
Max says
Only if you're from one of several countries for which they've temporarily suspended the need for K-ETAs: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Macao, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, UK, US (including Guam).
Jona Galandeynes says
I have a Philippines passport and a US immigrant (green card) and I have a 10 hours layover can i go for a city tour? Do I need a Visa?
Max says
Hi, Jona! You can go on a city tour, but unfortunately, you do also need to go to your nearest Korean consulate in the US to apply for a visa beforehand (as opposed to needing to go to the Philippines to apply).
Jona Galandeynes says
@Max,
Thank you.
Can I also apply when I'm in the Philippines?
Do you know how much?
Max says
Yes, you can. It's actually free for Filipinos to get a South Korean tourist visa!
Trina says
Hi! I will be travelling from the Philippines to NYC with a 2 hour lay-over in Incheon via Korean Airlines. My bags will be checked though, I just want to confirm, I do not need any visa right?
Max says
Correct, if your bags are checked-through then you don't need a visa, as you'll stay in the terminals the whole time.
tana says
I have a US passport , and fly in to ICN as a standby passenger , but have lay over night to fly the next morning. I like to spend time excursion. When I tried to do K-ETA , they said that I don't have to , is it right.?
Max says
Correct! Yeah, you no longer need a visa or K-ETA with an American passport, at least until the end of 2024.
Angie says
What if I am holding Philippine passport and a US B1/B2 visa? Do we still need a visa? In 2018, I was grateful to be given a chance to visit Korea due to my long layover without a Korean visa but just by presenting my Filipino passport and a US B1/B2 visa.
Max says
Yes, unforunately since covid they've changed their policy, including suspending the temporary visas for transit passengers to/from the US. If you're in the US, though, you can apply for a transit visa form th e US (wherever the nearest consulate is).
Colin says
Ive heard the terminal 1 Transit hotel is closed. Is it possible to go from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 for the transit Hotel there. My wife would need a Visa to enter Korea but we only have a 20 hr layover and no Visa for her.
Max says
Yeah, it is temporarily closed, possibly until as late as August, but you may still be able to rent a room at the airport hotel. Unfortunately there's no way to go between the terminals unless you have a K-ETA or K-ETA Exemption/visa.
Kate says
Hi there! i'm traveling from Vietnam to the US and have a 8 hour layover in Incheon. I'd like to leave the airport and tour the city during my layover. It looks like I don't need a K-ETA visa, but it's recommended. So do i need a KETA or no? Also, any suggestions on what a family of four with two small children could do during the 8 hour layover?
Max says
Hi, Kate! If you have US passposrts, nobody in your family needs a K-ETA or visa until 2025. I'd recommend joining one of the free city tours if you have little kids (organized transport & activities).
tana says
if I come into ICN and not sure what terminal we will be in , and I like to RSVP for "Steet(Hongdae Street)" . is the 2 terminals is very far from each other if I end up pick the wrong one.
Max says
Hi, Tana! The terminals are about 10 minutes apart, so not too hard to travel between the two.
Elena says
Flying from SFO to MLA thru Korean Airlines with layover in Incheon, can you direct me where is the Free Nap zone at airport Terminal 2? Thank you
Max says
Sure! Rather than describe it, here's a link to a map: https://www.airport.kr/ap/en/trn/trnServiceDetail.do?SN=1945
Enjoy your trip, Elena!
PH says
I am a US citizen planning to transit in Seoul for 21 hrs in August 2023. Are the city tours offered for transit passengers still running? Does anyone know a website with these details of these tour schedules?
Max says
Yes, the transit tours resumed rather recently, so there's not a ton of info available yet, and not all tours are available each day, but check out the options here: https://www.airport.kr/ap_cnt/en/trn/tour/trcose/trcose.do
Aileen says
Thanks for all the useful info!
Me and my husband plus our 2 kids(9&4) will have an 11 hrs 40 mins layover this coming July at Incheon. Our plane will land at 5am. From what I see, the tour time we want to join in runs from 8am-1300. Our flight to USA is at 4:40pm. So we have like 3hrs 40mins remaining before the flight, will this be enough time to re-enter the airport etc. so we dont miss our flight?
We will be on Korean Airlines Manila to Incheon to USA so I assume we do not need to recheck our bags (but I’m not 100% sure).
Another question. If we are going to do the transit tour, is there a place at the airport that we can leave our hand carry luggages? Where there be a fee?
Thank you in advance! Appreciate it!
Max says
You're very welcome! Yes, that should be plenty of time to get back to the airport and to the terminal, especially if you have your bags checked through. And yes, you can put your hand-carry in the luggage storage, but there is a fee depending on the volume and length of storage; there are a couple of options in the Incheon arrival terminal.
IZA says
Hello, I've been searching hours through countless websites, I hope you can help me. I am a Philippine passport holder flying to Canada with student visa permit and I will have a long lay-over in Seoul ICN. (Less than 24 hours) I booked two separate flights that means I need to claim my baggage. Do I need a visa just to claim my baggage even If I do not have plans to go out if the airport.
Max says
Unfortunately, from everything that people have told me from their experiences, that does mean that you'll need to apply for a transit visa from your local Korean consulate. You can look into the K-ETA and see if there's a visa/green card section, but everyone who's commented back said that they were unable to just get into the country with only a visa or green card from a K-ETA-exempt country like Canada.
Jo says
Hello.
For clarifications. As a Philippines passport holder, I can go out without a tourist Visa? If it's only for a few hours? I just need to fill-out K-ETA? Sorry for all the questions. Thank you in advance.
Max says
No, unfortunately Philippines passport holders cannot apply for a K-ETA and still need to acquire a transit visa for Korea, even if it's for a short layover.
Meghan says
hi!
i have a long layover and wanted to explore. What should i write on my arrival card for address since i’m only going out to explore? also was it easy going back in to the airport after going out??
Thank you so much 🙂
Max says
Meghan,
Whenever I have a layover in Seoul, I find a reputable hotel and use their address and phone number. If you have a super long layover and they ask why you ‘booked a hotel,’ just tell them you wanted somewhere to rest. They really won’t question you further, and in over half a dozen layovers at INC, I've never had them ask to see my booking.
And it's generally quite easy going back into the terminal after exploring on a long layover in Incheon, but keep in mind that you'll need at least 2 hours and for some places 3 hours for the roundtrip from Incheon Airport to Seoul proper, plus arriving back at the airport another hour or two before your flight (whether re-checking a bag or not). So I'd recommend having at least a 6-hour layover if you're going to leave the airport, or if the timing lines up, joining a government-run tour for a 4-5 hour layover (since they provide the transport).
Enjoy your trip!!
-Max
Gregg H says
I have a 14-hour layover and want to visit the Skygarden and Cheonggyecheon Stream in Seoul.
One question I haven't seen asked is what to do with luggage. Delta will not hold by bags for that long. Are there lockers for rent at the airport? What options do I have? Thank you.
Max says
Yes, there's a luggage holding/storage company in the arrivals section of both terminals; they charge by the hour, so you can keep your stuff there as long as you need. I'll add that info to the post, thank you.
Gregg H says
@Max, thank you for the quick response. Good to know that there are lockers at the airport. I later saw that there were Bounce locations near Seoul Station (plus lots of other places) and I was prepared to haul my luggage on the train into town.
Tyn says
Hello, I am a Philippine passport holder but a Permanent resident of Canada. I have two connecting flights. From Calgary to Vancouver, Vancouver to Incheon, then Incheon to Manila. There is a 14-hour layover in Incheon and I am planning to explore Seoul during the layover. Do I fall on transit tourist traveling to a third country without a visa or I still need to apply for a tourist visa? Thank you in advance.
Max says
Hi, Tyn. So from my research, you kind of fall under both-- you'd be eligible for a B2 visa as a permanent resident of Canada, but I'm not exactly sure how you can apply for the visa or if it's automatic upon arrival. Check out this official page for more info.
Bear says
Hi, I have a 15-hour layover from 05:40 to 20:40. Does it take long to check back to Incheon airport? Also, how much time would I have to travel to Seoul?
Max says
I would leave AT LEAST an hour each way to get to/from Seoul, and a safe buffer is 3 hours early to your flight (in case the return tot he airport hits any snags), so since your layover is during the daytime, you should have 9 or 10 hours to enjoy the city. It's pretty straightforward to check back in at Incheon, but lines can be quite long on weekend evenings, so I may even leave a 3.5 hours buffer for arriving back to the airport before your flight, as traveling around Seoul at rush hour (4pm-6pm) will be its own kind of busy. Definitely leave your bags at the airport lockers (paid), if you have big bags!
BARB says
HELLO. I AM FLYING BACK TO US WITH A 15 HR LAYOVER IN INCHEON. FIRST, U STILL OFFER FREE TOURS OUTSIDE OF THE AIRPORT? SECOND, ACCORDING TO THE POST, IF I AM FROM US, FROM APRIL 2023-DEC 2024- I WON'T NEED A K-ETA TO GO OUTSIDE RIGHT?
LASTLY, Q CODE AND K-ETA ACCESSIBLE ONLINE TO APPLY 72 HRS PRIOR TO ARRIVAL
ONE MORE THING, WHERE DO I SIGN UP FOR THE FREE TOURS OFFERED?
THANK U.
Max says
Hi, yes you will be able to visit Korea without issue using a US passport before the end of 2024, and there are still free tours outside the airport for layover visitors; you can read more about those in this article.
Kirsten Li says
Hi, I hold a Chinese passport and fly from Vancouver to Hong Kong via Seoul. I have 15h stopover, so if I wanna go out and have some sightseeings (not the day tour provided by the airport), do I need a K-ETA? Thank you!
Max says
Kirsten, yes you would need a K-ETA to exit the airport, and possibly a tourist visa.
Ayesa says
I'm a Philippine passport holder and will have a layover from Vancouver to Incheon and then from Incheon to Manila. I need to re-check my baggage at Incheon but I am not planning to leave the airport. My flight is on the same terminal. Do I need to have a visa?
Max says
From what the Korean consulate told me, yes you will need a visa to go through security to re-check your bags.
U.S. Passport Travel Requirements says
Nice post. It's very well thought out and quite informative. Keep it up.
Max says
Thank you for the kind words! Much appreciated.