Before you fly
Do these at home.
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Free on the official site, from 3 days before you land. K-ETA holders are usually exempt. Any site asking for a fee is not the official one.
e-arrivalcard.go.kr -
Visa, K-ETA or neither depends on your passport. Many nationalities are K-ETA exempt until 31 Dec 2026. Travelling later? Check again.
k-eta.go.kr -
Set it up at home and you land online. SIM counters in arrivals are the backup.
Airalo -
Naver Map, Papago and Uber. Download them on good Wi-Fi.
See 05 -
Plugs are Type C and F, 220 V. Cards work almost everywhere, but transit top-ups usually want cash.
On arrival
Incheon (ICN), in this order.
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Passport out. Fingerprints and a photo are standard for most visitors.
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Over the duty-free limit? Declare it.
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Switch on your eSIM or pick up a SIM. Airport Wi-Fi is free if you need it.
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From convenience stores in arrivals or machines by the AREX gates. About KRW 3,000–5,000, balance not included. Load KRW 10,000–20,000 in cash.
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Look for ATMs marked Global.
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Trains leave from B1 in both terminals. AREX Express tickets are sold at the desk there.
Into the city
Fares are one way, adult.
| Take | Time | Fare |
|---|---|---|
| AREX ExpressSeoul Station, non-stop. Reserved seats. | 43 min T1 51 min T2 |
KRW 13,000 |
| AREX All-StopSeoul Station, via Hongik Univ. Pay with T-money. | 59 min T1 66 min T2 |
KRW 4,750 T1 KRW 5,350 T2 |
| Airport LimousineMyeongdong, Gangnam and more. No transfers. | 60–90 min | About KRW 18,000 |
| TaxiDoor to door. Use the official rank outside. Ignore anyone offering a ride inside. | 60–90 min | About KRW 65,000–100,000 |
Where are you staying?
- Hongdae 홍대
- AREX All-Stop to Hongik Univ. Station. No transfer.
- Myeongdong 명동
- AREX to Seoul Station, then Line 4, two stops.
- Gangnam 강남
- Airport Limousine. No transfers with luggage.
- Seongsu 성수
- AREX All-Stop to Hongik Univ., then Line 2 towards City Hall.
- Itaewon, Hannam 이태원 한남
- AREX All-Stop to Gongdeok, then Line 6.
- Bukchon, Insadong 북촌 인사동
- AREX to Seoul Station, then a short taxi.
Two things people get wrong
- Landing late
- The last Express leaves T1 at 22:48 on the weekday timetable. All-stop trains and most buses finish soon after. Then it is a taxi, and fares rise at night.
- Climate Card
- Unlimited Seoul subway and buses for 1 to 7 days, from KRW 5,000 plus KRW 3,000 for the card. You can get off at ICN with it, but not board there. Use T-money for the ride in and buy this in the city.
Seoul
Five places. Drag to look around.
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Seongsu 성수
Old shoe factories, now concept stores and specialty coffee.
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Euljiro 을지로
Print shops by day, alley bars under neon by night.
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Hannam 한남
Galleries, the Leeum Museum, listening bars and quiet hills.
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Samcheong, Bukchon 삼청 북촌
Hanok lanes beside the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art.
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Han River 한강
Sunset on the bank with convenience-store ramen.
Survival
The apps and numbers that matter.
- Naver Map
- Walking and transit directions that work here. At last check, Google Maps still could not route you on foot in Korea.
- Papago
- Translates signs and menus with your camera.
- Uber
- Books licensed taxis. The easiest option with a foreign card.
- Kakao T
- Korea's main taxi app. If your card will not register, choose Pay to the driver.
- Catch Table
- Restaurant bookings for places that fill up.
Numbers
Leaving
On your last day.
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T2 is Korean Air, Asiana and their partners. T1 is most others. Between them: a 6-minute train, or about 20 minutes on the free shuttle.
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With an AREX Express ticket you can check in, drop bags and clear immigration on B2, 05:20–19:00. Same-day international flights, selected airlines. Closes 3 hours before T1 departures, 3 h 20 before T2.
AREX -
Look for Tax Free signs and show your passport at the till. Missed it? Use the refund kiosks at the airport. Keep the goods unused and your receipts handy.