Incheon International Airport

We arrived in Seoul after an 11 1/2 hour flight from SFO. Seoul is 16 hours ahead. The Incheon International Airport (ICN) was opened in 2001 and was voted the best airport in the world every year for the last 8 years. From the international terminal, you have to take a tram to Customs. Board the car closest to the escalator. You exit through the same doors that you enter so there is no need to rush onto the tram. Once you arrive in the main terminal, if you're not directly near the escalator, take the elevators located just behind.

Customs was speedy and efficient. You do have to have your fingerprint scanned and picture taken. They keep your landing card.

Exit the Customs area into the main terminal and you immediately hear live entertainment. On the day we were there, there were opera singers performing. Directly outside of customs is an ATM. There is a charge--in our case W 5000 for W 500,000 withdrawal. If there's a line in front of the ATM, turn to your left and there's another ATM near the Information booth.

Incheon is located 30 miles west of Seoul. The Incheon International Airport Train travels to Gimpo Airport and to Seoul Station. Follow the signs to the train station on the lower level. Purchase a single-trip ticket at one of the automatic machines. The commuter train takes 53 minutes to Seoul Station and cost W 4050. There is an additional W 500 deposit, which is refundable at the end of the trip. There is a non-stop train that takes 43 minutes and cost W 10,000 more.

Seoul Station is the last stop and connects to Line 1 & 4 of the subway. You'll need to purchase a new ticket.

The Airport Train is very easy to take but there are stairs to negotiate. An alternative is to take the Airport Bus which costs W 10,000.



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