What to do in Incheon Airport during a layover

Layovers can be the worst when traveling long distances which is why you should try and make the most of them. While traveling, it can be difficult when you are hungry and exhausted to be in a good mood. I travel often to visit family in the Philippines and many of the times I have a layover at Incheon Airport. It can be overwhelming and exhausting and I’ve figured out some great ways to enjoy a layover in Incheon. In this Incheon Layover Guide, I wanted to include some of the things I do to stay refreshed.

What to do in Incheon Airport during a layover

Go on the free Incheon Airport Transit Tour

This one is probably one of the most important ones. Often times people who are traveling do not realize they can take advantage of a free city tour. Now, this is only available to people who have a layover ranging from 5 to 10 hours. It is best to book these tours online and in advance. There are several different types of tours you can take from Incheon Airport. Below is a list of some of the free tours you can enjoy during your layover at Incheon Airport. 

• Paradise City Art-Tainment
• Songdo Hanok Village & Central Park Songdo & Triple Street
• Gwangmyeong Cave
• Jeondeungsa Temple & Deokjinjin
• Cheonggyecheon Stream & Jogyesa Temple
• Myeong-dong & Namdaemun Market
• Gyeongbokgung Palace & Insa-dong
• Incheon Airport Maglev, Lotte Mart, Eurwangni Beach
• Eurwangni or Masirang Beach

Take a free shower

So I have done a guide on Singapore’s Airport, but unfortunately, one of the things I disliked about that airport is the fact that they do not have any free showers to use. You have to pay to use a shower and usually rent a hotel room in order to use it. At Incheon Airport, they offer free showers and include towels to use (although I usually bring my own travel towel). You might not think it is a big deal, but after traveling for hours, taking a shower is the best way for me to feel relaxed, awake and refreshed again.

Terminal 1 Locations

• Near Gate 25 on 4F, Terminal 1
• Near Gate 29 on 4F, Terminal 1
• Center of 4F, Concourse

Terminal 2 Locations

• Near Gate 268 on 4F, Terminal 2
• Near Gate 231 on 4F, Terminal 2

Get a Massage

After you have taken a shower, what to do in Incheon airport is you can enjoy some time and get a massage at one of the lounges upstairs. If you can’t find it, try and find an information desk and they will let you know where to go. This is a great way to get all those kinks out after a long flight in a small space. 

Terminal 1

• Near Gate 29 on 4F, Terminal 1

Enjoy the sleeping lounges

You might need to get some rest after a long flight that you probably were not able to sleep on. There are a few areas where you can easily take a nap. 

Terminal 1

• Center of 4F, Concourse
• Near Gate 25 on 4F, Terminal 1
• Near Gate 29 on 4F, Terminal 1

Terminal 2

• Near Gate 268 on 4F, Terminal 2
• Near Gate 231 on 4F, Terminal 2

Planning a trip to Korea?

What to do in Incheon Airport | Restaurants and Food

• Eat delicious Korean food – There are quite a few delicious restaurants at the airport. You won’t be able to enjoy Korean barbeque, however, you can enjoy a few classics like kimchi jjigae, kimbap, ramen, and more. 
• Paris Baguette – Eat breakfast at Paris Baguette and drink delicious coffee. 
• Nolboo Budae Jjigae – One of my favorite places to eat at in Korea is Nolboo for Budae Jjigae. I’m excited that they have it at the airport so that I can get it as much as I can during my layovers or waiting for my next flight. Budae jjigae is a spicy Korean soup that is filled with spam, hot dogs, veggies and more. It is also known as Army soup where Korean’s used meat available from the American military troops during the war. 

Pay to use the airport lounge

If you want comfort in style with seating, including snacks and drinks, and a free shower, I suggest you pay to use one of the business lounges. 

Incheon Airport Transit Hotel

Sleep at one fo the many transit hotels at Incheon Airport. Enjoy a relaxing time to catch up on sleep or get over that jetlag from traveling so much. 

Terminal 1

• Transit Hotel(T1 East) – Near Gate 11 on 4F, Terminal 1
• Capsule Hotel Darakhyu(T1) – Center of Transportation Center 1BF, Terminal 1

Terminal 2

• Transit Hotel(T2) – Near Gate 252 on 4F, Terminal 2
• Capsule Hotel DarakHyu(T2) – East of Transportation Center 1BF, Terminal 2

Take advantage with the Incheon Airport Duty Free Shopping

Incheon’s airport is filled with many stores you can easily shop at. It’s practically like an indoor mall with so many different types of stores and all duty-free. You can buy some designer handbags, makeup, skincare products, and more all in one area. 

• Buy Korean skincare products and use them – With so many duty shops available within the Airport, I highly suggest you buy or stock up on some Korean skincare products. There are lots of sheet masks you can purchase which are great for long haul flights. Usually, during long haul flights, your skin gets very dry and there are many products you can purchase to help keep your skin nourished and hydrated. 

Watch a movie at CGV located in Incheon Airport

Located outside of security, you can easily catch a film of your liking. The movie theater is open from 9:00 am – 11:00 pm and has 2 movie theaters available.  

Location: Center of Transportation Center 1BF, Terminal 1

What to do outside of Incheon Airport during a layover

Luggage Storage at Incheon Airport 

If you decide to exit the airport, I highly suggest you store your main luggage at the luggage storage facilities. Some are free including the one inside terminal 1 upstairs. Make sure you keep your boarding pass and passport with you prior to exiting the airport. 

Go to Cimer Spa in Paradise City

Cimer spa is a very beautiful spa close to the airport. You can take a shuttle bus from the airport to Cimer Spa and enjoy a day by the pool, using the dry heat sauna, steam room, take a shower, spas and more. It is a great way to enjoy a relaxing layover without too much stress about your next flight. 

Explore Seoul – How to get from Incheon to Seoul

Express Trains depart every 20 to 40 minutes from Incheon Int’l Airport and take approximately 40 minutes. All Stop Trains leave frequently and take around 60 minutes to get to Seoul Station.

Public Transportation

• Railroad Express (AREX)
• Subway
• Public Bus

Private Transportation

• Taxi 
• Call Van 
• Rental Car

RELATED: One Day in Seoul

Visit Gyeongbukgung Palace

If you are short on time and just want to see one of the famous palaces in Korea, you can head on over the Gyeongbukgung Palace. Nearby is also the Cheongdukgung palace which you can swing by if you have more time. If you want a less crowded experience, I’d suggest you visit Cheongdukgung palace instead. This is a popular tourist attraction in Seoul and can be experienced during the free airport transit tour. 

You will need at least 4-5 hours to experience the palace including travel time. Travel time could be about an hour by vehicle if there is traffic and longer by subway unless you take the Railroad Express (AREX) to Seoul Station then transfer by subway to your final destination at Gyeongbukgung station.

Go to Myeongdong for Street Food and Shopping

Myeongdong is a popular location to grab Myeongdong street food, go shopping and even more. You can experience some of the shopping cultures in Korea here. It will be a great starting point if you just want to wander around and waste some time trying out some of Korea’s popular street food. By subway, it could take about an hour or longer to get to Myeongdong station so keep that in mind when traveling here. 

RELATED: Myeongdong Shopping Street

Visit Hongdae and explore some of Seoul’s popular Cafes

If you have read my things to do in Hongdae post, then you know that Hongdae is one of my favorite places to visit in Korea. It’s fairly close to the airport and you can easily access it by Subway and exit Hongik University station exit 9. There are a lot of things to do here from eating, shopping, and go to some of Seoul’s popular cafes. 

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DISCLAIMER: Oftentimes you will find that I’ve included links to certain hotels/tours/products/services. If you purchase anything through these links, I’ll receive a commission. It won’t cost you anything extra, but it will help keep this blog up and running.