Incheon International Airport - FREE KOREA TRANSIT TOUR!!!
Hello readers! It's been a month since my trip to Seattle, Washington, USA. I had a long layover to South Korea, a total of 13 hours. My route was Manila (Philippines) → Incheon (South Korea) → Seattle (Washington, USA) via Asiana Airlines. Fortunately, Incheon International Airport provides free local tours to travelers with long layovers. It was a great decision to join at that time.
» Conditions «
- Those who are eligible to enter South Korea without a visa. Citizens from the following countries must hold a Korean transit visa: Egypt, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
- In general, passengers who has a connecting flight to South Korea within 24 hours and travelling to the USA, Canada, Australia or New Zealand and has a valid visa to those countries.
Please consult South Korea's transit tour page for more information.
» Book Online «
It's better to book the tour online because it easily get fully booked. Walk-in is possible but it comes with first come first served upon arrival.
You can head over to this link: https://www.airport.kr/ap/en/trn/trnTourMain.do for more details.
» Course Information «
There are 8 local tours to choose from according to your preferences. There are 1-hour, 2-hour, 4-hour and 5-hour tours. Each transit tours are led by English-speaking tour guide.
- Temple Tour (1 hour) → Airport - Temple - Airport
- Terminal 1 → 08:00~09:00 / 09:00~10:00 / 14:00~15:00
- Terminal 2 → 07:00~08:00 / 08:00~09:00 / 13:00~1400 / 14:00~15:00
 |
| Credit: Incheon International Airport website |
- Paradise City Art-Tainment Tour (1 hour) → Airport - Paradise City - Airport
- Terminal 1&2 → 10:00~11:00 / 13:00~14:00
 |
| Credit: Incheon International Airport website |
- Old & New Tour (2 hours) → Airport - Songdo Hanok Village - Triple Street - Airport
- Terminal 1&2 → 15:00~17:00
 |
| Credit: Incheon International Airport website |
- Temple Tour (4 hours) → Airport - Jeondeungsa Temple - Deokjinjin - Airport
- Terminal 1&2 → 8:00~12:00
 |
| Credit: Incheon International Airport website |
- Adventure Tour (4 hours) → Airport - Gwangmyeong Cave - Airport
- Terminal 1&2 → 9:00~13:00 (Not available on Mondays)
 |
| Credit: Incheon International Airport website |
- K-Culture Tour (4 hours) → Airport - World Cup Stadium - Hongdae Street - Airport
- Terminal 1&2 → 14:00~18:00
 |
| Credit: Incheon International Airport website |
- Tradition Tour (5 hours) → Airport - Gyeongbokgung Palace - Insadong - Airport
- Terminal 1&2 → 8:00~13:00 / 10:00~15:00
 |
| Credit: Incheon International Airport website |
- Shopping Tour (5 hours) → Airport - Myeong-dong - Namdaemun Market - Airport
- Terminal 1&2 → 13:00~18:00
 |
| Credit: Incheon International Airport website |
» Transit Process «
- While inside the plane, the cabin crew(s) will give quarantine card and arrival card for passengers who will travel to South Korea. Fill-out the form for easy transit process. Use TRANSIT TOUR as your accommodation in the arrival card.
- From Manila, I arrived at Incheon International Airport at 4:30 am. The original arrival time was 4:40 am.
- Asiana Airlines from Manila is Gate 14.
- Follow Transfer signs but when you see the Arrival sign, go straight until you reach the Quarantine Area. Surrender the Quarantine card.
- Then, head straight to the Immigration. For foreigners, go to Counter C.
- Tell the immigration officer that you reserved online for transit tour. Show your boarding pass, passport and printed reservation form (from email).
- Questions asked: Do you have a US visa? Do you have companions?
- No passport stamp. The officer will just give you an entry confirmation paper with your personal details: name and passport number as well as your date of entry and date permitted.
- Go down to 1st floor and look for exit.
- Surrender your arrival card to the officer.
- Note that the you're not going to get your checked bags in the carousel because it will be sent straight to your travel destination.
- Then, look for Gate #8. Beside it, you can see the Transit Tour Information Desk Desk #41 and #42.
» Transit Tour Information Desk «
The desk is open from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm only. Please be there at least 30 minutes before the tour starts. Prepare your online reservation form, passport, previous and next boarding pass.
I chose the Palace Tour (8:00 am to 1:00 pm) so I paid $10, for the palace's entrance fee $3 and for the lunch $7.
The officer will ask you to come back by 7:45 am for the meeting time. He will also give a transit tour pin (free of charge).
At 7:45am, participants made a long line and followed the tour guide to the very end of the terminal, where the tour bus was waiting. You can put your carry-on baggage and store it beneath the bus. Just make sure your valuables are with you.
» Actual Tour «
Luckily, Asiana Airlines is located in Terminal 1. The passengers of Terminal 1 are the first one, who will board the bus.
Note: Check the weather outside before the tour. When I got here, it was 0°C. Good thing that I was wearing thermal turtle neck, thermal leggings and thermal socks from Uniqlo. I also wore two layers of jackets from Uniqlo. It's not sponsored, huh.
Our tour guide was Jennie. She was very nice, warm and informative. Our first stop was Gyeongbokgung Palace.
 |
| Photo grabbed from Free Korea transit tour Facebook page |
I've been here last March 2016 but I didn't witness the changing of guards. It's good that I witnessed it this time.
The second and last stop was Insadong. We went to a traditional Korean restaurant. I ordered Bulgogi.
After the tour, we were dropped off at the airport.
Here are the steps that I did after the tour:
The second and last stop was Insadong. We went to a traditional Korean restaurant. I ordered Bulgogi.
After the tour, we were dropped off at the airport.
» After the Tour «
Here are the steps that I did after the tour:
- Get off the bus and get your bag(s) beneath the bus. The bus driver will help you get your things.
- Go inside the airport and look for the elevator or escalator.
- Head over to the third floor and look for the immigration.
- Fall in line and do the common immigration procedures.
- Then, go to your boarding gate (indicated in your boarding pass) or try other activities to do at the airport.
» Things to Do at the Airport «
Here are the main attractions that I checked that time:
- Korea Traditional Culture Experience Center (T1 East) - Located in Terminal 1 near Gate 25.
- Mini Classical Concerts - Located in Terminal 1 near Gate 27/28.
- The Walk of Royal Family - Located in Terminal 1 between Gate 25 and 29.
- Free Korean traditional clothes experience - Located in Terminal 1 near Gate 25. The event was only from December 14, 2019 to December 18, 2019 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. I joined and they also gave me free 2 postcards with my photo at the back.
- Free call booths with surprises - Located in Terminal, near Gate 25. The event was only from December 14, 2019 to December 18, 2019 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. I got a free gift after joining the call booth.
You can check this link: https://www.airport.kr/ap/en/svc/attractionMain.do for more details on other attractions.
» Info «
Website: https://www.airport.kr/ap_cnt/en/trn/tour/trtour/trtour.do
E-mail Address: transittour@airport.kr
Telephone Number: +82-32-741-3139
Managing Team: Airline Marketing Team
2 comments
Hello Ms Elaine...thanks for sharing your experience on this layover tour. It's great and very detailed. I am planning to do the same thing on my next trip. However, I have a few questions. 1) I am also going to Seattle, do I need to get k-eta visa or a US visa is enough? 2) Did you just eat at Insa-dong, were you given time to stroll and buy some souvenirs? Thanks very much.
ReplyDeleteHello! For #1, I didn't get a transit visa. A US visa was enough. You should mention in immigration that you're in a transit tour and show your reserved slot. For #2, after lunch break, we were given a time to stroll around but it's limited. You must get in the bus at a certain time given by the tour guide. Hope it helps and enjoy your trip! :)
Delete