🗺️ Your First 60 Minutes
Everything you need to do in order, from the moment your plane lands.
1
Land
Follow "Immigration" signs to passport control
2
Immigration
QR code from e-Arrival Card ready
3
Baggage + Customs
Green lane if nothing to declare
4
SIM + T-money
Do this before exiting arrivals hall
5
To Seoul
AREX B1F — fastest route to city
Which Terminal Are You Arriving At?
T1
TERMINAL 1
Most international airlines
Asiana, Japan Airlines, Lufthansa
Singapore, Emirates, Cathay Pacific
Asiana, Japan Airlines, Lufthansa
Singapore, Emirates, Cathay Pacific
📍 Central building, easy to navigate
T2
TERMINAL 2
Korean Air · Delta
KLM · Air France
Garuda Indonesia
KLM · Air France
Garuda Indonesia
📍 Free shuttle every 5 min → T1 (~15 min)
🛂 Immigration & Customs
e-Arrival Card is mandatory since January 2026.
Complete it before landing at k-eta.go.kr or via the Visit Korea app. Present the QR code to the immigration officer.
🚀 Smart Entry (Auto-Gate)
- Available to most nationalities ≥17 years old
- Requires biometric (e-passport) — look for chip symbol
- No form needed, fingerprint scan + photo
- Lines significantly shorter than manned booths
🛃 Customs: Green vs Red Lane
- Green lane — nothing to declare (most travelers)
- Red lane — cash >$10,000, alcohol >2L, tobacco >200 cigs, gifts >$800
- Random bag scans at exit — cooperate and declare honestly
- Power banks: carry-on ONLY, max 2 per person (≤160Wh)
🏪 Arrivals Hall — Do These First
The arrivals hall has everything you need. Do it in this order before boarding any transport.
1
📱 Pick Up eSIM or Physical SIM
KT, SK Telecom, LG U+ counters on 1F and B1F. Open 06:00–22:00. Tourist eSIM plans (7 days from ₩20,000) — buy online before landing for pickup. Physical SIM requires passport.
💡 Best deal: KT or SKT 30-day tourist plan with data only (~₩45,000). Voice not needed if you have WiFi calling.
2
💳 Buy T-money Card
CU / GS25 / 7-Eleven convenience store in arrivals. Card costs ₩2,500–4,000. Top up ₩20,000–30,000 for your first day (subway + buses + convenience store purchases).
💡 T-money works on all Seoul subways, buses, taxis, and even convenience store purchases. It's your #1 tool for the whole trip.
3
💱 Minimum Cash Exchange Only
Airport exchange rates are 5–10% worse than Myeongdong or Gangnam banks. Exchange ₩50,000–100,000 max for initial transport + food. Get better rates in the city.
💡 Best exchange: Myeongdong Euljiro next to CGV cinema — consistently best rates in Seoul with no commission.
4
🗺️ Tourist Information Counter (1F)
Free English/Japanese/Chinese/Russian staff. Pick up free city maps, get recommendations, use 1330 hotline phones for emergencies. Open 07:00–22:00.
💡 Ask staff about free Seoul City Tour Bus routes — great for first-day orientation.
🚄 Incheon → Seoul
The AREX (Airport Railroad) runs from B1F of both terminals. Follow the orange "Airport Railroad" signs.
AREX All-Stop Route — Key Stations
✈️
ICN T1
/ T2
/ T2
Start
Unseo
+11 min
Geomam
+26 min
Gyeyang
+30 min
Digital
Media City
Media City
+42 min
Hongdae
Univ.
Univ.
+46 min
Susaek
+51 min
🏙️
Seoul
Station
Station
~58 min
📍 AREX route: Incheon Airport → Seoul Station · All-Stop (blue) · Express (dotted) · Data: OpenStreetMap
Choose Your Route to Seoul
AREX All-Stop BEST VALUE
Departs from B1F. Stops at Hongdae, DMC, Seoul Station. Free subway transfer within 30 min using T-money. Buy ticket at machine or tap T-money directly.
₩4,750
~58 min
AREX Express
Non-stop ICN → Seoul Station. Reserved seat, runs every 30 min. Book at counter, machine, or online (₩11,400 online discount).
₩13,000
43 min
Limousine Bus (6001, 6002…)
Door-to-door to major hotel areas in Gangnam, Myeongdong, Itaewon. Good if your hotel is far from subway. Slower in traffic.
₩17,000
60–90 min
Kakao Taxi / International Taxi
Orange/black international taxis have English-speaking drivers and flat rate to Seoul. Regular Kakao T is metered + highway toll (~₩7,500 extra).
₩60–120k
~60 min
💡 AREX All-Stop is almost always the smartest move
₩4,750 vs ₩13,000 for Express. Only 15 minutes longer. If your accommodation is near Hongdae, DMC, or any subway station in Seoul — take the All-Stop and transfer. Load T-money at the airport convenience store before boarding (tap to enter, saves buying a separate ticket).
🗺️ Other Airports
✈️ Gimpo (GMP)
- Subway Line 5 or Line 9: ₩1,550, ~40 min to Seoul
- Airport Limousine: ₩7,500
- Much closer to city than Incheon
- Mostly domestic + select Asian routes
✈️ Gimhae (PUS)
- Light Rail → Sasang: ₩1,400, then Line 2
- Limousine to Seomyeon: ₩7,000–10,000
- City center in 40–50 min by transit
- New Busan Airport opening 2035
✈️ Jeju (CJU)
- Bus 101/102 islandwide: ~₩3,000
- Taxi to Jeju City: ₩6,000–10,000
- Rent a car at airport for island exploration
- No subway on Jeju — plan transport ahead
🛃 Customs Allowances
✅ Duty-Free Allowances
- Alcohol: 2 bottles ≤ 2L total ≤ $400 value
- Tobacco: 200 cigarettes OR 50 cigars
- Gifts/items: combined value ≤ $800
- Perfume: ≤ 60ml
- Foreign currency: bring any amount, declare if >$10k
🚨 Must Declare
- Cash or monetary instruments >$10,000
- Agricultural products / fresh food
- Medicines over personal-use amount
- Firearms, weapons (permit required)
- Endangered species products (CITES items)
⚠️ Power Bank Rules (Updated 2026)
Power banks in carry-on ONLY — never checked baggage. Max 2 per person. ≤100Wh completely free. 100–160Wh requires airline approval. In-flight charging from portable batteries is banned on all Korean carriers since 2025. You'll be asked to remove power banks at security.