Recognized as the world’s best airport over the years, Incheon International Airport (ICN) delights travelers with efficient services, comfortable amenities, and exciting shopping and cultural experiences. Whether you have a layover or are looking for certain facilities to enhance your trip, you will find all that’s in store in our guide below. (And if you plan to take the Airport Express train, make sure to get discounted tickets here!)

Rundown

Fun fact. Incheon International Airport (ICN) is not only South Korea's largest airport and a famous filming location for K-dramas. It is 2024’s third best airport in the world, according to Skytrax.
Airport lounge. In Terminals 1 and 2, you will find a Matina Airport Lounge, which we like best for their food selections and relaxing seating areas. Learn more and reserve your visit here.
Duty-free. If you plan to shop at Incheon Airport, you can get this coupon from Shinsegae — get up to 15% discount!
Transportation. From ICN Airport, you can make your way straight to Seoul Station via the Airport Express Train or AREX. Book cheaper tickets here for less than $9.
Currency exchange & ATMs. In case you’re wondering if there’s a money exchange counter or ATMs in the airport — there is! You can easily withdraw or exchange money as soon as you land in South Korea.

What’s Inside Incheon International Airport

It's amazing how an airport that's not even thirty years old constantly emerges as one of the best in the world. From its establishment in 2001, Incheon Airport has raked awards for its amenities and facilities, which provide a very pleasant stop for travelers from around the world.

1. Korean Culture Experience Centers

Whether your flight is in Terminal 1 or 2, there are Korean Traditional Culture Centers where you can immerse yourself in the country’s traditions. In these special zones, you may put on a hanbok or try different hands-on activities for free, such as handicrafts, sewing, and making jewelry boxes out of paper. Depending on availability, you may also join lessons in coloring traditional fans or making your own Korean purse or "lucky bag".

The Korean Traditional Culture Centers, which are free to visit and are open 24/7, are found in these locations:

Incheon Airport Terminal 1

East Wing (near Gate 25 on the 3/F): 7am-9pm
West Wing (near Gate 25 on the 3/F): 7am-9pm

Incheon Airport Terminal 2

East Wing (near Gate 274 on the 3/F): 7am-9pm
West Wing (near Gate 225 on the 3/F): 7am-9pm

Aside from the Culture Center, transfer passengers may also opt to visit the K-Culture Zone beside the Transfer Lounge on the 4th floor of Terminal 2.

2. Efficient Transportation Hubs

Passengers entering South Korea through Incheon Airport will be amazed by the well-organized Transportation Centers. Travelers can hop on the bus or subway to Seoul easily, which makes it very comfortable to get to the next destination.

Outside the Arrivals Hall, you will find intercity buses and taxi transfers. You can purchase bus tickets on the premises, but we recommend prebooking below to save money:

Incheon Airport to Seoul Bus by K Limousine (100k+ booked) from $12.35
Incheon Airport to Seoul Limousine Bus (50k+ booked) from $12.55
Incheon Airport to Seoul Gangnam COEX Limousine Bus (10k+ booked) from $12.35

If you plan to take the train to Seoul, you can choose to hop on the following subway options that are linked at Incheon Airport

All-Stop Train
Airport Express Train (nonstop, recommended for tourists)

3. Matina Airport Lounge

Among the lounges in Incheon International Airport, the standard has always been Matina. If you want a private space to relax in while waiting for your flight, their lounges in both terminals offer convenient amenities. These include comfortable lounge chairs, workstations, hot meals (buffet-style), and even shower areas.

Terminal 1
- Matina Lounge East Wing: Near Gate 11 (7am-10pm)
- Matina Lounge West Wing: Near Gate 43 (7am-10pm)
Terminal 2
- Matina Lounge: Near Gate 252 (7am-10pm)
- Matina Gold: Near Gate 250 (7am-10pm)

Aside from Matina, you may also consider Skyhub Lounge in Incheon Airport Terminal 1.

VIEW ALL LOUNGES

4. K-Culture Museum

Located beside the Transportation Center on Terminal 1, the K-Culture Museum features huge LED displays of landmarks around the world and other art pieces. The museum also houses interactive zones that friends and families love.

Location: Level B1, East of Transportation Center, Terminal 1
Hours: 10am-8pm

5. Royal Parade

If you want to get a sense of how the royal family from the Joseon Dynasty looked like, catch The Walk of the Royal Family procession in any of the terminals. This is one of the exciting parade shows that you can see for free inside Incheon Airport. While not guaranteed to be available daily, the parades are usually held at these hours at Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 Duty Free area: 11-11:30pm or 2-2:30pm. You will also be able to take pictures with the cast at the end of the performance.

6. Duty-Free Shopping

Incheon International Airport offers a wide-variety of stores in their duty-free sections (Lotte Duty Free, Shilla Duty Free, Shinsegae Duty Free, SM Duty Free, City Duty Free, Samick Duty Free, and Entas Duty Free). You are sure to find the hottest brands, which include, but are not limited to:

Balanciaga
Cartier
Estee Lauder
Fendi
Gentle Monster
Givenchy
Gucci
Hermes
Kenzo
Longchamp
Louis Vuitton
MAC
Michael Kors
MIUMIU
MLB
Montblanc
Moschino
Omega
Pororo
Prada
Rimowa
Rolex
Royal Salute
Saint Laurent
Samsonite
Sulwhasoo
Tiffany & Co.
Tod’s
Tory Burch
Tumi
Versace
Victoria’s Secret

If you want to save money while shopping at the airport, you can get this duty-free voucher from Hyundai or this coupon from Shinsagae Duty-Free.

GET SHOPPING COUPONS

7. Spa

If your body yearns for some massage after a tiring trip, you can visit Spa at Home in Incheon International Airport Terminal 1. This is a 24-hour spa where you can feel relaxed before or after your flight.

8. Nap Zones

Incheon Airport's Nap Zones are so comfy that you may just call it your home. You will find the quite napping places at the East & West side of Duty-free area at the 4/F of Incheon Terminal 1.

Nap Zones are open 24 hours a day. (Again, don’t get too comfortable to the point that you’d miss your flight!)

9. Prayer Rooms

If you need a private place to meditate, there's a prayer room right near Gate 24 in Incheon Airport Terminal 1 and near Gate 268 in Terminal 2.

10. Restaurants

Enjoy Korean and international flavors at these restaurants and cafes (availability subject to change):

Angel-in-us Coffee
Auntie Anne's Pretzel
Baek Mi Dang (Ice Cream and Coffee)
Bistro Bar Lagrillia
Baskin Robbins
Bibigo (Bibimbap and Porridge)
Burger King
Byeolmi Snack (Tuna Kimbap, Spicy Rice Cake, Kimchi Fried Rice
Chimac Hunter
Coffee@Works
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
Cafe Sapoon Sapoon
Daegu Geundae Street Sweet Redbean Bread
Dunkin' Donuts
Deokingwan
Farmer's Box
Food Empire Kitchen
Jamba Juice
Krispy Kreme
Lotteria
Mos Burger
Museohwaban
Myun Chae Ban
Paris Croissant
Patgodang
Paris Baguette
Pho Bay
Quiznos
Robot Gimbap
Samjin Amook
Shake Shack
Starbucks
A Twosome Place
Tous Les Jours

10 Things You’ll Find in Incheon International Airport