⏱️ First 2 Hours in Korea
Just landed? We will get you out of the airport. Follow the steps in order and tick each one off. Getting out usually takes about 45 to 120 minutes, and longer when Immigration is busy or your bags are late.
Show all steps
Leave the plane and follow the “Arrivals” and “Immigration” signs.
- Passport
- Boarding pass
- →Walk with the crowd toward “Arrivals / Immigration”.
- →Do not follow “Transfer” signs if you are staying in Korea.
- →Keep your passport in your hand or an easy pocket.
More details
If you arrive at the Concourse (gates numbered 101–132), a shuttle train that runs around the clock takes you to the main Terminal 1 building. Follow the signs, then continue to quarantine and Immigration.
- Following “Transfer” signs when you are staying in Korea.
Walk through the quarantine area following the staff and signs. Most visitors need to do nothing extra.
- Q-CODE QR code or health questionnaire (only if it applies to you)
- →Follow the signs and staff through the quarantine area.
- →If you stayed in or passed through a quarantine-managed area, or you have a fever, cough or other symptoms, tell the quarantine officers.
- →If an officer asks, show your Q-CODE or fill in the health questionnaire.
✓ Walk through the quarantine area and continue to Immigration.
A Q-CODE or health questionnaire may apply if you:
- Stayed in or passed through a quarantine-managed area recently.
- Have a fever, cough or other signs of infection.
- Are asked by quarantine staff to declare or be checked.
Check the current list on the official Q-CODE page. If you did not fill it in before flying, ask quarantine staff for the paper health questionnaire.
Official Q-CODE page →Last verified: 2026-10-07 · Official sources are linked under More details.
More details
Quarantine comes right before Immigration. Staff direct you if you need to stop.
- Hiding symptoms. Telling the officers early is faster and safer for everyone.
- The list of quarantine-managed areas is set by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and can change. Check the official Q-CODE page before you fly.
Follow the signs for Immigration / Passport Control and join the foreigner line.
- Passport
- Name and address of your accommodation
- e-Arrival Card confirmation (if required)
- →Join the lane for foreign passport holders.
- →Hand over your passport and answer the officer’s questions: why you are visiting, how long you will stay and where you are staying.
- →Look into the camera and place your fingers on the scanner if asked. Photos and fingerprints are taken from foreign visitors aged 17 and over.
An approved K-ETA usually means no e-Arrival Card is needed.
Holders of a valid Korean residence card do not need an e-Arrival Card.
You generally need an e-Arrival Card. A temporary K-ETA exemption does not replace it. You can submit it on your phone up to 3 days before arrival.
Check on the official e-Arrival Card site, which tells you whether you must submit one.
⚠️ The e-Arrival Card is free. The official site is e-arrivalcard.go.kr. Do not use a site that asks for payment.
Official e-Arrival Card site →Last verified: 2026-10-07 · Official sources are linked under More details.
More details
Immigration is the first checkpoint after quarantine. Foreign passport holders use the foreigner lanes.
- Not having your hotel name and address ready.
- Not knowing whether you needed an e-Arrival Card. If you forgot it, check on your phone before you reach the officer.
- Waiting times are longer when many flights land together, especially in the morning and early evening.
Check the screen for your flight’s carousel and collect your bags. Carts are free.
- Baggage tags
- Phone with your flight number
- →Find your flight number on the overhead screens to see the carousel number.
- →Take a free baggage cart from the stands.
- →Check that the tag on each bag matches yours.
- Do not leave the baggage claim area.
- Find your airline’s baggage service or lost baggage desk.
- Have your passport, boarding pass and baggage tag ready.
- Finish the report first, then continue to Customs and the arrival hall.
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Oversized baggage is handled at counters beside the carousels (see the signs).
- Leaving the area before checking for damage. Report damage or missing bags to your airline’s baggage service desk before you exit.
Decide whether you have anything to declare, then use the matching exit.
- Customs declaration form (only if you have something to declare)
- →Nothing to declare: no form is needed. Walk through the “Nothing to Declare” exit.
- →Something to declare: fill in the customs form on paper or on your phone, and use the “Goods to Declare” exit.
- →Keep your bags with you. Officers may ask to check them.
No customs form is needed. Use the “Nothing to Declare” exit.
Fill in the customs form, on paper or on your phone, and use the “Goods to Declare” exit.
- Goods worth more than the duty-free allowance
- Cash or payment instruments worth more than US$10,000
- Meat, ham, sausage and other animal products
- Fruit, vegetables, plants and seeds
- Medicine or restricted items
- Goods you are bringing to sell
- Weapons, drugs and other banned items
Last verified: 2026-10-07 · Official sources are linked under More details.
More details
The general duty-free allowance is US$800 per traveler. Alcohol, tobacco and perfume have separate limits, and cash worth more than US$10,000 must be declared.
- Bringing fresh fruit, meat or plants into Korea without checking the rules.
- If you declare on your phone, you receive a QR code to scan on arrival.
- Prescription medicine in large quantities may need documents. See the Trip Readiness Checker.
The official part is done. Everything below is optional: choose only what you need before you leave the airport.
Walk out into the arrival hall. Pause here: this is where you get connected, get cash and choose transport.
- →Step aside from the exit so you do not block the crowd.
- →Look for the information desk, SIM counters, ATMs and transport signs.
- →Use only official taxi stands. Ignore people offering rides inside the terminal.
More details
The arrivals hall is on 1F. Trains and buses are in the transportation center on B1; taxi and bus stops are outside the 1F exits.
- Accepting rides from unofficial drivers.
Do you already have mobile data?
✓ You can skip this step. Tap “Skip this step” below.
Do you have a payment card that works in Korea?
Most visitors do not need to exchange a large amount at the airport.
You may still need Korean won for:
- Topping up a transit card
- Some small stores and traditional markets
- An emergency backup
Test your card at a convenience store or an ATM in the arrivals hall. Exchange a small amount of cash as a backup in case it fails.
Exchange counters in the arrivals hall need your passport. Machines marked “Global ATM” accept foreign cards; expect a fee. If a machine or terminal offers to charge your home currency, check the rate and fees first. Paying in Korean won is usually the safer choice.
How are you leaving the airport?
A transportation card is useful during your stay, but you do not have to buy it at the airport.
- Where to buy: convenience stores and station machines sell T-money.
- How to top up: at convenience stores and subway station machines, with cash.
- How much to add at first: a small amount, then top up as you go.
✓ You can buy a transport card later. Tap “Skip this step” below.
How are you getting to your accommodation?
- Time:
- 43 mins (T1 to Seoul Stn) / 51 mins (T2)
- Cost:
- About ₩13,000 at the counter (online discount tickets are usually cheaper)
- How often:
- Every 30–50 mins
Direct non-stop bullet train with reserved seating, onboard Wi-Fi, luggage racks, and direct underground transfer at Seoul Station.
- Time:
- 59 mins (T1) / 66 mins (T2)
- Cost:
- ₩4,750 (T-money card)
- How often:
- Every 5–10 mins
Stops at 14 stations including Gimpo Airport, Hongik Univ (Hongdae), Gongdeok, and Seoul Station. Uses standard T-money.
- Time:
- 60–85 mins
- Cost:
- ₩17,000–₩18,000
- How often:
- Every 15–25 mins
Comfortable luxury buses directly to hotel districts: Route 6001 (Dongdaemun), 6002 (Jongno), 6015 (Myeongdong), 6701/6702 (Major Hotels).
- Time:
- 55–75 mins
- Cost:
- Metered ₩55,000–₩80,000 to central Seoul; International Taxi flat fare about ₩75,000
- How often:
- Immediate on-demand
Use only the official taxi stands and signs outside arrivals; International Taxi has its own stands, so follow the signs for your terminal. International Taxi offers foreign-language support and zone-based flat fares; book on 1644-2255.
With heavy luggage, a limousine bus or taxi saves stairs and transfers. At night, check the last train time, or use an official taxi.
Compare airport transport in detail →How to get from Incheon Airport to central Seoul →Head for your transport and leave the airport. Keep your passport and phone within reach.
- →Check that you have your passport, phone, wallet and all your bags.
- →Save your accommodation address in Korean as a screenshot. It helps a lot with taxi drivers.
- →Use only official taxi stands.
Your progress is saved only in this browser. Times and prices are estimates and change; confirm them at the airport. e-Arrival card