Korea's International Airports
Incheon International Airport (ICN) is the main gateway and one of the best-ranked airports in the world. It handles nearly all long-haul flights and the majority of short-haul routes. The secondary airports are Gimpo (GMP) for most domestic plus some regional flights, Busan (PUS) for domestic and some China/Japan/Asia routes, and Jeju (CJU) which is mostly domestic but has a few Asia international routes.
| Airport | Code | Role | Distance from Seoul |
|---|
| Incheon Intl | ICN | Main long-haul hub | 52 km |
| Gimpo | GMP | Domestic + select Asia | 17 km |
| Busan Gimhae | PUS | South coast, Asia routes | 325 km |
| Jeju | CJU | Domestic + Asia | 460 km |
Main Airlines & Routes
Korean Air and Asiana are the full-service carriers, while Jeju Air, T'way, Jin Air and Air Busan dominate domestic and low-cost Asia routes. International carriers flying to Incheon include Delta, United, American, Air Canada, British Airways, KLM, Air France, Lufthansa, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, JAL, ANA and many more.
- From North America: nonstops from New York, LA, San Francisco, Seattle, Dallas, Atlanta, Vancouver, Toronto and Honolulu.
- From Europe: nonstops from London, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Munich, Istanbul, Rome and Madrid.
- From Oceania: nonstops from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Auckland.
- From Asia: dense short-haul network — Tokyo, Osaka, Taipei, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Bangkok and more.
Getting from Airport to City
From Incheon (ICN)
AREX Express train to Seoul Station takes 43 minutes and costs ₩11,000. The All-Stop AREX is cheaper (₩4,500) but slower at 58 minutes. KAL Limousine and airport buses serve all major hotel districts and can be more convenient with luggage, typically ₩15,000-18,000.
From Gimpo (GMP)
Gimpo is directly on Seoul Subway Line 5 and Line 9, plus AREX. You can reach central Seoul in 25-35 minutes for ₩1,400-1,500.
From Busan (PUS) and Jeju (CJU)
PUS is connected to Busan Metro and limousine buses to downtown (~₩8,000). CJU is right next to Jeju City with frequent city buses to the ferry terminal and major hotels.
Visa, K-ETA & Arrival Tips
- Most visa-waiver nationals (US/UK/EU/AU/NZ/CA/JP) get 90 days on arrival with a K-ETA.
- K-ETA costs ₩10,000, is valid up to 3 years and should be applied for at least 72 hours before flying at k-eta.go.kr.
- Print or save your K-ETA confirmation. Airlines may ask at check-in.
- Keep proof of onward travel — immigration occasionally asks.
- Use the automated e-gate if you're over 17 and registered — it is much faster.
A T-money card and an eSIM or local SIM are the two fastest things to set up at ICN before leaving the airport.
Always verify current visa and K-ETA rules at hikorea.go.kr and k-eta.go.kr — this site is independent and not affiliated with any government agency.
Korea's International Airports
Incheon International Airport (ICN) is the main gateway and one of the best-ranked airports in the world. It handles nearly all long-haul flights and the majority of short-haul routes. The secondary airports are Gimpo (GMP) for most domestic plus some regional flights, Busan (PUS) for domestic and some China/Japan/Asia routes, and Jeju (CJU) which is mostly domestic but has a few Asia international routes.
| Airport | Code | Role | Distance from Seoul |
|---|
| Incheon Intl | ICN | Main long-haul hub | 52 km |
| Gimpo | GMP | Domestic + select Asia | 17 km |
| Busan Gimhae | PUS | South coast, Asia routes | 325 km |
| Jeju | CJU | Domestic + Asia | 460 km |
Main Airlines & Routes
Korean Air and Asiana are the full-service carriers, while Jeju Air, T'way, Jin Air and Air Busan dominate domestic and low-cost Asia routes. International carriers flying to Incheon include Delta, United, American, Air Canada, British Airways, KLM, Air France, Lufthansa, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, JAL, ANA and many more.
- From North America: nonstops from New York, LA, San Francisco, Seattle, Dallas, Atlanta, Vancouver, Toronto and Honolulu.
- From Europe: nonstops from London, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Munich, Istanbul, Rome and Madrid.
- From Oceania: nonstops from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Auckland.
- From Asia: dense short-haul network — Tokyo, Osaka, Taipei, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Bangkok and more.
Getting from Airport to City
From Incheon (ICN)
AREX Express train to Seoul Station takes 43 minutes and costs ₩11,000. The All-Stop AREX is cheaper (₩4,500) but slower at 58 minutes. KAL Limousine and airport buses serve all major hotel districts and can be more convenient with luggage, typically ₩15,000-18,000.
From Gimpo (GMP)
Gimpo is directly on Seoul Subway Line 5 and Line 9, plus AREX. You can reach central Seoul in 25-35 minutes for ₩1,400-1,500.
From Busan (PUS) and Jeju (CJU)
PUS is connected to Busan Metro and limousine buses to downtown (~₩8,000). CJU is right next to Jeju City with frequent city buses to the ferry terminal and major hotels.
Visa, K-ETA & Arrival Tips
- Most visa-waiver nationals (US/UK/EU/AU/NZ/CA/JP) get 90 days on arrival with a K-ETA.
- K-ETA costs ₩10,000, is valid up to 3 years and should be applied for at least 72 hours before flying at k-eta.go.kr.
- Print or save your K-ETA confirmation. Airlines may ask at check-in.
- Keep proof of onward travel — immigration occasionally asks.
- Use the automated e-gate if you're over 17 and registered — it is much faster.
A T-money card and an eSIM or local SIM are the two fastest things to set up at ICN before leaving the airport.
Always verify current visa and K-ETA rules at hikorea.go.kr and k-eta.go.kr — this site is independent and not affiliated with any government agency.