Seoul Travel Essentials You Can Pick Up From Incheon International Airport

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Now that you’ve booked your tickets, you need the right Seoul travel essentials for your upcoming trip! From the Discover Seoul Pass and T-Money Card to AREX Airport Express and 4G Wifi, this guide highlights all the Seoul travel essentials you need for the perfect South Korea trip!

Discover Seoul Pass

Kicking off our list of Seoul travel essentials is the Discover Seoul Pass.This is the ultimate Seoul attraction and transport pass for tourists exploring the city. The Discover Seoul Pass was created by the Seoul Tourism Organization and Seoul Metropolitan Government with the aim to provide visitors with a complete experience of Seoul, including access to the most prominent landmarks and tourist attractions with ease and flexibility.

The Discover Seoul Pass works as both an admission ticket and a transportation top-up card. This means, you’ll not only be able to visit some of the best attractions in Seoul but also top up the card for easy transportation around Seoul. When your trip is over, you can receive any unused balance in cash before you leave Korea. Besides the most prominent historical sites, palaces and shrines, the Discover Seoul Pass also gives you access to the Leeum Samsung Museum of Art, the Coreana Cosmetics Museum, the Museum Kimchikan, MBC World, Trickeye & Ice Museum, and SMTOWN. In total, you have access to 35 different attractions.

The pass starts at only US$ 31.69 and you can choose between three card options: 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours and book it before you land in Seoul. Upon arrival, you simply pick up the ard at the airport.

Pick Up Locations:

Incheon International Airport Terminal 1

• Address: International Taxi information Desk (EAST) (Between Gate 4 and Gate 5 of Arrival Hall)
• Please check the location photo for reference
• Opening hours: 24 hours daily

Incheon International Airport Terminal 2

• Address: 1 Floor, International Taxi information Desk (Next to Gate 3)
• Opening hours: 7:00am-8:00pm, daily

Gimpo International Airport

• Address: International Taxi information Desk
• Please check the location photo for reference
• Opening hours: 10:00am-10:00pm daily

Myeongdong Tourist Information Center

• Please note: for overseas sales and processing pass refunds only
• Address: 66, Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul (KEB Hana Bank Main Office First Floor Annex)
• Please check the location photo for reference
• Phone No.: +82-2-778-0333 (English/Chinese service)
• Opening hours: 10:30am-6:30pm, daily

AREX Incheon Airport Express Train One Way Ticket in Seoul

The Airport Railroad Express on the AREX line is the fastest way to travel between Incheon Airport and downtown Seoul. This train will get you aboard the train and to the airport in as little as 43 minutes! Trains run every 25 to 40 minutes, allowing you to catch a train and not having to wait for too long. Book your AREX ticket in advance to save time!

Pick-up locations:

Incheon International Airport Terminal 1

• Transportation Center of Incheon Int’l Airport (B1F floor) Information Center (opening hours: 9:00am-9:30pm, daily)

Incheon International Airport Terminal 2

• Transportation Center of Incheon Int’l Airport(B1F floor) Information Center (opening hours: 7:00am-9:30pm, daily)

Most Popular Seoul travel essentials: T-Money Card

The T-Money Card is great for those who are looking for a convenient, cashless way to navigate through Seoul and other Korean cities. This integrated transportation card cannot only be used on the subway, bus and taxi but also at convenience stores and vending machines throughout South Korea.

Currently, the only option to purchase a T-Money Card in advance is to buy this version, which also doubles as your 4G/LTE Unlimited data sim card. After using the SIM card in your device, the left plastic card is the T-Money public transport card.

You can easily pick up your T-Money Card at the airport and enjoy a pre-loaded KRW 5,000 if you book the card in advance. Simply show your voucher at one of the pick-up locations below. You can charge the card up whenever you need more and also collect the remaining balance before you leave Korea. If you visit Korea again, you can also keep the card as it’s valid permanently and any maintaining balance can be stored for 5 years!

Pick up Locations:

Incheon International Airport Terminal 1

• Opening hours: 6:00am-8:00pm, daily
• Location: Klook counter at the check-in counter N (near entrance 14), 3F Departure Hall, Incheon Airport Terminal 1

4G Unlimited Wifi Device

One of the most important Seoul travel essentials is portable Internet. There are usually two ways to make sure you’ve got Internet access while traveling: a Wifi device or a sim card. A Wifi device is great if you are traveling with one or several friends as you can connect it with up to 5 devices at a time. This Wifi device gets you high-speed Internet of up to 100mbps and easily fits in your pocket. Skip the lines and pre-order your device to make sure it’s available when you get there.

Pick up Locations:

Incheon International Airport (ICN) Terminal 1

• Opening hours: 24 hours, daily
• Location: WIDEMOBILE Global Roaming Center 와이파이도시락
• How to get there: Beside Gate 7, G/F Incheon International Airport (ICN)

Incheon International Airport (ICN) Terminal 2

• Opening hours: 24 hours, daily
• Location: WIDEMOBILE Global Roaming Center 와이파이도시락
• How to get there: Beside Gate 1, G/F Incheon International Airport (ICN)

Gimpo International Airport (GMP)

• Opening hours: 6:00am-9:00pm, daily
• Location: WIDEMOBILE Global Roaming Center 와이파이도시락
• How to get there: 3/F Gimpo International Airport (GMP) International Terminal (opposite 7-Eleven)

4G Unlimited Data Sim Card

Another option to get Internet connection on the go is a sim card. A 4G Unlimited Data Sim Card is great for solo travelers because only one person can use it at a time. You’ll be able to navigate around Seoul and the whole of South Korea, share your favorite travel moments and keep in touch with your family back home. To save time and make sure you will get a card, book it in advance and simply present your voucher at one of the pick-up locations.

Pick up Locations:

Incheon International Airport Terminal 1

• Location 1: 1/F Gate 6-7, open 24hrs daily, KT Roaming Center
• Location 2: Gate 4-5, KT Roaming Center, 7:00am-10:00pm, daily
• Location 3: Gate 10-11, KT Roaming Center, 6:00am-10:00pm, daily

Incheon International Airport Terminal 2

• Location: 1/F Gate 2-3, KT Roaming Center
• Opening hours: 24 hours, daily

Gimpo Airport

• Location: 1/F Gate 1, KT Roaming Center
• Opening hours: 7:00am-11:00pm, daily

Korea Rail Pass

This train pass is one of most versatile Seoul travel essentials because it’s a great way to travel around South Korea. The Korea Rail Pass allows you to travel on almost all trains operated by KORAIL, South Korea’s leading railway provider. This covers a network of over 600 stations that spread across 80 routes all around the country. For example, the KTX from Seoul to Busan only takes 2.5 hours and is also very comfortable to travel with.

The Korea Rail Pass is valid for flexible 2 or 4 days within a 10-day period and you may only be allowed 2 seat reservations per person per day. After that, you may still travel on the pass but there is no seat guarantee. There are also 3-day and 5-day passes available that can be used for consecutive travel days.

Pick up Locations:

Incheon Airport Railroad Information Center

• 7:00am-9:30pm, all year round

Seoul Station

• 5:00am-12:00am, all year round

Busan Station

• 5:00am-12:00am, all year round

South Korea Railplus Transport Card

The South Korea Railplus Transport Card is one of the best Seoul travel essentials if you are planning to not only take taxis, buses, and the subway but also want to travel around Korea by train. Just pick up the card at Incheon Airport as soon as you arrive in Korea and you are ready to explore the true diversity of this beautiful country.

Simply top off your card and you set off traveling by train, bus, subway and expressway, and also make purchases at stores or pay for parking. The South Korea Railplus Transport Card is valid for most major cities including Seoul, Gyeonggi-do, Busan, Chungcheong-do, and in the Honam regions (Daejeon–Mokpo).

Pick up Locations:

• K-books, 1F, between C-D zoon, Incheon International Airport Terminal 1
• K-books, 3F, D zoon, Incheon International Airport Terminal 2

Private Incheon International Airport (ICN) Transfers for Seoul

If you are looking for a convenient and comfortable way to travel to and from Incheon or Gimpo Airport in Seoul, a private airport transfer is an ideal choice. Their rush service even allows you to book a ride as fast as 3 hours before your excepted pick-up time. You can also book a van for up to 12 people, plus luggage. Every car also has a professional English speaking driver, which allows for easy communication. Transfer services start at US$ 96.85.

Service Hours:

• Day service: 8:00am-9:30pm
• Night service: 9:31pm-7:59am

Seoul Airport Luggage Services

If you have a lot of luggage and need to store it, luggage storage services by Safex are the ideal place to do so. While you can simply store your luggage at Incheon or Gimpo Airport, Safex goes even further and can even drop off your luggage at your hotel, while you start exploring the city. They even have a mobile app allowing you to track your luggage’s journey. Prices start at $8.

Incheon International Airport (ICN) Lounge Service

Incheon Airport has constantly been among the world’s best airports and it’s not hard to see why. Before you leave Seoul, why not relax in one of the many luxurious airport lounges? They have many options to choose from: there’s the Matina Lounge, the Sky Hub Lounge, the SPC Lounge, and more.

Most lounges have free Wifi, complimentary food and drinks and even the opportunity to take a free shower. A stay at one of Incheon’s airport lounges is a great way to kickstart a relaxing trip out of Korea.

When you book your lounge access in advance, you get special rates starting at $34 USD.

Recommended Travel Guides for Korea

If you want to learn more about South Korea and have a handy travel guide in your pocket, check out these three options below:

DK Eyewitness Top 10 Seoul

This Top 10 Seoul guide is a great pocket guide that breaks down the best of Seoul into helpful lists of ten – from selected highlights to the best museums and galleries, and the most authentic restaurants, tearooms, bars, shops, and markets. I personally helped update the most recent version of this guide. Buy this book.

Lonely Planet Korea

You really can’t go wrong with a lonely planet guide in your hand luggage! I’m a huge fan of Lonely Planet and own this guide myself. What I love is the brand-new pull-out, passport-size ‘Just Landed’ card with wi-fi, ATM and transport info – all you need for a smooth journey from airport to hotel! Buy this book.

South Korea: The Solo Girl’s Travel Guide

Calling all my solo female travel ladies out there – this guide is amazing! Part of the #1 Travel Guidebook Series for Women (and couples), this take on South Korea will help you avoid the scams, creeps, and tourist traps and skip ahead to the cities and adventures that are worth your time (and money)! Buy this book.

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