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Five reasons why I love Korea's Incheon International Airport
This long layover is my third at Incheon International Airport, and I couldn't be happier about it. On my first trip, I emerged bleary-eyed after a 10-hour flight, desperate for a bathroom and bottle of water. Wandering through the sleek white halls, I spotted a sign with an arrow and the words "Rest and Relaxation." I followed the arrow upstairs to an area with a spa, internet cafe, transit hotel, and several dining options. I was a smitten kitten.If you're passing through South Korea on your way to other parts of Asia, consider choosing a flight that passes through Incheon. It truly is a great airport, and here are five reasons why:
1. Rest and Relaxation areas. What more could you want on a layover? Leather cots and lounge chairs make sacking out pleasurable (I'm usually that hobo passed out on a sarong by my gate), and they're in a quiet area with no TV noise.
2. Free Internet. And not just free wi-fi, though there's that (I'm using it right now). There's actually an Internet cafe area, with about a half dozen desktops for folks to use - for free. A sign politely asks users to limit their usage to 30 minutes if there is a wait.
3. Self-cleaning toilets. Not only are the toilet seats in a constant state of pristine thanks to some rotating plastic covers, but there are shelves inside the stalls to put your purse and whatnot. I can't count the times I've entered a stall with no hook and had to either wear all my stuff while trying to hover over a dirty seat, or else place it on the equally nasty floor.
4. Art and culture displays. Korean art is showcased throughout the facility, but there are also areas that are set up like miniature museums. They're great to wander through, and do a good job of enticing me to actually leave the airport someday and visit South Korea.
5. Transit hotel and showers. Since I'm always on a tight budget and the leather cots are perfectly functional, I've never actually paid for a room at the transit hotel. Still, it's there if you need it. I've been more tempted by the showers. They're located in the spa in the Rest and Relaxation area, right next to the spotless restrooms and across from the free Internet cafe.
5. Transit hotel and showers. Since I'm always on a tight budget and the leather cots are perfectly functional, I've never actually paid for a room at the transit hotel. Still, it's there if you need it. I've been more tempted by the showers. They're located in the spa in the Rest and Relaxation area, right next to the spotless restrooms and across from the free Internet cafe.
Filed under: Asia, South Korea, Airports
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
AirTreks Nico Nov 5th 2009 12:44PM
Let's not forget its #1 status of best airports in the world this year! http://bit.ly/1Lf6Ge
They also sell really cheap half and full day city tours from kiosks in the terminal. So if you have a while you can go out and take a swing through the city too.
Mike Nov 6th 2009 10:20PM
This is a great post, it makes me want to vacation in the Incheon International Airport. I might just have to make an make a point of flying into South Korea for mini airport vacation.
Greg Hallberg Nov 7th 2009 10:48PM
Having worked all over Asia for over 15 years, I can attest to the incredible international airports throughout the Asia-Pacific region, including Seoul Incheon. Going to old Kimpo, via KAL, was not such a good idea, however Korean Airlines has greatly improved their safety record, (with incredible dining and in-flight services) and I have become a frequent flyer with them from the United States to Asia, Shanghai China in particular on regular business travel --and Incheon is wonderful. Seoul layovers are often across the street at the gleaming new Hyatt Hotel Incheon. Why can't American airports look at Singapore's Changi and HK's new airport, and all of the rest, and learn a few things?... I gave up on our airlines long ago.
summazooma Nov 8th 2009 3:35PM
Actually, as much as the thought must turn some people's stomachs, the new terminals (within the past 6 years) at Detroit Metro are really very nice and, if you're doing a stop-over mid-country, well worth the consideration. There's an in-terminal Hilton that is wonderful when you have an extremely early flight out of layover (at the McNamara terminal), good restaurants and shops. Not Incheon (I fly to Korea at least once a year) but makes LAX, SFO, O'hare, Atlanta, et al, look really embarrassing.
Ladyexpat Nov 8th 2009 5:14PM
Good post. Since I live in Korea I have passed in and out of this airport since it opened. What you've written made me stop and think. I agree that it would be a good stop over for anyone flying into Asia. If you need a beauty salon or banking services (more than an ATM), go to the lower level. There are additional shops and services there.
Richard Bell Nov 12th 2009 6:32PM
I had the chance to fly through this airport in 2006. It is great and very modern airport, there is much to do and see. I wish there were more airports like this one, traveling wouldn't be so bad.
James Nov 11th 2009 5:16PM
Point number three is a really great idea... its absolutely gross to put a bag (or anything else you'll handle throughout the day) on a bathroom floor! We actually clean bags regularly just for hygienic purposes: http://www.garmentcare.com/blog/?p=393