Tips · South Korea

Transferring and Laying Over at Incheon Airport: Steps, Terminal Changes, Transit Tour and Rest Areas

Transferring at Incheon: signs, transfer security, the shuttle train between Terminals 1 and 2, bags and connections, Transit Tour rules and where to rest.

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Suitcases travel around a baggage carousel in an airport arrivals hall. — Airport baggage carousel · Photo: Stolbovsky / CC BY-SA 3.0

Published 2026-10-04 · Updated 2026-10-05

What to know first

Incheon Airport has Terminal 1, Terminal 2 and the Concourse. You may arrive at one and depart from another, so check your next flight's terminal and gate as soon as you land.

After leaving the plane, follow the green "Transfer" signs. The Transfer Guide on airport.kr shows a route tailored to your flights when you enter your arrival and onward flights.

What to do without an onward boarding pass varies by airline. The airport says you can get one at the transfer desk near the gate; in Terminal 1 the transfer desks are on the 2nd floor before security and the 4th floor after security. Check the exact process with your airline.

Terminals: Terminal 1 (T1), Concourse, Terminal 2 (T2)
Signs: follow the green "Transfer" signs
No boarding pass: check with your airline, then the transfer desk
Incheon Airport customer centre 1577-2600 (07:00-22:00, every day)

Transfer security and liquids

Transfer passengers go through transfer security screening before their next flight. For a Terminal 1 to Terminal 1 connection, follow the green signs to the security screening area on the 2nd floor, pass screening, then take the escalator up to your departure gate.

Liquids may go in the cabin only in containers of 100 ml or less, inside a sealed transparent bag of 1 L or less. Duty-free liquids are allowed only in a Duty Free Liquid Item Bag.

If you are also connecting through an airport in another country, its rules may differ and you may have to give up liquids. The airport advises checking that country's transfer security rules with your airline or travel agency in advance.

Liquids: containers of 100 ml or less in a sealed 1 L transparent bag
Duty-free liquids: only in the dedicated bag
Connecting elsewhere: check that country's transfer security rules first

Moving between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2

Inside the transfer area, you change terminals by shuttle train on floor B1. From Terminal 1 to Terminal 2, you pass security, ride the shuttle train to the Concourse, then change to the shuttle train for Terminal 2. The reverse trip also goes via the Concourse.

The shuttle trains run every 5 minutes, and the airport notes that once you board you cannot go back. Confirm your onward terminal before you get on.

If you have passed immigration and are in the public area, the Airport Railroad links the terminals. The airport lists it as 6 minutes and KRW 1,050 (paid). Airport shuttle bus routes are also on airport.kr.

Transfer area: shuttle train (B1) via the Concourse, every 5 minutes
Once you board, you cannot go back
Public area: Airport Railroad, 6 minutes, KRW 1,050

Bags and connection time: check with your airline

Whether checked bags go through to your final destination or must be collected and re-checked at Incheon can depend on your booking and airline. We do not state it as certain; check with your airline when you check in at your departure airport.

We did not find a minimum connection time on Incheon Airport's transfer pages. You may need to change terminals or re-check bags, so leave enough time and confirm the requirement with your airline.

Through-checked bags: check with your airline
Minimum connection time: check with your airline (no official figure found)
If terminals differ, allow time for the shuttle train

Can you leave the airport on a layover? The Transit Tour

Leaving the airport means passing immigration, and whether you can enter and what you need depends on your nationality. We cannot state this for you; check official information from Korea Immigration Service (immigration.go.kr) and K-ETA (k-eta.go.kr).

Incheon Airport runs a Transit Tour for transfer passengers. It lists three eligible groups: passengers from visa-free countries; third-country transit passengers holding a visa (including permanent residency) for the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand or one of 32 European countries; and foreign transit passengers joining the transit tour programme. The airport notes that visa-exempt nationals who are not temporarily exempt from K-ETA need a K-ETA.

Your layover must be 24 hours or less, and you need your passport and boarding passes for both flights to register. Arrive at the 1st-floor registration desk after immigration at least 30 minutes before the tour. Seats go through online reservation and first come, first served on arrival, and programmes can change without notice. If you miss the group, getting back to the airport is your responsibility.

For stays of 24 to 72 hours, the airport also lists K-Stopover packages, available only if you have no problem entering Korea. If you head into the city, see our Seoul guide.

Entry rules: vary by nationality — check immigration.go.kr and k-eta.go.kr
Transit Tour: layover of 24 hours or less, passport + both boarding passes
Registration desk: T1 1F after immigration near exits 1-2 (desks 19-20); T2 1F across from exit 4 (desks 5-6)
T1 desk hours 07:00-18:00; arrive 30 minutes before the tour
K-Stopover: packages for layovers of 24 to 72 hours

Long layover: resting inside the airport

If you stay airside, you can rest in the transfer area. According to Incheon Airport's facilities listing, Terminal 1 has east and west transfer lounge areas on the 4th floor (duty-free zone), with sleeping and rest zones open 24 hours.

On the same floor, a transit hotel near Gate 11 is open 24 hours, and paid shower rooms near Gates 25 and 29 in the transfer lounge areas open 05:00-23:00. Prayer rooms, children's play areas and nursing rooms are also listed.

For Terminal 2 facilities and current hours, check "Convenience & Public Facilities" on airport.kr. Hours can change.

T1 4F east and west transfer lounges: sleeping and rest zones, 24 hours
T1 4F near Gate 11: transit hotel, 24 hours
T1 4F paid shower rooms: 05:00-23:00
T2 facilities: check airport.kr

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FAQ

How do I transfer between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 at Incheon?

In the transfer area, take the B1 shuttle train via the Concourse. It runs every 5 minutes, and once you board you cannot go back, so confirm your onward terminal first.

Do I need to collect and re-check my bags at Incheon?

It can depend on your booking and airline. Ask your airline when you check in whether your bags go through to your final destination.

Can I go into Seoul during a layover?

You must pass immigration, and entry rules depend on your nationality. Check official information on immigration.go.kr and k-eta.go.kr.

Who can join the Transit Tour?

The airport says eligible foreign transit passengers whose layover is 24 hours or less. You need your passport and boarding passes for both flights, and must reach the 1st-floor registration desk 30 minutes before the tour.

Can I shower or sleep inside the airport?

Terminal 1's 4th-floor transfer area lists 24-hour sleeping and rest zones, a transit hotel and paid shower rooms (05:00-23:00). For Terminal 2, check airport.kr.