Can I leave Incheon International on a layover?

December 26, 2006 9:02 AM

I have a long layover at Incheon Airport in South Korea. Can I leave the airport during that time?

A friend I haven't seen in a long time lives near the airport, and she is planning on coming to meet me and take me around the area (I've never been to Korea). I have an American passport, so I assume immigration/emigration will just stamp and wave me through, but will my boarding pass be enough to get me back in through security? Time isn't really an issue here.

posted by borkingchikapa to travel & transportation around North Korea (2 answers total)

You don't mention how long your layover is...
If "time isn't really an issue" then yes, you do have enough time. Customs is not that difficult or long in ICN. I've flown out several times and it's never taken me more than 20 minutes (YMMV). Going through customs on the way in might take a little longer but that is all dependent on how many planes land at the same time as you. If you have only carry-ons, this will vastly facilitate your exit and entry.
Yes, boarding pass coupled with passport is plenty to get through security. The area around ICN, however, sucks and isn't really worth seeing that much. It takes about an hour to get into Seoul. If you have more than a 6 hour layover then I think you can get into Seoul, walk around a bit, eat some delicious stuff, and then still be okay with the plane.
posted by shokod at 9:48 AM on December 26, 2006

Americans are allowed 3 months entry without a visa, so I suppose it's theoretically possible, if you have your boarding pass and everything with you.

In reality, though, I'd be leery. Any bit of paperwork out of place when you want back in, and you're stuck trying to explain what you've done to the officials there (who have, charitably, varying levels of English ability). You could just breeze back through when you want to get back through immigration to re-board, or they could decide to hold you up because they figure that anything out of the ordinary = something bad (a commonly-held idea in Korea), and they need to check you out.

You could just ask somebody official when you arrive, if you can find someone with good enough English. Be aware if you're feeling adventurous that it is common in Korea to say 'no' or give some slightly random response if someone doesn't actually know the answer.

If it were me now, I wouldn't bother trying. If it were me when I was wandering the world in my 20s, I'd have given it a shot.

Also, as mentioned, the Incheon area is pretty crappy, and at least an hour from downtown Seoul.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 6:17 PM on December 26, 2006