1Gyeongbokgung Palace
Joseon dynasty palace with hourly changing-of-the-guard ceremony. Rent a hanbok for free entry.
Photo: Frank Schulenburg, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Incheon Airport (ICN) · South Korea
24-Hour Layover in Seoul: What To Do
By AirConnect Editorial
Photo: Henry Acevedo on Pexels.
Quick answer
Can you leave the airport on a 24-hour layover in Seoul?
Entry
K-ETA (electronic travel authorisation) required for most visa-free countries — apply at eta.go.kr before travel. Chinese nationals need a separate visa.
Into town
AREX Express (to Seoul Station).
Time outside
18–20 hours — treat it as a mini trip
Times from ICN arrivals. Check entry rules for your passport before you fly.
Top Seoul: Where to Go
The sights in Seoul worth leaving the airport for.
1neighbourhood
Insadong Antiques & Tea Street
Traditional crafts, galleries, and teahouses. Best in the morning before tour groups arrive.
3Gwangjang Market
Seoul's oldest market. The raw beef yukhoe and bindaetteok (mung bean pancake) stalls are iconic.
Photo: Bgag, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Itinerary ideas for Seoul
Pick the plan that fits the time between your flights.
3 hours in Seoul
Stay airside — 3h is too tight
See the 3-hour planPhoto: Atlantic Ambience on Pexels.
6 hours in Seoul
4–5 hours in the city (stay close)
See the 6-hour planPhoto: Flickr - Laurie Nevay https://www.flickr.com/photos/laurienevay/, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
12 hours in Seoul
6–8 hours exploring
See the 12-hour planPhoto: Basile Morin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
You are here24 hours in Seoul
18–20 hours — treat it as a mini trip
Photo: Syced, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Insider tip
Incheon has a free transit tour programme for layovers over 5 hours — includes a bus tour of Seoul or visits to Incheon sights. Register at the ICN Transit Hotel desk.
Photo: Nesnad, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Getting to Seoul City Centre
| Mode | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| AREX Express (to Seoul Station) | $9 | 43 min |
| Airport Bus 6020 (to Myeongdong) | $12 | 70 min |
Photo: Andy Li, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Eat Like a Local in Seoul
Bibimbap at Gogung restaurant in Insadong — stone bowl version (dolsot) with crispy rice crust, ₩14,000.
24 hours in Seoul
24-Hour Itinerary
1
Day 1 — Arrival
Into Seoul and check in to your hotel
Take AREX Express (to Seoul Station). Most hotels hold bags before check-in.
2
Day 1 — Afternoon
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Joseon dynasty palace with hourly changing-of-the-guard ceremony. Rent a hanbok for free entry.
3
Day 1 — Evening
Dinner like a local
Bibimbap at Gogung restaurant in Insadong — stone bowl version (dolsot) with crispy rice crust, ₩14,000.
4
Day 2 — Morning
Insadong Antiques & Tea Street
Traditional crafts, galleries, and teahouses. Best in the morning before tour groups arrive.
5
Day 2 — Late morning
Gwangjang Market
Seoul's oldest market. The raw beef yukhoe and bindaetteok (mung bean pancake) stalls are iconic.
6
Day 2 — Departure
Back to Incheon Airport
Head back to Incheon Airport by AREX Express (to Seoul Station). Be at the airport at least 2–3 hours before an international flight.
Your questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa for a 24-hour layover in Seoul?
K-ETA (electronic travel authorisation) required for most visa-free countries — apply at eta.go.kr before travel. Chinese nationals need a separate visa. Check the rules for your own passport before you fly.
Is 24 hours enough to leave Incheon Airport?
18–20 hours — treat it as a mini trip.
How do I get from Incheon Airport to Seoul centre?
AREX Express (to Seoul Station). Airport Bus 6020 (to Myeongdong).
Where can I leave my bags in Seoul?
Luggage storage near Incheon Airport and in Seoul is listed in our Seoul luggage storage guide.
Getting out of Incheon Airport
Skip the taxi rank and lock in your fare before you land.
Pre-book a fixed-price transfer
Our pickDriver waits at arrivals with your name, tracks your flight, and the price you see is the price you pay. English-speaking, fixed price. No surge, no haggling at 2am.
Check transfer pricesRenting a car instead? Compare rentals with free cancellation.Things to do in Seoul
Lock in a few experiences before you go — the good ones sell out.
Tours, tickets & day trips
Our pickGetYourGuide has the deepest catalogue for Seoul and free cancellation on most experiences — book now, decide later.
Browse SeoulJust need timed-entry attraction tickets in Seoul? Try Tiqets.Want a private driver-guide? Trip.com Private Tours in Seoul.Trains & buses from Seoul
Compare overland routes — often cheaper, more scenic and skip the airport queue.
Photo: Engin Akyurt on Pexels.
Hotels near Seoul Airport
With 24 hours, a day-use hotel room is worth it — shower, sleep, and recharge before your next flight.
Find hotels in Seoul
Hotels, hostels & more · Trip.com
Search hotels
Planning a longer stay in Seoul?
Read our full destination guide — hotels, attractions, visa tips, and more.
Seoul Destination Guide →Also useful for your Seoul trip
Stay connected abroad — no roaming bills
Buy a travel eSIM before you fly and install it by QR code.
Airlines that fly to Seoul
See each airline’s route map: where else it flies from ICN.
Flights to Seoul from 111 cities: fares and airlines →
Air Seoul route mapAsiana Airlines route mapEastar Jet route mapJeju Air route mapJin Air route mapKorean Air route mapT'way Air route mapT'way Air route mapAeromexico route mapAir Astana route mapAir Busan route mapAir Canada route mapAir China route mapAir France route mapAir India route mapAir Macau route mapAirAsia route mapAirAsia Indonesia route map
Airport lounges at Incheon Airport
Wait for your flight in a lounge — one membership covers lounges at airports across the country and worldwide.
Seoul travel deals
Weekly layover, flight + hotel deals. No spam.
How a layover in Seoul works
01
Check you can leave
K-ETA (electronic travel authorisation) required for most visa-free countries — apply at eta.go.kr before travel. Chinese nationals need a separate visa.
03
Back in time for your flight
Head back to Incheon Airport by AREX Express (to Seoul Station). Be at the airport at least 2–3 hours before an international flight.
Ready for Seoul?
Tours, tickets and day trips that fit between your flights.
Daylight on the ground
Daylight in Seoul runs from about 9.4 hours in Dec to 14.6 in Jun. Enough of a difference that a winter stopover gives you noticeably less usable time outside than a summer one.