South Korea’s Incheon International Airport is a premier gateway for a number of flights from the United States to different Asian countries and vice versa.
Some connecting flights require staying at the airport for 10 hours or even more. If your waiting time would take this long, you can first go out of the airport and explore Seoul for a couple of hours. Although it still depends on the immigration officer, generally, if you’re an American citizen or U.S. permanent resident, you can go out of the airport even if you don’t have a Korean visa. Just return to the airport three hours before your flight.
If you prefer to relax in a hotel room during the long wait, you can check in at any of the available airport hotels within Incheon’s vicinity.
Incheon Airport Transit Hotel
The Incheon Airport Transit Hotel is located at the fourth floor departure area’s East Wing and West Wing, which is within the duty-free zone. Always open to in-transit passengers, this hotel has a total of 96 guestrooms, and it provides travelers with a shower room, two nearby restaurants, two business centers, and a gym. Outside the duty-free zone, guests also have easy access to two Korean restaurants, a food court, and a cafeteria. These establishments are open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Since it is located within the airport premises, this transit hotel is the best choice for travelers with a few or a couple of hours of stay in Incheon before their next flights. Only those transferring from an international line to another international line can use this hotel. During reservation, the passenger must give the date, time, and flight number of arrival and departure. Advanced booking is ideal to ensure room availability. Take note that only carry-on and shopping bags and not checked-in luggage can be brought to the hotel. The accommodation already provides toiletries and other basic amenities needed during the stay.
This hotel collects charge on an hourly basis. Only credit card and cash payments are accepted. If you have a traveler’s check, you must first change it to any of the recognized currencies, which include Korean won, U.S. dollar, euro, Japanese yen, and Chinese yuan. Currency exchange booths are readily accessible inside the airport.
Hyatt Regency Hotel
With a total of 523 guestrooms complete with state-of-the-art international conference facilities and business, relaxation, and fitness centers, the Hyatt Regency Hotel is another good option for in-transit travelers looking for a place to stay. As a gateway hotel, it requires going out of the airport’s transit area and passing through immigration. It actually accommodates anyone, whether or not the guest is coming from the airport.
Strategically located at the International Business Center, this hotel is only three minutes away from the airport. You can simply take the free Hyatt Regency Incheon shuttle at Gate 3A or 13B at the ground floor of the arrival gate. This shuttle service is available every 20 minutes from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Like most hotels, it is open all year round, and it charges on a per-day basis, with check-in time starting 2 p.m. and check-out time up to 12 p.m. Both leisure and business travelers have a couple of accommodation packages to choose from to fit their needs. Take note that any cancellation or amendment made 24 hours before check-in time will already incur a charge based on the original date of reservation.
Best Western Hotel
Best Western Hotel features a total of 306 guestrooms, a variety of world-class banquet hall facilities, business centers, and leisure services and amenities. Another amenable accommodation option for in-transit passengers, this gateway hotel is located within the International Business Center fronting Incheon. It only takes three minutes to get there from the airport.
Travelers willing to pass through immigration to go out of the airport can easily reach the hotel using the pick-up and drop-off points at Gate 13A at the ground floor of the arrival gate. The hotel’s free shuttle service stops every 20 minutes from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
This hotel is also open all year round, and it charges on a per-day basis, with check-in time starting 2 p.m. and check-out time up to 12 p.m. It offers travelers a specialized transit overnight package called the Previous Night Departure Package. If you’re unable to show up during your intended stay or a cancellation is made within two days of your reservation, you must pay 100 percent of the amount of room reserved. For a cancellation made between three to four days, you shall be charged 50 percent of the total amount of room reserved. For a cancellation made five days or more, no charge shall be levied on the reservation.
