30-45 mins to deplane and go through immigration and customs.

Even that only allows around three hours for exploring though, so a layover of 8-10 hours is even better. To explore the city independently, account for potential delays, and allow plenty of time to get back to the airport for your next flight, you need at least seven hours. To leave the Seoul airport and explore for part of the day: 7 hrs+ Allow 3-4 hours for transfer time in this case. However, if you are changing airlines or are booked onto two separate itineraries, you may need to exit the terminal, collect and recheck your luggage and re-enter security. Your baggage should be checked through by your airline if your journey was booked as one itinerary. There is one additional security check for international transfers, and the process is extremely efficient. You do not pass through customs or passport control, unless you are entering South Korea.

Incheon (ICN) is notoriously efficient for international connections-you should only need 45 minutes. To make an international to international connection: 45 minutes The minimum connection for domestic transfer within Incheon (ICN) is 90 minutes, but you'll need three hours if you're transferring to Gimpo (GMP) from Incheon or vice versa. Some Korean Air flights connect within Incheon (ICN) Terminal 2 for domestic routes to Busan (PUS) and Daegu (TAE) only. Minimum layover times in Seoul To make an international to domestic connection: 90 mins - 3 hoursĪll long-haul international flights arrive at Seoul’s Incheon International Airport, while most domestic flights and a handful of short-haul international routes depart from Gimpo (GMP) which is about 45 minutes away via the Airport Railroad Express.

MINIMUM TIME TO LEAVE THE AIRPORT: 7 hrsĪmericans can stay for 90 days visa-free.

MINIMUM CONNECTION TIME, INTERNATIONAL TO INTERNATIONAL: 45 mins.

MINIMUM CONNECTION TIME, INTERNATIONAL TO DOMESTIC: 90 mins.

To stretch your legs and oxygenate during those precious hours between flights, you can ascend Seoul’s urban mountaintop or wander through the quiet, wooden laneways of a traditional hanok neighborhood. In many ways, Seoul packs the best of Asia into one city, with quirky shops on bright neon-lit streets, lofty historical palaces, futuristic architecture, and a unique dining scene best sampled in its sizzling food markets and ultra-hip microbreweries. South Korea’s glimmering capital city is a fantastic place for a layover, as the city is easy to reach from the airport and has a zippy public transport system that makes getting around hassle-free.

The layover online