Layover in Seoul
 

Hi. We have a 6-hour layover in Seoul on the way to Bali and an 8-hr layover on the way back. All during the day. Never been there. Any recommendations on what we should do to get a good experience of the city?

I'm assuming we don't have to take our checked luggage with us?

Thanks!

Karen

http://www.sleepinginairports.net/.....ort-lounge.htm good info you will not have tie for much
out of the airport. virtualtourist.com viator.com for
city info. Do oneor morenights to have any kind of decent experience factoring in major jet lag also.

Good luck less is more in travel.

Your luggage should be checked through to your final destination.

Here is a recent trip report by someone with a bit longer layover than yours:
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...cn-layover.cfm

There have been a fair number of posts on layovers in Seoul. If you choose South Korea from the drop down menu above, it will list all recent posts on South Korea.

i'm not sure with that amount of time that it would be worth leaving the airport

I personally don't think you have enough time to justify rushing out of the airport and rushing back in again. Last month I had a 7 hour layover and decided I didn't want to chance missing my flight, so stayed at the airport, enjoyed the lounges, saw some free entertainment, did shopping, etc and it passed by very quickly.

Last year I had an 11 hour layover and after disembarking, doing all the passport checks etc, taking the express bus into downtown I barely had time to for a quick shop and lunch. Then hopped onto an express bus back to the airport and was there in time, but I didn't have to worry about any stomach-churning anxiety.

Look into the transit tours developed for travelers:


http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_5_1.jsp

i don't know where you are coming from, or when you will be in korea, but you are going to a warm tropical climate. if you plan to go to seoul within the next sixty days, you will need cold weather gear. its bloody cold in seoul.

so, you will need to carry on warm clothing, in addition to your other carry ons. just a thought.

Regarding the transit tours, if they say on their site "if you have 8 hours" does that mean if you have an 8 hour layover, or do you need to calculate your own time for immigration and getting back to the airport, and do you need to be back to the airport 2 hours prior?

I've emailed 2 different transit tour companies about this, and I have not received any responses back.

On one of the Fodors sites I read there is a lounge that charges 35$ each-you can shower-eat and drink.The 6 hour layover on arriving to Seoul there will be jet lag. I'd just stay at the airport & enjoy the lounge. On the 8 hour layover you will be rested with more time -good luck finding a tour company-maybe a private guide. We have an overnight in Sept-but since we are older I'm just going to a hotel & back to the lounge.Chris

The airport is a minimum of 1 hour from the city. So first plan 3 hrs for RT travel. I think it is cutting it to close for the 6 hours. Check with the intransit trips for the 8 hr layover.

I did the DMZ tour last summer with the USO program. It left about 7:30am from downtown Seoul and we arrived back at the USO about 3:30pm in the afternoon. NOt sure if the airport trip would be shorter.

With that said.....the 6 hour layover really would be tight to go anywhere. You are probably going to be trashed. Head up to the 4th floor of the airport--find a good lounge chair and sleep for awhile. Then wander over to the nice showers--get cleaned up, find some food and most of your 6 hours will be over.

So...if you are going to do anything, I recommend the 8 hour layover. Some of the airlines will give you a free room if you have an extended layover...but I am not exactly sure how long you need to qualify. I think it is Asiana and/or Korean.

anyway.....ICN airport is really a nice place to hang out.