I’ll have about a six hour layover in Seoul, Korea. Anyone have suggestions how I could spend that time? How to get somewhere closer enough to get back to the airport?

I am open to any ideas. I’m a well traveled person, but not familiar with Seoul, What about a shopping center? A nearby neighborhood. Any ideas?

Depending upon the layover, there are free tours from the airport to experience some of the highlights of Seoul:

https://www.airport.kr/iiacms/pageWo...de=C1202020600

We didn't have enough time, but there are signs and booths in the airport. It looks like a wonderful thing to do.

Don't think 6 hrs is enough time to leave the airport. The airport is very nice with shops and a nice food court. There is free wifi and comfortable seating. It is one if the nicest airports we've been to.

I also have been singing the praises of Incheon airport. It's really nice, with fast & free wifi, sleeping lounges, and a bank of computers if you don't have your own. And this is for everyone, not just first class!

I think the airport tours are specifically for people who are in transit, so it looks like the tours are timed for people to get back in time for their flights. I didn't do it as we didn't have that long a layover, but did hear about it and thought that this was a great idea. I imagine Seoul is actively trying to encourage tourism by doing this.

Thank you everyone!

You can relax and get a massage at the airport.

Massage: hmm, that’s a great idea!

Laureenje, please post if you use the airport tours, we will also be in transit at Incheon airort in August. I would love to know if you use the tours, if there was enough time and if you enjoyed them.

Okay jenmatt,

I’ll be traveling through the airport in Aug. as well, so I don’t know it I’ll be before you or after.

Hmm... I suspect that Laureenje has long since gone and returned, but just in case, and for any future travelers who have a short layover in Seoul, I'm not sure I agree with nick_lee.

If I had only a few hours in Seoul, I might try to visit Dongdaemun Yangnueong, a medicine/herbs market in the midst of an absolutely fascinating several-block market area selling just about everything you can imagine and a lot you can't. ;-)

And/or I might try to see a bit of historic/traditional Seoul: Perhaps a quick visit to Jogyesa, or a quick peek into one of Seoul's restored palaces, maybe Gyeongbokgung or Changdeokgung.

BUT I would keep a VERY close eye on the clock -- once you count the time it takes to get to/from Incheon to Seoul, little time would be left....

I’m so sorry I didn’t respond in time to help folks. But I did do the tours, two of them, in fact. They are very good, and nice to get out of the airport for a breath of fresh air while waiting for a flight. I had six hours and loved the airport, as well. There are nice lounge chairs where you can rest a bit if you want.

Thanks for the update, Laureenje!

if you have a chance, perhaps you can tell us which 2 tours you took?