inCheon international Airport Officially opened 2001, by filling four islands (connected by narrow roads – which I myself enjoyed driving to, for then-secluded beaches) off the West-Coast Port City of inCheon . and because it is a good two-hours drive (the preceding GimPo Airport is an hour’s drive) West of its serving Capital of SEOUL, transportation is always a factor .
you basically have four options (in the order of sheer speed):
- AirPort Export Express Train to the old SEOUL KTX Train Station, West of old downtown SEOUL (direct and also a few stops in between)
- City AirPort Terminal Limousine Bus to COEX Exhibition Complex, South of the Han River in SamSungDong (direct)
- KAL (Korean Airlines) and Airport Limousine Buses (two different companies) offers about 30~40 routes to and around satellite cities
- by taxi which will cost you over W45,000 and car where parking may be a problem on cost, although they have a large under-and-above ground parking area .
the end of the Line at SEOUL KTX Train Station is built (2004) right next to the old SEOUL Train Station – erect 1900, now defunct – is largely a business district
( I should clarify because this whole area is a rather huge complex – some not seen as it is under-ground : the original brick-dome building of Japanese Meiji government facade is regularly used for college graduate art shows in the Summer, and the full-glass KTX Bullet Train Station built just South of it, contains AirPort Express dug-deep at its rear entrance at West-End – ticketing at B2 Floor and platform at an astonishing B7 Floor. then Subway Line 1 and 4 can be accessed again under-ground to its East via outside corridor )
so many opt.to pick lodging at the two stations just prior to terminus at either HongDae (short for Hong-ik University) or GongDok (the area is largely known as Mapo). HongDae has become a party-area for young English teachers, so many sleek AirBnB lodging and cheap guest-houses abound in this area – many quite a walk from the actual station and/or bar-clustered areas .
” Korean lodging FAQ : (note, the English terms are quite different in Post-Modern South Korean from say, American Mid-West in the order from expensive price) ＊hotel in full-service sometimes chains ＊residence is the latest no-frills block-building much alike Japanese business hotels, although designed a bit more boutique ＊AirBnB is dotted near subway stations all-over the Capital just like any other developed country ＊guest-house is more of smaller hostel, privately owned and operated＊inn(yeo-gwan) is the faded old Korean lodging mostly in small buildings falling-apart “
but for those preferring larger hotels and residence there are a handful of good choice in the Western region of old downtown SEOUL (as always, from West clock-wise to South with price guide with discount on WeekDays $=W50,000~80,000 $$=W90,000~190,000 $$$=W200,000~450,000)
- Casa Ville Residence ShinCheon [$]
- Lotte City Hotel Mapo [$$] with small pool
- Shilla Stay Mapo [$]
- Best Western Premiere Seoul Garden Hotel [$$]
- Conrad Seoul [$$$] with pool
– Korea Expat BLog –