🇰🇷 South Korea Arrival Procedures (2026 Updated Guide for Incheon Airport)
Arriving in South Korea for the first time is exciting—but it can also feel a little overwhelming, especially when you land at Incheon International Airport, one of the busiest airports in Asia.
The good news?
✨ Korea’s arrival process is smooth, efficient, and traveler-friendly—as long as you know what to prepare.
This 2026 updated guide covers:
✅
arrival forms and procedures
✅
immigration and customs flow
✅
currency exchange locations
✅
travel reminders (visa, weather, adapters)
✅
transport options from Incheon Airport to Seoul
✈️ Step 1: Document Preparation (Before Landing)
One of the easiest ways to speed up your arrival process is to complete the required forms while you’re still on the plane.
Flight attendants usually distribute paper forms before landing.
1) Arrival Card
Visitors entering Korea are usually required to submit an arrival card.
✅ You will likely need this if:
- you’re visiting as a tourist
- you’re entering for short-term stay
❌ You may not need this if:
- you’re staying long-term (90+ days)
- you are registered with Korea Immigration Service
📌 2026 Update: Some travelers may be able to use electronic entry systems depending on nationality and airport procedures. Always follow what the airline provides and what immigration requires on arrival.
2) Customs Declaration Form
All visitors entering Korea must complete a customs declaration.
📝 Important note:
- individual travelers = 1 form each
- families traveling together = 1 form per family
3) Quarantine / Health Questionnaire (If Applicable)
Some passengers may be required to complete a quarantine or health questionnaire depending on:
- disease outbreaks
- travel history
- current government health advisories
📌 2026 Update: These health forms are not consistently required for everyone anymore. Requirements may return temporarily during outbreaks, so always check official updates before flying.
🛂 Step 2: Immigration Clearance
After landing, follow the signs for Immigration.
What to Expect
- Passport scanning
- Basic questions (purpose of visit, length of stay, where you’ll stay)
- Possible fingerprinting/photo depending on current entry rules
✨ One small detail I loved:
Some immigration booths have a machine that welcomes you in your own language
after scanning your passport. It’s such a simple moment, but it makes your
arrival feel special.
🧳 Step 3: Baggage Claim + Customs
After immigration:
- Proceed to baggage claim
- Collect luggage
- Head to customs
- Submit your customs declaration form
- Exit to the Arrivals Hall
💡 2026 Tip: If you have nothing to declare, look for the “Nothing to Declare” lane to save time.
💱 Currency Exchange at Incheon Airport (2026 Updated Notes)
You will see currency exchange counters inside the airport—and yes, they are convenient.
But here’s the honest tip:
💡 Do NOT exchange all
your money at the airport.
Airport rates are usually less favorable than city banks.
Instead:
✅
exchange a small amount only (for transport + snacks)
✅
exchange the rest in Seoul (banks have better rates)
🏦 Currency Exchange Locations (Incheon Airport)
Woori Bank Exchange (Public Area 1F)
- Service: Foreign Exchange, Travelers Checks
- Hours: 24 hours
- Contact: 032-743-1055
- Location: Public Area, 1F near Exit 4
KEB Currency Exchange (Concourse 3F)
- Service: Foreign Exchange, Travelers Checks
- Hours: 24 hours
- Contact: 032-743-2220
- Location: Duty-free Area, 3F Concourse near Gate 11
KEB Currency Exchange (Duty Free Area 1F)
- Service: Foreign Exchange, Travelers Checks
- Hours: 24 hours
- Contact: 032-743-2220
- Location: Duty-free Area, 1F near Gate B
KEB Currency Exchange (Duty Free Area 3F)
- Service: Foreign Exchange, Travelers Checks
- Hours: 24 hours
- Contact: 032-743-2220
- Location: Duty-free Area, 3F near Gate 2
✅ Things to Remember Before Visiting Korea (2026 Edition)
🛂 Visa Reminder (For Filipinos)
Cheap flights to Korea are tempting—but remember:
🇵🇭 Filipinos still need a visa to enter South Korea.
📌 If you need help with visa processing, check my separate post on how I applied and got approved successfully.
❄️ Weather in Korea (4 Seasons)
South Korea has four seasons:
- Winter: Dec–Feb
- Spring: Mar–May
- Summer: Jun–Aug
- Autumn: Sep–Nov
🌸 Spring is popular because of cherry blossoms, but it’s also peak season.
🍁 If you visit in autumn,
prepare for cold mornings.
The lowest temperature I experienced on the streets was around 8°C at 7
AM.
💳 Currency / Payment (2026 Update)
Credit cards are widely accepted in:
- malls
- hotels
- restaurants
- attractions
But you still need cash for:
- street markets
- small food stalls
- reloading transportation cards
- some taxis
💡 2026 Tip: Korea is increasingly cashless, but tourists should still carry cash for convenience.
🙇 Travel Dos & Don’ts (Cultural Tips)
Koreans are very respectful and organized.
✅ Do:
- practice CLAYGO (Clean As You Go)
- return trays after eating
- respect older people
🚇 Public transport etiquette:
- avoid elder priority seats
- offer your seat if needed
- keep voices low inside trains
🔌 Power Adapter Reminder
Bring a Type C Europlug adapter.
Korean outlets have:
⚡
2 round holes
🚇 Getting Around Seoul (MPass vs T-Money)
🎫 MPass
MPass offers up to 20 rides per day including:
- most subway lines
- airport railroad all-stop train
- buses within Seoul (excluding red bus)
- Jeju transport options
📌 Best for:
People who will ride public transport many times per day.
💳 T-Money Card (Recommended for Most Travelers)
T-Money is the easiest and most flexible option.
- Card cost: 4,000 KRW (non-refundable)
- Reloadable
- Discounts on subway/bus rides
- Can be used in convenience stores
📌 Reload options:
- subway reloading machines
- convenience stores
🎟️ Tours & Activities Tip (2026)
Klook is still one of the easiest platforms for booking tours and activities in Korea.
Popular bookings include:
- pocket WiFi / SIM
- Everland
- Lotte World
- DMZ tours
- Nami Island day trips
- Hanbok rentals
- cultural shows
💡 Booking ahead saves time and avoids sold-out schedules.
🧳 How to Get to Your Hotel from Incheon Airport (2026 Updated Guide)
Example hotel used here:
🏨
Morning Sky Hotel (Myeongdong / Jung-gu)
📍 Address: 32-37,
Toegye-ro 45-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
☎️
+82-2-2231-6000
🚄 Option 1: AREX Airport Express Train (Fastest!)
Steps:
- After immigration, go to the AREX counter
- Choose the Express Train (if available)
- Travel time to Seoul Station: ~43 minutes
📌 2026 Tip: Express tickets can sell out during peak hours. If it’s full, take the all-stop train instead.
From Seoul Station to Hotel
- Transfer to subway
- Go to City Hall Station
- Switch to Line 2 → Euljiro 4(sa)-ga Station
- Exit 8 → walk 8 minutes
🚇 Option 2: Subway Train (Cheaper, More Transfers)
Steps:
- Buy a T-Money card
- Take train to Gongdeok Station
- Transfer to Euljiro 4(sa)-ga Station
- Exit 8 → walk to hotel
⏱ Approx time: ~1 hour 8 minutes
🚌 Option 3: Airport Limousine Bus (Most Comfortable)
Best for:
🧳
heavy luggage
👨👩👧👦
kids/seniors
😴
jetlag
Steps:
- Go to bus ticketing window
- Ticket stands are located:
- inside Arrivals (1F) near Gates 4 and 9
- outside curb near Gates 4, 6, 7, 8, 11, 13, and 9C
- Take Airport Bus 6015
- Drop off at Jung-Gu Office
- Walk ~19 minutes to hotel
📌 2026 Tip: Some hotels are directly served by limousine buses. If your hotel is not, choose the closest drop-off point to reduce walking with luggage.
🌟Your Korea Trip Starts at the Airport
Arriving in Korea feels like the first chapter of your adventure.
And even though airports can be tiring, Incheon is one of the best places to land as a traveler—organized, clean, and efficient.
Once your passport gets stamped and you step into the arrivals hall, it finally hits you:
🇰🇷 You’re really in Korea.
🌿 Lakwatserang Ligaw Quote
🌍“The journey doesn’t begin when you reach your hotel—it begins the moment your passport gets stamped and your heart realizes you’re finally here.”💫
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