11 Hour Layover in Seoul, Korea | Gwangjang Market and Myeongdong

Hi everyone!
We had an 11 hour layover in Seoul, Korea and decided to leave the airport to do some exploring. We arrived at Incheon Airport at 6:45am and caught the 8:00am AREX train to Seoul Station. We visited Gwangjang Market and ate at the famous knife-cut noodles lady featured on Netflix. We took a stroll around Myeongdong before taking the 2:50pm train back to give us enough time to catch our 6:00pm flight.
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[@Justanurse357]

Great video thanks for taking us along. Definitely going to Korea in 2024. Lots of great tips. THANKS!!

[@marty846]

Thanks for sharing. This was a very informative and a fantastic video.👍🏽👍🏽

[@babybopitydoo]

Awesome video! I have a 21 hr layover in Korea so this video really helps!

[@hello_elle]

Thanks so much! Icheon Airport also has a lot of free organized tours for transit passengers if that’s something that interests you. You can make reservations on their website!

[@larrytabelin935]

I have 16 hours lay over in korea, just want to ask if there is time for the organized tour, and what is the last trip of the train going back to the airport?

[@hello_elle]

@@larrytabelin935 Hi! It depends on what time you arrive to Incheon Airport, but the free transit tours range from 1-5 hours long and transportation to/from the airport is included. They will let you know when/where to meet to return to the airport. If you plan to travel on your own (like we did), the last AREX train from Seoul Station departs at 10:50PM. Hope that's helpful!

[@larrytabelin935]

@@hello_elle thanks it a big help, I’m arriving at 3 pm and its a 16 hours layover. And maybe ill do what you guys did…travel on my own..hehehe. Thanks again

[@larrytabelin935]

From Seoul station Did you took a taxi cab on your way to your destination

[@maxlee6042]

Nice voice!

[@Beezfam_]

Thank you for the video, its really help me for my 10h layover! i have a question, what transport did you take from gwangjang market to myeongdong?

[@hello_elle]

Hi! Thanks for watching! We took the train there. Gwangjang Market is right by Jongno 5-ga station. I would recommend downloading the Naver Map app, which has all the public transportation lines. The app has a mix of Korean and English, but still quite easy to navigate.

[@cookingwithhua7237]

Since you had the long lay over to explore Seoul, did you walk towards arrival or transfer when you landed? What was the process with customs and immigration? Did you have to show your connecting flight ticket? Did you get a SIM card? Is it necessary to get around? Thanks!

[@hello_elle]

Hi! I believe we walked towards arrival since we were leaving the airport. Customs/immigration was really quick when we got there in the early AM. They asked for reason for visit (transit travel for us) and let us through without issues. Before we exited the airport, we had to fill out an additional form regarding contact info/flight info. We didn't get a SIM card, but picked up our pocket wifi at the airport. I think wifi would be enough if you have an iPhone so you can use navigation apps, messaging apps, or iPhone messages + facetime calls to contact people. Hope that's helpful!

[@cookingwithhua7237]

Thank you! I’m debating if I should explore since I’m getting in late in the afternoon. I know the last train is at 10:50 pm. How much time did you give yourselves to check in at the airport before your connecting flight?

[@hello_elle]

@@cookingwithhua7237 We took the 2:50pm train back to the airport because we wanted to use the free transit lounge to shower before our 6:00pm flight. But, the showers were closed for cleaning when we got there. I would recommend looking into what you may be interested in exploring outside of the airport to see if you have enough time. Otherwise, there's lots of shops and places to hang out within the airport!

[@Blackbird04]

hello did you get a transit visa for you to explore seoul?

[@tashichodon2707]

Hello, for the skincare you bought at olive young, were you able to carry liquids over 100ml in your carry on or backpack? I was going to do this but wondered how it was for you going through security with the makeup and skincare??? thank you.

[@hello_elle]

Hello! We made sure to not purchase anything over 100ml per item. But there is an Olive Young store in Incheon Airport! Incheon’s website states “Only items from duty-free shops in "liquid item package exclusively for duty-free products" bags have no restriction to volume.” Hope that helps and have a great trip!

[@rachelleabante5308]

This really help me figure out what to for my 12h layover. Just wanted to ask if cash is preferred when buying food from the food stalls in Gwangjang Market or do they accept cards? Did you have to withdraw cash at the airport? Thanks for this video!

[@hello_elle]

Hi! Sorry for the delayed response. We used cash at the Gwangjang Market and unfortunately, don’t remember if they take card or not. We withdrew at a local bank in the US before arriving to Korea.

[@joymejia1272]

what do u mean u pay in dollars?

[@mydang8068]

Hello, thanks for the video! It helps with my upcoming 11hrs layover! Quick questions, how did you manage to have wifi through out the time in Seoul? And did the immigration process took long, both checking in and out? Appreciate!

[@hello_elle]

Hello! Yes, we had a pocket Wi-Fi and it was very reliable. We landed early in Seoul and were through customs in 20 min! I don’t remember how long it took leaving Seoul, but it wasn’t very long (definitely

[@mydang8068]

@@hello_elle pocket wifi sounds really cool! Did you get it at the airport? Thanks for your reply and the video. My hubby and I def will have a great layover ☺️💗

[@hello_elle]

@@mydang8068 Yup, we got it at the airport!

[@gracemanadon]

Hi, do they have a luggage storage at the aiport? where did you store your luggage?

[@hello_elle]

Hi! There are luggage storage services at both Incheon airport and Seoul Station. Since we only had a layover in Korea, our suitcases stayed in transit for pick up at our final destination. We carried our backpacks with essentials through the city.

[@larrytabelin935]

Thanks for the video, it help me for my 16 hours lay over, i have questions, do i need a KETA to fill up and the QR code when going out out the airport? Im a US citizen and what requirements do i need?

[@hello_elle]

It appears that the KETA requirement has been suspended for U.S. residents since April 2023. I am not sure of if there have been changes to the QR code - you can look this up online. If it is required and you forget, they'll give you a paper copy to fill out the QR code upon arrival.

[@bomga2507]

Thank you. This video is helpful. I am planning to do as same as you, but I was wondering how far is the Gwangjang Market from the train station?

[@hello_elle]

Hi! If you get off at Jongno5(o)-ga station and go out exit 7, Gwangjang Market is literally right outside of the train station!

[@bomga2507]

@@hello_elle thank you. I will be have a layover in November, is there any advices for me to prepare?

[@hello_elle]

@@bomga2507 I would recommend downloading Naver Map for directions. It has all the public transportation lines. It’s in both English and Korean, although more Korean. It is more accurate than Google Maps. If you’re planning to travel via public transport, have some local currency as the subway machines only accept cash for single journey tickets or T-money cards. Hope that’s helpful!

[@JassieBui-bf8bl]

How long roughly does it take to go through custom you know?

[@hello_elle]

Hi! It took no more than 20 min. We got off the plane at 6:45am and were through customs by 7:05am. I would recommend filling out the Q-code (health attestation form) online 3 days prior to your trip. If you forget to do it, you fill out a paper form when you land and go into a separate line. There was only a handful of people who filled it out online, so there was basically no wait!

[@LiveLearnLove1172]

Where did you get the pocket wifi and how much is it? How do you get to Gwangjang market from Seoul station, and getting from one market to the other market? Walking or bus?

[@hello_elle]

Hello, we got the pocket Wi-Fi at the airport through Klook for $2.59 USD. We went to Jongno 5-ga station exit 7 where Gwangjang market is right outside. Then just hopped back on the train to our next destination. Hope that helps!

[@LiveLearnLove1172]

@@hello_ellethanks for replying. Is it better to use train or bus to get around from one place to another? like from Gwangjiang to Myeongdong.

[@hello_elle]

@@LiveLearnLove1172 we found the train to be easier to navigate and was a way to get out of the cold!

[@Anthrx11]

Hello, did you look into the layover tours for transit by chance? I have a 14 hour layover and I’m not sure if I should take the train or layover tour

[@hello_elle]

We did look, but we preferred to do our own thing. Some of the tours look really interesting and provide transportation to/from, which is a nice option!

[@joymejia1272]

we will travel soon and wl have layover for 8hrs. and were not familiary with the places in Korea. is it allowed to go outside of the airport ? if u wl not go for tour??thanks

[@kc-pw3xt]

@@hello_ellei want to go outside the airport to explore the city on my own bc i have a 15 hour layover. when you arrive at the airport, do you go to the "immigration" section or go to the "transfer" section? im a bit confused idk where to go when i get off the plane

[@hello_elle]

@@kc-pw3xt I believe you’ll go through immigration/customs since you’re leaving the airport and entering the city

[@nievamaorizabala6915]

Hi! I just wanted to ask if they asked you for a Q-code? I'll only be having a 16h layover at the airport..

[@hello_elle]

Hello! Yes, they asked for it. If you plan on leaving the airport, you can fill out the Q-code online starting 3 days prior to your flight. If you forget, they have paper forms at the airport when you land. Hope that’s helpful!

[@Blackbird04]

hi maam do we need transit visa? we will have a layover for 17hours

[@hello_elle]

Hello! We needed a K-ETA when we traveled, but I believe that’s been waived as of April 2023. You can check the office website to see if your country is exempt.

[@sarahmorgan9527]

Did you need the K-ETA visa for this layover trip into the city?

[@hello_elle]

Hi! Yes, we needed the K-ETA since we left the airport during our layover. It was a quick application and we got our approval on the same day even though the website says it can take 72+ hours.

[@unclekarlmazo287]

Hi, great video! As a US citizen - do I need the K-ETA visa and if so how do we apply ahead of time?

[@hello_elle]

@@unclekarlmazo287 Hi! It looks as of April 1, 2023 the K-ETA will be temporarily exempted to 22 countries/regions, including the US, until December 31, 2024. I would check the website for more information [k-eta.go.kr]. You can change the website's language to English.

[@yikunwang2477]

Does Canadian passport need K ETA to have short tour?

[@hello_elle]

Hi! It looks as of April 1, 2023 the K-ETA will be temporarily exempted to 22 countries/regions, including Canada, until December 31, 2024. I would check the website for more information!

[@joymejia1272]

can i which website to look -

[@sakurasakura7470]

Do i need visa for 11hrs lay over

[@hello_elle]

Hello! It depends on your country and if you plan to exit the airport. You can check the K-ETA website.