How does it work with immigration? Free is a good price, but are they any good? Might be a good way to kill a few hours, but sleeping is nice too.

I did one several years ago. At that time, you went with the paid tour group and were dropped off in the city center...you could pick where you wanted to be dropped off as long as it was on the tour route. They then arrange a time to pick you up that allowed enough time to check in to your departing flight. I don't mind finding my own way around and I had a very enjoyable 5 hours or so in Seoul.

If the tour schedule does not fit yours, the train line that goes into the city has a station accessed through arrivals...couldn't be more convenient. There is also a bus terminal in the parking garage. On another trip, I used a city bus from the airport into Seoul and it was well marked and easy to use.

I'm from the USA and Immigration required no visa and I was simply stamped through.

Inchon Airport is one of my favorites. Comfortable lounge sofas, free showers and a small museum as well as inexpensive snack bars on the mezzanine level. The live dance and traditional music shows at the handcraft shops are not to be missed. It's one of the few airports I frequent wherein a 3 hour layover is too short.

Yeah, I love that airport.

^^^Agree, it is a great airport. After 10 hours of travel from our home in Phuket, we usually get some food, and one of the small transit hotel rooms for a 6 hour block. Rest, watch TV, shower, and then back for another 10 hour flight.

I should have been more specific in my OP. These are free (in most cases) offered by the airport https://www.airport.kr/pa/en/d/2/3/5/index.jsp?tabIndex=2

I don't know if this is still true but 3 years ago when I did the free tour, I had to push a bit for it. They kind of played dumb at the tour desk and kept pushing the paid, escorted tour. As I remember, I had to go to the Airport info desk and get some kind of voucher, then the tour people said: "Ahh...OK".

Edited April 11, 201610 yr by dddave

I had a choice...room for the day or tour......I took the room with a large tub, and free lunch.....just what the doctor ordered. 9 hour layover on Asiana.

Thanks dddave, KhonKaenKowboy and everyone else.

After reading the responses here and doing some other checking, it appears there is a 10USD immigration charge per person, although the "tour" is free. I think I'll spend that money on a sure thing like, food, beer and a transit room with shower, TV, bed for the 9 hour layover.

Thanks all for your input.

I would give them room they gave me about an 8+ on a zero to 10 scale. Looked pretty plain on the outside, but the room itself was so detailed oriented, if was very impressive. In out and in was a breeze, and free, but that was 5 years ago. There was also a mini-market across from the hotel that had beers, but there was no shortage of alcohol on Asiana or the few times that I've taken Korean,,,,,and excellent food on both, too. ANA id the only airline that outdoes them, in my experience. However, the Korean passengers seem to act like kindergartners on a field trip, when they travel, but the staffs are A1 professional. Mostly it's just the way they move around in large groups without any regards to other travelers they may want to slip by.