Incheon, South Korea: travel guide
Gateway port with a Chinatown, a harbour and reclaimed-land Songdo
The international gateway to South Korea, home to the ultra-modern Incheon International Airport, a historic Chinese quarter dating to 1884, and the futuristic Songdo Smart City district on reclaimed land.
About Incheon
Incheon is the port city west of Seoul and the place where most visitors first land in South Korea, thanks to its international airport. It is more than a transit stop, with a long harbour history and a distinctly cosmopolitan feel.
Travel here takes in the Chinatown that grew up beside the port in the nineteenth century, where jjajangmyeon noodles are a local favourite, along with the old harbour warehouses turned into cafés. Songdo, built on reclaimed land, adds a modern district of parks, canals and high-rise towers.
Incheon suits a short layover, a half-day escape from Seoul or an easy first or last night. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for walking.
- Country
- South Korea
- Currency
- KRW
- Time zone
- Asia/Seoul
- Nearest airport
- ICN
Last updated
Top places to visit in Incheon
Incheon Chinatown
Cultural · 4.2 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The only official Chinatown in South Korea, dating to 1883 when Incheon opened as a treaty port. Colourful gates, red lanterns, and noodle restaurants serving jjajangmyeon — a dish invented here — line the main street. The adjacent Open…
Songdo Central Park
Nature · 4.3 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A 40-hectare urban park at the heart of Songdo International City — Korea's planned smart city built on reclaimed land. Features a 1.8 km waterway with boat rentals, kayaking, and cycling paths. The Songdo skyline reflected in the canal is…
Wolmido Island
Cultural · 4.1 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
A small harbour island connected to Incheon by causeway, famous for its amusement park, live-catch hoe restaurants, and scenic promenade with sunset views over the Yellow Sea.
Jayu Park (Freedom Park)
Heritage · 4.0 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Korea's first Western-style public park (1888), with sweeping views of Incheon port and the Yellow Sea. Features the MacArthur statue commemorating the pivotal 1950 Incheon Landing.
Things to do
- Incheon Chinatown & Jayu Park Walk Cultural · 3 h · from KRW 15,400 per person
Where to stay in Incheon
Hotels
- Grand Hyatt Incheon 5-star · KRW 280,000 to KRW 600,000 per night
Where to eat
- Chinatown Jjajangmyeon Street Chinese-Korean · about KRW 12,000 per person
- Wolmido Seafood Restaurants Korean, Seafood · about KRW 40,000 per person
- Sinpo International Market Korean Street Food · about KRW 10,000 per person
Getting to Incheon
Airport: Incheon (ICN)
Getting around
- Bus
- Metro
- Ride Hail
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Airport Currency Exchange Fraud
Incheon International Airport arrivals hall
Unofficial money changers approach arriving passengers with "better rates". Actual rate is worse or counterfeit notes are given.
How to avoid it: Exchange only at official bank kiosks (KEB Hana Bank, Woori Bank) or withdraw KRW from airport ATMs with your debit card.
More in South Korea
Frequently asked questions about Incheon
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Incheon?
- The highest-rated places in our Incheon guide are Songdo Central Park, Incheon Chinatown, Wolmido Island, Jayu Park (Freedom Park).
- How do I get around Incheon?
- Ways to get around Incheon covered in our guide: City bus, Metro, Ride-hailing app, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Incheon?
- Scams reported to us for Incheon include Airport Currency Exchange Fraud. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- Which airport is nearest to Incheon?
- The nearest airport to Incheon has the code ICN.