World Country Guide

Travel - International

Air
The Republic of Korea’s national airlines are Asiana Airlines (OZ) (website: http://us.flyasiana.com) and Korean Air (KE) (website: www.koreanair.com). Other major airlines which serve Korea (Rep) include Air Canada, Air China, Air France, American Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airlines, Garuda Indonesia Airlines, Japan Airlines, KLM, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas Airways, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, United Airlines and Vietnam Airlines.

Approximate flight times
From Seoul to London is 11 hours; add one hour if flying to any other main European city. From Seoul to New York is 17 hours 40 minutes (including stopover in Anchorage). From Seoul to Los Angeles is 10 hours 30 minutes. From Seoul to Sydney is nine hours.

International airports
Seoul (SEL) Incheon International Airport (ICN) (website: www.airport.or.kr) is located 40km (25 miles) west of Seoul on Yongion. Limousine buses, taxis and coaches operate regular routes between the main urban area (travel time – 90 minutes). A ferry service operates a daily service every 20 to 30 minutes between the airport ferry pier and Wolmido/Yuldo on the coast of Incheon city (travel time – 15 to 20 minutes). The Korea Train Express (KTX) has two lines (the Honam line, running from Seoul to destinations such as Cheonana, Iksan and Mokpo; and the Gyeongbu line, running from Seoul to destinations such as Gwangmyeong, Dongdaegu and Busan) to transport people from the airport. Airport facilities include left luggage, banks/bureaux de change, chemist, duty free shops, post office, restaurants and tourist information.
Busan (PUS) (Kimhae) is 27km (17 miles) from Busan (in the far south). The airport receives flights from Fukuoka, Osaka and Tokyo. There are bus, coach and taxi services to the town. Airport facilities include currency exchange, post office, duty free shop, snack bar, gift shop, restaurant, travel information service and car hire.
Jeju (CJU) (Jeju), located on the island of Jeju, is 4km (2.5 miles) from the town centre. Buses and coaches are available to the town and leave every 10 to 15 minutes (0610-2230). Airport facilities include currency exchange, post office, duty free shop, snack bar, gift shop and travel information service.
Note: Seoul (SEL) Gimpo (GMP) airport is the main domestic airport, although a few international flights (mainly to Hong Kong) do still depart from there (see Travel Internal section).

Departure tax
W10,000. Transit passengers and infants under two years old are exempt.

Sea
International ports are Busan (in the far south) and Incheon (due west of Seoul). Passenger lines that sail to Japan are Bugwan Ferry, Korea Ferry and Korea Marine Express. Jinchon Ferry and Weidong Ferry sail regularly to China. Cargo/passenger lines include American Mail and American President. Weekly trips from the USA are offered by American President Lines and Lykes Lines.
Under an agreement reached between Korea (Dem Rep) and Korea (Rep) tour operators, groups of tourists are now allowed to travel to Korea (Dem Rep) on cruise ships leaving from the port of Tonghae, in Korea (Rep), and sailing to the port of Changjon. For further details contact Korea National Tourist Organisation (see Contact Addresses section).

Rail/Road
The Republic of Korea’s only land frontier with Korea (Dem Rep) remains closed, although a limited number of tourists are now allowed to travel to the north via certain cruise ships (see Sea above).

Discount tickets
The Korea-China Through-ticket and Korea-Japan Through-ticket provide discounts on travel between the countries, including transport by ferry and train. For more information, contact KNTO (see Contact Addresses section).