KOREA (SOUTH), REPUBLIC of
SEOUL-GIMPO (RKSS/GMP)
Take the lift to level 6 and you will be greeted by a very nice old Korean lady who will bow at you and talk in a language which you probably won’t understand. Don’t try and make conversation, but by bowing back you will earn respect. You will see two signs for the observation decks, one is indoor and one is outdoor. The indoor deck is air conditioned and from in here the whole of the Domestic terminal can be seen. Gimpo does need to be done as they have dedicated aircraft which don't usually appear at Incheon. The observation decks are only open between 10am till 4pm but that’s probably all you’ll need at Gimpo. Within 2 and a half hours of being there KE 737s and Asianas start to repeat as they only go on 1-1hr 30 flights. Stock up from the terminal before going on to the observation decks as there are no food or drink places. At the far end of the runway are the Korean army police helicopters which are very active. If the deck is closed, there’s a spot about 20 meters from the Observatory entrance with view towards the Domestic terminal, the angle is poor but most movements can be read off. Third floor of Emart gives views of biz parked near to the International terminal that you may not see elsewhere. No problems from security with spotting, but photography is not allowed at Gimpo, there are clear signs everywhere.
Gimpo domestic airport is reached from Incheon airport via a bus, which is located on the same level as where you catch the hotel transport buses. Nearly every bus lane offers buses to Gimpo and you will notice that mainly all the coaches that pass all say Gimpo on them. Bus lanes 9-12 are used and buses are very frequent. There is a ticket office right next to this bus lane. You need to purchase a ticket before boarding the coach - somewhere in the region of 6000 won. The journey takes about 35 minutes and its one straight express way called the New Airport Express Way, which was built at the time of constructing Incheon. Ask the driver to drop you at the KAC building, which is located between the International and Domestic terminals. Again the coach back is 6000 won and will drop you back at the same place as you left from. For the rail service, Incheon Airport station is in the Dome shaped building that is being molested by a UFO, at the centre of the terminal complex. Follow the signs from L2 or B1 levels in the terminal. Regular services run every 12 mins (03, 15, 27, etc) taking 33 minutes, and a direct Express leaves on the hour, costs 3100 won single fare, and takes 27 minutes. The ticket machine only accepts cash or Korean credit cards. This line currently terminates at Gimpo but is being extended to the main Seoul station. The first stop on the regular train is the Cargo centre at Incheon, which might be worth investigating for views of the cargo apron as aircraft parked here are tricky to see from inside the terminal and not visible from airside. At Gimpo, head directly out of the exit barriers and straight forward towards E-Mart, which is along a travelator and up two escalators, do not turn left to the Domestic or International terminals 1 and 2. Just before E-Mart there is a door on the right (actually the door between the supermarket and car park), and bearing right brings you to the lift for the observatory tower. Building work in and around the tower is ongoing so the door will probably be locked and during the week there may be workman who won’t allow you to stay here. If it’s the weekend, you might be ok. [Take the first exit at ground level and turn right. Head around the building following the big blue sign to “Observatory Deck” – I’m not sure where this info goes with regards to directions to the tower from the rail station/E-Mart, I’ve kept this here for you to keep in mind in case it helps – please can someone clarify if it’s useful?!].
Updated 10 December 2007
SEOUL-INCHEON (RKSI/ICN)
Landside there is a restaurant on the 4th Floor of the International terminal called the Panorama. From here you can see all international traffic coming and going. It’s expensive, but buying a couple of drinks should provide you with a couple of hours here without being asked to go. A less expensive option (and the only other place to see the movements) is outside the domestic part of the terminal - if you exit from the Panorama, take the lift down to level 3, walk to the far end of the terminal and then exit, there is a smoking area outside. From here you are looking on to the Asiana terminal - all aircraft landing can be read from here, and depending on runway direction, all departures can be read also. There is also the Departures roadway level next to Bus-stand 1. Here departures or arrivals can be seen for just long enough to read things off or snap a couple of shots. The opposite half of the movements are completely out of view, and after dark everything is a write-off. A few Domestic stands are visible from this location and the opposite end of the Departure level can see a couple more stands. Airside no problems at all - loads of windows offering views of the apron. No problems from security and photos are allowed. On cargo, UPS and Fedex aircraft are usually too far away, but Korean and Asiana Cargo are easier in the afternoon. When landing on 33s stay in the right hand pier between gates 16-17, or gates 18-19 when using 15s. After dark, spotting can only be done airside – if you’re flying with Korean or Asiana, you can check in early morning, and stay airside all day.
The Best Western is located easily by taking the lift down to level 1, walking to bus lane 13 and here you will see the sign for hotel transportation. The free shuttle runs from stop 13 every 30 mins, on the hour and half past the hour until midnight. Double rooms 715, 717, 719, 721 and the same for floors 8 and 9 have views of the international terminal and part of the Asiana terminal, but you will probably get charged extra for these rooms. All departures taxiing out can be read off if using 33 and you get a brief opportunity to get most as they taxi into the cul-de-sac. Arrivals may be a little too far to read, but some can be read off from here when vacating the runway and departures are too high to read. And if the runway direction is wrong these rooms won’t help at all. The Hyatt hotel is next to the Best Western, make sure you get an airport-facing room.
Updated 10 December 2007