Sleeping in Airports

Seoul Gimpo Airport Guide

Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Seoul Gimpo Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit.  Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.

Not allowed to stay in the airport after midnight, although the security was nice about kicking me out. – bruno

GMP Airport Overview

seoul gimpo airport guideTo help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Seoul Gimpo Airport.

What to Expect

The city’s secondary airport, Seoul Gimpo Airport (code: GMP), has two terminals: Domestic and International. Amenities include a variety of eateries and shops and free WiFi. Economy class passengers can pay to enter several airport lounges.

Sleeping in Gimpo Airport

This airport closes nightly from 11:00 PM until 5:00 AM, so overnight stays are prohibited. For uninterrupted sleep, nearby hotels offer complimentary shuttle service. See our Airport Hotels section below for locations.

Read the latest traveller airport reviews for more tips. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Seoul Gimpo Airport Guide.

In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.   

Airport Hours

The airport is open 5:00 AM – 11:00 PM. It is not possible to stay overnight. You will be asked to leave the airport.

Rest & Relaxation Zones

No dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones exist. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.

Cots

The airport does not provide cots to stranded travellers. If this has changed, click here to update the guide.

Airport Hotels

If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Seoul Gimpo Airport:

  • Lotte City Hotel – 5-minute walk to the terminal. » Check Rates

For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Gimpo Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.

Airport Lounges

Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships

Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter through a lounge membership program.

  • Air Hue Lounge – Location: International Terminal, Landside, 4th Floor. Lounge Access: Lounge membership programs.
  • Sky Hub Lounge Temporarily Closed – Location: International Terminal, Airside, International Departures, near Gate 35.  Lounge Access: Lounge membership programs.

Airline Lounges

If you are a First/Business Class or Elite status traveller, you may have access to the lounges listed below. For more information, check the airline’s website.

  • Asiana Lounge – Location: Domestic Terminal, Airside, 4th Floor.
  • KAL Lounge – Location: Domestic Terminal, Airside, 4th Floor.

Drinking Water

Information is unavailable. Does Gimpo Airport have water fountains or water bottle refill stations? Click here to update this guide.

Food & Drinks

At the time of this update, no 24-hour food concessions were available at this airport. You will find plenty of options to choose from. Hours: vary, but most are open from 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM.

Luggage Storage & Lockers

Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.

Mobile Charging

Both paid and free mobile charging options are available. Location and rates: Unknown.

Showers

Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.

WiFi/Internet

Free WiFi is available at Seoul Gimpo Airport. There is also an internet zone located in the International Terminal 2F. Rates are not known.

Security & Safety

Sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:

  • Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
  • Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
  • Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
  • Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.

More Airport Information

More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover

Airport Observatory and Exhibition – Free exhibition and observatory on the 6th floor of the Korea Airports Corporation. Open 10 AM–5 PM, Tue–Sun.

Family Services

  • Baby Care Facilities – Travelling with an infant? Baby care facilities can be found in these locations: International Terminal 4F (Hours: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM) • Domestic Terminal 3F (Hours: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM).
  • Stroller Rentals – The Information Desk (1st or 2nd Floor) can assist you with stroller rentals; bring your ID with you.

Medical Services

  • Medical Services – A medical clinic can be found in the International Terminal, on 4F. Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (emergencies) and 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (treatments).
  • Pharmacy – International Airport Pharmacy – International Terminal, 3F (Hours: 7:00 AM – 6:30 PM). Well Being Pharmacy – Domestic Terminal, 3F (Hours: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM).

Money

  • ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Domestic and International Terminals.
  • Currency Exchange – There are banks and foreign exchange kiosks in both the Domestic and International Terminals.

Shopping – Several duty free-shops are available in the International Terminal, both landside and airside. A CU Convenience Store is available in 1F (Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:30 PM and a 7/11 is available in 3F (Hours: 6:00 AM – 9:30 PM).

SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.

Smoking – Smoking is permitted in designated smoking areas/lounges throughout the airport.

Post Office – Send out your last-minute postcards. Location: domestic terminal, 1F. Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM.

Airlines
Seoul Gimpo Airport is served by the following airlines: Air Busan • Air China • Air New Zealand • All Nippon Airways • Asiana Airlines • China Airlines • China Eastern Airlines • China Southern Airlines • Eastar Jet • Jeju Air • Jin Air • Korean Air • Japan Airlines • Tway Air.
Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport

Buses

Local buses connect GMP airport to major Seoul transit hubs. For added comfort, limousine buses offer door-to-door service to hotels and key destinations. Purchase tickets in the Arrivals Hall.

Car Rentals

Avis, Kuhmo Rent-a-Car, and Pacific Rent-a-Car provide onsite car rental services.

Hotel Shuttles

Refer to Airport Hotels for details.

Inter-Terminal Shuttle Bus

Free shuttle buses operate within the airport, connecting terminals and parking areas from 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM, running every 5 minutes during peak hours and every 15 minutes off-peak.

Subway

Lines 5 and 9 serve Gimpo Airport, providing affordable transport to Seoul. The A’Rex line links to Incheon Airport and Seoul Station, with KTX high-speed train connections.

Taxis

Metered taxis, available in the ground transportation area, are the priciest option. Check average fares on the Seoul Gimpo Airport website.

Last updated: 2024-08-26

This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning.  All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice.   The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or  write a review.