If you’re dealing with a long layover or an early morning flight departure at Seoul Incheon Airport, you might be wondering if it is possible to sleep in the airport. Our guide to sleeping in Seoul Incheon airport provides essential information for seasoned airport sleepers and newbies to help travellers arrive prepared for the experience.
We keep this guide up-to-date with the help of airport sleepers who have generously shared their experiences and airport reviews. If you have any tips or photos to contribute, please take a moment to write a review. Your feedback will help us stay informed about the latest advice for future sleepy travellers.
Sleeping in Seoul Incheon Airport
Locations & Seating
The seating here is plentiful and generally comfortable, but the designated lounges are your best bet for quieter spaces. Most gates are announced only 45 minutes ahead of time, so there is a lot of turnover in the gate areas. Because this airport is a major transit hub, you’ll see plenty of travellers sleeping everywhere. If you opt for the floor, blankets, sleep mats, and sleeping bags can make your experience even more comfortable.
Here are good sleep spots that travellers have reported:
- Look for designated Relax and Nap Zones for comfortable seating and napping spots.
- Keep your eyes peeled for reclining chairs and free massage chairs.
Rest Zones
Seoul Incheon Airport offers designated Relax Zones, with comfortable reclining chairs, and Nap Zones, with padded benches and beds. These 24-hour spaces are free to use and situated near free shower facilities. Relax Zone and Nap Zone locations:
- Terminal 1, Airside: Floor 4, West Side, Floor 4, East Side, and Floor 4, Center.
- Terminal 2, Airside: Floor 4, near Gate 268, and Floor 4, near Gate 231.
Hotels
If you prefer the privacy and comfort of a hotel room, you’ve got some options! For travellers in transit who don’t want the hassle of going through security, there are two locations of the Incheon Airport Transit Hotel: Terminal 1, near Gates 11 and 43, and Terminal 2, near Gates 252. You must be transiting between international flights to use these hotels, which offer day rooms in 6-hour blocks. Another hotel at the airport, the Darakhyu Capsule Hotel, also has two locations: Terminal 1, landside in the Transportation Center and landside in Terminal 2, near the bus ticket counter. The hotel rents 60 capsule rooms at each location, and rooms have a single or double bed, with showers included in some rooms. A minimum stay starts at 3 hours.
Otherwise, several more traditional hotels are located within a quick 3-minute drive of the airport. See the hotel section in our Airport Guide for locations, or visit Tripadvisor to find hotel deals at Incheon Airport.
Lounges
While Seoul Incheon Airport has several lounges, none have designated sleep rooms or rest areas. If you only want to relax in a comfortable seat for a few hours before your flight, check out this list of lounges in our Seoul Incheon Airport Guide that you can pay to access.
More Airport Services & Facilities
For information about drinking water, 24-hour food & drink options, luggage storage, showers, mobile charging and WiFi, visit our Incheon Airport Guide.
Airport Conditions
If you plan to spend the night at the airport, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Temperature: Expect the airport to cool down at night, with air conditioning running and fewer people inside.
- Noise: Even as overnight flights slow down or stop entirely, the airport may still run announcements, and cleaning crews may make the rounds, so anticipate some noise.
- Lighting: The airport may stay bright thanks to around-the-clock lights, but certain corners may be dimly lit.
Arrive prepared! We recommend earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones, an extra layer of warmth, eyeshades, or something else to cover your eyes, such as a shirt or towel.
Security & Safety
At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at Seoul Incheon Airport. However, 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.
Pro-tip: If you sleep in the public zone, don’t be surprised if you receive an early morning wake-up call. Security is known to make the rounds, waking people up as travellers arrive for morning flights.
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