Anyong Haseyo! Calling Seoul Experts. Help needed :)

[SQflyergirl]

I'm arriving into ICN at oh.. around 0715am.

I don't think I can check into my hotel downtown that early, so I was thinking of taking a little domestic OZ trip ex ICN.

To make it work (not arrive back into Seoul too late), I have worked out a route that goes ICN-PUS-CJU-GMP (return to GIMPO so I don't arrive back too late)

Questions: If I arrive at 0715 - is that enough time to clear immigration to catch a 900am domestic?

Questions:The outbound connection ICN-PUS-CJU has an apparently legal OZ to OZ connection 25 mins in PUS. Does that sound right?

Questions: What sort of service onboard OZ domestic Y? What are the lounges like in CJU/PUS? Anything to see in CJU (close to airport)?

Questions: Upon return to GMP - would a cab be "reasonably" priced since it's closer to downtown seoul? or is bus still the way to go ala ICN?

Thanks for any help! Much appreciated

[N_Architect]

While I'm drafting my reply, what is CJU?

(can't find it in two different sites with airport codes...)

[N_Architect]

I'm arriving into ICN at oh.. around 0715am.

To make it work (not arrive back into Seoul too late), I have worked out a route that goes ICN-PUS-CJU-GMP

Questions: If I arrive at 0715 - is that enough time to clear immigration to catch a 900am domestic?

It appears you arrive ICN 0715 and the next leg you want to have is ICN-PUS, not GMP-PUS, correct?

There are only two flights from ICN-PUS daily, one early in the morning, and one in the evening. So you won't be able to catch the early morning one (dep 0730) from ICN.

Now, this means you'd have to clear immigration and customs (say 20-25 mins tops), get the KAL bus to GMP (40 mins), arrive GMP. Then the first OZ flight you can take to PUS from GMP is at 0945.

Questions:The outbound connection ICN-PUS-CJU has an apparently legal OZ to OZ connection 25 mins in PUS. Does that sound right?

Is CJU Jinju or Jeju airport? Mind you, Jinju suffers a lot from winds, hence people usually avoid flying off from there.

Questions: What sort of service onboard OZ domestic Y?

Drinks. Nothing special. Flight from either ICN / GMP to PUS is 40 mins.

What are the lounges like in CJU/PUS?

The PUS OZ lounge is nothing special, a relatively small space with approx (I'd say) 40 seats, nothing special on food or refreshments. But, mind you, this is in the international terminal. I have no idea on what they have in the domestic terminal.

Upon return to GMP - would a cab be "reasonably" priced since it's closer to downtown seoul? or is bus still the way to go ala ICN?

I can't remember, was it 50,000 KRW (roughly 50 USD) the taxi fare from ICN-Seoul last time? (but I had pre-ordered taxi from my agent, and it was more than 2 yrs ago) Not sure, so someone else should advise on this. One thing, though: if the driver asks persistently for a tip, don't listen to him. Here in Korea tipping is NOT the usual custom, as in other countries. In hotels and other places, everything is included in your bill and you (usually) never have to tip.

[SQflyergirl]

It appears you arrive ICN 0715 and the next leg you want to have is ICN-PUS, not GMP-PUS, correct?

There are only two flights from ICN-PUS daily, one early in the morning, and one in the evening. So you won't be able to catch the early morning one (dep 0730) from ICN.

I can see a OZ8571 connect to OZ8105 depart ICN 0900, arr PUS 1000, dep PUS 1025 arrive Jeju 1115. Hence the 25 minute connection. Seems it's legal according to expedia.

Is CJU Jinju or Jeju airport? Mind you, Jinju suffers a lot from winds, hence people usually avoid flying off from there.

Jeju i think.

I can't remember, was it 50,000 KRW (roughly 50 USD) the taxi fare from ICN-Seoul last time? (but I had pre-ordered taxi from my agent, and it was more than 2 yrs ago) Not sure, so someone else should advise on this. One thing, though: if the driver asks persistently for a tip, don't listen to him. Here in Korea tipping is NOT the usual custom, as in other countries. In hotels and other places, everything is included in your bill and you (usually) never have to tip.

Well, I'm thinking of returning from CJU to GMP. So would that cab fare from GMP to Seoul be much cheaper? Thanks for the response

[N_Architect]

I can see a OZ8571 connect to OZ8105 depart ICN 0900, arr PUS 1000, dep PUS 1025 arrive Jeju 1115. Hence the 25 minute connection. Seems it's legal according to expedia.

Legal it may well be, but 25 mins is tight. However, on that early morning OZ departure from ICN you're not likely to have much of a delay. When I checked earlier, it gave me 0945 dep, but I don't know which day you're flying (weekday / weekend).

Jeju i think.

ok

Jeju, you know, although it's part of Korea, locals go there and can buy duty free items.

Well, I'm thinking of returning from CJU to GMP. So would that cab fare from GMP to Seoul be much cheaper?

ICN-Seoul by standard taxi approx. 45-50,000 KRW, i.e. 50 USD, depending on where you go.

ICN-Seoul by deluxe taxi approx. 80,000 KRW, i.e. 80 USD.

There are two kinds of taxies in Seoul, black-colored and silver-colored. The black-colored one called ‘Mobum-taxi’ is more expensive (about twice) than the silver-colored one but better in service and more reliable.

ICN-Seoul by KAL bus (big seats) approx. 8-11,000 KRW, i.e. 8-11 USD, depending on your destination.

GMP-Seoul by standard taxi approx. 25-35,000 KRW, i.e. 30-35 USD, depending on where you go.

GMP-Seoul by KAL bus (big seats) approx. 6-10,000 KRW, i.e. 6-10 USD, depending on your destination.

This also may be useful:
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/interco...ons/seoul-coex

[MAN Flyer]

To be honest, I wouldn't bother with all that domestic flying just to kill time, it's more aggravation than it's worth, especially with the ICN - GMP transfers.

I have never been to Jeju but PUS (the airport itself) is very bland, and the OZ domestic lounge is awful. It's landside, has a capacity of about 20 and is very basic. Coffee, tea and biscuits and a couple of sweets. I've used it 3 or 4 times now and only ever seen two other people in there. I also agree with N Architect that even though it's legal 25 min connection is tight.

It's worth considering that if you arrive at 07.15am it will probably be after 9am by the time you arrive at your Hotel. I would head to my Hotel and see if they can find you a room. If I am arriving anyewhere early I always book a Hilton or Starwood property (if possible) so that I am virtually guaranteed a room even at that time.

For ground transport I always use the Bus to and from ICN but taxi to and from GMP. Can't remember the cost of the taxi off hand.

As a matter of interest, where are you staying ?.

[lee_apromise]

Questions: What sort of service onboard OZ domestic Y? What are the lounges like in CJU/PUS? Anything to see in CJU (close to airport)?

Questions: Upon return to GMP - would a cab be "reasonably" priced since it's closer to downtown seoul? or is bus still the way to go ala ICN?

Thanks for any help! Much appreciated

Jeju : Yeomiji botanic garden, seobjikoji, Jeongseok Airport (KE owned)

GMP-ICN : AREX Express (KLIA Ekspress equivalent) & KAL or Asiana limo buses. I personally recommend AREX.

[SQflyergirl]

Legal it may well be, but 25 mins is tight. However, on that early morning OZ departure from ICN you're not likely to have much of a delay. When I checked earlier, it gave me 0945 dep, but I don't know which day you're flying (weekday / weekend).



ok

Jeju, you know, although it's part of Korea, locals go there and can buy duty free items.



ICN-Seoul by standard taxi approx. 45-50,000 KRW, i.e. 50 USD, depending on where you go.

ICN-Seoul by deluxe taxi approx. 80,000 KRW, i.e. 80 USD.

There are two kinds of taxies in Seoul, black-colored and silver-colored. The black-colored one called ‘Mobum-taxi’ is more expensive (about twice) than the silver-colored one but better in service and more reliable.

ICN-Seoul by KAL bus (big seats) approx. 8-11,000 KRW, i.e. 8-11 USD, depending on your destination.

GMP-Seoul by standard taxi approx. 25-35,000 KRW, i.e. 30-35 USD, depending on where you go.

GMP-Seoul by KAL bus (big seats) approx. 6-10,000 KRW, i.e. 6-10 USD, depending on your destination.

This also may be useful:
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/interco...ons/seoul-coex

Thanks for that!

To be honest, I wouldn't bother with all that domestic flying just to kill time, it's more aggravation than it's worth, especially with the ICN - GMP transfers.

There won't be an ICN-GMP transfer. Just a bunch of flights that go ICN-PUS-CJU-GMP.

I also agree with N Architect that even though it's legal 25 min connection is tight.

Well, that'll be a problem, cause i don't see a whole lot more flights going out if i miss that 25 minute one. It'll be one ticket, so I'm protected, but if it means arriving back in seoul at 8pm I'm not interested.

As a matter of interest, where are you staying ?.

The cheap and cheerful Ibis Myeong-Dong.

Jeju : Yeomiji botanic garden, seobjikoji, Jeongseok Airport (KE owned)

GMP-ICN : AREX Express (KLIA Ekspress equivalent) & KAL or Asiana limo buses. I personally recommend AREX.

Thanks! Will look that up!

[Kiwi]

If you want to kill time how about taking a day tour? Put your bags in storage at hotel and then go to DMZ or whatever for half a day.

[Kyo]

Trying to help answer what I can:

Questions: If I arrive at 0715 - is that enough time to clear immigration to catch a 900am domestic?
Yes.

Questions:The outbound connection ICN-PUS-CJU has an apparently legal OZ to OZ connection 25 mins in PUS. Does that sound right?
ICN can get a bit hairy (landing time does not denote time taken to taxi to the terminal/gate), and if I had to run it from one end of the terminal to another, I would not be confident of doing so in anything less than 45 mins *then again, I'm not as athletic as I once used to be*.

Questions: What sort of service onboard OZ domestic Y? What are the lounges like in CJU/PUS? Anything to see in CJU (close to airport)?
I can't answer this, have only done OZ Y from NRT-ICN. They served sweet/sour seafood and it was actually nice. One thing I do know is you get served Chilsing Cider onboard, which rocks!

Questions: Upon return to GMP - would a cab be "reasonably" priced since it's closer to downtown seoul? or is bus still the way to go ala ICN?
I took a cab from the far side of Seoul (Joong-Gu to Sungbuk-Gu area) at 10AM in the morning to ICN (Sofitel Ambassador). Ibis Myeong-Dong was next to my client's office and I was recommended it, and if it's anything like other Ibis 'es, I expect it to be very decent (except when comparing against Ibis Hong Kong). As a rough calculation you save 10-12 minutes starting the trip from Myeong-Dong to the airport.

The cost of the taxi was 70,000KRW

[dsim]

The cheap and cheerful Ibis Myeong-Dong.

is Ibis Myeong-Dong considered cheap?

[SQflyergirl]

is Ibis Myeong-Dong considered cheap?

compared to the lotte or other 5 star hotels? yeah

[9V-JKL]

Is there a left luggage facility at ICN? I can't seem to find the info on the airport website.

Have a 36-hr stopover so I don't intend to haul all the bags downtown and back

[lee_apromise]

Is there a left luggage facility at ICN? I can't seem to find the info on the airport website.

Have a 36-hr stopover so I don't intend to haul all the bags downtown and back

Departure floor (3rd level):
East side (B Check-in counter) : Hanjin Delivery Service
West side (M Check-in counter) : Daehan Delivery Service

price : depends on size and duration

maximum 15 days

Enjoy your trip.

[9V-JKL]

Many Thanks lee_apromise

Many Thanks to SQflyergirl too I too booked the Ibis