Seoul Gimpo International Airport
Seoul, South Korea
Seoul Gimpo International Airport
Seoul's historic domestic hub serving the capital region.
- ›The Seoul–Jeju route served by Gimpo is consistently ranked among the world's busiest air routes by passenger volume.
- ›Gimpo served as South Korea's sole international airport until Incheon International opened in March 2001.
- ›The airport was originally constructed during the Japanese colonial period in 1939.
- ›International routes from Gimpo are limited to nearby major city airports under a city-pair agreement framework.
- ›The airport is located approximately 18 km west of central Seoul in the Gangseo district.
Seoul Gimpo International Airport, opened in 1939 during the Japanese colonial era, served as South Korea's primary international hub before Incheon Airport took over that role in 2001. Today Gimpo focuses predominantly on domestic routes and a handful of short-haul international flights to Tokyo, Osaka, Beijing, and Shanghai, making it the busiest domestic airport in the country. Its proximity to central Seoul and efficient layout make it the preferred choice for business travellers and those seeking a faster airport experience.
- Domestic Terminal — Handles all domestic South Korean routes with streamlined check-in and short walking distances to gates.
- International Terminal — Serves limited international destinations across Northeast Asia, including Japan and China.
- Seoul Metro Line 5 and AREX (Airport Railroad) connect Gimpo to central Seoul and Incheon Airport
- Gimpo Airport Station on Seoul Metro Line 9 offers express service to Gangnam
- Airport limousine buses serve major city districts and hotels
- Regular city buses operate routes throughout the Seoul metropolitan area
- Taxi and ride-hailing services (Kakao T) available at designated curbside stands
- Car rental counters available in the arrivals area of both terminals
- Novotel Ambassador Seoul Gimpo Airport
- Holiday Inn Express Seoul Gimpo Airport
- Best Western Premier Incheon Airport (accessible via AREX)
- Ramada by Wyndham Seoul Gimpo Airport
- Dormy Inn Gimpo Airport
Inside the terminals, travellers will find a mix of Korean fast food chains, convenience stores, and sit-down Korean restaurants offering bibimbap, seolleongtang, and kimbap. International options including coffee chains like A Twosome Place and Starbucks are well represented throughout both terminals. Outside the airport, the nearby Banghwa and Magok districts offer local Korean eateries and casual dining at reasonable prices.
- Use Seoul Metro Line 9 for the fastest express connection to Gangnam, cutting travel time to under 30 minutes.
- Gimpo is significantly less crowded than Incheon, so arrive 60–75 minutes before domestic flights rather than the usual two hours.
- If connecting to Incheon International Airport, the AREX train runs directly between both airports without requiring a city transfer.
- Currency exchange and T-money transit card top-up facilities are available in the arrivals hall for convenient onward travel.
AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.
Route map (13 destinations)
Airlines serving this airport
Routes
Stay, Eat & Explore: Seoul
The 24-hour K-culture capital
- •Gyeongbokgung Palace — Joseon grandeur — free entry in rented hanbok.
- •Bukchon Hanok Village — Traditional wooden houses between the palaces.
- •Myeongdong & Hongdae — Street food, K-beauty and busking till late.
- •N Seoul Tower on Namsan — Cable car to the love-locks viewpoint.
- •Gwangjang Market — Bindaetteok and knife-cut noodles since 1905.
Getting around: The subway is vast, cheap and signed in English; T-money cards tap everything. AREX express reaches Incheon in 43 minutes.
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Gimpo International Airport, formerly rendered in English as Kimpo International Airport, is located in the far western end of Seoul, the capital of South Korea, some 15 kilometres (9 mi) west of the central district of Seoul.
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