Incheon Terminal 1 vs 2: How to Tell Which Is Yours
Your airline decides your terminal, so check your ticket. Korean Air and Asiana (since January 14, 2026) use Terminal 2, while many foreign airlines use Terminal 1. If you pick wrong, a free shuttle runs about every 10 minutes and takes about 15 to 18 minutes; the AREX train takes about 6 minutes for 1,050 won.
- Terminal 2
- Korean Air, Asiana (from Jan 14, 2026)
- Free shuttle
- About 15 to 18 min, 05:00 to 23:00
- AREX between terminals
- About 6 min, 1,050 won
- Official site
- Incheon International Airport
What should I know before I arrive?
Details checked November 5, 2026
Terminal assignments are set by airline and have changed more than once, so an older guide or a past trip is not a safe guide. Incheon International Airport has two passenger terminals: Terminal 1 at 272 Gonghang-ro and Terminal 2 at 446 Je2terminal-daero, both in Yeongjong-gu, Incheon, according to the airport's route information. They are separate buildings, not two halls of one building.
- Worth knowing: The terminal is printed on most e-tickets and booking confirmations. If it is not, look it up on your airline's page before you leave your hotel.
- A common mistake: Assuming the terminal from your last trip. Asiana moved all operations to Terminal 2 on January 14, 2026, ending about 25 years at Terminal 1, per The Korea Times.
- Local tip: Leave extra time if your transfer includes an airport train or bus. Both terminals have an AREX station, and the airport lists the ride between them at about 6 minutes.
Which airlines use Terminal 1 and which use Terminal 2?
Korean Air, Asiana and the other Hanjin Group carriers use Terminal 2; many foreign and low-cost airlines use Terminal 1. Korean Air has been at Terminal 2 since it opened on January 18, 2018, and Jin Air moved on July 1, 2023, as JoongAng Daily reported, with the group consolidating at Terminal 2.
VisitKorea lists example carriers for each terminal and marks the lists as subject to change. Treat the table as a starting point, not a guarantee.
| Terminal | Example airlines listed |
|---|---|
| Terminal 1 | Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific, Air China, Jeju Air, Eastar Jet, United Airlines |
| Terminal 2 | Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Delta Air Lines, KLM, Air France, SAS, Air Seoul, Air Busan, Jin Air |
Practical example: a traveller flying home with a Korean Air ticket who booked a separate low-cost flight on a Terminal 1 airline for the next leg must plan the transfer between buildings, because the two flights leave from different terminals.
How do I get between the two terminals?
Use the free shuttle bus (about 15 to 18 minutes) or the Airport Railroad (about 6 minutes, 1,050 won). Both figures come from the airport's inter-terminal transportation page; VisitKorea also describes the shuttle as free.
| Option | Where to board | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shuttle bus, T1 to T2 | 3rd floor, center, Exit 8 | About 15 min (15 km), every ~10 min, 05:00 to 23:00 | Free |
| Shuttle bus, T2 to T1 | 3rd floor, center, between Exits 4 and 5 | About 18 min (18 km), every ~10 min, 05:00 to 23:00 | Free |
| Airport Railroad (AREX) | Station inside each terminal | About 6 min (estimated) | 1,050 won |
For AREX fares and timetables, the airport page gives the Airport Railroad number 1599-7788. Wheelchair users can arrange a free lift-equipped shuttle through the Shuttle Bus Operations Division (032-741-3217) on weekdays; the airport recommends booking ahead.
What should I do if I go to the wrong terminal?
Do not queue at a check-in counter; go straight to the transfer point and move to the correct terminal. Allow at least the shuttle time plus a queue buffer before your check-in deadline.
- Confirm the right terminal. Check your e-ticket or airline page, or ask at an information desk.
- Pick the faster link. The AREX is about 6 minutes by the airport's estimate; the shuttle takes about 15 to 18 minutes but is free.
- Follow the signs. For the shuttle, go to the 3rd-floor boarding points listed in the table above.
- Check in as soon as you arrive. Counter opening times vary by airline, so confirm yours on the airline's page.
How do the two terminals differ inside?
Both have check-in counters A to N and a 3rd-floor oversized baggage counter, but their entrances and departure halls are numbered differently. According to the FAQ
Terminal 2. Asiana began operating there on January 14, 2026, after about 25 years at Terminal 1, according to The Korea Times. Check your booking for the terminal and use check-in counters G to J. Yes. VisitKorea describes the inter-terminal shuttle bus as free. The airport lists it as running about every 10 minutes from 05:00 to 23:00, taking about 15 minutes from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 and about 18 minutes the other way. The airport lists an estimated 6 minutes and a fare of 1,050 won. Confirm current fares and timetables with the Airport Railroad. Go to the terminal shown on the arriving flight's information. The two terminals are separate buildings with their own entrances, so meeting someone at the wrong one means a transfer of 15 to 18 minutes by shuttle. Links open in a new tab. Times and fares above are as listed on these pages on November 5, 2026; verify before you travel. Disclosure: This site shows ads served by Google AdSense, and some links may be affiliate links that earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This never affects our recommendations. Prices and rules change, so please confirm details with the official sources before you travel.Which terminal does Asiana use at Incheon now?
Is the shuttle between Incheon Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 free?
How long does the AREX take between the two terminals?
Do I need to go to the departure terminal even if I only want to collect a bag or meet someone?
Official sources and useful links