Incheon Airport Transfer: No Immigration, One Security Check
International to international: no Korean immigration, one transfer security check, then your gate. Plus the free T1–T2 shuttle and Concourse walk times.
Connecting to another flight at Incheon is simple once you know the flow. This guide covers the transfer process — security, moving between terminals, and reaching Concourse gates. For luggage storage, transit hotels and free tours, see our layover guide.
1. The transfer process
International → International (most common): after landing, follow the "Transfer" signs. You do not clear Korean immigration; you pass a dedicated transfer security check once, then go to your next gate. (Some destinations such as the US/Canada may still require their own entry/visa for connecting passengers — confirm with your airline.)
International → Domestic (e.g. Jeju): clear immigration → collect checked baggage → customs, then check in again at the domestic counter. Allow extra time.
Checked baggage: on a single airline / single booking it is usually through-checked to your final destination. With different airlines you may need to re-claim and re-check — confirm at check-in.
- A connecting itinerary on the same airline under one booking reference (PNR)
- Airlines in the same alliance (SkyTeam / Star Alliance / oneworld) with an interline agreement, including many codeshares
- Tickets bought as separate bookings (different reference numbers)
- Any combination involving a low-cost carrier (LCC) -- most LCCs have no baggage-transfer agreement with other airlines
* Agreements change by airline and route, so always ask at your departure check-in counter: "Will this bag go all the way through to my final destination?" If you're not sure, plan on collecting your bag right after landing at Incheon and re-checking it at the next airline's counter.
2. Moving between Terminal 1 and 2
The two terminals are apart; a free shuttle bus connects them — roughly every 5–10 min in daytime, about 15–20 min ride. Pickup points can change, so check on-site signage.
The T1 main building and the Concourse are linked airside by a free automated shuttle train, about 6 min one way. Anyone with a valid boarding pass can ride.
3. Concourse gates take longer to walk data
If your gate number is 100–132, it is in the Concourse — reached by shuttle train, so it takes far longer than a regular gate. Walk times by zone:
| Zone | Walk to gate | Gates |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal 1 | 3–7 min | 47 |
| Terminal 2 | 2–7 min | 40 |
| Concourse (100–132) | 12–19 min | 30 |
* Walking time from the departures (post-security) area to each gate; Concourse includes the shuttle train. For a Concourse gate, allow at least 20 minutes.
4. Facilities while you connect
Transfer passengers stay airside, where lounges, showers, dining and duty-free are located. Check locations and hours in our directories:
5. Good to know
- STEB sealed bag: if you buy liquids over 100ml (alcohol, perfume) while connecting, keep them sealed in the tamper-evident bag (STEB) with the receipt, or they may be removed at the next security check.
- Transit tours: with enough layover time, connecting passengers can join city tours, conditionally without a visa. Ask at the transit tour desk (T1 ☎ 032-741-3139 / T2 ☎ 032-741-0060).
- Leaving airside (entering Korea): requires full immigration and re-departure. Allow at least 6 hours and plan for your checked baggage.