Incheon International Airport Terminal 2

March 12, 2023 223 Views

Incheon International Airport Terminal 2 opened on January 18, 2018. Due to the increasing number of incoming and outgoing passengers, an expansion of Incheon Airport was deemed necessary, leading to the decision to construct Terminal 2.

The original plan was to place Terminal 2 to the south of Incheon Airport Terminal 1. However, due to technical constraints, Terminal 2 was ultimately located on the north side of the airport.

“Incheon International Airport Terminal 2”

I hadn’t visited Incheon International Airport Terminal 2 before. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, I did have occasions to be at the airport, but I always boarded my flights from Terminal 1, so I never had a reason to visit Terminal 2.

Furthermore, even if I wanted to deliberately visit Terminal 2, the distance between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 is quite substantial. It’s not an easily accessible distance, even if you take the Airport Railroad, which takes about five minutes.

Moreover, shortly after the opening of Incheon Airport Terminal 2, the COVID-19 outbreak occurred, leading to a prolonged period of no visits to the airport. Now, it seems that we are gradually recovering from the effects of COVID-19, and I had the opportunity to visit recently to welcome a friend arriving in Korea through Incheon Airport.

“Relatively Quiet Terminal 2”

Compared to Terminal 1, Incheon International Airport Terminal 2 is relatively quiet. Perhaps due to the aftermath of COVID-19, it might feel even quieter, but in general, it gives off a sense of being smaller in scale than Terminal 1.

Despite being an airport, it feels more like a slightly larger intercity bus terminal, which is interesting.

Not many airlines use Terminal 2, and the following airlines operate there:

SkyTeam: Korean Air, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, Delta Air Lines, Xiamen Airlines, AeroMexico, Aeroflot Russian Airlines, Air France, China Airlines

“Underground Level Dining Options”

Despite its relatively smaller size, you can find dining options on the underground level. There’s a food court called “Han Sik Midam Gil,” where you can taste a variety of dishes, and there are also cafes available.

You can also find dining options on the departure floor, which is on the 3rd floor. However, it seems that there are even more dining options concentrated on the underground level.

“COVID-19 Testing”

You can also get a COVID-19 test. There’s a designated space on the underground level for COVID-19 testing. For foreign travelers entering Korea, a COVID-19 test is required within 72 hours of arrival. It’s convenient to get tested at the airport upon arrival.

You can make a reservation online, or register on-site. Payment can be made with a card, and the cost is approximately 80,000 KRW.

However, with the change in regulations, a PCR test upon entry is no longer required, and consequently, the COVID-19 testing area has been removed.

Incheon Airport Terminal 2 was built in anticipation of an increase in travelers in 2018. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic shortly after its completion, its use was not fully realized. As we enter the post-COVID-19 era and anticipate a recovery, I hope that Terminal 2 will serve its original purpose as a well-utilized space.

“Incheon Yeongjongdo, Incheon International Airport Terminal 2”