ICN-Spot1
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Incheon International Airport is the largest airport in South Korea and the main international gateway for its capital Seoul. In 2001 Incheon replaced the older Gimpo International Airport, which is now mostly used for domestic and regional flights. In 2017 Incheon handled more than 62 million passengers. It also became one of the largest cargo hubs in the world, ranking 4th in 2017. This of course is mainly due to the largo cargo operations of local carriers Korean Air and Asiana.
These two airlines also generate most of the schedules passenger traffic. Though they operate more flights from Gimpo, you will also find most of the local low-cost carriers here like Eastar Jet, Jeju Air, Jin Air or T’way Airlines. Due to the location you will also find a few Chinese and Japanese carriers here, most notably JAL, ANA, Air China, China Southern and China Eastern. Of course you will also see some of the well-known larger airlines like Cathay, KLM, Singapore, Etihad, Emirates, Delta, Air Canada or Thai.
A very helpful tool for your spotting days is the official airport website, which gives you information about all the flights (even cargo!) and also accurate ETAs.
Most of the locations are only or better used with 33/34 operations. This runway direction is best for your visit.
Written by Jan Seba, Ryan Wang, Gerhard Schütz and Ng Wai Ping. Last change: April 2023 (Spot 3 updated)
Rating | |
Movements | |
Airline Variety | |
Photo Locations | |
Weather | |
Airport Information | |
Runways | |
15R/33L | 3.750 m (12.303 ft) |
15L/33R | 3.750 m (12.303 ft) |
16R/34L | 3.750 m (12.303 ft) |
16L/34R | 4.000 m (13.123 ft) |
Terminals | |
Main Terminal | Mostly local carriers |
Satellite Concourse | Mostly foreign carriers |
Spotting Information | |
Ladder | Not required |
Car/Public Transport | A car is not required and four locations are at the terminals. The spots outside can be reached using a mix of buses, taxis and on foot. For taxis, make sure the driver uses the taximeter, as they will try to rip you off with high prices if you simply jump in. It is advisable to prepare some maps at home to show to the taxi driver. Make sure the maps have the written name (in Korean!) of the location (or streets) where you want to go. Do not expect taxi drivers to speak English. Though some of them know one or two words it will never be enough so that you can explain where you want to go. |
Restrooms | Inside terminal buildings/restaurants around the airport. |
Drinks/Food | Inside terminal buildings and in the business area south of the airport |
Hotels | South of the airport there are a few hotels and apartments, which are convenient for spotting. Another good Option is the Hotel Ora, next to the runways 16/34. Rooms 807 and 808 on the eight floor offering a wonderful sight. |
Season | Weather is best in spring starting from March to May. October is also fairly good. Try to avoid the summer as it gets very rainy and the sun altitude is also very high. |
Runway Usage | |
General | Usually the outer runways are for arrivals whilst the inner runways are for departures. |
15R/33L | Departure runway for passenger traffic. |
15L/33R | Landing runway for passenger traffic and also main cargo runway, both for landings and departures. |
16R/34L | Landing runway for passenger traffic. |
16L/34R | Departure runway for passenger traffic. |
Spot #1 – Aviation Park – 33R Arrivals Morning | |
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WHERE | Unfortunately this location is very far from the recommended hotels south of the airport. You can either get here by taxi or go by foot, which takes at least 20 minutes. From the hotels take the small foot- and cycle path next to the golfing range towards the sea. Then turn left and go straight for a kilometer until you will go below the airport road and reach the park which is to your left now. Continue on the way and cross the approach paths of both runways. After a few more meters you will reach the road running parallel to the runway. Follow this road a bit to the northwest and you are there. |
WHAT | This is the morning location for arrivals on the eastern RWY 33R. As you are in a field you can vary your location according to your preferences regarding angle and distance. |
TIME | Best light conditions are from sunrise to 9 AM. |
MISC. | There is nothing nearby, so take what you need with you. From our there is no bicycle rental available nearby. However you can walk on the bicycle route which we did. Saw others using it as a jogging route in the morning too. |
FOCAL LENGTH | Just below 100mm for a B773 and 180mm for an A320. |
Biketrail to the Aviation park and spots 1 and 2.
Spot #2 – Aviation Park – 33R Arrivals Evening | |
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WHERE | If you already know the way to spot #1, getting here is pretty easy. Instead of going straight after the airport road, now simply turn left into the park. From here it is advised to continue on any of the walkways in the park in northwestern direction for a couple more meters so that the angle gets better. Unfortunately you have to be a bit further away to reach a “good” angle for your shots. |
WHAT | This is the evening location for arrivals on the eastern RWY 33R. The park is huge and you can vary your location according to your preferences regarding angle and distance. |
TIME | Best light conditions are from 1 PM to sunset. |
MISC. | There are a few benches in the park, otherwise take what you need with you. |
FOCAL LENGTH | Sample images are 130mm for a B744 and 240mm for a B738, but you can also go closer (trading for a worse angle). |
Spot #3 – Sky Deck – 34 Departures & Arrivals | |
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WHERE | It is located far from the other spots and not within walking distance. You can either grab a taxi to get there or take bus 306 from the Main Terminal Departure level. The bus stop to get off is called “Paradise Hotel” and the trip should take around 15 minutes.The top of that building is the Sky Deck.
April 2023: the deck has been reopened. For an unknown reason, signs has been installed forbidden the use of DSLR cameras. Use of a smartphone camera is fine… keep a low profile. |
WHAT | The observation deck gives you a great overview over RWY 34 and you get the opportunity to take some action shots on the ground with the terminals in the background. But bear in mind that you are extremely far away here, heat haze will be a problem und everything but the heavies will be way too small to take good photographs of. |
TIME | Best light conditions are from 1 PM to sunset. |
MISC. | This spot was not visited, but it is the most well-known and should present no problem for spotters. |
FOCAL LENGTH | 77W = 120mm |
Spot #4 – Terminal 1 – Main Apron & Connecting Taxiway | |
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WHERE | There are some good location inside the Terminal (you have to be airside) to take some shots through the glass. There is no “one location” that can be sued for that. In the main terminal there are some good locations at the end of the two terminal piers facing the northwest. Towards the evening you should move to a location facing the east, so either the eastern pier facing the lineup or the western pier facing the apron between the two piers.Unfortunately the satellite concourse A is only open for passengers with flights from that area, but even if your flight is from there you will have no way to move back to main terminal after you took the underground connection. |
WHAT | If RWY 33L is used for takeoffs you can get some good shots of the lineup in the afternoon. In the morning or around noon it is best to shoot towards the connecting taxiway, which runs vertical to the runways. Of course you can always take pushback or taxi-in/taxi-out shots at the stands. The windows are only slightly tinted so the colors can be easily corrected during post processing.Whether the satellite also offers good photos could not be tested, but is likely that it is similarly good. |
TIME | You will find a location to take some shots from sunrise to sunset. |
MISC. | Of course there are shops, restaurants and restrooms in the terminal. |
FOCAL LENGTH | Varies a lot, the United B772 on the front taxiway is 45mm and the Czech A330 on the back taxiway is 110mm. |
Spot #5 – Terminal 1 Observation Deck – Main Apron & Connecting Taxiway | |
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WHERE | There is an landside observation deck on floor 4F of terminal 1. Take the escalator to 4F and enter through the restaurant on the right. There are some benches to sit down. Photography is through glass only so be aware of reflections. |
WHAT | You can see part of terminal 1 and the satellite terminal movements. |
TIME | Good for morning but beware of heat haze and exhausts. |
MISC. | Of course there are shops, restaurants and restrooms in the terminal. |
FOCAL LENGTH | Air China 738 = 150mm; 744 = 80mm |
Spot #6 – Terminal 2 Observation Deck – Main Apron & Connecting Taxiway | |
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WHERE | The new terminal 2 has a observation deck which is landside, so no secuirty checks are necessary. Get off the free shuttle from terminal 1 and walk straight and pass the checkin counters. You will see the observation deck sign. Take the escalator to the top floor and the deck is on the right. It is free of charge and behind tinted glass but you can’t really stand close to the windows as somehow they design the air-con vent on the floor, and there was signs warning that the metal cover may come loose. |
WHAT | Terminal 2 is used exclusively by Korean Airlines and his SkyTeam partner airlines like KLM, Delta and Air France. The sight is limited to the ramp infront of you and the taxiway which connects the runways. |
TIME | Not the best place for photography as you are facing the sun almost the most time of the year. Depends a bit on the angle you prefer but best from late afternoon till sunset. |
MISC. | Of course there are shops, restaurants and restrooms in the terminal. |
FOCAL LENGTH | 18-200mm |
Spot #7 – Restaurant – 34L/R Departures & Arrivals | |
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WHERE | The restaurant 해송쌈밥 is a good alternative to the famous Sky Deck. It is at the same road and even offers a bus stop. Once inside the buildling, take the elevator to the third floor, The coffee on the 3rd floor (4th since you counted ground floor as 1st) has glasses; but once you order your coffee, you can tell the barista that you are going up the rooftop for pictures. |
WHAT | Great overview over RWY 34L/R and you get the opportunity to take some action shots on the ground with the terminals in the background. But bear in mind that you are extremely far away here, heat haze will be a problem und everything but the heavies will be way too small to take good photographs of. |
TIME | Best light conditions are from 1 PM to sunset. |
MISC. | Of course you have to order somthing to drink/eat once there. Be aware of the opening hours. |
FOCAL LENGTH | 77W = 120mm |
Does anyone happen to know if the ‘no DSLR cameras’ sign is still in place at the Sky Deck? It seems that there are plenty of recently taken photos online from there.
I was there 2 weeks ago. Many spotters still using their DSLRs so not a real problem
Oh sorry. This was not related to the skydeck but the restaurant spot 7.
Hi!
I heard the news, that 2 Japanese spotters were arrested for doing planespotting and catching B747 SP…
The planespotting there is highly prohibited and it’s not allowed… I don’t recommend other spotter to do their job there…
I went to spot 3 yesterday, not worth going there anymore. Only allowed to take pictures with your smartphone 😀 Better go directly to spot 9, head to the top and you will find a couple of other spotters up on the roof. You dont even need to buy anything in the coffee shop below, but for offering this great spot, it is worth to spend some money on a coffee to go I would say!
It seems that the Hotel ORA Incheon is a good spot.Guests can even choose a room with airport view.The overview is similar to Skydeck and Restaurant.Has anyone lived there?
It’s not good because the window doesn’t open. Even non-guests can use the observation area on the top floor, but the glass is dirty and distorted so it is not recommended to visit.
I visited spot 3, Sky Deck. I talked to the attendance there and he said using camera for taking pictures of airplanes is fine, as long as you don’t take pictures of infrastructure. But I guess whether you can taking pictures with DSLR is depends on the person who’s manning the information desk.
Pretty weird that they have a problem with DSLR cameras as there are two official viewing places within the terminal. I would understand it if it’s a Military airport but not for ICN.
-Julian
It is regulated because the airport in Korea is a nationally important facility. There are laws related to this, but there are no regulations of spotting. It may be difficult to understand, but for this reason and other reasons, it is prohibited.
Hello, I’m going to ICN soon, anyone can confirm Spot No.9 have outdoor area for spotting instead of spotting through glass. Thanks a lot!
Hi, I am not completely sure but there is a balcony outside without glass at the third floor. You can see it on google street view.
-Julian
Hi, I was there a few days ago, the coffee on the 3rd floor (4th since you counted ground floor as 1st) has glasses; but once you order your coffee, you can tell the barista that you are going up the rooftop for pictures.
Hi, I am going to that location next month. Is bus 306 the only public transport to that hotel? Thanks!
Hi @Lex. Yes since 306 has a bus stop pretty much right in front of the place. You could also take 111, but you’d have to walk for about 30 mins. Please keep in mind that you need to get on 306 at the DEPARTURE level, don’t make the same mistake I did when I get on at Arrival level.
Hi, thanks for this useful hint with the rooftop. I have updated the guide.
-Julian
Hello. Spots 7 and 8 completely unavailable already due to new buildings construction
I have a sad news for Spot no.3
There was a no DSLR signs on the deck which means photographing aircraft could be almost impossible or limited. Although it is a official observation deck, I recommend for keeping a low profile there
Hello,
What is the best place to take photos in May. Spot no. 3 (if cameras allowed) or no.9?
Thank you
Now spot 3, sky deck is opened after long break!
Finally, nice to here this! Thanks for the update!
-Julian
Now RWY 34 is segregated to L and R, R for take offs and L for landings.
Thanks for the hint Song, I have updated the guide.
-Julian