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July 10, 2014Seoul Incheon Intl. Airport Spotting Guide
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- last modified on January 19, 2023
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: December 2022 (Spot 7 and 8 updated, Spot 9 added)
| Rating | |
| Movements |  |
| Airline Variety | |
| Photo Locations | |
| Weather |  |
| Visitor Rating How was your trip? Rate this airport! |
  (11 votes, average: 4.55 out of 5) Loading... |
| 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. |
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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.
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- Beginning of the Trail
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- Turn left to the park
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- way along the road
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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). |
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Spot #3 – Sky Deck – 34 Departures & Arrivals |
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| WHERE | December 2022: Actually the deck is closed. Go to spot 9 instead. |
| WHAT | |
| TIME | |
| MISC. | |
| FOCAL LENGTH | |
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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. |
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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 |
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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 |
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Spot #7 – Terminal 2 driveway EAST |
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| WHERE | There is a good location just outside of Row H of the Terminal 2 departure level 3. Turn right after exiting from Row H and walk to the end of the path. Move about a little to find a spot most suitable for yourself. Avoid taking photos of the airport vehicles and staff as security does not approve of it. Suggest not staying out for long periods of time as security does regular checks. Do cooperate with security if they question you for whatsoever reason. Try and avoid the CCTVs as the security only come to question you when they check the CCTVs.
UPDATE OCT 2021: No photography signs has been installed outside of the driveway and security will ask you to stop and delete the photos. +++ There are ongoing constructions for the expansion of the terminal and sooner or later this spot becomes unavailable for planespotting! +++ |
| WHAT | Both runway 33 and 15 are visible from this spot. However you will be standing closer towards the end of 33L and the start of 15R. Golden hour is clearly visible from this spot usually from 4pm onwards in the winter and slightly later in the summer. Be aware of light poles, parked aircraft (APU) and ground vehicles that may interrupt the sight. |
| TIME | Best lighting conditions are from noon till sunset. |
| MISC. | Shops, restaurants and restrooms are available inside the terminal a short hop away. There are no benches at this location or proper shelter as rain still manages to get in. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Varies from the taxiway and the runway. 250mm on average for the aircrafts lifting off from runway 33.
250-550mm for the aircrafts taxiing off the runway, 550mm for the Airbus 321, 250mm for the China Airlines Boeing 747 and 300mm for the Etihad Airbus 380 |
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- View back to the terminal
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- View of the location
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- Sight from the location
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Spot #8 – Terminal 2 driveway WEST |
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| WHERE | The location is on the same level as spot 7. However it is on the opposite end. Walk out from Row A, departure level 3 and turn left, follow the footpath till the very end and find a shady spot for yourself there. Suggest not taking photos of ground vehicles and personnel as security does not approve of it. Once again, do try and avoid the CCTVs if possible as the security comes over to question you occasionally after checking the cameras. Do cooperate and follow their instructions.
UPDATE OCT 2021: No photography signs has been installed outside of the driveway and security will ask you to stop and delete the photos. +++ There are ongoing constructions for the expansion of the terminal and sooner or later this spot becomes unavailable for planespotting! +++ |
| WHAT | Runway 16/34 is visible from this location. The location is near the start of runway 16 and the end of runway 34. Runway 34 landings are not visible from here, however 34 takeoff, 16 landings can be viewed clearly from this spot. Occasionally parked aircraft could be a big obstruction. |
| TIME | The location is good from late morning (around 11 am till late afternoon). However this varies according to the season as well as the sun. |
| MISC. | Shops, restaurants and restrooms are available inside the terminal a short hop away. There are no benches at this location or proper shelter as rain still manages to get in. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Varies with narrow and wide body aircraft. I was only able to get shots of runway 34 takeoff. Recommended focal length would be 180-400mm for this location.
275mm for the Jin air 737, 340mm for the Jeju 737 |
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- Terminal exit
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- Way to the location
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- Sight from the location
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Spot #9 – Restaurant – 34L/R Departures & Arrivals |
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| WHERE | The restaurant 해송쌈밥 is a good alternative to the famous Sky Deck, which is currently closed. It is at the same road and even offers a bus stop. Once inside the buildling, take the elevator to the third floor. The restaurant has an outside deck with a perfect view on the runways. |
| 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 |
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
Another sad update.. as terminal 2 expansion work is on progress, spot #7 and #8 is unavilable, or has very limited angle this time.
Thanks for the hint, I have left a note in the guide.
-Julian
Hello, thank you for the awesome post! I have some photos from the sky deck(#3). And I’d like to send some of it.
Hi, please send the six photos to support@spotterguide.net
Thanks
Julian
Hi admins… May I suggest a spotting location just at the end of terminal 2 departure hall… Walk out from aisle H till the end of the pathway. Over there you would be able to spot runway 33L and 33R, and also the taxiway. For winter: aka December. Best spotting conditions are in the afternoon, after 11am to preferably 5pm or later. Do not take photos of the ground vehicles or infrastructure as the security does not like that. If the security approaches you, just adhere to their advice, it’s a great location and please be considerate of your volume and clear up after yourselves.
Hi Ryan!
Sounds great. Did you test the spot yourself already?
If so, please send us some example shots for example via mail (support@spotterguide.net) or Facebook and we will add the spot asap.
-Severin
Hi. Yep I did test it myself. I’ll send some shots to you once I get back home 🙂 cheers.
Hi, just wanted to share some info on my recent spotting trip to ICN (Nov)
Spot 2 is probably the easiest place to go if you don’t drive. Just use the free shuttle bus from Terminal 1 to AICC, and inform the driver to stop at “Haneul Garden” along the way. I showed the bus driver the location on my Google Map. There are actually 2 bus stops within close proximity of each other bus the driver usually would not stop unless someone is waiting at the bus stop. I stayed at a hotel along the route from Terminal 1 so it was pretty convenient. Once you are there just find the best spot as the place is huge and in my opinion good for morning until evening for 33R arrivals.
There is an observation deck on 4F of terminal 1. Take the escalator to 4F and enter thru the restaurant on the right. There are some benches and you can see part of terminal 1 and the satellite terminal movement. Good for morning but beware of heat haze.
The new Terminal 2 also have a observation deck. Again enter thru the centre of the terminal and take the escalator to the top floor. You really can’t miss it. Then once you reach the floor, the deck is on the right. The left seems like a cafe. Good for afternoon, 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.
Both observation decks also have tinted glass.
There is another spot not marked on the map which is a bicycle trail. On the south of Incheon Airportel there is a bicycle route next to the car park. You can walk along the trail and find the best spot for afternoon arrival on 33L and 33R. The trail actually link to Haneul Garden.
Hi Waiping, really useful info. I have heard that the new multi storey car parks south of T1 can offer views, do you think this is the case?
Many thanks
Martin
Hi Jan
Are you still spotting at ICN regularly or do you know of anyone that is. I am trying to get some photos or videos or a flight I have coming up on the A380 to ICN next week.
Andy
I will take the flight SGN – ICN-SFO in early of June 2018 and will have 4.5 hour for transit at Incheon Airport. WIthout Korea Visa I cannot go out for spotting.
Any location inside airport where is good for spotting? Thanks in advance.
I was at Incheon in May 2017, I rented a car and while parking can be a problem, the hardest part about driving was following the signs to return the car at the end of the rental period, but I would not hesitate driving there again.The old golf course at present is being used as a long term car park, with about half of it cover in gravel. There was no restriction walking around this area and I found myself a nice spot under a tree to take my photos. For spot 1, I didn’t go as far down with the car. The road from the terminal, business area where the hotels are located, that leads to the cargo area, when you get to the first T intersection after passing through the tunnel under the airport expressway, turn right and then shortly after there is a car park for the park mentioned above on your right hand side. Enter this carpark and leave your vehicle there, the rates are cheap and well worth it. Most roads around the airport had small trenches dug, preventing parking on the road side. From this carpark it is a few minutes walk to spot 1, or as I did, just walk across the road and you can still get good approach shots in the morning.
I didn’t use spot 2, as I used the golf course instead. Parking here can be more problematic, I was staying in one of the local hotels, so I parked there and walked about 10 minutes to the spot I had chosen and got some excellent approach shots in the afternoon. There are other carparks located in the area, none of which are expensive, the first hour is free in most of them.
Spot 3 is an excellent location, easily reached by car without the hassle of waiting for buses or having a language barrier. You do need a big lens here however and may get frustrated watching the action on the far runways.
I had some operations on the 15’s and 16 while I was there and managed to find a morning spot for 15L arrivals near the Korean Air catering facility. From the terminal head towards the cargo terminals, then continue on following the signs towards the Fuel Tank Farm. Just before the last right hand turn towards the fuel tanks, stay on the road you are on. It is a very quiet area with little traffic, the road actually is a dead end, finishing at the airport boundary fence. Pick a spot along the road and you can get approach shots for 15L until just past the runway threshold, then trees will block the view. It is also possible to get shots of aircraft lining up on 15R, though it is a narrow gap between poles requiring timing.
Terminal 2 is almost finished and there was a lot of road works going on when I was there, some of the side roads leading off to yet to be developed sites. I have little doubt that with the Terminal 2 and these new roads, that there will be other spots open up at the northern end of the airport in future.
I had 4 days there, some great weather, except for the ever present haze in Asia, though late afternoon shots had some wonderful light. I must say though, by the end of my time there, I was tired of OZ 330’s and KE 330’s and 777’s, you don’t realise how many they have until you spend time in Seoul.
Dear Jan,
Thanks a lot for all the informative information you wrote on this site. Very useful and to the point.
Still I do have a question. The spottersites (marked as 1 to 4) are on one site of the airport.
Did you have another wind direction by which the planes arrived over sea? And where do you take (spotter site(s)) your pictures then?
Thanks in advance.
Kind regards,
E. Velthorst
Hi!
Thank you for your kind feedback.
You are fully correct, unfortunately we do not know of any locations for ICN which can be used if they are landing from the sea. In that case I would suggest to give GMP a try or alternatively use spot #3, which will yield at least a few arrivals and departures.
I do not know the area around the runway thresholds for landings on 15 & 16, but from what I can assume from Satellite Images I think it will be very difficult to find a location there, let alone a good one, with acceptable angle and focal length. ICN is for sure an airport, which is best visited when 33 & 34 are active!
Best regards
Jan
Thanks for the information provided. It was very helpful on my recent trip to ICN in October 2016. Concerning the directions to spot #1 and #2, the directions are still OK, but the golf range mentioned has now been demolished and is making way for a large development taking place behind the Best Western Hotel. The path still exists through the building site.
Worthy of mention is that there is a large bus stop on the road that you would need to cross in order to reach spot#2. This is a bit too far underneath approaches to 33R, but at least it provides benches and a shelter if it rains. A regular shuttle bus goes to the terminal from here but it doesn’t seem to have a number.
The large photo provided for spot #2 shows what seems to be a concrete wall. Actually this is the opposite bank of a wide drainage channel. The steps shown in the photo lead down to a stepping-stone crossing.
Also note that from spot #2 it can be difficult to see the aircraft lining up for 33L departures. From spot #2 there is an almost unobstructed view of approaches right down to the tounch-down Point. This is good for those taking videos of arrivals.
Hi GB,
thanks for sharing your experience, much appreciated!
Regards
Jan