ICN-Spot1
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July 10, 2014Seoul Incheon Intl. Airport – Spotting Guide
- last modified on August 3, 2026
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 2025 Incheon handled more than 80.5 million passengers. It also became one of the largest cargo hubs in the world. 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, Austin, Travair, Shuo Chen and Ng Wai Ping. Last change: June 2026 (Spot 11 and 12 added)
| 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 most spots are reachable by public transport, bus and metro. Bus line 306 connects spots 3,7,8 and 10 from the terminal. For bus 306 tickets buy the Tmoney card (5000won) and then charge it. Each trip is about 1900won (don’t forget to tap it before leaving the bus). Even if you have credit on it at the end of your stay in Seoul, you go to the CU store inside Terminal and ask for the refund.
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. |
| Security | Plane Spotting in Korea is not always tolerated due to national security concern. Please be low profile at all time at most spots. There’s more and more reports about people calling cop against spotters due to inappropriate behavior around multiple airports and airbases in Korea. |
| Runway Usage | |
| General | Usually the outer runways are for arrivals whilst the inner runways are for departures. Due to wind direction it tends to use runway 16R/L,15R/L during summer and 33R/L, 34R/L during winter. |
| 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. |
Bike Road – 33R Arrivals Morning
| WHERE | The spot is along a bike trail that runs parallel to the 33R approach. Best to get there by car (taxi) and park at the “Sky Garden” parking lot (fee applies). From the park continue on the way northwards and after a few more meters you will reach the bike road running parallel to the runway. In general you can stay anywhere here. You can go by bike from the hotels/terminal/Metro too, which takes at least 20 minutes. Best option is to take the AREX train and leave at the Cargo terminal station (before/after Terminal 1). Then walk about 100m and you will find the cycling path. |
| 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 until approximate 10 AM. |
| MISC. | There is nothing nearby, so take what you need with you. Don`t block the bike road and stay on the side on the fields. Stay away from the security tower. |
| 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
Aviation Park – 33R Arrivals Evening
| 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). |
Sky Deck – 16/34 Departures & Arrivals
| 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 gate 7. The trip should take around 15 minutes. The top of that building is the Sky Deck.
For an unknown reason, signs has been installed forbidden the use of DSLR cameras. Security will tell you to stop if you do so. Deck is pretty useless nowadays! Use of a smartphone camera or binoculars is fine. |
| 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. | Deck opens at 10 and closes at 17:30. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 77W = 120mm |
Terminal 1 – Main Apron & Connecting Taxiway
| 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. Keep a low profile and stow the camera away after taking the photos. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Varies a lot, the United B772 on the front taxiway is 45mm and the Czech A330 on the back taxiway is 110mm. |
Terminal 1 Observation Deck – Main Apron & Connecting Taxiway
| 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. Keep a low profile and stow the camera away after taking the photos. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Air China 738 = 150mm; 744 = 80mm |
Terminal 2 Observation Deck – Main Apron & Connecting Taxiway
| 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. Keep a low profile and stow the camera away after taking the photos. |
| MISC. | Of course there are shops, restaurants and restrooms in the terminal. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 18-200mm |
Restaurant – 34L/R Departures & Arrivals
| WHERE | The restaurant 해송쌈밥 (2nd floor) and coffee shop (3rd floor) is a good alternative to the famous Sky Deck and it’s just a short 10 minutes walk from there. It is at the same road and even offers a bus stop. Once inside the buildling, take the elevator/stairs to the third floor. The coffee shop 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.
To get there by public transport take bus 306 from the Main Terminal Departure level gate 7. Restaurnent owner decided to remain open rooftop for spotters. He will eventually shut it down if there’s no improvement of some spotters’ behavior. He’s displeased with some foreigner’s behavior as well as some locals. – DO NOT THROW TRASH, KEEP ROOFTOP CLEAN. Owner said ppl keep throwing trash here even food waste(must be Chinese). Also, Take “outside trash” back with you when you leave rather than throw in trash bin down stair. – DO NOT KEEP OCCUPY BY PLACING STUFFS ON CAFE SEAT IF YOU ARE HERE FOR SPOTTING. Stay at rooftop for normal customers even if you buy some drinks at cafe. – FOLLOW ROOFTOP RULES ATTACHED IN THE WALL.(Do not put your camera on rooftop handrail, Opening hour etc) – DO NOT PARK RIGHT IN FRONT OF RESTAURANT TO GIVE SPACE FOR NORMAL CUSTOMERS. Park a bit away from the place for customer space. |
| 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.
If 16L/R is in use, this place is also good during afternoon but you need 400mm. 16R landing traffic, will vacate to the taxiway between runways and will cross 16L pretty much in front of you. Before it crosses there are some nice photo opportunities. 16L departing traffic (widebodies) will be passing in front of you at the same level, so again, good photo opportunities. |
| 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. Monday is off day and its closed. There’s a notice to no visit on Monday at spot now. The restaurant on 2nd floor serves food for 19000 Won.
|
| FOCAL LENGTH | 77W = 120mm |
Golf Club - 34L arrivals
| WHERE | The location is on the sidewalk that runs along the Paradise City Hotel and the Golf Club. Best spotting position is right next to the entrance to the Golf Club. To get there take the free Shuttle bus from/to both terminal and get off at the Hyatt Hotel. From there it is a 5-10 minutes foot walk. You can also exit at the Metro Station “Paridise City” and walk to the spot. |
| WHAT | Runway 34L approach. |
| TIME | Best light conditions are from sunrise until approximate 10 AM. |
| MISC. | Restroom and shops available inside at Pardais City. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | B747=300mm; B787=420mm; B737=600mm |
T2 Long Term Parking - 16 L/R arrivals
| WHERE | The location is roof-top of the Terminal 2 long term car parking building. Windshields are installed but gaps are wide enough to shoot through. To get there take the free Shuttle bus from/to terminal2 1F and get off at North Parking Tower. |
| WHAT | Runway 16L/R approach. |
| TIME | Best light conditions are from sunrise until approximate 11 AM. |
| MISC. | Restrooms in the carpark. Drinks and foods are available in the terminal. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | B737 = 400mm; A330 = 300mm; B747 = 220mm |
Quarantine station - 34L arrivals
| WHERE | Another option for 34L arrivals is on a meadow next to the “Incheon Airport National Quarantine” bus station. To get there take bus 306 from T1 and leave the bus after Hyatt Hotel (2 stops from T1). The bus stop location on google maps is wrong as the bus stop is actually before the crossroad. |
| WHAT | Runway 34L approach. Light poles interrupt the view partially. |
| TIME | Best light conditions are from sunrise until approximate 11 AM. |
| MISC. | Nothing nearby. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Unknown |
No photos available
Rooftop terrace - 16L/R arrivals and departures
| WHERE | This spot is located approximately 400m northwest of the official Sky Deck on a private building which has a open terrace on it’s rooftop. The location is set back from the main road so it is tricky to find. Because of this, the owner decided hang a small, blue banner that guides the way to the location. Taking a taxi is recommended but you can go there by taking bus 306, get off at Narutgae Entrance and have a 17 min walk. Parking is available. Also there are several payment options in order to enter this spot and payment is necessary. You can pay 10,000 won to spot there for a whole day and use the lounge. |
| WHAT | Best for aircraft landing on 16R and taking off from 16L. But bear in mind that you are extremely far away here, moisture haze will be a problem und everything but the heavies will be way too small to take good photographs of.
If the airport is using 34 L/R, you get shots of aircraft departure from runway 34R and partially exit from 34L after the arrival. |
| TIME | Best light conditions are from 1 PM to sunset. |
| MISC. | There is a short fence in the rooftop but ladder is not needed. Restrooms are available and there is a room where you can buy foods and drinks. You can also cook food if you borrow a room. Keep in mind that this place is a rental place; you can borrow studio, room etc. Spotting fee is 10,000 won. You are able to spot planes for 24 hours and use the lounge |
| FOCAL LENGTH | A320 = 280mm; B747 = 180mm; A350 220mm |
Ibis Styles - 34R departures
| WHERE | The ibis Styles Ambassador Incheon Airport is a great option to take photos of runway 34R taking off in the morning from the parking lot or the roadside outside. There is a shuttle bus from Terminal 2 directly to the hotel, or you can take a shuttle bus to the long-term parking area nearby.
It’s also very convenient to take a taxi here in the afternoon to get to Location 9. |
| WHAT | Runway 34R taking off |
| TIME | Best light conditions are from sunrise until approximate 11 AM. |
| MISC. | There is a small convenience store at the Ibis Hotel where you can get supplies. As a hotel guest, they usually tolerate you taking photos of planes in the parking lot. If you’re standing on the street outside, it’s best to stay low-key—airport patrol cars do pass by, but they never drove me away. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 150 – 300mm |
Hi
From everything I have read, photography is a no-no at Incheon and Gimpo. However, I see lots of photos posted here and on the internet. How is this done? What would your recommendation be for a European visitor? I am staying at the Ora hotel near spots 3 and 11 where I should at least be able to log aircraft using binoculars and FR24.
Many thanks,
Brian
Is spot7 still available?
Yeah it is still available
Let`s hope it will remain open!
julian
I heard that the cafe owner wants to close the spot while the restaurant owner wants it opened.
Hi
I am looking for some information about the preserved Korean 747 and A300 on Jeju Island. Is it possible to see these aircraft from roads outside Jungseok Airfield or would that be a wasted trip? Is it possible to arrange a visit to the airfield now that the museum/visitor centre has closed and been demolished?
Many thanks,
Brian
I have spotted on Jeju International Airport several times and unfortunately I was not able to see the preserved Korean 747 and A300.
I visited ten years ago, and it was a total waste of time.
First, trees line the road next to the airfield, blocking the view of the tarmac-displayed 747-400, A300, and Constellation.
Second, none of those three aircraft are open to the public, and no tours are offered.
I even tried asking the security guard nicely for permission to get a closer look, but he just rudely told me to get out of his sight.
Thank you Austin and Minsoo, most helpful!
I wouldn’t go to the T2 observation deck(Spot No.6). There’s a security guard there who will immediately come up to you and remind you that photography is prohibited, once you take out your camera.
They leave people with phone cameras alone though.
After the arrest and sentencing of Chinese spotters caught by police near Suwon Airbase and the ceaseless media coverage, there’s a perception among the locals that anyone with a camera and telephoto lens must be a Chinese spy.
Just noticed that the example aircraft pictures of spot 9 and 10 are the same…?
Thanks for the hint, unfortunately we don’t have photos from spot 10.
-Julian
In March 2026, I visited “Haneul Garden,” located between Spot 1 and Spot 2. Perhaps because maintenance had been neglected following the COVID-19 pandemic, the entire area looked run-down, and it was unclear whether access was restricted or not. Unfortunately, I am not fluent in Korean, so while I could translate the signs, I couldn’t grasp their nuances; to avoid any risks, I decided to leave. I think it’s a great spot for afternoon photography, so I’d appreciate it if you could let me know whether it would be safe to revisit when I’m back in South Korea.
Yeah..for sure, Haneul Garden looks a bit ‘abandoned’. But access is allowed and most signs are just information of the location. Also, based on my experience, Haneul Garden is safe to go and a good place to take photos. However, keep in mind that the grass area next to Haneul Garden (near the airport fence) is restricted due to bird shooting (they are doing this in order to prevent bird strike). In extreme circumstances shooting may happen, but as long as you are not in the restricted area you are safe. There is also a big sign that saids ‘do not go in’ which non-Korean speakers would understand. Thus, you are good to go there!
I spent last week at ICN mostly spotting from Spot 7 and I have to say the trash situation up there is a SHAME for the spotter community. There is a tiny trash bin up there (don’t know why it was placed there in the first place) It hasn’t been emptied all week but that doesn’t stop poeple from stacking more and more trash in it, followed by placing stuff next to the bin and wind then spreads it all over the roof.
On Saturday I felt the situation so bad that I as asked in the Cafe for a trash bag to clean up myself – unfortunately they didn’t have one…
The thing is: next to the elevator there is a giant trash bin that is emptied daily, so you wouldn’t even have to take your trash home! Just one fly of stairs down! I have no idea what these spotters are thinking?!? (90+% were locals… 🙁 )
Yet I’m glad to have had the oppotunity use the spot, but I guess when I return next year it will be gone.
Greetings from Germany
It’s a shame what’s going on and I am totally with you. But this is a worldwide problem and not just in ICN. A very few people are not able to use a trash bin or at put it somewhere else when its full. I notice this here in Germany plenty of times.
-Julian
I was being sent away by police while spotting near spot 8 at “Incheon Airport National Quarantine Station” bus stop in early morning. They took a picture of my passport and checked my entry permit, I was also told to show all of my pictures and they took a video of them. But fortunately, they didn’t ask me to delete it.
Did they come up to you in a yellow minivan?
Unlike military airbases, there are no laws prohibiting photography of civilian airports.
Which means the police won’t make it their business to go after spotters near airports, who are standing roadside with their cameras. Unless of course those spotters are blocking traffic, etc.
It’s different with ICN security though. Since ICN is property of the IIAC, if you are within ICN premises, IIAC security can ask you to stop taking photos.
However IIAC security does sometimes get a bit overzealous and stop and question spotters in public places such as Haneul Park and near public roads, while patrolling in their yellow minivans.
Although they shouldn’t be doing that since they are not a public law enforcement agency and the actions above may exceed their mandate.
anyone added the AIRREFRRESH studio for a spot?? near hotel orea for 34l/r
It is added as ‘Rooftop terrace’
There are securities requesting to delete the photos on #5, and photography is not allowed on #6.