Gimpo International Airport — Local services in Seoul

Gimpo International Airport: My Seoul-ful Sanctuary (5/5 Stars) Stepping off the plane at Gimpo International Airport (GMP) in Seoul always feels less like an airport arrival and more like a warm, familiar embrace. While Incheon (ICN) often gets the spotlight for its grandeur, Gimpo holds a special place in my heart – it's the quiet, efficient, and surprisingly charming gateway to the vibrant energy of Seoul, and every visit reaffirms why it deserves a perfect 5 out of 5.

From the moment you land, there's an undeniable sense of calm. Passport control is usually a breeze; I've never experienced the long, agonizing queues that sometimes plague larger airports. It feels like a well-oiled machine, smoothly ushering you into the heart of Korea.

What truly sets Gimpo apart for me is its incredible accessibility. Being so close to the city center is a dream. The direct subway connections (Lines 5 and 9, and the AREX All Stop Train) are a lifesaver, especially when you're eager to drop your bags and dive into Seoul's endless adventures. No long, expensive bus rides or complicated transfers – just a quick, comfortable journey straight into the urban pulse.

Beyond the logistics, there's a human touch that always leaves a positive impression. The staff are consistently polite and helpful, even with the language barrier. There’s a certain efficiency mixed with a genuine warmth that makes navigating the airport a stress-free experience.

Sure, it might not have the sprawling duty-free malls or endless dining options of a massive international hub, but that's precisely part of its charm. Gimpo feels more manageable, more personal. There are still plenty of convenient shops for last-minute souvenirs or snacks, and cozy cafes to grab a coffee before your flight. I particularly appreciate the free Wi-Fi, which is fast and reliable – perfect for checking last-minute details or sharing your excitement with loved ones.

My most memorable experience at Gimpo involved a slightly rushed departure. I was running a bit behind, convinced I'd miss my flight. But the check-in process was so swift, and security so efficient, that I actually found myself with time to spare! It was a moment of pure relief and gratitude for an airport that clearly values passenger experience.

Gimpo International Airport isn't just a point of transit; it's an integral part of my joyful Korean travel experience. It’s the calm before the Seoul storm (in the best way!), the welcoming committee, and the reassuring farewell. For anyone looking for a seamless, stress-free, and genuinely pleasant airport experience in Seoul, Gimpo is, without a doubt, a...

Though the airport and facilities are good, the treatment of customer in challenging situation and response by the staff needs improvement. We flew Gimpo to Jeju by Korean Air in April 2024, and during security check forgot to pick up our laptop from the belt. We realised at Jeju and contacted Lost & Found Gimpo airport same evening but were told laptop was not found. We changed out travel plans and returned to Gimpo airport next day to meet all the officials and trace our laptop. However, even after meeting airport & security officials and Lost & Found and repeatedly requesting them to look for laptop at the security, as we were international tourist and travelling back to our country in two days time, we were told laptop has not been found. We thereafter left for our next stop, Busan. To our surprise, in the evening on the same day at Busan, after just about 5/ 6 hours, we got a mail that the laptop has been found. Unfortunately, we couldn't go back to Gimpo to collect our laptop as we returned to our country next day and had to get our laptop couriered for a cost of about USD 250! If the staff was little more responsive and proactive, we could have got our laptop back when we returned to Gimpo the very next day and would have saved all the trauma & financial burden. Even on logging a complain online, we got a standard reply and thereafter there was no response to our queries. So do please fly through Gimpo if you need to, but be mindful that you are on your own if you land up in an...

I arrived at this airport at 4 am by taxi. It was closed and deserted, and with the absence of efficient signage, I didn't know whether I'm at the right place or not (I thought maybe the taxi driver broght me to the wrong location, or maybe there is a different terminal where my flight will take off froml). Minutes later 5 more passengers came in taxis as well, like me they were all foreigners and they got the same reaction as mine, they were confused whether this is the right airport/terminal for their flight or not.

The airport opened after 5 am, and it was completely empty of any employees!!! We were the 6 foreigners with many other Korean passengers, we tried to ask some Korean passengers but no help, nobody spoke English, and nobody knows anything! It turned out there was another terminal and a poor foreign couple who couldn't figure out their flight, kept shuttling between the two terminals using taxis!!!

Around 6 some employees started showing up, there was an information desk so I thought about asking for help, the young lady struggled to understand my question and also she struggled to express herself in English.

Overall, it was a very stressful experience flying from this airport, although it was pretty small in size. Way larger airports are much easier to navigate and fly from.

Korea, employ some people to work in this airport! Put some signage! Make it clear which terminal it is! Put some flight boards outside so when you are closed, passengers know they are at the right...