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, Travair and Ng Wai Ping. Last change: May 2024 (Spot 8 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 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 – 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. From the Metro Station “Paridise City” 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 Sky Garden Park. You could stay there but the angel is not the best from here so continue on the bike road until the final position.
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.
FOCAL LENGTH	Just below 100mm for a B773 and 180mm for an A320.

ICN-Spot1

ICN-Spot1

ICN-Spot1

	Spot #2 – 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).

	Spot #3 – Sky Deck – 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. April 2024: 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 is fine.
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.	Deck closes at 17:30.
FOCAL LENGTH	77W = 120mm

ICN-Spot3

ICN-Spot3

ICN-Spot3

	Spot #4 – 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.
FOCAL LENGTH	Varies a lot, the United B772 on the front taxiway is 45mm and the Czech A330 on the back taxiway is 110mm.

ICN-Spot4

ICN-Spot4

ICN-Spot4

ICN-Spot4

ICN-Spot4

ICN-Spot4

	Spot #5 – 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.
FOCAL LENGTH	Air China 738 = 150mm; 744 = 80mm

ICN-Spot5

ICN-Spot5

ICN-Spot5

	Spot #6 – 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.
MISC.	Of course there are shops, restaurants and restrooms in the terminal.
FOCAL LENGTH	18-200mm

	Spot #7 – Restaurant – 34L/R Departures & Arrivals
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. To get there by public transport take bus 306 from the Main Terminal Departure level gate 7.
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

ICN-Spot7

ICN-Spot7

ICN-Spot7

ICN-Spot7

ICN-Spot7

	Spot #8 – 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 in the eary moring.
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

ICN-Spot8

ICN-Spot8

ICN-Spot8