Gimpo Airport is Seoul’s second airport. It handles all domestic flights within Korea plus select international routes to Tokyo Haneda, Osaka Itami, Beijing, and Shanghai. Here is everything visitors need to know.
Most international visitors to Korea arrive at Incheon International Airport. But Gimpo Airport (IATA: GMP) handles a significant volume of traffic directly relevant to travellers: every domestic flight within Korea, plus short-haul international routes to Japan and China. If you are flying to Jeju Island, Busan, or Daegu from Seoul, you are using Gimpo. If you are continuing from Seoul to Tokyo Haneda or Osaka Itami, you are also using Gimpo.
Understanding what Gimpo is, where it sits relative to central Seoul, and how to move between it and your destination makes these connections significantly smoother.
Where is Gimpo Airport
Gimpo Airport is in Gangseo District in western Seoul, about 16 kilometres southwest of central Seoul (Myeongdong and the palace area). It is significantly closer to the city centre than Incheon Airport, which is 52 kilometres west on an island. Journey time from Gimpo to central Seoul is typically 30 to 50 minutes, depending on the destination and traffic, compared with 45 to 90 minutes from Incheon.
Which Airlines Use Gimpo
Domestic Routes
All major Korean domestic routes depart from Gimpo. The key domestic routes:
- Seoul (GMP) to Jeju (CJU): The busiest air route in the world by number of flights—multiple departures per hour from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m About 55 minutes of flying time. See the Seoul to Jeju guide for whether to fly or take the ferry.
- Seoul (GMP) to Busan (PUS): Around 55 minutes. Less commonly used than the KTX train (2.5 hours), which is often faster door-to-door and cheaper.
- Seoul (GMP) to Daegu (TAE): About 50 minutes. Most travellers use the KTX instead.
- Seoul (GMP) to Gwangju, Yeosu, Pohang, and other secondary cities: Gimpo serves most domestic Korean destinations with Air Korea, Jin Air, Jeju Air, and T’way Air.
International Routes from Gimpo
- Tokyo Haneda (HND): Multiple daily flights—about 2.5 hours. Key travellers are doing a Korea-Japan trip via the shorter Tokyo Haneda connection rather than Narita.
- Osaka Itami (ITM) and Kansai (KIX): Multiple daily flights—about 2 hours.
- Beijing Capital (PEK) and Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA): Selected flights operated by Korean Air and Air China.
Important: Long-haul international flights, including all routes to North America, Europe, Southeast Asia, and most of East Asia, depart from Incheon, not Gimpo. See the Incheon Airport to Seoul guide for Incheon logistics.
Getting from Gimpo Airport to Seoul
Option 1: Subway (Recommended for Most Travellers)
The Seoul Metro Line 9 and the Airport Railroad (AREX) both connect Gimpo Airport directly to the Seoul subway network. This is the fastest and most reliable option for most destinations.
- Line 9 (orange): Direct connection to Yeouido (15 minutes), Noryangjin (20 minutes), and Sinnonhyeon in Gangnam (35 minutes). Runs every 3 to 5 minutes during peak hours.
- Airport Railroad (AREX): Connects to Digital Media City and then to the main AREX line toward Seoul Station. About 25 minutes to Seoul Station.
- Fare: 1,550-2,050 won, depending on destination. The T-money card covers both lines. See the T-money guide for setup.
Option 2: Taxi
Standard metered taxis are available at the taxi stand outside both terminal exits. Journey time to central Seoul (Myeongdong, Jongno) is typically 30 to 40 minutes and costs around 20,000 to 30,000 won. Kakao T is available for app-booked taxis, which are more reliable than hailing on the street. See the Best Apps for Korea guide for Kakao T setup.
Option 3: Airport Limousine Bus
Limousine buses run from Gimpo Airport to major hotel areas throughout Seoul. Fares are around 7,000 to 9,000 won, and journey times are 40 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic. Less predictable than the subway in heavy traffic periods.
Gimpo Airport to Key Seoul Neighbourhoods
To Hongdae: Take Line 9 to Dangsan Station, then take Line 2 one stop to Hongdae (Hongik University Station). Total about 25 minutes, around 1,550 won. The full route guide covers the trip from Gimpo Airport to Hongdae.
To Myeongdong and the palace area: Line 9 to Sinnonhyeon, then Line 2 to City Hall and walk, or AREX to Seoul Station and taxi. Total about 40 to 50 minutes. The full route guide covers the journey from Gimpo Airport to Myeongdong.
To Gangnam: Line 9 Express to Sinnonhyeon (35 minutes, departures every 10 to 15 minutes). Sinnonhyeon is at the heart of Gangnam. The full route guide covers the trip from Gimpo Airport to Gangnam.
Inside Gimpo Airport
Terminal Structure
Gimpo has two terminals connected by an internal walkway: the Domestic Terminal and the International Terminal. Domestic departures (all Korean flights) use the Domestic Terminal. International flights (Japan and China routes) use the International Terminal. Allow 10 minutes walking time between terminals.
Check-In and Security
Domestic flights at Gimpo are efficiently processed. For flights to Jeju, check-in 40 to 50 minutes before departure is generally sufficient. The airport is significantly smaller and less crowded than Incheon, and the security lines rarely cause significant delays.
International departures require standard passport control and security. Allow 60 to 75 minutes before departure for international check-in and immigration at Gimpo.
Facilities
Gimpo’s domestic terminal has a good selection of Korean restaurant chains, convenience stores, and coffee shops throughout the departures area. The international terminal has duty-free shopping for departing passengers from Japan and China. Both terminals have currency exchange counters and ATMs.
Jeju flights note: If flying to Jeju, the check-in desks and departure gates for Jeju Air, Jin Air, and other budget carriers are in the main domestic terminal. Budget carriers often have different check-in zones from Korean Air and Asiana. Check your boarding pass for the specific desk number.
Gimpo vs Incheon – Which to Use
The choice between Gimpo and Incheon is determined by your flight, not by preference. Domestic Korean flights depart from Gimpo. Long-haul international flights depart from Incheon. The only routes where you have a genuine choice are the Tokyo and Osaka connections, where both airports serve different Japanese airport pairs (Gimpo serves Haneda/Itami; Incheon serves Narita/Kansai).
For Tokyo, flying from Gimpo to Haneda is generally preferable because Haneda’s central location in Tokyo is significantly more convenient than Narita’s. The journey from Haneda to central Tokyo takes 30 to 45 minutes, compared with 60 to 90 minutes from Narita.
