Incheon Airport Arrival Checklist: Data, Cash, T-money, Then Into the City

Once you walk out of arrivals at Incheon, there are four things to sort out: get mobile data working, get a little cash, buy and load a T-money card, and pick your ride into the city. That order works because map and taxi apps need data, and topping up a T-money card is normally done with cash. Each step is a short summary that points to the full guide. Facility locations come from Incheon Airport's official website (checked on 29 October 2026) and are listed separately for Terminal 1 (T1) and Terminal 2 (T2).

1. 1

   Before you board — entry paperwork, eSIM, map app

   Three things are best done before you leave, so there is less to do on arrival. First, even if your nationality is exempt from K-ETA, you need to submit an e-Arrival Card if you don't have a K-ETA. The K-ETA exemption runs until 31 December 2026 (see the K-ETA guide). Second, an eSIM installed before departure usually connects as soon as you land, though activation timing varies by plan (see the Korea SIM and eSIM guide). Third, Naver Map is a large download, so get it on Wi-Fi beforehand (see the Naver Map guide).

2. 2

   1. Data — switch on your eSIM, or pick up a physical SIM at a roaming centre in the arrivals hall

   If you installed an eSIM in advance, just turn on data for that line after landing. If you need something you collect at the airport, such as a data-and-voice plan with a Korean number, head to a carrier roaming centre in the 1st-floor arrivals hall. According to the airport's facility listings, T1 has SKT, KT and LG U+ roaming centres both near Arrival Gate A (east side) and near Arrival Gate F (west side). T2 has KT and LG U+ near Exit 4, and SKT and LG U+ near Exit 7. For what to buy, see the Korea SIM and eSIM guide.

3. 3

   2. Cash — just ₩10,000–20,000, from an exchange counter or ATM

   ₩10,000–20,000 in hand is enough at the airport, and airport exchange counters give worse rates than in the city (see the cash guide). You do need some cash to top up T-money, though, so get a little here. According to the airport's facility listings, in the 1st-floor public area (outside the arrival gates) T1 has bank exchange counters and shared ATMs near Exits 4, 6, 9 and 11. T2 has exchange counters between Exits 1 and 2 and near Exits 4, 7 and 10, and shared ATMs near Exits 3 and 7. If an ATM or card reader offers to charge you in your home currency, choose Korean won (KRW).

4. 4

   3. T-money — buy it at an arrivals convenience store and top up with cash

   You buy T-money at a convenience store, and balance top-ups are normally done in cash. The card price itself is not refunded (see the T-money guide). According to the airport's facility listings, T1 has CU stores in the 1st-floor public area near Arrival Gate B, near Arrival Gate E, near Exit 2 and near Exit 13. T2 has a GS25 in the 1st-floor public area near Arrival Gate A, and CU stores near Exit 10, in the centre of the 1st floor and in the centre of basement level 1 of the Transportation Center. If you also want to pay at restaurants and shops without cash, see the WOWPASS guide as well.

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   4. Into the city — AREX is on basement level 1 of the Transportation Center

   According to the airport's train page, both T1 and T2 have AREX ticket machines on basement level 1 of the Transportation Center. Whether you take the express train, the all-stop train, an airport limousine bus, a late-night bus or a taxi depends on when you land, so see the Incheon Airport to Myeongdong guide. To call a taxi by app, see the Kakao T guide. If you need somewhere to leave your bags before check-in, see the Seoul luggage storage guide.