In this report, we’ll experience what it’s like to use the Domestic Terminal of Gimpo Airport (GMP) – Seoul’s primary hub for local routes – as an arriving passenger.

Note: The information and pictures presented here are drawn from my own experience of using the Domestic Terminal of Gimpo Airport as an arriving passenger on 27 January 2020. Details may change at any moment and without prior notice.

Click here to read a separate report covering my experience as a departing passenger at the same airport.

IMPORTANT! This post does NOT reflect any changes to airport operations introduced after my January 2020 visit (due to the ongoing global health emergency). Additional procedures – such as temperature checks and sanitation stops – should be expected.

OVERVIEW

Airport name (English) : Gimpo International Airport
Airport name (Korean) : 김포국제공항 (Gimpo Gukje Gonghang)
IATA code : GMP
ICAO code : RKSS
Country : Republic of Korea (South Korea)
Major city served : Seoul
Routes served : Domestic and international
Runways : Two
Terminals : Two, one domestic and one international (note: this report covers the domestic terminal only)
Passenger traffic : 25,448,416 (2019)
Links : Official Website / Wikipedia

LOCATION

THE ARRIVAL EXPERIENCE

Step 1: Disembark from your plane

I arrived at GMP from Yeosu Airport (RSU) on Korean Air Flight KE 1332. RSU is a small regional facility on the peninsula’s southern coast, whereas GMP is Seoul’s main domestic hub – with the size and passenger traffic to match. (As a basis for comparison, have a look at this report that I’ve written covering the arrivals experience at RSU.)

When I flew from GMP for RSU a few days earlier, the aeroplane was parked at a remote stand on the tarmac. A low-floored airport bus took me from the terminal to the jet, which I then had to board using old-fashioned passenger stairs.

Thankfully, I didn’t have to brave Seoul’s winter chill this time around. Our flight docked at a conventional gate and we disembarked through the sheltered comfort of a glass-walled aerobridge.

The aircraft’s assigned berth was located at the domestic terminal’s southernmost tip…

…which meant that a relatively long walk to the main building lay ahead.

Step 2: Reclaim your checked baggage

Since there’s no inbound immigration to deal with at GMP’s domestic terminal, passengers can simply head straight for the baggage carousels upon reaching the main building. (That is, unless a temperature checkpoint or some other quarantine-related procedure was introduced here after my January 2020 flight.)

Step 3: Exit into the arrivals hall

No immigration … and no customs formalities either. Ah, the joys of domestic airline travel.

The domestic arrivals lobby at GMP is located on 1F, below the departures check-in counters on 2F.

Step 4: Travel from the airport to your final destination

There’s a detailed summary of the various options on the Public Transport page of GMP’s official website.

I’d also recommend downloading either KakaoMap (iOS / Android) or Naver Map (iOS / Android) onto your smartphone. They’re free to use and are a massive help in navigating Korea’s public transportation networks – especially bus routes. Both have English interfaces available, though bear in mind that Korean text may appear to varying degrees in the search results (especially on KakaoMap).

I should also point out that if you plan to take one of the several metro lines that serve GMP, the railway station is located some considerable distance from the terminal itself.

Not to worry, though: the walk is completely sheltered and there are travelators along part of the route. You can read more about it in my previous post about GMP – simply take the route described there in reverse.

Cheerio.