Gimpo is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. It borders on Incheon, with which it shares the South Korean side of the Han River estuary, as well as Seoul and the lesser cities of Paju and Goyang. North Korea is across the Han River. The current mayor is Young-Rok,Yoo. The city's population of more than 300,000 is made up of more than 71,000 households.
Gimpo Airport formerly Kimpo International Airport) used to be located inside the city, but is now part of Seoul. Tertiary educational institutions located in the city include Kimpo College and Joong-ang Seungga University. There are 27 elementary schools, 12 middle schools, and 8 high schools, including Gimpo Foreign Language High School. Three elementary schools, two middle, and two high schools are located in the city
Gimhae International Airport (formerly Kimhae International Airport) (IATA: PUS, ICAO: RKPK is located on the western end of Busan, South Korea. It opened in 1976. A new international terminal opened on October Gimhae International Airport is the main hub for Air Busan. Runway 18L/36R is used for military purposes only, but due to increasing traffic, there are plans to open the runway for airliners. In passengers used the airport.
Around 2013, Busan had announced that it was proposing to cease Gimhae International Airport's operation on all passenger planes, due to the small size, small maximum amounts of space and sky-routes, and safety. They plan to move Busan's primary airport to the island of Gadeok-do, an island in southwestern Busan.Domestic flights from Seoul Gimpo represent the majority of traffic to Busan. You can usually turn up to the airport and purchase a seat on the next plane for around
Domestic flights from Seoul Incheon International Airport (IATA: ICN). If you are making an international connection then there are a few scheduled flights that fly directly from Incheon Airport to Gimhae with Korean Air and Asiana. They are more expensive but much more convenient than an airport transfer to Gimpo. When booking through a travel agency, try to get this connection rather than transfer to Gimpo.
Domestic flights from Jeju Island (IATA: CJU). Popular Korean tourist destination.
International flights are from major cities in Japan, China, the Philippines and Vietnam. In addition there are flights to Vladivostok, Bangkok, Taipei, Saipan, Vientiane, Macau and Hong Kong. There is also a Lufthansa service from Munich via Seoul. 'Limited period' flights are sometimes scheduled from other airlines such as Singapore Airlines and Delta.
There are also budget airlines operating from Gimhae including Air Busan and Jeju Air that fly to both domestic and international destinations, sometimes for a very low price. (Although you will need to book well in advance of your flight to get a cheap ticket)
All direct flights from Hong Kong depart between midnight and in the morning. Most flights to Hong Kong depart late in the evening (around although DragonAir is an exception departing at around in the morning.
Ground transportation
There are a lot of options for getting into the city, and you should choose depending on your destination, amount of luggage and whether you are traveling during rush hour. If you are staying at a main hotel, then the limousine bus will usually be the easiest way. If you are backpacking and staying somewhere in the center then using the light rail could be more convenient.
Limousine Bus The Airport limousine buses leave from both the International and Domestic terminals and connect to various locations in the city. Tickets are purchased on the bus. (However, the bus driver may have difficulty accepting notes greater than ₩10,000.) The bus driver will ask you for your stop, and if it is not an international hotel then it is worth printing it out to show them. This is a good option if you are carrying heavy baggage.
Limousine Bus Route Cost Frequency
To Seomyeon/Busan station (From Airport to Busan Station) Airport(Internation Terminal) - Domestic Terminal - Seomyeon(Lotte Hotel) - Seomyeon(1st street) - Hyundai dep. store - Busanjin Station - Busan Station - Toyoco inn Hotel - Jungangdong - Coastal Passenger Terminal - Nampodong - Chungmudong (From Busan Staion to Airport) Chungmudong - Nampodong - Coastal Passenger Terminal - Jungangdong - Busan Station - Busanjin Station - Hyundai dep. store - Seomyeon(Lotte Hotel) - Seomyeon(1st street) - Airport(International Terminal) - Domestic Terminal
To Haeundae 1 Airport(International Terminal) - Domestic Terminal - Namcheondong - Gwangandong - Suyeong Intersection - Centum hotel - Bexco - Yachting center - Hanhwa resort - Hyperion three way intersection - Westin Chosun Hotel - Grand Hotel - Novotel Ambassador - Paradise Hotel - Paledecz - Jangsan Station - Haeundae Paik Hospital - Dongbu apartment - Daelim 1cha apt - Yangwoon high school - Homeplus mart - Centum hotel - Suyeong Intersection - Gwangandong - Namcheondong - Airport(International Terminal, Departure) - Domestic Terminal, Arrival
To Haeundae Airport(International Terminal) - Domestic Terminal - Namcheondong - Crossing the Gwangan bridge - Centum hotel - Bexco - Yangwoon high school - Daedong apt - Dongbu apt - Haeundae Paik Hospital - Jangsan Station - Paradise Hotel - Seacloud hotel - Grand Hotel - Westin Chosun Hotel - Hyundai Benecity apt - Hanhwa resort - Hyundai ipark apt - Gyeongnam Marina apt - Bexco, Homeplus -Centum hotel - Crossing the Gwangan bridge - Namcheondong - Airport(International Terminal, Departure) - Domestic Terminal, Arrivals ₩7,000 every 20 minutes
Light Rail The Busan Gimhae Light Rail recently opened as a new way to get into the city, and connects to Metro lines 2 (green) and 3 (brown). It takes about an hour to get to the city center and about 90 minutes to Haeundae. If you arrive at rush hour (Morning or early evening) then this may be the fastest way in.
Local Bus City buses leave for downtown regularly. Tickets are cheap at around ₩1,000. The information desk at the International Terminal (Arrivals) can provide English speaking assistance for this.
Intercity Bus Long distances buses operate to and from the airport (see 'By Bus' in Busan)
Taxi A taxi to the city center will set you back about ₩15,000 (daytime) including tolls. A taxi to Haeundae will cost ₩25,000 when there is no traffic. Be aware that the black taxis at the airport (which foreigners are generally directed towards) are actually 'deluxe' taxis that charge much more for no discernible benefit.
For high speed connections to the rest of South Korea, the nearest KTX station is Gupo. This is 6 stations away via light rail and changing onto line 3, and will take about 20 minutes. Alternatively you can head into central Busan for the much larger Busan station, although this will take
The airport is small, and you can even walk between the domestic and international terminals in a few minutes if you wanted.
There isn't a great deal to do in either the airport or the surrounding area. Consider taking the fast metro train into Busan or alternatively there is the town of Gimhae nearby that has a lot of historical burial mounds, and is famous for its chicken restaurants.
Ground-side you can wait out your time in the large Starbucks, or visit the traditional Korean restaurant. both are located on the second floor)
Air side, in the International Terminal there are well equipped Korean Air and Asiana lounges on the second floor. There is a general waiting area up here as well, which is less stressful than sitting next to the gates
There is a large Starbucks coffee on the land-side, along with a decent Korean restaurant, food hall, "Stef's Hotdog", Dunkin' Donuts and Popeye's on the ground floor.
On the air-side there are two small cafes open from 07:00 to 21:00 daily a Dunkin' Donuts and a convenience store. Note that on the air-side there are almost no eating options, with the cafes offering some sad looking sandwiches and reheating sausage sticks. Definitely recommended to eat before you enter if you have a long wait ahead.
Ground-side there is a Dunkin Donuts store that is open for most of the day. For wider eating options you can consider walking over to the International terminal.
There is a large duty free shopping area air-side that closes at 21:00. There is a standard convenience store as well. Note that if you shop in the Paradise Hotel Duty Free mall next to Haeundae beach in Busan, they will arrange for you to pick up your duty free items at Gimhae airport. (Also Incheon International Airport can be arranged)
There are no gift shops in the airport, although the cafes sell a boxed pastry made from chestnuts that can be given as gifts.
Telephone Rental
You can rent a Korean mobile phone on the ground level outside the 'Arrivals' gate in the International terminal. Note that South Korea requires that all phone numbers are registered, and there is no concept of a disposable pre-paid SIM card as in other countries.
You can rent a car on the ground level outside the 'Arrivals' gate in the International terminal. Note that driving in Busan, and South Korea in general, will be difficult if you are not used to the driving style in Korea (and the Busan area in particular Unless your destination is in a really remote area you should take a look at the good public transport options first.
Connect
In the International terminal Airside, there are free Internet terminals on the second floor sponsored by Busan Bank. (in front of the Korean Air and Asiana lounges
You can use the free Asiana Wi-Fi network if you are seated close to that lounge.
There are very few power points around the airport. Opposite the Asiana lounge there is a bench with a spare socket behind it. (Next to the Samsung display) Korean sockets are the same as the two pin European type.
The airport is very safe, and small enough that you will not get lost. There is a tourist information desk near Arrivals, and they should be able to assist you with any queries.
When you walk into the arrivals area you will likely be engaged by a few taxi touts. They will offer to take you to your destination; however, they are unlikely to be licensed to do so. They are completely polite and will not bother you if you shake your head and keep walking.
On the ground floor next to Arrivals there is a convenient free changing room facility for passengers. Busan Bank, and others, have quite a few ATM cash machines on the ground floor. There is also a post office.
There are only some lower end motels nearby to the airport itself. The frequent Limousine buses will take you directly to all the major international hotels in both Heaundae and central Busan.
A quick 10 minute ride on the monorail to Sasang station will put you in an area with many budget hotels. The area is a major terminal for long distance buses, and as such has many cheaper accommodation options.
gimpo international airport map
gimpo airport departures,
gimpo international airport arrivals,
asiana airlines,
gimhae airport,
yangyang airport,
gimpo international airport departures,
gimpo airport map
