AIRPORT
Temples near Incheon and Gimpo airports
These 3 temples are ones we class as easy to add to a trip through Incheon or Gimpo airport, with checked directions by airport rail, subway and bus.
Whether you can make it within a layover depends on your flights, immigration, luggage and traffic, so we do not promise it. Leave plenty of time before your flight.
Admission and English-friendliness in the table are the same checked values as on each temple page. Open a temple for opening hours, etiquette and a taxi card you can show a driver without speaking Korean.
| Temple | Region | Admission | English | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeondeungsa Temple | Ganghwa (Incheon) | Free | Medium | Day visit or templestay |
| Yonggungsa Temple (Yeongjongdo) | Incheon (Airport Area) | Free | Not yet confirmed | Day visit only |
| International Seon Center | Seoul (Mokdong) | Free | High | Day visit or templestay |
Jeondeungsa Temple 전등사
An ancient temple inside the Samnangseong fortress, traditionally dated to 381
Traditionally dated to 381 AD. The combination of ancient zelkova trees, fortress stone walls, and sea breeze is unmatched.
Getting there: From the Sinchon Ogeori / Hyundai Department Store (median) stop or the Hongik Univ. Station (median) stop, take bus M6117 to Gurae Station, transfer to bus 70 and get off at Jeondeungsa (about a 10-minute walk from the East or South Gate stop).
Jeondeungsa Temple: Hours, etiquette and taxi card →Yonggungsa Temple (Yeongjongdo) 영종도 용궁사
20 minutes from Incheon Airport: zelkovas estimated at about 1,300 years old and a legend of Wonhyo
The ultimate transit sanctuary: escape the airport terminals in 20 minutes to stroll beneath twin zelkova trees estimated at about 1,300 years old and hike to mountain ocean views.
Getting there: Take a taxi from AREX Unseo Station (about 18 minutes, about 7 km, roughly 9,000 KRW) or from Incheon Airport Terminal 1 (about 20 minutes, about 13 km, roughly 13,000 KRW). Times and fares vary with traffic.
Yonggungsa Temple (Yeongjongdo): Hours, etiquette and taxi card →International Seon Center 국제선센터
The modern international Zen hub in Seoul specifically built for global travelers
A modern urban center with English-language programs, about 20 minutes by Subway Line 5 from Gimpo Airport plus a 10-minute walk from Omokgyo Station.
Getting there: Walk about 10 minutes (about 650 m) from Subway Line 5 Omokgyo Station Exit 8. From Incheon Airport, take airport bus 6018 to the Sinjeonggyo Entrance stop and walk 7–8 minutes (about 400 m).
International Seon Center: Hours, etiquette and taxi card →