Sometimes you need a car the moment you land: a lot of luggage, a tight schedule, or a destination outside Seoul. Both Incheon and Gimpo rent on the spot, but the process differs.
Incheon — head for the Rent-a-Car Zone
Incheon International Airport has a dedicated Rent-a-Car Zone. The order goes:
- Collect your bags and clear customs
- Confirm your booking at a rental desk on the first floor or basement of the terminal
- Move to the nearby parking lot where the major companies cluster, and take the car
Most companies run their own shuttle, so get the pickup point when you book. On arrival, follow the signs or ask at an information desk.
The four documents you hand over
- Your International Driving Permit
- Your home-country licence — the original. The IDP alone is not enough
- Your passport
- A payment card
Once the paperwork is done, a shuttle or a staff member takes you to the lot to inspect the car and finalise the contract.
What is different at Gimpo
The process is similar, but Gimpo is smaller with fewer rental companies on site. If you want a particular car class or a promotion, booking online in advance is effectively required. Waits run long on weekends and holidays, so reserve with a buffer around your arrival time.
Shuttles and the airport surcharge
The usual pickup is a company shuttle to an off-site office 5 to 15 minutes away, normally free and running every 15 to 20 minutes. Some premium operators offer valet pickup, bringing the car to the terminal for a fee.
Watch for the airport surcharge: some companies add one only for airport pickups, covering facility and shuttle costs. The same car can cost more than it would from a city branch, so check at the booking stage.
Just before and just after you take the car
- Share your flight details in advance — if the flight slips, they can hold the shuttle
- Photograph every scratch — at return it is the only evidence you will have
Is renting right for this trip at all
A week touring the provinces pays for a rental. Staying inside central Seoul, public transport is more economical — parking downtown is expensive and traffic is constant.
Branch locations by airport and the classes available are on the WeBring blog.