Incheon City Guide
Image by Jaehyuk Lee via wikipedia

South Korea

Incheon City Guide

Incheon is a large port city in South Korea with modern infrastructure and coastal access. It's close to Seoul but has its own charm, including Chinatown, islands, and parks. The city attracts travelers and remote workers looking for urban life by the sea.

Lifestyle🍽️

🍽️
Food Scene
Excellent
8

Try local dishes like jajangmyeon and fresh seafood in Chinatown. International food is widely available, especially in Songdo. Vegetarian and vegan options are growing. Many food places stay open late.

Local Dishes:
Jajangmyeon, Fresh seafood
International Cuisine:
Western cuisine, Southeast Asian cuisine
Vegan FriendlyVegetarian Friendly
🌙
Nightlife
Good
6

Nightlife is developing with bars and clubs mainly in Guwol-dong and Bupyeong. It's smaller than Seoul but has enough options.

Coffee Culture
Excellent
8

Strong coffee scene with many independent and third-wave cafes, especially in Songdo and Guwol-dong.

💰
Tipping
Not Required

Tipping is not customary or expected in restaurants, taxis, or services here.

Top Attractions
Incheon Chinatown
Cultural
Historic area with food and shops.
Songdo Central Park
Nature
Green space with walking paths and water.
Wolmido Island
Nature
Popular leisure spot with sea views.
Jayu Park
Cultural
Oldest park with monuments and views.
Incheon Grand Park
Nature
Large park with trails and playgrounds.
SIM Cards

SIM cards can be bought at Incheon Airport or local stores from SK Telecom, KT, and LG U+. eSIMs are available. ID registration is required.

Available at:
KT
SK Telecom
LG U+
Recommended Apps
KakaoTalk(Communication)
KakaoMap(Navigation)
Papago(Communication)
Shuttle(Food)
Coupang(Shopping)
Subway Korea(Transport)
Kakao T(Transport)
Yeogi Eottae(Accommodation)

Services & Infrastructure

Street Cleanliness
Excellent
8

The city is generally clean with good waste and recycling services.

24/7 Services
Good
7

Convenience stores are 24/7. Some pharmacies and night clinics operate late but are limited. Late-night food is common in busy areas.

Groceries
E-Mart
Lotte Mart
Homeplus

Good international products in big supermarkets like E-Mart, Lotte Mart, and Homeplus. Traditional markets like Sinpo offer fresh local goods. Supermarkets usually open 10am-10pm and close on some Sundays.

Cashless Payments
Widely accepted

Card payments are accepted everywhere, from big stores to taxis.

ATMs

ATMs are common at banks, convenience stores, and subway stations. Most accept international cards but watch for fees. Local bank ATMs are usually cheapest.

Schools
International

International schools like Chadwick International and Cheongna Dalton offer English instruction. Local schools teach in Korean. Check schools in advance for admissions.

Available Schools:
Chadwick International School Songdo
Cheongna Dalton School

Work & Digital💻

Coworking Spaces
Available
6
Available Spaces:
G-Tower
Shared office space in Songdo, not a traditional coworking spot.
Smart City Center
Focuses on urban development, with some facilities.
Work-Friendly Cafés
Excellent
Starbucks
Reliable Wi-Fi and seating.
Ediya Coffee
Popular chain with good Wi-Fi.
Local independent cafes
Good options especially in Songdo.
Alternatives:
City libraries like Michuhol Library
Quiet places to work with Wi-Fi.
Hotel lobbies
Comfortable seating and Wi-Fi in business areas.
Digital Nomad Community
Limited
5

Community is small but growing, centered in Songdo. Work-friendly cafés with Wi-Fi are increasing.

Nature & Activities🌿

Green Spaces
Excellent
8

Parks like Songdo Central, Jayu Park, and Grand Park offer plenty of green areas and shaded paths.

Running
Excellent
8

Popular routes in Songdo Central Park and coastal trails. Air quality can be an issue in spring.

Gyms
Available

Many gyms including chains and community centers.

Available Gyms:
GX Fitness
Sporex
Local community centers
Tennis
Good
6

Courts available in parks and clubs; booking usually needed.

Padel
Poor
3

Padel is less common but growing slowly.

Yoga
Good
7

Yoga studios and jjimjilbang spas are common; some have English-speaking instructors.

Martial Arts
Good
7

Dojo options include Taekwondo, Hapkido, Judo, BJJ, and Muay Thai. English instructors available in some gyms.

Skiing
Limited
4

Nearest ski resorts are 1–2 hours away, open December to March.

Water Sports
Good
6

Kayaking and paddleboarding possible, mainly in parks like Songdo Central Park during warm months.

Surfing
Poor
2

Closest surf spots are hours away on the east coast.

Diving
Poor
2

Not known for good diving due to low water visibility.

Health & Safety🏥

Healthcare
Excellent
9

High quality public and private hospitals like Inha University Hospital. English-speaking staff available at international clinics. Pharmacies offer common meds and advice, some open late or 24/7. Emergency numbers are 119 and 112.

Hospitals:
Inha University Hospital
Gil Medical Center
Pharmacies:
Standard city pharmacies
24/7 pharmacies in bigger districts
Tap Water Safety
Safe to drink

Tap water is generally safe to drink after strict purification.

Common Scams
Taxi overcharging—use official apps or check meters, Tourist trap restaurants—read reviews first, Online scams—use verified sites only

Community & Family

Family Friendly
Excellent
8

Parks like Songdo Central Park have playgrounds; kid-friendly cafés are growing. Baby supplies are easy to find. Attractions include Wolmido Island and Incheon Grand Park.

LGBTQ+ Friendly
Limited
5

Acceptance is moderate and safe but less visible than Seoul. Legal protections are limited.

Pet Friendly
Good
6

Pet services and parks exist, but rules vary. Import requirements are strict.

Communities
Expats in Incheon Facebook group (Social)
Incheon International Community (Social)
Songdo Expats (Social)

Quick Facts

Population
2,936,117
Power Reliability
Excellent
10/10

Power is very reliable with rare outages.

Beach Access
Available

Beaches like Eurwangni and Masian on Yeongjongdo Island are close by, suitable for day trips but not tropical.

Mountains
Available

Mountains like Gyesan and Cheongnyangsan offer easy to moderate hikes, reachable by public transport.

Languages
Korean(95%)
English(25%)
Emergency
112
Police
119
Fire/Medical
1330
Tourist Information

⚠️Natural Disasters Risk

🌊
Tsunami
Low Risk
3
🏔️
Earthquake
Low Risk
4

🌦️Seasonal Issues

Fine dust
March, April, May
Air quality can worsen in spring due to dust.
Extreme heat
July, August
Summer can be hot and humid.
Typhoons
August, September
Occasional late summer storms, less frequent than farther south.

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