Flying Domestic from Gimpo: Passport, Check-in Times and Power Bank Rules for Visitors

Short answer: To fly from Seoul to Jeju, Busan or another Korean city, you will usually use Gimpo Airport’s domestic terminal. Foreign visitors should carry their original passport as ID, finish check-in and bag drop at least 30 minutes before departure (the usual airline cutoff), and keep power banks in carry-on only, with the terminals taped or in a separate pouch. Korean airlines no longer let you use a power bank on board.

Basis date: checked against the Korea Airports Corporation (Gimpo), Korean Air and VISITKOREA pages on 15 October 2026. Airline rules differ and change, so check your airline’s page before you fly.

The domestic flight checklist in one table

1. Which airport and which terminal

Gimpo is Seoul’s main domestic airport. VISITKOREA notes that the Gimpo–Jeju route is so busy it has been named the busiest air route in the world, and that ten airlines fly domestic routes in Korea, including Korean Air, Asiana Airlines and low-cost carriers. At Gimpo, domestic and international flights use separate buildings, so check that your taxi, bus or train is taking you to the domestic terminal (Korean: 국내선).

Getting there from the city: AREX, Line 5 and Line 9 all stop at Gimpo Airport Station. See Gimpo Airport to Seoul for routes in both directions. Coming straight from an international flight at Incheon? Read Incheon to Gimpo Airport transfer first.

2. ID: bring your passport

Korean domestic flights include an ID check before security. Gimpo Airport’s official FAQ lists the IDs that foreign passengers can use:

• Aged 19 or older: passport, international driver’s licence, international (overseas) student ID, US Forces Korea ID, or a photo ID issued by a Korean government agency, public institution or school.
• Under 19 or over 70: a photo ID from a Korean government agency or public institution, a school-issued ID, or documents such as a resident registration certificate, family relation certificate or health insurance card.
• Under 14 or over 70: if no ID is available, confirmation by a guardian (such as a parent, relative or teacher) or the airline may be accepted, and the passenger may be selected for additional random security screening.

For most visitors the answer is simple: carry your original passport and make sure the name matches your booking. Korean Air also states that you must show ID or original proof of identification to board a domestic flight.

3. Check-in and boarding times

• Check-in cutoff: Korean Air says domestic check-in closes 30 minutes before departure. The Gimpo Airport site notes that ticketing and bag drop for domestic flights are generally available until 30 minutes before departure, with times depending on the airline.
• Boarding: on Korean Air domestic flights, boarding starts 20 minutes before departure and closes 10 minutes before.
• Low-cost carriers can set their own cutoffs. Check the airline’s page or app for your flight.
• Practical buffer: aim to reach the domestic terminal about an hour before departure, more on weekends, holidays and early mornings. This is Koreafolio’s suggestion, not an airline rule.

4. Power banks and batteries

Korea tightened battery rules after an Air Busan aircraft fire at Gimhae Airport in 2025. Under rules announced by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport from 1 March 2025:

• Power banks and e-cigarettes are not allowed in checked baggage. Carry them in your cabin bag.
• They must not go in the overhead bin. Keep them with you, for example in the seat pocket.
• Cover the terminals with insulating tape or put the battery in a protective pouch or plastic bag.

By February 2026, all of Korea’s airlines had also banned using power banks to charge devices during flights. Capacity limits apply too, so check your airline’s restricted-items page if you carry a large battery.

5. Arriving in Jeju or Busan

Domestic arrivals are quick: there is no immigration, so you can usually walk from the gate to baggage claim and out. Plan your onward ride before you land, keep your transport card loaded, and save your accommodation address in Korean. If you need data on arrival, see SIM/eSIM & Internet in Korea, and for payments see Money & Payment in Korea.

FAQ

Do foreigners need a passport for domestic flights in Korea?

Yes, in practice. Gimpo Airport lists the passport first among valid IDs for foreigners aged 19 or older. Carry the original.

How early should I arrive at Gimpo for a flight to Jeju?

Check-in usually closes 30 minutes before departure. We suggest arriving about an hour early, more at busy times.

Can I put a power bank in my checked bag?

No. Power banks must travel in carry-on bags, kept out of the overhead bin, with the terminals insulated.

Can I charge my phone from a power bank on a Korean flight?

No. Korean airlines prohibit using power banks on board.

Is there immigration on a domestic flight?

No. You only pass the ID check and security before departure. Keep your passport with you for the ID check.

Sources

• Gimpo International Airport FAQ: valid ID for foreigners on domestic flights, checked 15 October 2026.
• Gimpo International Airport official English site, checked 15 October 2026.
• Korean Air, Airport counter check-in and Domestic flight boarding, checked 15 October 2026.
• Korean Air, Restricted items, checked 15 October 2026.
• Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, battery safety measures (Korean), as reported by AeroTime; in-flight use ban reported by Travel Weekly Asia (23 February 2026).
• VISITKOREA, Domestic Flights (last updated 19 June 2026), checked 15 October 2026.
• Wikimedia Commons image pages: RKSS Domestic, Jeju Air HL8263, Gimhae domestic terminal.

Update triggers

• Gimpo or the Ministry changes the list of valid IDs for foreign passengers.
• Airlines change domestic check-in or boarding cutoffs.
• Battery, power bank or e-cigarette rules change, including capacity limits.
• Domestic routes from Gimpo or the number of operating airlines change.
• New self-service or biometric ID check options open to foreign passengers.