From Incheon Airport to Vientiane Wattay Airport
Back in 2019, when the COVID-19 pandemic was at its peak, the future felt uncertain. The atmosphere was filled with anxiety, and the world seemed to close down. However, over time, immunity increased, and infection rates dropped. Masks went from mandatory to optional, and the doors to the world began to open again.
Laos, specifically, lowered its entry barriers on December 26, 2022, by abolishing the requirement for COVID-19 vaccination certificates and antigen test results. Visiting became as easy as it was before the pandemic.
When is the Best Time to Visit Laos?
Laos is a tropical country. The best time to visit is during Korea’s autumn and winter seasons, specifically from November to February. This is the peak season when many people visit for golf or outdoor activities.
However, my trip to Vientiane took place in May, the start of the rainy season. I wasn’t going for a typical vacation but was invited by a local acquaintance. While it did rain during my stay, it mostly poured at night, leaving the days clear for activities. Even though it was an unfamiliar country, having a local escort made it feel as comfortable as a private package tour.
1. Incheon Airport Long-Term Parking (Terminal 1)
My itinerary for the Laos Vientiane trip was 3 nights and 5 days. Since it was a short trip, dragging a carrier and a carry-on bag through public transportation seemed exhausting. I decided to drive my own car and use the Incheon Airport Long-Term Parking Lot.
Parking Tips:
- Reservation: It is highly recommended to book long-term parking in advance via the airport website. In peak seasons, spots fill up quickly. – [ Link ]
- Location: The P1 and P2 parking towers are the most coveted spots.
- Shuttle vs. Walking: There is a shuttle bus, but waiting for it can be a hassle. I prefer parking in P1 or P2 because you can walk directly to the terminal.
Since my flight was with Jeju Air, which uses Counter L, parking at P2 was the strategic choice as it is geographically closer to the L counters. Fortunately, upon checking Naver Maps, P2 had space.
I parked in the outdoor area near the P2 tower to take advantage of the shade from the trees.
| Info | Details |
| Location | Incheon Int’l Airport Terminal 1, P2 Long-Term Parking |
| Address | 272 Gonghang-ro, Jung-gu, Incheon |
| Daily Rate | 9,000 KRW (approx.) |
2. Roaming vs. SIM Cards: Staying Connected
One of the biggest concerns when traveling abroad is mobile data. You generally have three options:
- Carrier Roaming: Convenient (keep your number) but expensive.
- Local SIM: Cheapest option (buy in Laos), but you cannot receive calls/texts to your Korean number.
- Pocket Wi-Fi: Another device to carry.
I use KT as my carrier. As soon as I arrived at the airport, I received a text message offering a “Basic Roaming” service for free. It allows data usage at 100 kbps.
Review of 100 kbps Roaming: To be honest, it is incredibly slow. It barely loads KakaoTalk messages. Google Maps wouldn’t even render properly. If you need reliable internet, I strongly recommend buying a SIM card upon arrival in Laos. However, having this free basic roaming provided a nice safety net for emergencies.
3. Check-In and Security at Terminal 1
Walking from the P2 parking lot to the terminal was a breeze thanks to the nice weather.
I followed the pedestrian shortcut (looking towards the building at the 1 o’clock direction from the parking lot) and arrived at the 3rd-floor departure hall.
Jeju Air Check-In (Counter L)
- Flight: Jeju Air 7C 4303
- Route: Incheon (ICN) to Vientiane (VTE)
- Departure: 19:45 (Boarding at 19:15)
I used the Self Check-in Kiosk located near Counter L. Since I had already checked in via the mobile app, I just needed to drop my bags. The interface on the kiosk was a bit zoomed in (perhaps a glitch?), requiring me to scroll to find buttons, but the process was straightforward.
After printing tags, I moved to the Self Bag Drop. Staff members in blue vests were there to assist.
I scanned my passport and boarding pass, placed my luggage (wheels facing inward), and watched the door close. Done!
Security & Immigration With my boarding pass in hand and bags dropped, I headed to the security checkpoint.
- Immigration: As a Korean national, I used the automated gates. It took seconds.
- Security Check: Laptops and liquids out. Walk through the scanner.
4. The Last Meal: Korean Food at “Sonsuheon”
Once airside (Duty-Free area), I felt the excitement of travel kicking in. Before the 5-hour flight, I needed a proper meal. Since Low-Cost Carriers (LCC) like Jeju Air do not provide free meals, eating beforehand is crucial.
I went up to the food court on the 4th floor and chose a restaurant called Sonsuheon.
- Menu: Susam Naju Gomtang (Beef Bone Soup with Ginseng)
- Price: 13,000 KRW
- Note: Water is not free here (1,000 KRW for a bottle).
The warm, non-spicy soup was perfect for settling my stomach before the flight.
5. Boarding Jeju Air to Vientiane
I killed some time at Starbucks (Iced Americano, 5,000 KRW) and headed to the gate.
The flight was delayed slightly, and we boarded around 3 hours after I arrived at the airport.
The Seat: I paid extra to select a seat in the second row from the front (aisle seat).
- Pros: Quick to deplane, easy access to the restroom.
- Cons: The air conditioning vent was blowing directly on me, and the legroom was just “okay”—knees didn’t touch, but not spacious.
The Flight: Jeju Air is an LCC. This means:
- No Free Food: Only water is provided.
- Paid Menu: You can buy Shin Ramyun (cup noodles) or snacks. Once one person orders Ramen, the smell fills the cabin, and suddenly everyone is ordering it (the “PC Bang effect”).
I filled out the Laos Immigration Form handed out by the crew. It requires your passport details, hotel name, and phone number. Be sure to fill it out in English.
6. Arrival at Wattay International Airport
After about 5 hours, the captain announced our descent. We landed in Vientiane at 11:00 PM local time (1:00 AM Korea time).
Stepping off the plane, the first thing that hit me was the warm, humid air. It smelled like the tropics.
Immigration & Baggage:
- There were no difficult questions at immigration. The officer simply stamped my passport.
- The airport is small and dimly lit, feeling more like a bus terminal than an international airport.
- Baggage claim was fast.
Getting a Taxi to the City I walked out to the arrivals hall. Many Koreans were there holding picket signs for tour groups. Since I was on my own, I looked for a taxi.
- System: There is an official taxi counter just outside the exit.
- Price: Flat rate of $7 USD (to the city center).
- Payment: I paid with a $10 bill and received change in Lao Kip.
The driver led me to a white Hyundai Avante (badged as Elantra for export). It felt familiar. We drove for about 10 minutes through the quiet, dark streets of Vientiane.
Crowne Plaza Vientiane The driver had a unique pronunciation: “Crown Pa-ja.” We arrived safely at the Crowne Plaza Vientiane, marking the end of a long day of travel and the beginning of my Laos adventure.
- Location: Crowne Plaza Vientiane
- Address: 20 Rue Samsenthai, Vientiane 01000, Laos
