We are soon transiting through Incheon Airport and wanted to know if there was a pet relief area airside. All searches led to a resounding no. Despite most of the Korean airlines allowing pets to fly in cabin, it seems there are NO pet relief areas airside at Incheon airport.
They did recently open a pet garden, however, this is outside of the terminal. Therefore, you would have to go through security and immigration and enter Korea with your dog in order to use it. Which means needing paperwork to both enter and exit Korea. Not worth it. It seems crazy you would go to all of the effort of making a pet garden and area for pets outside of the airport but have nothing airside.
Not only would it be useful for those leaving Korea, having one last option for the pet to relieve themselves before boarding. It would also be a god send to those transiting through Incheon with a pet in cabin. Incheon is consistently voted one of the best airports in the world. It’s also a large hub for those transiting to the US from Asia and vice versa.
Unfortunately there simply isn’t an option for your pets to comfortably relieve themselves in Incheon airport. So what are the options for pets at Incheon Airport?
Matina Lounge
If you want to use the Matina Lounge they allow you to keep your pet at the reception if they are in a crate/carrier whilst you enjoy the lounge. How very kind of them. I think we will forego the lounge and stay with out pet, thank you very much.
Transit Hotel
The transit hotel at the airport unfortunately does not allow pets either. However if your dog is registered as an emotional support animal or service dog, then you are allowed to use it. There’s an additional charge of 20,000 kwn (approx £10) for the dog. Whilst not available for all, it’s an option to consider if you have a service dog. There is still no outdoor area, but at least it will give the pet a chance to get out of the carrier and stretch their legs. Each room has it’s own bathroom so there’s a chance they’ll get to use the toilet also. We are going to give this a go on our transit shortly but we aren’t convinced Wylie will go to the loo. But let’s see!
Airport Bathrooms
Whilst not officially allowed, most people I see take their pets to the public bathrooms and try to use one of the disabled toilets since they have more room. Putting out a pee pad on the floor and hoping they’ll go to the loo. Not ideal and not something Wylie is used to it, it doesn’t work for us. We also don’t want to train him on the pee pad for very infrequent travel.
Conclusion
If transiting through Incheon Airport be prepared that there is no pet relief area airside. This is a huge shame and is something that I hope Incheon Airport will reconsider in the future. Having one outside of the terminal doesn’t make sense as you can easily go to the bathroom outside anyway. I hope one day they will change this, especially with most of the Korean airlines allowing pets to fly in cabin.
Where’s the best pet relief area you’ve seen in an airport? Let us know in the comments below.
Woof woof, Wylie x
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