Gimhae International Airport (PUS)

Overview

Located on the western end of Busan, Gimhae International Airport is a small but busy airport in South Korean that serves nearly seven million passengers each year. The airport opened in 1976, however the new International Terminal was built in 2007, and has retained its fresh and clean feeling.

The airport is efficient and well-run with few complaints about long queues, however there is not much to do inside the terminal, with only a few good restaurants and souvenir shops to browse. Passengers stranded overnight will need to find a place to stay, as the airport shuts down from 11pm to 6am each day.

Flights to Gimhae International Airport come from destinations around Asia, including Tokyo, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Beijing, Guam and Taipei, and a few selected routes to cities like Vladivostok and Munich.

Location

The airport is on the western end of Busan.

Getting to the city

Train: An exciting development scheduled for the airport, slated for completion in 2011, is a light rail transit line that will connect the airport to the Busan subway network and the city centre. Currently the rail is a 30 minute bus ride from the airport, on the 307 bus. Gupo is the nearest station.

Bus: A number of different types of buses run from Gimhae to various destinations across Busan. Bus No. 307 goes to Deokcheon Station, just get off at the Gupo stop and you can connect to the train and subway.

Taxi: Taxis do not have a set price, so you're welcome to haggle, and always insist on using the metre.

Time

GMT +9.

Car rental

The car rental desk is located on the ground floor of the Domestic Terminal. Seven different rental agencies operate out of Gimhae, including Avis and Busan Car Rental.

Transfer between terminals

There is a free shuttle bus between the international and Domestic Terminals every 10 minutes between 7:30am and 7:00pm and every 20 minutes between 7:00pm and 9:00pm.

Facilities

Money and communications: Pusan and Shinhan banks are located in the International Terminal, as well as a currency exchange office. A post office is located on the first floor of the International Terminal, and offers international calls. Local payphones are scattered throughout both terminals.

Luggage: The baggage claim areas are located on the ground floors of the terminals. Baggage storage facilities are on offer on the second floor of the International Terminal or ground floor of the Domestic Terminal, and are open until the last flight of the day.

Conference and business: A business centre is located on the first floor of the International Terminal. On offer are meeting rooms, telephones, fax machines and computers.

Other facilities: Travel insurance is available for purchase on the in a kiosk on the second floor of the International Terminal. A shoe-shine service is available on the first floor of the International Terminal and second floor of the Domestic Terminal. A free internet lounge is available for passengers' use on the third floor of the International Terminal, and a free internet kiosk is located on the second floor of the Domestic Terminal.

Wi-Fi: The entire airport is a free wi-fi zone.

Shopping: Shopping options at Gimhae are not extensive, but there is a small selection of outlets if you need to grab some necessities or a last-minute souvenir. The always-recognisable 7Eleven stocks any conveniences a traveller may have overlooked, and there is a Lotte duty free store for your perusal. There is also a pharmacy and book store on site. A gallery, selling local art work, is located in the Domestic Terminal, and is definitely worth checking out.

Food and drink: Gimhae has a number of dining options, both for Korean and Western tastes. You'll be able to find international staples such as Starbucks and Popeye's fast food, as well as local offerings like the difficult-to-pronounce but recommended Punggyungmaru eatery.

Parking

There is plenty of parking at Gimhae International Airport ear each terminal; parking rates are fixed at KRW 600 for up to four hours.

Departure Tax

There is a departure tax of KRW 9,000.

Website

airport.co.kr

Airlines

Flights to Gimhae International Airport are available from Air Busan, Air China, China Eastern, China Southern, Delta, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Philippine Airlines, Thai Airways, TransAsia Airways and Vietnam Airlines.

Internet

There is free wifi throughout the airport.

Business Lounges

Amenities like phone, fax and computer terminals are available in the business centre on the first floor of the International Terminals, along with meeting rooms.

Busan International Airport Taxis: the taxi fares above are intended as a guideline only.