Convenient EasyDrop Baggage Drop Off Stations In Seoul, Is It Worth It?

This week, I saw something new, namely so-called Easy Drop Stations, which offer passengers of four Korean airlines the opportunity to complete the check-in process (including baggage check-in) at various downtown Seoul locations.

Easy Drop Stations are operated by Incheon Airport and incur a supplementary service that will be charged separately, and passengers who utilize this dropoff will have to pay 35,000 KRW (US$24) per suitcase.

You can access this service on the incheon Airport website (see here) with more information about locations and timimg requirements.

Eligible for this are passengers departing from Incheon Airport on the same day using Korean Airlines, Asiana Airlines, Jeju Air, or T’way Air.

I got to watch the process a little and also witnessed when the bags got picked up by a driver so the logistics involved do justify the additonal fee – IF the passenger deems it worthwhile.

There are a total of FOUR locations available where passengers can drop off their baggage:

• Luggage Less Store in Myeongdong
• Lobby, 1st Floor, Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae
• Casino Lobby, Incheon Inspire Entertainment Resort (1F)
• B1 floor, Lobby, Incheon Paradise City

No other locations are currently available (for example in Gangnam) and two of these are Casinos right next to Incheon Airport, both of which have airport shuttles.

So the only passengers who are able to use this properly are those who stay in Hongdae/Myeongdong and only for same day flights after 2:30 pm.

I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Hongdae, where I observed the process:

While this counter opens at 7:30 am, they will only accept luggage for flights at 2:30 pm and later. Mind you, at least in Hongdae the Airport Train departs right downstairs.

This is how it works:

It is US$24 per suitcase. Is it worthwhile to do this? I guess it depends on whether you’d otherwise need to store your baggage at a cost because your hotel won’t store it for you.

Here is a YouTube video (in Korean) about the service:

At the moment – as I mentioned – only passengers of Korean Airlines, Asiana Airlines, Jeju Air, or T’way Air can use this. There might be additional airlines added later, but this is it right now.

For Korean Airlines and Asiana Airlines, the service is only available for passengers who have completed self check-in (web/mobile). Please go to the respective airline websites for more details.

If you don’t want to bother, then just go to Incheon and check in as per usual:

I’m taking TWAY in their Business Class to Rome next week, this will be interesting to say the least.

The trucks transporting the bags leave Seoul quite late, between 10:30 and 12:00 pm, depending on location. no wonder the timing is so limited. But with KE/OZ even requiring completed online check-in, I start to doubt the usefulness with such limited hours and service ability.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a way to drop off your bags while exploring Seoul for the day prior to heading to Incheon Airport, you can avail yourself of the Easy Drop Check-In stations in the city (Hongdae and Myeongdong), plus the two casinos near Incheon Airport.

The service costs 35,000 KRW per suitcase checked in and your flight needs to leave after 2:30 PM in order for the baggage to be accepted.

Have you used this service before, or would you prefer to just carry your own baggage to the airport?

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