Osan Air Base is a hidden gem on the military Space-A circuit. The culture, cuisine, shopping, and sites of South Korea rival major destinations around the world. Plus, you can take the convenient shuttle provided by the base to easily access Incheon airport, a major Asian hub. A hop to Osan is the perfect way to start your adventures in Asia!
Whether Korea is your destination, or you’re just passing through, here’s what you need to know about flying Space-A to Osan AB, Korea.
If you are new to Space-A flying, read this Quickstart Guide to Space-A Flights first to get a basic understanding of how the process works.
1. Most flights to and from Osan are via bases in the Pacific and the western United States.
Osan has regular flights to and from several Pacific bases: Yokota AB (Japan); Misawa AB (Japan); Kadena AB (Okinawa, Japan); and JB Pearl Harbor-Hickam (Hawaii).
Osan also has flights to and from the Seattle-Tacoma International Air Mobility Command (AMC) terminal, Travis AFB (California), and, less frequently, JB Elmendorf-Richardson (Alaska).
Visit the Osan AB passenger terminal’s web page to see their current flight schedules.
2. Osan Air Base is on the Patriot Express route originating at Seattle-Tacoma International airport.
There are two Patriot Express routes that fly to Osan Air Base from the Seattle AMC terminal.
The first departs Seattle on Sundays and Osan on Tuesdays. The route is: Seattle > Misawa > Osan > Misawa > Seattle.
The other Patriot Express route departs Seattle on Tuesdays and Osan on Thursdays. The route is: Seattle > Yokota > Osan > Yokota > Seattle.
| Related Reading; How to Fly Space-A on the Patriot Express
3. Korean customs agents stamp your passport at the Osan AB passenger terminal.
Osan AB makes passing through customs a breeze. The Korean customs agent is located in the Osan pax terminal, and it takes only a few minutes to get your documents stamped and processed for entry into Korea.
If you are a spouse whose service member is stationed in Korea, learn how you can fly Space-A unaccompanied.
4. Osan has an Air Force Inn called Turumi Lodge.
Turumi Lodge, the only Osan Air Base lodging, is a 10- to 15-minute walk from the Osan passenger terminal. It’s also only a few minutes from the Base Exchange, food court, movie theater, and other base facilities.
Turumi Lodge offers standard rooms, business suites, and Temporary Lodging Facilities (TLFs). They also have free laundry facilities, a cardio fitness room, a coffee shop, and a 24/7 Shoppette.
If Turumi Lodge does not have rooms, search for hotels near Osan Air Base (the closest are near Songtan Station).
5. Osan has a shuttle to Seoul Incheon airport.
The bus between Osan AB and Incheon Airport stops at the Turumi Lodge and at the Information, Tickets, and Travel (ITT) office. It runs three times per day. You can buy tickets at ITT or pay the driver in U.S. dollars. Visit ITT’s Facebook page to see the full schedule to and from Incheon.
| Related Reading: Staying at Dragon Hill Lodge Military Resort in Seoul, Korea
6. Trains and taxis are inexpensive.
You will find that cabs in Korea are clean, efficient, and very cheap. The base fare is generally around $3.
The Songtan subway station is also very close to Osan AB, and from there, you can travel to downtown Seoul in about an hour for less than $10 per person. Use Rome2Rio to plan your trip.
7. Consider flying Space-A to Osan if your final destination is Japan.
Seoul Incheon airport is very close to Japan, and it is easy to find cheap one-way commercial flights to many Japanese cities. The shuttle from Osan makes it easy and convenient to get to Incheon.
If Japan is your destination, and the first Space-A flight you can get is to Osan, take it! It could prove less expensive than paying for lodging while waiting for a Space-A flight to Japan.
Also, if you want to visit a city that is not close to one of the air bases in Japan, flying there directly from Seoul is often cheaper than taking the Japanese trains.
Ready to fly Space-A to Korea?
A military hop to Osan AB is the perfect way to explore South Korea or gain easy access to many other countries in Asia. Start following flight schedules for the bases in #1 above, and get ready for a great adventure!
Related Reading
Flying Space-A from Travis AFB: 7 Things You Need to Know
Space-A Packing List: What to Wear and Bring on a Military Hop
Lessons Learned from Flying Space-A Across the World
