I stayed in a tiny airport hotel for $57 after a 12-hour flight to Korea. The windowless room was exactly what I needed to fight the jet lag.

Taylor RainsJan 13, 2024, 08:58 IST

I stayed at a $57 airport capsule hotel in Seoul and think its a great bang for your buck.Taylor Rains/Insider

Last month, I stayed at a $57 airport hotel in Seoul after a 12-hour flight from the US.
The room included a twin bed and a shower, but I had to share a bathroom with other guests.

When I fly to Asia from the US, I try to choose flights that get me to my destination in the morning so I can power through the day and get over the jet lag quickly.

Most times, I arrive after sunrise when cities are already up and moving — perfect timing for me.

My recent 12-hour flight to Seoul, however, was different. Our scheduled landing time was 4:00 a.m., and we ended up arriving even earlier than planned.

Considering the early hour, I looked into a few nap options that didn't involve sleeping on an airport floor. One was to pay for the previous night at my hotel so I could just check in that morning, which would be costly.

Korea's Incheon International Airport had a better solution — a $57 capsule hotel. Take a look inside the tiny room, which I found perfect for beating jet lag.

Seoul has two capsule hotels at Incheon airport, both named "Darakhyu."

The Darakhyu sign at the entrance to the hotel lobby.Taylor Rains/Insider

One important note about the capsule hotels is that they are both landside, so passengers have to clear customs to use them.

I had to clear customs and pass through baggage claim before I could get to the bus that took me from T1 to T2.Taylor Rains/Insider

The Darakhyu hotels are inspired by traditional Korean guesthouses built to provide a "private place with comfortability to take care of your weary body."

The entrance to rooms 101-130 at the T2 Darakhyu capsule hotel.Taylor Rains/Insider

For my trip, I booked an early-morning stay in Terminal 2 as it was the only capsule hotel with availability.

Signage will point travelers to the capsule hotel in Terminal 2, which is across the street from the main T2 lobby doors.Taylor Rains/Insider

What makes a capsule hotel differ from a traditional one is that guests pay by the hour rather than the night.

Travelers book their stays in hourly blocks.Darakhyu Capsule Hotel

Because I estimated myself to arrive around 5:00 a.m., I chose the overnight slot.

I got a free bottle of water with my stay.Taylor Rains/Insider

For the room, I opted for a single capsule with a private shower for $57.

I was given a key card to access my room, and the system would beep if I didn't close the door all the way — I suspect for safety reasons.Taylor Rains/Insider

When I opened the door to room 114, I was surprised to see it wasn't as small as I expected.

I stayed at a $57 airport capsule hotel in Seoul and think its a great bang for your buck.Taylor Rains/Insider

Inside, I found a twin bed tucked away on the right side of the room, a shower on the left, and a vanity with a sink and mirror across the back wall.

Inside the Darakhyu capsule hotel.Taylor Rains/Insider

The room wasn't short of stoage space, either.

There was no shortage of storage space.Taylor Rains/Insider

Among the amenities was a hairdryer, slippers, a stool, a towel, and power ports — though there was no window or television.

The light and temperature controls.Taylor Rains/Insider

The main thing missing though was a toilet, which was shared among all the guests — making the setup more hostel-style than hotel.

Entrance to the women and men's toilet and showers.Taylor Rains/Insider

Those guests who do not book a room with a shower will have to use the communal ones.

There were two stalls inside the bathroom.Taylor Rains/Insider

Once I got settled, I took a much-needed shower after ther 12-hour journey across the Pacific.

The shower in my room came with toiletries.Taylor Rains/Insider

I finally settled into bed around 5:30 a.m., and I slept like a rock for about four hours.

The twin bed at the Darakhyu capsule hotel.Taylor Rains/Insider

The nap helped me immediately start battling the jet lag.

Inside the Darakhyu single room with shower.Taylor Rains/Insider

I've only ever used a capsule-like hotel in a few other places, but the one in Seoul was easily the best.

Signage to the toilets and showers.Taylor Rains/Insider

I particuarly loved the privacy, which shines over the sometimes narrow side-by-side pods that have just enough room for one person.

The rooms were spaced apart to add privacy.Taylor Rains/Insider

I actually experienced something similar in Moscow, so I was happy to find Incheon's "capsule" was more of a glorified hostel.