Get Excited! You're Going to Seoul!
We have compiled some useful information, links and tips to help you make your IBC2026 experience as smooth and successful as possible. Bookmark this page for convenient reference. Note that any new information available after 8 July will be shared on the mobile app.
But before we share any tips, we hope that you are excited about what you are going to experience while in Seoul!
Packing for Seoul
- Dress is business casual.
- Weather can vary greatly during monsoon season, so please bring multiple layers. Also be prepared for rain at some point during your stay.
- South Korea has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to some drugs often used outside of the country. We strongly encourage those planning to travel with prescriptions and even over-the-counter drugs to check this site and apply for an exemption if needed.
IBC Tips
Visit the IBC Travel Page for hotel info and flight discounts.
Download the Mobile App
- All scientific programming and scheduling details are found in the app! This will be your primary resource for all IBC2026 information.
- Check your email inbox (associated with your IBC registration) for a message from noreply@rdmobile.com.
- Search for the subject line: Begin Your IBC2026 Mobile App Experience.
- Content is being added to the app on a daily basis, and adjustments to any schedule details are automatically noted in the app following a brief update period.
- Users will receive timely notifications and alerts as needed.
- We encourage all attendees to download the “Eventsential” mobile app through the Apple Store or Google Store before traveling to Seoul. Eventsential is the platform that is hosting our IBC2026 mobile app experience.
- Once you have found the 2026 IBC, update your profile information and start exploring and building your schedule for the conference. Any questions may be directed to ibs@biometricsociety.org or by stopping by the Registration Desk on or after 12 July.
Printed Schedules
Pre-Arrival Documentation
- Proper documentation for entry into South Korea is required for all attendees, regardless of country. A valid passport may be sufficient in some cases, but in many instances, more is needed. Please be sure to consult official South Korean government sources when confirming that you have the approvals necessary to enter the country.
- Review the IBC Visa Information page to access official government links and determine which document is most appropriate for you, and to apply online for a variety of documents.
- Those requiring additional documentation will usually only need one additional approval document, beyond their passport and normal IDs, such as a valid entry visa, a Korea Electronic Travel Authorization, or an E-Arrival Card.
- You are strongly encouraged to bring a copy of your IBC registration, as well as any invitation letters that have been issued to you and your accommodation booking. Be ready to present these documents upon arrival in Seoul, if needed.
Inbound Travel Instructions
Venue for the 2026 IBC
Our host venue is the COEX Magok Le West, located at 143 Magokjungang-ro, Gangseo-gu, Seoul. Please do not travel to the COEX Gangnam. This is a different property!
Phone Navigation
Naver is an excellent option and the most popular and reliable app for navigating Seoul, as Google Maps does not support walking or transit directions in South Korea. You are strongly encouraged to download the Naver app before arriving in Seoul.
From Incheon International Airport (ICN)
- Take the AREX All-Stop train directly from Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 to Magongnaru Station, the closest station to the venue and hotel. The trip takes approximately 40 minutes and costs $2–4 USD.
- To find a train, head to the Transportation Center at ICN (Terminal 1 or Terminal 2). Tickets may be purchased at the airport, or booked online in advance at a discount.
- Important: Do not board the AREX Express train — it runs non-stop between Incheon Airport and Seoul Station only and does not stop at Magongnaru Station.
- For additional routes by train, bus, or taxi, see Incheon Airport to Magok-dong.
From Gimpo International Airport
- Take the AREX All-Stop train directly to Magongnaru Station, or
- Take Seoul Subway Line 9
- Either option takes about 15–20 minutes, including a 5-minute walk from the station to the venue.
A T-money transit card works on both AREX trains and the Seoul subway, making it easy to switch between them.
Travel Light to the COEX Magok Le West!
As part of our sustainability initiative, we ask that you only bring what you need to the COEX each day. Bringing a water bottle or personal mug helps us limit our use of single-use plastics and paper, reducing waste as part of our sustainability efforts. Additionally, bringing a reusable bottle or mug is a cost-saving measure, as IBS has to pay a fee for all waste left behind after the event. And when the IBC has ended, we ask that you take your badge with you and deposit it in any recycling bin or biodegradable receptacle. Our badges are 100% recyclable this year.
Add a Short Course
- There are still a few seats left in the IBC Short Courses on Sunday, 12 July.
- Pre-registration has closed. You may register in-person on site.
Tour Seoul
- See which tours have availability.
- When booking, select 16 July as your tour date.
- Bookings made online will be confirmed by the tour operator, K-Shuttle.
- The evening dinner cruise (Wednesday, 15 July) has officially sold out. Please do not book the dinner cruise even if it appears online. All available tours remaining are for 16 July.
- Confirmed tour registrants will receive instructions on where to meet following the Closing Ceremony.
- These attendee-only tours are offered in partnership with our chosen tour operator, K-Shuttle, and a confirmed reservation is required. Please note that IBS does not manage the tours directly and cannot guarantee they will run exactly as advertised. For specific questions about your chosen tour, please contact K-Shuttle directly.
Special Information for Speakers
- You may upload your presentations here.
- Once you have checked in at the Registration Desk, you will want to find and familiarize yourself with the Speaker Ready Room. The name of the Speaker Ready Room is “Organizers Office 4.”
Regarding Meals at the IBC
As part of your full conference registration, you have access to the following:
SUNDAY
- A Short Course lunch (Short Course attendees only)
- An afternoon coffee and tea break (Short Course attendees only)
- A Welcome Reception on Sunday evening
MONDAY
- A morning Young Statisticians Coffee / Tea social
- A morning and afternoon coffee and tea break
- An early evening Poster Reception
- An offsite Young Statisticians Reception for ticketed attendees (currently sold out)
TUESDAY
- A morning and afternoon coffee and tea break
- A special luncheon panel session
- An offsite Awards Dinner for ticketed attendees (currently sold out)
WEDNESDAY
- A morning Women Statisticians Coffee / Tea social
- A morning and afternoon coffee and tea break
- An offsite dinner cruise for ticketed attendees (currently sold out)
THURSDAY
- A morning coffee and tea break.
All other meals are the responsibility of the attendee (lunches on Monday and Wednesday, and all dinners unless registered for one of the evening events). A wide variety of restaurants and quick-service options are available at the lower level of the COEX and via a short walk. Lunch can average between $10 and $15 USD, with dinners approximately $5 USD higher.
Note: Tipping is not customary in South Korea.
Shopping While in Seoul?
- Restaurants and shops can be found quite close by the COEX Magok at "One Grove Mall". It is located in the basement between "Magoknaru" subway station and "Magok" subway station. Shopping here means you never have to go above ground. Especially convenient during monsoon season!
- How to get there: https://onegrove.kr/en/about/gettinghere
Learn About the “Discover Seoul” Pass
The Discover Seoul Pass is an all-in-one tour pass designed exclusively for foreign tourists. It integrates admission tickets to major attractions, transportation, and telecom services, and is available in both Mobile Pass and Physical Card formats. Below is an overview of the pass benefits and types for your reference. More information is available via the mobile app. Key benefits include:
- Free Admission: Access to major Seoul landmarks like Lotte World and N Seoul Tower.
- Discounts: Over 120 promotional discounts for sightseeing, shopping, and performances.
- Transportation: Includes access to the AREX (Airport Railroad Express), K-Limousine, Seoul City Tour Bus, and Seoul bike (Ttareungi).
- Telecom (Mobile Pass Only): Provides a 5-day unlimited eSIM.
- Payment (Physical Card Only): Functions as a reloadable prepaid card.
Pass Types & Pricing
- Pick 3 Pass Type (Valid for 5 days from the first day of use)
- All-Inclusive Pass Type (Unlimited access within the designated time)
- More information
Extend Your Journey: PCIC 2026
- Many of you are traveling to the 2026 Pacific Causal Inference Conference (PCIC), an official satellite conference of this year's IBC. Several IBC attendees and speakers have already made plans to be there.
- If you depart Seoul by 17 July, you will have plenty of time to travel to Tianjin, China for the PCIC Opening Ceremony on 18 July. The conference concludes on 19 July.
- Register now!