
South Korea is open to international tourism
South Korea is open to all travelers, quarantine-free. However, all travelers are required to take a PCR test within 24 hours of arrival and isolate in their accommodation until they receive a negative test result. Quarantine may be required for passengers who test positive.
Visa-free and visa-waiver programs are temporarily suspended and replaced by the K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) system. You can check your visa requirement based on the nationality of your passport.
Transiting Korea is possible if the connecting flight is within 24 hours and you remain in the transit area of the airport.
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Arriving in South Korea
- If you are flying to South Korea from abroad, you will most likely land at one of its biggest international airportsits main international airport — Incheon International Airport
ICN
and Gimpo International AirportGMP
in Seoul, Jeju International AirportCJU
in Jeju, or Gimhae International AirportPUS
in Busan.
These are also the best (and the cheapest) airports to fly into South Korea. As they are used by many airlines serving the same routes, the competition for passengers is fierce – with decreased airfare as a result.
- Once in South Korea, take advantage of frequent flights between the major cities via domestic airlines such as Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Jin Air, Jeju Air, Air Busan, Eastar Jet, T'way Air, Aero K, Air Seoul, and Fly Gangwon. To check flight schedules/prices and to book the tickets, visit their official websites — OTAs and flight search engines often don’t have access to the flight repository of smaller local airlines. They also often fail to update prices in the event of short-lived sales and promotions that airlines run from time to time. To not miss out on these great offers, visit Promo Radar which aggregates current promotions run by popular airlines.
- Planning to explore the region? Popular destinations near South Korea can be easily reached with low-cost regional airlines (LCCs) by the likes of AirAsia, Bamboo Airways, Cebu Pacific, Flynas, Oman Air, Peach Aviation, Scoot, Saudia, Tigerair Taiwan, VietJet Air, and Zipair.
These budget carriers offer flights from Seoul Airport and Busan Airport at lower prices than full-service airlines, and they often fly to smaller airports that big players do not cover. However, the “no-frills” airlines may not provide free checked baggage allowance, complimentary food, in-flight entertainment systems, and fast customer support; you may not even get to choose your seats (unless you pay extra). With that in mind, they are a great option to save money if you have a stopover in South Korea and then fly only a short distance to one of its neighboring countries.

ICN
and Gimpo International Airport GMP
in Seoul, Jeju International Airport CJU
in Jeju, Gimhae International Airport PUS
in Busan, Daegu International Airport Tae
in Daegu, Cheongju International Airport CJJ
in Cheongju, Muan International Airport MWX
in Gwangju, and Yangyang International Airport YNY
in Gangneung.
Airlines flying to South Korea | Aeromexico, AirAsia X, Air Astana, Air Canada, Air China, Air France, Air India, Air Italia, Air New Zealand, American Airlines, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Aerolineas Argentinas, Austrian Airlines, Bamboo Airways, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Cebu Pacific, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Egypt Air, El Al Israel Airlines, Etihad Airways, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Delta Air Lines, EVA Air, Finnair, Flynas, Garuda Indonesia, Hong Kong Airlines, Japan Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, KLM, LOT, Korean Air, Lao Airlines, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Mongolian Airlines, Myanmar Airways, Oman Air, Peach Aviation, Philippine Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian, S7 Airlines, Scoot, Sichuan Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Sky Angkor, Saudia, SriLankan Airlines, Thai Airways, Tigerair Taiwan, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Uzbekistan Airlines, VietJet Air, Aerolíneas Vietnamitas, Zipair |
---|---|
Korean airlines | Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Jin Air, Jeju Air, Air Busan, Eastar Jet, T'way Air, Aero K, Air Seoul, Air Premia, Fly Gangwon, Hi Air |
Regular price (roundtrip) | ✈ €650 – €900 (from Europe) ✈ $900 – $1200 (from USA) |
Flight hacks | 40% — 80% off regular fare |
Main airports in Korea | Incheon International Airport (ICN) — Seoul Gimpo International Airport (GMP) — Seoul Jeju International Airport (CJU) — Jeju Gimhae International Airport (PUS) — Busan Daegu International Airport (TAE) — Daegu Cheongju International Airport (CJJ) — Cheongju Gwangju Airport (MWX) — Gwangju Yeosu Airport (RSU) — Yeosu |
Airline promotions | See ticket sales & promos available for flights departing from February to April |
Use Korean budget airlines
It can be time-consuming and uncomfortable traveling on buses or trains in South Korea. Opt for domestic air travel instead, as it is usually cheap, easy, and convenient.
Most flight routes around South Korea are reasonably priced and short. For example, to go from Seoul to Busan in the southern part of the country takes about 1 hour on a non-stop flight, at the cost of around 70,000 Korean won (~50 USD or ~75 AUD).
The cheapest flights can be found on Korean budget airlines – Jin Air, Jeju Air, Air Busan, Eastar Jet, and T’way Air. Most of these budget airlines fly out from Seoul using Gimpo International Airport GMP
, and some depart from Incheon International Airport ICN
.
The cheapest time to fly to South Korea
South Korea’s weather makes it a year-round travel destination. However, be aware of the 4 very different seasons. Winters from late November to early March are seriously cold, especially in the northern area. On the other hand, the summer is rather hot and humid and is accompanied by a few sometimes quite dangerous typhoons.
Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons – days are cool, rain-free, and sunny. This is why we recommend months from April to May and from September to October – they are by far the best time to visit South Korea. Bear in mind, that these are also considered peak tourist months – South Korea attracts many visitors during this peak season which sends airfares sky high. It’s wise to book the flights well in advance.
AREX is the cheapest airport transport
The Airport Railroad (AREX) Express Train is a quick and convenient way to travel between Seoul Station and Incheon International Airport.
It takes only 43 minutes to travel nonstop from Terminal 1, and 51 minutes from Terminal 2 to Seoul Station, located right in the heart of the capital. The ticket cost 9,500 won (~7 USD) for adults and 7,500 won (~5.50 USD) for children.
Know your time zone
South Korea has only one time zone – Korea Standard Time (KST), which is UTC+9. As a result, clocks in South Korea are 9 hours ahead of London and 14 hours ahead of New York. KST does not have an associated daylight saving time.
When checking flights and airport transfer times, ensure you know the local time zones. The departure time on your plane ticket is always listed based on the time zone of the departure airport. We suggest resetting your watch during the flight – it will help your brain adjust to the new time zone and to deal with jet lag.
Flights to South Korea fromUnited States and Canada
- There are no direct flights from the US or Canada to South Korea. However, most major hubs in Asia have non-stop flights to South Korea, as do some larger airports in the Middle East – your journey will have at least one stop. There are plenty of direct flights from the US/Canada to South Korea via Hawaiian Airlines, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Asiana Airlines, Korean Air, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines. The flying time is between 11 and 14 hours. Ticket prices start at $500 one-way for the shortest route from Honolulu to Seoul.
- South Korea is well-served via one-stop flights from North America. Flights to South Korea with one layover depart from most major North American airports, including Atlanta
ATL
, DallasDFW
, DenverDEN
, ChicagoORD
, Los AngelesLAX
, Las VegasDFW
, MiamiMIA
, SeattleSEA
, HoustonIAH
, New YorkJFK
, and San FranciscoSFO
in the United States and TorontoYYZ
, VancouverYVR
, CalgaryLAS
, and MontrealYUL
in Canada. - The best airlines to fly to South Korea from the US and Canada are: Air Canada, American Airlines, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Delta Air Lines, Etihad Airways, Emirates, EVA Air, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and United Airlines. They are top full-service carriers, offering exceptional customer service, in-flight comfort, a generous checked baggage allowance, and reliable customer support channels – all included in the ticket price.
- For long-haul flights, the type of aircraft you choose can make a huge difference to your overall comfort on board – especially if you’re flying economy. The best aircraft have comfier seats with more legroom, WiFi, superior entertainment systems, and a better passenger experience in every cabin in general. When booking a flight to South Korea, look for the airlines that use wide-body planes designed for long-haul flights, such as Airbus A350 (best choice), A380, A320neo, or Boeing 767, 777, and 787 Dreamliner.
South Korea from US & Canada
plane ticket prices in 2023/24
Real-time economy class airfares to South Korea from the US and Canada. Shown are the top three deals for flights departing in the coming months (February to October).
Flight hacking
Hacker faresto South Korea
Superdeals airlines don't want you to see:
There is no Uber nor Grab in South Korea
Uber had launched in Seoul in 2013, however, due to regulations and the taxi industry’s resistance, it was forced to leave in 2019. Grab never entered the market.
However, getting around in Seoul is pretty convenient thanks to Kakao T which works similarly to Uber or Grab. It lets you call a taxi through the app and automatically pays the fare when your ride ends with the payment information you provide in the app. Only registered drivers with a special taxi license can offer a ride, according to local law.
Download the Kakao T app for Android or iOS before arriving in South Korea.
Long waiting times when calling the helpline?
Social media is usually a faster way to reach the airline when a problem arises. Use Twitter or Facebook Messenger to contact the airline customer service and get a response and solution within minutes (see detailed guides for Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, and others).
When it comes to Twitter there’s one more trick to get in touch with the airline faster: mention the airline in a tweet about your issue (add “@airline_handle”, for example: “@KoreanAir_KE”). The social media team will often notice it immediately, ask you for a direct message, and respond privately.
Avoid currency exchange kiosks at airports
Airports are infamous for making an exuberant amount of money from their currency exchanges due to the extremely high margins, and Korean airports are no exception. Airport kiosks usually charge higher fees which are sometimes hidden within the poorer exchange rates they offer – their business is based on charging extra for being a convenient, last-minute option.
Plan ahead and exchange some money for the Korean won at home.
Duty-free rules
South Korea is serious about the duty-free concession. There is a limit for bringing in certain items. As of [current_date format=”F Y”], alcoholic beverages for personal consumption – such as wine, spirits or beer – cannot exceed 1 bottle (maximum 1 liter) per person aged 19 and over, and you can carry only 200 cigarettes. The total market value of all other articles must be under $800. Anything above those limits must be declared at the airport.
Flights to South Korea with stopover
Direct flights to South Korea are, of course, much less hassle than flights that require one or more connections. However, they tend to be more expensive. In a trade-off between convenience and cost, the best option is often to opt for a flight with one layover.
So if you’re looking at a long-haul trip with at least one connection, rather than simply transiting an airport, why not take this opportunity to plan a longer stopover? A stopover is a prolonged layover — more than 24 hours — and it won’t only break up your long journey but will also become a legitimate part of your vacation. If you’re prone to severe jet lag, a one or two-day stopover would help minimize its adverse effects.
When booking flights, many airlines allow you to include a free stopover en route to your final destination in South Korea. Those flights are usually cheaper than non-stop (direct) flights, and you can often choose your stopover at no additional cost — just by looking for multi-city flights with longer layovers.
Some airlines openly advertise stopovers and offer significant discounts and travel perks for passengers to break up their trips: free luxury hotel stays, complimentary domestic flights, or exclusive rates for activities. Start checking for stopover deals to South Korea with government-owned airlines (as they are looking to attract tourists to give the country economic benefits) — such as Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Malaysia Airlines. Almost every airline’s website has multi-city search functionality, often hidden inside the one-way/return/multi-city switch.
A well-chosen stopover will not only turn one vacation into many but also save you several hundred dollars in airfare. The available stopovers to South Korea will depend on your initial destination (Europe, North America, Asia, etc) and the airline you are flying with. For most airlines, the best free stopover offer will be at their main hub.
Flights to South Korea from UK, Germany, France, Netherlands and other countries in Europe
- There are no direct flights from Europe to South Korea — you’ll need to get a connecting flight from elsewhere in the Middle East or in Asia. Direct flights from Europe to South Korea are about 9.5-12 hours long. Only some of the largest European hubs have a nonstop connection to South Korea - among them are Amsterdam, Barcelona, Frankfurt, Helsinki, Istanbul, London, Milan, Munich, Paris, Vienna, and Warsaw. Those flights arrive at Seoul Incheon airport and are operated by Air France, Asiana Airlines, Finnair, KLM, LOT, Korean Air, Lufthansa, and Turkish Airlines.
- Airlines that frequently fly from the UK, Germany, France, and other European countries to South Korea include Air France, Air Italia, ANA, Asiana Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Etihad Airways, Emirates, Finnair, KLM, LOT, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Turkish Airlines.
- Consider departure airports in neighboring countries to increase your chance of spotting the best deal. Especially look for large airports that serve as hubs for multiple airlines. For example, if you live in Western Europe, check air tickets to South Korea from Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Paris, and Rome. Use European low-cost airlines such as RyanAir, EasyJet, and Eurowings to fly to the hub, then save hundreds of euros by taking a cheaper long-haul flight to your final destination.
We recommend checking prices for flights to South Korea from these European airport hubs: LondonLHR
and ManchesterMAN
in the United Kingdom, FrankfurtFRA
and MunichMUC
in Germany, ParisCDG
and NiceNCE
in France, AmsterdamAMS
in the Netherlands, MadridMAD
and BarcelonaBCN
in Spain, RomeFCO
and MilanoMXP
in Italy, BrusselsBRU
in Belgium, CopenhagenOSL
in Denmark, OsloOSL
in Norway, StockholmARN
in Sweden, ZurichZRH
in Switzerland, LisbonLIS
in Portugal, ViennaVIE
in Austria, WarsawWAW
in Poland, PraguePRG
in Czech Republic, and DublinDUB
in Ireland.
European airports with the cheapest flights to South Korea
Find the lowest prices for flights to Seoul Airport and Busan Airport in South Korea from the major airports in Europe — London, Dublin, Berlin, Dusseldorf, Lyon, Barcelona, Athens, Istanbul, Stockholm, Geneva, Helsinki, Zurich, and others.
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Get 40% – 80% off airfares from Europe to South Korea:
Check different departure airports
Consider neighboring cities when choosing the departure airport – especially look for larger cities with airports that serve as hubs for multiple airlines.
For example, if you live in West Europe, check prices for flights departing from Paris, London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Rome, or Vienna. In 9 out of 10 cases, the cheapest flight to South Korea will depart from one of these hubs, and it may be €500 less or more than your first choice. Yes, you may have to fly a few hundred kilometers to this hub, but low-cost airlines like EasyJet, RyanAir, or WizzAir will happily take you there for €50 – €100.
Use a similar tactic if you depart from the US or another region. It’s one of the best ways to save hundreds on trips.

Last-minute flights to South Korea. The real cost of convenience.
Last-minute flights are often touted as a great way to save money, but the reality is far from it. Booking last-minute flights to South Korea almost always never works out. The convenience of being able to book a flight on the fly is a dangerous game of chance, and you will most likely end up paying significantly higher than booking in advance.
The common perception may be that airlines decrease ticket prices to fill empty seats as the departure date approaches. However, the truth is that airfares depend on demand. Based on years of research and current customer data, the airlines know what people are willing to pay for specific flights and dates. They are also well aware that people are willing to pay a premium for flights they need to take immediately. To make the most money, the airline will sell its cheapest fares first and then increase the prices right before the flight to take advantage of business travelers and others who are willing to pay the premium price for late booking.

Occasionally, airlines can put some seats on sale to fill the remaining seats, but these are for unusual times and unpopular places. Popular destinations and dates around peak travel times tend to sell out quickly.
Planning ahead is key to securing a good deal on your flight. Last-minute flight deals are hard to come by, so as soon as you have a tentative travel timeline, book your flight. The earlier you book, the more likely you are to save money. If you are looking for a good deal, the best time to book your flight to South Korea is around 60-90 days before the departure date.
“Hot seats” on long-haul flights
Those days seat selection is considered an optional, extra paid service – seats with extra legroom (front and exit rows) are usually priced higher. However, if you’re about to take a long-haul flight to South Korea, those “hot seats” are worth considering – expect to pay $50-$100, which is much less than upgrading to Premium Economy.
If you want to choose your seats, do this early (ideally during the booking) for a more extensive selection of available options.

Lost baggage prevention
Avoid lost luggage nightmares by removing old tags on your suitcases. Tags are printed with a barcode for identification and tracking, so the old tags can confuse baggage handlers and the conveyor belt scanners. They are one of the reasons so many bags miss their flight or get misrouted.
Airlines of South Korea
Airlines in South Korea range from high-end carriers to no-frills budget airlines:
Korean Air is South Korea’s flag carrier, certified by Skytrax as a 5-star airline. It has high ratings in multiple areas, including legroom, cleanliness, in-flight entertainment, and customer service. It offers free meals and a luggage allowance of 23 kg. Its SKYPASS Club loyalty program has such benefits as lounge access, extra baggage allowance, priority baggage handling, and exclusive hotline service.
Jin Air, a subsidiary of Korean Air, is a low-cost carrier with a generous baggage allowance of 15-23 kg.
Asiana Airlines is a great choice for long-distance, full-service journeys. Being South Korea’s second-largest major airline, it flies to more than 60 international destinations in 24 countries throughout Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceania.
When traveling domestically in South Korea, you may be flying with other, smaller local airlines, such as Jeju Air, Air Busan, Eastar Jet, T’way Air, Aero K, Air Seoul, Air Premia, Fly Gangwon, and Hi Air. They usually don’t have any free baggage allowance and only free snacks and drinks instead of full meals onboard.
Flights to South Korea from Australia and New Zealand
- Australia and New Zealand are well-connected with popular Asian destinations, including South Korea. In addition to domestic airlines – Qantas, Jetstar Airways, Virgin Australia, and Air New Zealand – routes from Australia/New Zealand to Asia are operated by large regional carriers such as ANA, Emirates, Etihad, Fiji Airways, Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Singapore Airlines.
Direct flights and flights with one layover to South Korea are available from all major airports in Australia – SydneySYD
, BrisbaneBNE
, MelbourneMEL
, PerthPER
, AdelaideADL
, CairnsCNS
, Gold CoastOOL
, CanberraCBR
, and in New Zealand – AucklandAKL
, WellingtonWLG
, ChristchurchCHC
, QueenstownZQN
, DunedinDUD
. - In terms of cost-savings, we recommend flying from Australia and New Zealand to a major Asian hub and then booking a flight to your final destination in South Korea with a regional budget airline. Among the low-cost airlines that fly into South Korea are AirAsia, Bamboo Airways, Cebu Pacific, Flynas, Oman Air, Peach Aviation, Scoot, Saudia, Tigerair Taiwan, VietJet Air, and Zipair.
Currently, there are no direct flights from Australia or New Zealand to South Korea. You’ll need a layover in one of the major hubs in Asia.
Prices of flights to South Korea from Australia and New Zealand
Real-time economy class fares to South Korea from major airports in Australasia — from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide in Australia, and from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch in New Zealand.
Prices in Australian Dollar.
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Curated dealsfrom flight experts
Fly half-price (or less!) from Australia and New Zealand to South Korea:
“Book Flights Now, Pay Later” — is it worth it?
Booking a flight and paying for it later has recently become a popular trend in the travel industry, with many airlines offering delayed payment plans. They will allow you to make flight reservation to South Korea now and then pay the bill in installments. But should you take advantage?
Book Now Pay Later (BNPL) plans are essentially short-term personal loans. By partnering with financial companies such as Affirm, Afterpay, PayPal Credit, Postpay, and Uplift, airlines can offer their loan services on the checkout page. When you book the flight with the BNPL option, the company pays the airline, and you repay the loan in installments over a set period (usually up to 24 months), with a set interest rate.
BNPL providers have varying terms and fees. Some may offer interest-free loans but have fees for late payments and require forced autoplay on your bank account, while others may have high annual percentage rates (up to 30-40% APR). There may also be transaction fees, down payment requirements, and many companies even run a credit check on the traveler.
Among the airlines that offer a “fly now, pay later” option are American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Qantas, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, Southwest, and Virgin Atlantic.
Is BNPL financing worth it? If paid off on time, interest-free delayed payment on your flight ticket to South Korea can be a great way to free up your cash flow. However, there may be safer alternatives available – such as taking advantage of an introductory 0% interest offer on a credit card or using flight price “freezing” services like Hopper.
Hidden-city ticketing hack
Hidden-city ticketing is a less-known money-saving tactic where you buy a plane ticket with a layover, with the intention to get off at the layover rather than the final destination. For example, a flight from New York to Tokyo might be $600, but a similar flight from New York to Singapore with a layover in Tokyo might be only $350. Choosing the latter and ending the trip in Tokyo would save you $250.
It seems counterintuitive that a fare from A to C via B could possibly be cheaper than a simple fare on a shorter route from A to B. However, airlines use dynamic, computer-driven price models calculated with little human intervention, and such deals happen quite often.

Booking a hidden city ticket isn’t as easy as booking a standard itinerary. There are some things to be aware of: (1) don’t check baggage — bring only hand luggage that can fit under the seat or an overhead compartment; a large checked bag will end up in the final destination C; (2) don’t use it for return flights — airlines often void any subsequent tickets if any segment of the first ticket is missed; (3) Do not overuse this tactic with the same airline — hidden-city ticketing is legal but airlines don’t like it and may try to punish you; (4) Don’t associate your frequent flyer account — the airline might invalidate any miles you’ve accrued with them.
How to find hidden-city tickets? The easiest way is to use Skiplagged website, which was designed for unearthing hidden-city deals — give them a try for your flight to South Korea.
Get cheaper business class by bidding on airline upgrades
A growing number of airlines are auctioning upgrades to their business class seats. Once you book your economy ticket to South Korea, you can offer to pay a bit more in an attempt to get a premium seat. 2-3 days before your flight, an airline will send you an email with a link to their website where you can place a “blind” bid. There’s usually a minimum bid amount. If you win the auction, you’ll be informed, and your seat will be upgraded.
How to choose the right bid amount? Just check the airline website for the regular cost of a business class seat to South Korea, then subtract what you paid for the economy fare. Place your bid for around 10% to 30% of that price. The alternative strategy is to bid slightly above the competition. If, for example, the minimum bid is $500, try to bid $550-$600, as most people will offer the baseline amount required.
The more available business class seats the airline has on your flight, the lower bid can be successfully used. Check the airline’s daily schedule for flights to South Korea – if there is more than one flight on your chosen route (more available seats), you can safely bid close to the minimum required amount.
Among the airlines that allow bidding for seat upgrades are: Air Canada (AC Bid), Air New Zealand (OneUp™), Cathay Pacific, Etihad Airways, Fiji Airways (Bula Bid), Garuda Indonesia (BidUpgrade), Qantas, Singapore Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, and Virgin Australia (UpgradeMe).

Fly early in the morning
Early morning flights (6 am or earlier) are usually cheaper than other day schedules. It’s because of lower demand – most people are not willing to go to the airport so early. Use it to your advantage.
Moreover, airports are also less crowded, and there tend to be fewer delays if you fly early in the morning. Due to increasing air traffic, delays get worse throughout the day – starting around 8-10 am and reaching a peak at 4-6 pm. If you are flying to South Korea with a connecting flight, arriving on time at your layover airport may be critical to catching your next flight!
Flights to South Korea from Bali, Bangkok, Delhi, Dubai, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Singapore, Seoul, Tokyo, and other major hubs in Asia
- Asia is probably the best continent for short-haul and mid-haul flying. The sheer scale of this most populous region on Earth is reflected in the type of aircraft operating many shorter routes: intra-Asia flyers benefit from comfortable, wide-bodied aircraft by the likes of Boeing 777, 787 or Airbus A350, A330, and A380. When booking your flight to South Korea look for these bigger planes as they will almost always give you the best experience in every cabin, including better seat pitches, higher ceilings, and larger overhead bin space.
- Asia is also home to most of the world’s best airlines. There are only ten airlines that received the prestigious 5-star mark of quality from Skytrax, and all of them are from Asia: ANA, Asiana Airlines, Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, Garuda Indonesia, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines. Choosing one of these airlines for your trip to South Korea will guarantee a pleasant journey – delicious meals served during the flight, great in-flight entertainment, and above-average airline customer service.
- Asia is extremely well served by low-cost regional airlines. If you are visiting South Korea and want to see several other countries on a tight budget, they often have great sales with rock-bottom prices, while still offering a relatively comfortable flight experience. Among the best Asian budget airlines you can book without hesitation are AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, Citilink, FlyDubai, Indigo, Jetstar Airways, Scoot, SpiceJet, and VietJet Air. The cons? Being no-frills airlines they may not provide free baggage allowance, inflight meals, or onboard entertainment. The departure times may also be quite inconvenient as they try to save money by flying at off-peak hours.
Asian airports with the cheapest flights to South Korea in 2023/24
Find the lowest prices for flights to South Korea from the largest airports in Asia — Changi (Singapore), Dubai (UAE), Hong Kong (China), Incheon (Seoul, South Korea), Indira Gandhi (New Delhi, India), KLIA (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), Narita (Tokyo, Japan), Denpasar (Bali, Indonesia), Soekarno–Hatta (Jakarta, Indonesia), Ninoy Aquino (Manila, Philippines), Suvarnabhumi (Bangkok, Thailand), Taoyuan (Taipei, Taiwan), and others.
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Fly half-price(or less!)
Get curated deals to South Korea from our flight experts:
Take advantage of loyalty programs
Choose an airline that suits you the best, then stick to it. By becoming a ‘regular’, you will be able to use its loyalty program and earn “miles” (or points) – not only for flying but also for everyday expenses (if your card is affiliated with an airline).
Points earned this way often add up over time and are extremely helpful in flying at reduced fares. Airlines offer not only ticket discounts for their frequent flyers, but also special travel perks such as cabin class upgrades, increased checked baggage allowance, or access to their airport lounges so you can relax during long layovers.
If you often fly with Emirates, opt for Skywards, with Qantas – for Qantas Frequent Flyer, with Singapore Airlines – for KrisFlyer, etc.
Proof of onward travel – a simple hack
Travelers who go on long trips often don’t have a set itinerary and fly on one-way tickets. The problem? For many APAC countries, proof of onward travel is a legal requirement. If you arrive at the airport without an onward ticket (from South Korea to another country), you’ll either be forced to buy one online or forbidden from boarding the plane altogether.
The cheapest solution? Renting an onward ticket! Use the websites such as OneWayFly or OnwardTicket to get a flight reservation for a limited amount of time (usually 2 to 14 days). They work by actually booking you on a real flight out of South Korea and giving you a confirmable flight reservation with a PNR (Passenger Name Record) under your name. After the time limit, your spot on the flight is automatically canceled. Such “temporary tickets” tend to cost anywhere from $10 to $20.

How to book a superdeal to South Korea?
Every superdeal you receive from Air Traveler Club includes a link you can use to book a flight. It always directs you to the website that offers the lowest price. Sometimes it’s an airline website; in other cases, Google Flights or a similar flight booking platform.
This video explains how to use Google Flights to book a plane ticket.

Dealing with the jet lag
Jet lag affects people differently depending on age, physical fitness, and genetics. The most accepted rule suggests that you should allow one full day to recover from jet lag for every time zone (hour gained) you traveled east and a number of days equal to half the time zones crossed when you traveled west.
The most effective natural jet lag remedy is to force your body into its new routine. You can begin before getting off the plane: set your watch to the time in South Korea, then do your best to sleep and eat based on the new time zone. Close the window shade when it’s time to simulate darkness. During your first day on the ground in South Korea, get outdoors, stay physically active during the day, and absorb sunlight.
FAQ: Flying to South Korea
Q: What is the cheapest time of year to fly to South Korea?
A: The cheapest time of the year to fly to Korean penisula tends to be during the low season - December until the end of February. Cold winter weather sees fewer visitors and with low temperatures come with low airfares and hotel prices.
Q: Which airport is best to fly into in South Korea?
A: Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN) is the largest and cheapest airport to fly into South Korea. It has the most airlines flying there out of all the airports in Korea. Competition between airlines is fierce, therefore you have more chance of getting a cheap flight. Another good option is flying to Gimpo Airport (GMP), located in the western part of Seoul - this airport serves many flights from China and Japan.
Q: Can you fly direct from the UK to South Korea
A: Yes, there are direct (nonstop) flights from the UK to South Korea, operated by Korean Air and Asiana Airlines. All flights depart from London Heathrow (LHR) and arrive at Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN).
Q: Why are flights to South Korea so expensive?
A: The flight prices to Korea depend primarily on which part of the world you are flying from. For example, the cheapest tickets to South Korea from North America are around $500-$600 one-way - not that expensive for more than 12,000 km / 7500 miles route.
Time of travel and time of booking are also significant factors. High demand + low supply = higher fares. If you travel during the peak season (high demand) and book a last-minute flight (low supply - not many tickets left), your flight to South Korea will be really expensive (expect to pay 2 or 3 times more than the average price!).
The number of carriers that fly to Korea from your region also plays a role. Neighboring countries (China, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan) tend to have plenty of flights, not only with large, full-service airlines but also with regional low-cost carriers. Competition is fierce, so prices are low.
Finally, there are oil prices and the fact that airfares are pegged to the US dollar. These factors are passed on to travelers, making your flight ticket even more expensive.
Q: How much is the flight ticket from Europe to South Korea?
A: The price of your ticket depends on your city of departure, the chosen airline, the number of stopovers, the booking period, etc. If booked in advance, expect fares averaging €400 – €500 for one-way, and €650 – €900 for a return ticket from main European airport hubs (Amsterdam, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Warsaw).
Please note: Air Traveler Club can help you cut these prices by more than half.
Q: How much does it usually cost to fly to South Korea from the USA?
A: The prices of flights from the USA to Korean peninsula fluctuate and will likely increase closer to your departure date. Assuming you book well in advance, you can find return flights from the USA to South Korea ranging from $800 to $1100 (departing from the West Coast) and $900 to $1200 (departing from the East Coast).
Q: What is the best airline to fly from the US to South Korea?
A: Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, the 2 largest airlines headquartered in South Korea, tend to be the best among the airlines that operate routes between the US and Korea.
Q: Which airlines fly directly from North America (US/Canada) to South Korea?
A: Currently, these eight airlines operate direct/nonstop flights from the US/Canada to South Korea: Hawaiian Airlines, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Asiana Airlines, Korean Air, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines.
Q: When is the best time to book flights to South Korea?
A: Plane tickets usually don’t get cheaper closer to the departure date. Even these reasonably priced flights in the low season sell out quite far ahead of the date of travel. It pays to book your ticket well in advance, as it will give you a good range of flight times and seat selection choices.
The best time to book flights to Korea can vary among airlines but the golden time usually falls between 2 months and 6 months before the departure. So, January is the best time to book flights if you want to visit South Korea during the summer.
User Review
4.67 (384 votes)Flights to South Korea
Whether on a vacation of a lifetime or a business trip, flying to South Korea is not as easy as booking local travel.
Most likely you are looking at a long-haul trip — and every layover will add a few more hours if you choose not to take a direct flight. Choose your airline wisely, by reading the online reviews left by passengers who have already taken a similar route. Always look for their in-flight experience: seats (are they comfy and spacious?), menu (was it delicious with plenty of choices for different tastes and diets?), and the entertainment options available onboard (the quality of screens and headphones, the range of movie/music/tv channels on offer, etc).
If you have specific travel dates, it's worth booking as soon as possible. Leave it too late and you might have to pay almost double the price, especially if you want to fly during school holidays and popular times like New Year's Eve. If you're not yet an Air Traveler Club subscriber, sign up now — we'll send you lots of discounted offers for free. Our members often save $500 or more on flights to South Korea!
Pros
- Plenty of airlines flying to South Korea
- Cheap tickets available
- Flight hacks available
Cons
- Long-haul flights can be expensive