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.
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 intercity flights operated by 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. Those in-country carriers typically offer lower fares, operate from smaller airports located closer to city centers (you save on ground transportation), and provide flexible schedules – with a wide range of departure times.
- Planning to explore the region? Popular destinations near South Korea can be easily reached with regional low-cost carriers (LCCs) by the likes of AirAsia, Bamboo Airways, Cebu Pacific, Jetstar, Scoot, Tigerair Taiwan, VietJet Air, and Zipair. If you have a layover in South Korea and plan to fly only a short distance to one of its neighboring countries, these budget airlines are an excellent way to save money. However, the “no-frills” carrier 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.
Airports of South Korea
What is the best time to book flights to South Korea?
The best time to book flights to South Korea is between 2 to 8 months before your travel date. The prime booking window (the most likely time to find the bargains) for South Korea flights is 4–6 months before takeoff. During this period, you should monitor airfares by setting alerts on popular flight search websites. Book when you notice a significant drop in price.
Why do prices fluctuate?
Airfare prices for South Korea flights fluctuate due to demand, seasonal trends, and competition, causing numerous price drops and increases as your departure date approaches. The airlines use sophisticated revenue management systems to adjust pricing for optimal seat sales. Generally, as seats are sold, prices tend to become more expensive.
Don’t book too early
Most airlines start selling their flights 9–12 months in advance. However, booking a ticket too early in that window can be an expensive mistake – airlines typically start by setting prices at a relatively high level to capture early demand from those willing to pay more to secure their seats
Prime Booking Window
For long-haul flights to South Korea, the best time to book your ticket is around 4–6 months before departure. It is the “Prime Booking Window” – after some seats have already been sold, airlines start dropping prices to stimulate demand. They may also offer promotions and sales. This is the ideal time for bargain hunting.
Fly on weekdays
It makes a difference which day of the week you board the plane. Midweek travel (especially Tuesdays and Wednesdays) is less busy and likely cheaper than flying on weekends. Airlines charge higher prices for weekend travel due to the high demand from people going on short getaways or visiting family and friends.
Opt for early morning flights
To save on airfare, select a late night or early morning (1–5 am) flight. Airlines often offer discounts on their first flight of the morning (up to 15-20%) simply because of lower demand – most people are not willing to go to the airport so early. Moreover, morning flights tend to have fewer delays, and airport queues are usually shorter.
Set alerts
Track flight price fluctuations for your desired routes to South Korea using email alerts on search sites like Google Flights to catch price drops. These drops will be your chance to book the flight at its best price.
Avoid last minute
Avoid booking flights to South Korea less than 30 days before takeoff. Prices spike sharply then, as airlines are taking advantage of any last-minute travelers who have no choice but to pay up (learn more about last-minute pricing).
Peak seasons are expensive
Peak travel seasons are always expensive – due to higher base prices set by airlines for dates they expect to be popular. Try to avoid the high season during summer and major holidays (including holidays in South Korea), and check the best time to fly to South Korea. If you must travel during peak times, book a bit earlier – 6 to 8 months in advance.
Airlines flying to South Korea | Aeroflot, 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 Airlines, 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, Jetstar, Hawaiian Airlines, KLM, LOT, Korean Air, Lao Airlines, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Mongolian Airlines, Myanmar Airways, Peach Aviation, Philippine Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, 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 discounts | Discounted airline tickets to South Korea (student/family/seniors/military) |
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, but you should be aware of the 4 very different seasons. Winters from late November to early March are seriously cold (with temperatures reaching below freezing at times) – especially in the northern area of the country. However, travelers who are willing to endure the weather can reap financial benefits: November to March is the cheapest time to fly to South Korea as with fewer tourists visiting the city, airlines tend to offer discounted airfares.
The Korean 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. Most tourists visit South Korea from April to May and from September to October – these peak months are also by far the most expensive to fly, so it’s wise to book the flights well in advance.
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.
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.
Flight sales and promotions to South Korea
Flight promotions, ticket sales, student discounts, and airline promo codes are your best bet for saving on airfares to South Korea. These special offers can save hundreds of dollars or give you free travel perks like seat upgrades or extra checked baggage.
OTAs miss out on most sales
Airlines flying to South Korea often use sales and promotions as key marketing tools to attract and retain customers while boosting seat occupancy. However, when you search for airfares on popular OTA websites like Expedia, Kayak, or Skyscanner, you won’t find these heavily discounted tickets there. Airlines often reserve the most aggressive or enticing promotions for their own direct sales channels — primarily their websites.
How to find South Korea promotions?
To take advantage of promotional flights to South Korea — including special codes, vouchers, student discounts, and even flights discounted by up to 50% — your best strategy is to check airline websites consistently. You can also follow their social media channels and subscribe to newsletters from leading carriers.
The catch
That being said, finding truly valuable promotions can be tricky, as the uncomfortable details are often hidden in the fine print. Many sales are limited to unpopular routes, with inconvenient layovers or blackout dates. Some promotions come with strings attached or conditions that are difficult to match.
Top promotions from 100+ airlines
That’s where our team steps in. We do all the heavy lifting for you, keeping track of all ongoing sales and promotions from more than 100 airlines! We vet each sale, discount, or promotion and ensure that only quality offers with authentic value make it onto our final list.
South Korea flight promotions can often be found among our list of best airline discounts — emailed weekly to 110,000 Air Traveler Club subscribers.
Flights to South Korea from United 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, Air Canada, 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, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, 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.
South Korea from US & Canada.
Ticket prices in March 2024.
View today’s prices or learn how to cut costs with flexible dates:
South Korea flight deals. How to book the best fares?
Our go-to solution for finding and booking the best deals to South Korea is Google Flights. Whenever we send SuperDeals to 110,000 members of Air Traveler Club, we include links to Google Flights so each deal can be secured immediately.
Google Flights’ powerful engine simplifies deal hunting. It searches and compares flight prices available from airlines and online travel agencies (OTAs) such as Expedia, Orbitz, or Trip.com. However, it doesn’t sell flights directly to travelers—instead, it passes users on to the airline or OTA to book directly with them.
How to know if the South Korea deal we sent you is actually saving you money? One of Google Flights’ standout features is a color-coded bar underneath the booking options. This bar provides a visual representation of the price compared to the typical fare (for the same route, class, and airline)—indicating whether it is lower, average, or higher. If the marker falls within the green zone (“price is low”), don’t hesitate to secure this deal as it is significantly — 40% to 80% — cheaper than average and unlikely to drop further.
If you see that your flight has the marker within the orange zone (“price is typical”) or in the red zone (“price is higher”), it means that the deal has already ‘expired’. Airfare deals often ‘expire’ because airlines frequently move cheaper flights further away from the departure date. This is when the Google Flights Price Graph tool comes in handy:
Using this tool, you can experiment with various dates and trip lengths. This perfect deal to South Korea may still be available — but for different date combinations.
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. 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 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. Leverage frequent promotions from European budget carriers like RyanAir, EasyJet, and Eurowings to reach a major hub; from there, take a cheaper long-haul flight to your final destination, potentially saving hundreds of euros.
- These major European airports are excellent departure points for trips to South Korea: London
LHR
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 the Czech Republic, and DublinDUB
in Ireland.
South Korea from Europe.Flight schedule and ticket prices.
Check prices, see how to save big if your travel dates are flexible:
Best aircraft for long-haul flights to South Korea
For long-haul flights, the aircraft type 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, USB charging ports, WiFi connectivity, superior entertainment systems, and a better passenger experience in every cabin.
When booking a flight to South Korea, it’s worth spending a few minutes researching the type of aircraft you’ll be flying on. Look for airlines that use wide-body planes designed for long-haul flights, such as:
- Airbus A350. Best choice. Known for its advanced air filtration and higher cabin pressure, which enhance overall passenger well-being. Operated by Air France, Finnair, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, and Turkish Airlines.
- Airbus A380. Offers unparalleled spaciousness and amenities like onboard lounges and shower spas in premium classes. Used by airlines such as Emirates, Lufthansa, British Airways, Air France, and Etihad Airways.
- Boeing 767. Often features a 2-3-2 seating configuration in economy, reducing the number of middle seats. The largest operators are based in the US (Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Eastern Airlines), while in Europe it is used by Austrian Airlines, Condor, and TUI Airways.
- Boeing 777. Renowned for its wide cabin, it offers a sense of spaciousness and often includes advanced in-flight entertainment options. Used by British Airways, KLM, SWISS, and Turkish Airlines.
- 787 Dreamliner. Celebrated for its larger windows and dynamic lighting, designed to help regulate passengers’ circadian rhythms and reduce jet lag. Operated by British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, KLM, LOT, and Norwegian Air.
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.
Based on years of research, the airlines know what people are willing to pay for specific flights and dates. To make the most money, they will sell their cheapest fares first and then increase the prices right before the flight to take advantage of these travelers who are willing to pay the premium price for late booking.
Occasionally, airlines can offer last-minute deals to fill the remaining seats, but these are for unusual times and unpopular places. Popular destinations and dates 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 2-8 months before the takeoff.
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 offer robust flight networks to key APAC locations, South Korea included. While domestic carriers like Qantas, Jetstar Airways, Virgin Australia, and Air New Zealand provide solid options, several major international airlines also serve these routes. These include ANA, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Garuda Indonesia, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Thai Airways — expanding your choices for travel between Australasia and Asia.
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. - Airlines have different pricing strategies for different routes. A flight to South Korea could be significantly cheaper from Sydney than from Melbourne, depending on airline partnerships, demand, and even time of year. Compare fares from different international airports in Australia: Sydney
SYD
, BrisbaneBNE
, MelbourneMEL
, PerthPER
, AdelaideADL
, CairnsCNS
, Gold CoastOOL
, CanberraCBR
, DarwinDRW
, HobartHBA
, Alice SpringsASP
, and in New Zealand: AucklandAKL
, WellingtonWLG
, ChristchurchCHC
, QueenstownZQN
, DunedinDUD
, and HamiltonHLZ
. - If you’re looking to save, consider flying from Australia or New Zealand to a primary Asian hub, then catch a connecting flight to South Korea with a regional budget airline such as AirAsia, Bamboo Airways, Cebu Pacific, Jetstar, Scoot, Tigerair Taiwan, VietJet Air, and Zipair.
For the initial leg of your trip, full-service airlines such as Qantas or Virgin Atlantic offer premium comfort and exceptional service, albeit at a premium price. However, many Asian airlines, including budget carriers, operate out of Australia and frequently feature sales and promotions. For instance, AirAsia runs deals to Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore; Cebu Pacific to Manila; Scoot to Singapore; VietJet Air to Ho Chi Minh City; Jetstar to Seoul, Singapore, and Tokyo; Bamboo Airways to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Beijing; Batik Air to Jakarta and Singapore.
Australia & New Zealand to South Korea.Flight ticket prices today.
Check prices and find out how date flexibility equals big savings:
Booking group flights to South Korea
Flights are cheaper when purchased in bulk rather than as individual tickets. Booking group flights to South Korea can be a cost-effective option for a school trip, family reunion, or corporate group traveling to a conference.
To qualify for the special group rate, the group must usually have at least 10 passengers. Discounts depend on the airline, group size, and travel dates, and typically range from 5% to 20% off the regular airfare.
Airlines and flight search websites typically limit automatic group bookings to 10 passengers. This limit reflects the complexity of managing larger groups, which require personalized service and more time to coordinate. To get the price quote for your group, you’ll need to contact the airline or a travel agent directly.
Most airlines have a group booking form or phone number (see examples at Emirates and Qantas). Fill out the form, and the airline will come back to you with the proposed group rate. If your group is large and a scheduled flight cannot accommodate everyone, the airline may offer you a charter flight.
Additionally, there are various perks that your group may be eligible for:
- free seats (complimentary tickets for every 10 or 20 passengers that book together)
- free checked baggage allowance
- dedicated group check-in counter at the airport
- cabin crew who speak your group’s language
- flexible booking terms (that allow changes without fees)
Booking group flights to South Korea is similar to booking individual flights. The main difference is that you’ll need to provide personal information for all passengers, and the airline may request additional details, such as meal preferences or accommodations for disabled travelers. A deposit – typically 10-50% of the total cost – may be required to secure the booking. However, some airlines offer deferred payment options where you can secure a reservation with a booking fee and pay the balance later.
If you’re open to different airlines or want more personalized service, a travel agent may be a better choice. Travel agents may have access to discounted group rates to South Korea and can help with logistics and scheduling.
“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.
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. 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.
- Most major Asian airports have convenient and frequent flights to South Korea — including 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.
South Korea from major Asian airports.Flight prices in March 2024.
View today’s prices and learn how flexibility can save you hundreds on airfare:
Lost luggage prevention: Essential tips
Every year, airlines handle millions of bags and a small percentage never make it to their final destinations. Avoid lost luggage nightmares on your trip to South Korea by removing old tags from previous flights on your suitcases – they can confuse baggage handlers and conveyor belt scanners. It’s also a good idea to label your luggage with your name, address, and phone number (both inside and outside the case) and attach a GPS-tracker device like Apple AirTag or Samsung SmartTag.
For peace of mind, consider purchasing travel insurance to cover the full value of your luggage, as airline liability usually doesn’t reflect the actual value of the baggage content.
“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, Fly Now Pay Later, 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.
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.
User Review
4.67 (384 votes)Flights to South Korea
If you have specific travel dates, it's worth booking as soon as possible. The optimal time to book international flights to South Korea is 2–8 months in advance, with a "prime booking window" at 4–6 months before departure for the best bargains.
In economy class, medium to long-haul flights to South Korea range from $150 to $600, and can go up to $1,000 for routes exceeding 6,000 km. Round-trip bookings offer savings between 20% and 35%. Strategic planning like early booking, flying in low-season, booking directly with airlines, or chosing a route with a layover can save an additional 5–30%.
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About the author
Maksim Koval
Aviation industry expert, digital editor at Tiket2 since 2010, and the pioneering founder of the Air Traveler Club.
Maksim is a Bali-based seasoned travel writer, avid flyer, tinkerer, photographer, motorbiker, animal lover, and the truest evangelist of the company. His dedication to providing valuable insights and engaging content has established him as a trusted voice in the industry.
You can contact him via email at maksim[at]tiket2.com.