Flights to Seoul
Joseon-era palaces beside glass towers, late-night street food in Gwangjang Market and K-culture on every corner—Seoul is a nonstop hop from more than a dozen North American cities.
- Currency
- South Korean won (KRW)
- Language
- Korean
- Time zone
- Korea Standard Time (UTC+9, no daylight saving)
- Plug type
- Type C / F (220 V)
- Main airport
- Incheon International (ICN)
Overview
Seoul wraps six centuries of history around a hyper-modern core. In Jongno, the five grand palaces of the Joseon dynasty—Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung and its Secret Garden among them—sit within walking distance of the tiled-roof hanok homes of Bukchon and the tea shops of Insadong. Cross the Han River and you're in Gangnam's towers and shopping streets, or follow the restored Cheonggyecheon stream through downtown on foot.
The city runs on food and energy. Gwangjang Market fries up bindaetteok mung-bean pancakes, Myeong-dong's evening street stalls serve skewers and egg bread, and every neighborhood has Korean barbecue spots open late. Hongdae, near Hongik University, is the heart of indie music and busking, while Seongsu's old factories now house cafés and pop-up stores. N Seoul Tower on Namsan offers the classic panorama, and hiking trails on Bukhansan start right at the city's edge.
Getting there is straightforward: Korean Air and Asiana fly nonstop from many North American gateways, joined by Delta, United, Air Canada and Hawaiian Airlines. Incheon, consistently ranked among the world's best airports, connects to downtown by the AREX express train, and Seoul's subway is clean, extensive and signposted in English.
Highlights of Seoul
Gyeongbokgung Palace
The largest of Seoul's Joseon palaces, with a changing of the guard ceremony at Gwanghwamun Gate; visitors wearing hanbok get free entry.
Bukchon Hanok Village
A hillside of traditional tiled-roof houses between Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung—still a residential area, so visiting hours and quiet are enforced.
Gwangjang Market
One of Seoul's oldest markets, famous for bindaetteok pancakes, mayak gimbap and raw beef yukhoe eaten at counter stalls.
N Seoul Tower and Namsan
Walk or ride the cable car up Namsan for 360-degree city views, especially at dusk when the lights come on across the Han River.
Han River parks
Rent a bike or order fried chicken to a riverside lawn in Yeouido or Banpo, where the Moonlight Rainbow Fountain plays on evenings in the warmer months.
Where to stay
Myeong-dong and Jung-gu
Central, walkable and packed with hotels, cosmetics shops and street food; easy access to Seoul Station and the airport limousine buses—great for first-timers.
Jongno and Insadong
Stay near the palaces, Bukchon and Ikseon-dong's hanok cafés, including traditional guesthouses—best for history and culture lovers.
Hongdae and Yeonnam-dong
Student energy, live music, clubs and Gyeongui Line Forest Park, with a direct AREX link to Incheon—ideal for nightlife and younger travelers.
Gangnam
Sleek hotels, department stores, COEX Mall and Bongeunsa Temple south of the river—suits business travelers and shoppers.
Airports and getting into town
From Incheon, the AREX Express train reaches Seoul Station nonstop in about 43 minutes from Terminal 1 and 51 minutes from Terminal 2, while the slower all-stop AREX train connects to Hongik University (Hongdae) and Gimpo. Airport limousine buses run to major districts and hotels, including Myeong-dong, Gangnam and Jamsil, typically in about an hour or more depending on traffic. From Gimpo, AREX and Seoul Metro Lines 5 and 9 reach the city center in roughly 20–40 minutes.
Best time to visit
Spring (April to May) brings cherry blossoms along Yeouido's Yunjung-ro and Seokchon Lake, and autumn (late September to November) delivers dry, clear weather and brilliant foliage at the palaces and on Bukhansan. The summer monsoon (jangma) typically runs from late June through July, followed by hot, humid August days. Winters are cold and dry, with sub-freezing temperatures common in January, but they're good for skiing trips into Gangwon Province.
Airlines flying to Seoul
Popular routes to Seoul
Travel tips from our desk
- Buy a T-money card (or a Climate Card for unlimited rides) at a convenience store to tap on subways, buses and even taxis.
- Download Naver Map or KakaoMap before you arrive; Google Maps' walking and driving directions are limited in South Korea.
- Check palace closing days before planning: Gyeongbokgung closes on Tuesdays and Changdeokgung on Mondays.
- Check current entry requirements well before departure, as South Korea's pre-travel authorization rules for visitors have changed in recent years.
Related destinations
Bali
Temples, rice terraces, surf and sunsets on Indonesia's island of the gods, reached via Singapore, Hong Kong, Seoul or Taipei.
Explore Bali →
Bangkok
Glittering temples, river boats, legendary street food, and one-stop connections via Tokyo, Taipei, Hong Kong or Seoul.
Explore Bangkok →
Delhi
Mughal monuments, Old Delhi's bazaars, and a fast metro, with nonstops from New York, Newark, San Francisco and Toronto.
Explore Delhi →
Hong Kong
Harbor skyline, dim sum and mountain trails, with nonstop flights from across North America on Cathay Pacific, United and more.
Explore Hong Kong →
Maldives
Private-island resorts, turquoise lagoons and world-class snorkeling, reached via one-stop flights through Dubai, Doha or Istanbul.
Explore Maldives →
Mumbai
India's financial capital: colonial-era Fort, Marine Drive, Bandra cafés, and Air India nonstops from Newark.
Explore Mumbai →
Singapore
A garden city of hawker food, Marina Bay skyline and heritage districts, with Singapore Airlines nonstops from five US airports.
Explore Singapore →
Tokyo
Shrines, sushi counters and neon towers, with nonstop flights into both Haneda and Narita from across the US and Canada.
Explore Tokyo →Flights to Seoul — frequently asked questions
Are there nonstop flights from the US to Seoul?
Yes. Korean Air and Asiana fly nonstop to Incheon from several US cities, Delta flies from hubs including Atlanta and Seattle, United flies from San Francisco, Hawaiian Airlines operates Seattle–Incheon for Alaska Airlines, and Air Canada flies from Vancouver and Toronto.
Which airport do international flights use?
Nearly all long-haul flights from North America land at Incheon (ICN). Gimpo (GMP), closer to the city, mainly handles domestic flights and short hops to Japan, China and Taiwan.
When is the best time to visit Seoul?
April–May and late September–November are the most pleasant, with blossoms in spring and fall foliage; July brings monsoon rains and January is bitterly cold.
How do I get from Incheon Airport to downtown Seoul?
The AREX Express train goes nonstop to Seoul Station in about 43–51 minutes, and airport limousine buses serve most major districts and hotels.
Is Seoul easy to get around without speaking Korean?
Yes. Subway signs and announcements are in English, stations are numbered, and a T-money card plus Naver Map or KakaoMap will get you almost anywhere.
Seoul is a phone call away.
Call now and have real options in minutes — or send an enquiry and we'll call you.