Flying from Los Angeles to Seoul: what you need to know
Begin planning your holiday by considering the departure point for your flight from Los Angeles to Seoul. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Van Nuys Airport (VNY) are the main airports in Los Angeles.
When planning your arrival in Seoul, Incheon International Airport (ICN) and Gimpo International Airport (GMP) are the primary gateways.
Around 13 hours 5 minutes is how long you'll be travelling on a direct Los Angeles to Seoul flight.
Seoul is 16 hours ahead of Los Angeles and follows the UTC+9 timezone.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Incheon International Airport (ICN) is the most traveled route between these two cities. There are 34 departures a week to pick from. If you prefer a later start to the day, the last flight from Los Angeles to Seoul is with Korean Air at 23:50. Go for the first LAX to ICN departure with Air Premia at 09:50 to make the most of your arrival in Seoul.
To ensure you make your Los Angeles to Seoul flight, allow plenty of time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general rule to follow.
Be prepared for bigger queues during popular months such as July. Arriving up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours for domestic departures is a wise move.
How to find the cheapest flights from Los Angeles to Seoul
Lock in cheap Los Angeles to Seoul flights by booking two months ahead. According to our research, that's the ideal time for finding a bargain.
Schedule your trip for May. That's the best month for landing an awesome deal on plane tickets from Los Angeles to Seoul. If your travel dates are flexible, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the lowest price across each month.
Spend less time searching for cheap flights from Los Angeles to Seoul by setting up a Price Alert. You'll get an email or push notification on the app when a special offer becomes available.
Select your ideal departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops by using the filters. Alternatively, sort your Los Angeles to Seoul flight results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest.'
Flying from Los Angeles
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
You can catch a direct flight from Los Angeles to Seoul taking off from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Begin your trip at LAX and arrive at Incheon International Airport (ICN).
Popular airlines that offer direct Los Angeles to Seoul plane tickets from LAX include:
We make it easy to find a Los Angeles to Seoul flight with a stopover. To see the options leaving from Los Angeles International Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Next, pick a flight with a stop long enough to see the sights of the city of your choice. Top stopovers include:
Haneda Airport (HND)
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
LAX is around 19 kilometres from central Los Angeles. If you're driving, catching a cab or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take 30 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the travel time to be around 55 minutes.
In search of a convenient hotel close to Los Angeles International Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Los Angeles to Seoul, these stays will have you moments from your departure lounge:
81.05% of flights leaving Los Angeles International Airport reach their destination on schedule. With its strong on-time performance, delays are unlikely when taking off from LAX.
LAX is located at One World Way.
Arriving in Seoul
Incheon International Airport (ICN)
From Incheon International Airport (ICN), central Seoul is approximately 48 kilometres away.
Travelling to the centre on public transport typically takes 1 hour 45 minutes.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Los Angeles to Seoul, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your suitcases from the carousel and then be showered and resting soon after at one of these accommodation options near ICN:
Hit the road running by picking up an Incheon International Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from WECAR, Hi Rent A Car or Alamo and explore beyond Seoul's main sights.
Lock in the best deal by booking your vehicle from Incheon International Airport around four weeks before your trip.
Gimpo International Airport (GMP)
Gimpo International Airport (GMP) is around 16 kilometres from central Seoul. Check out your options for travelling into town after your flight from Los Angeles to Seoul has touched down.
You can expect the trip to take about 1 hour 5 minutes on public transport.
Hang up the 'Do not disturb' sign and rest at a hotel near GMP. Here are a few options where you can kick back after your flight from Los Angeles to Seoul:
Forget about inconvenient public transport timetables or long cab queues. Grab a Gimpo International Airport rental car and blaze your own trail. Compare rates and availability from GOGO Rent a Car, Gogo Rental Car Seoul and Hi Rent A Car.
Avoid paying more than you need to. Booking your ride one week ahead of your arrival at GMP will help you save.
Best time to go to Seoul
It's time to work out your dates for your flight from Los Angeles to Seoul. July is the most popular month to travel to Seoul. If you like a more relaxed vibe, go in April.
When booking your Los Angeles to Seoul tickets, think about the weather you're most comfortable in. August is the warmest month in Seoul, with temperatures ranging from 19ºC (66ºF) to 32ºC (90ºF).
January sees average temperatures of between -12ºC (10ºF) and 4ºC (39ºF). Search for cheap flights from Los Angeles to Seoul around that time if you like travelling in cooler conditions.
More about Seoul
Once you've booked your flight from Los Angeles to Seoul, take your pick from prime hotels that put you close to the action. Make one of these options your base for exploring Seoul:
There are so many things to do and see in this city it can be tricky to know where to start. Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village and N Seoul Tower are leading attractions which should be on any well-planned Seoul itinerary.
Explore more of South Korea
You've seen Seoul, now it's time to explore more of South Korea. Travel about 322 kilometres south-east to Busan to tick off its popular sights. From Haeundae Beach to Gamcheon Culture Village and Beomeosa Temple, there's plenty to keep you on the go.
If you're looking to explore another corner of South Korea, head for Incheon, roughly 56 kilometres west of Seoul. Lawn Square of Incheon International Airport, Yeongjong Sky City No.23 Park and 스카이72 GC 바다코스 are the start of reasons to visit.