Travelling from Seoul to Beijing: what you need to know
Seoul is home to a couple of airports where you can start your adventure. Check out your options for reserving a flight from Seoul to Beijing departing from Incheon International Airport (ICN) or Gimpo International Airport (GMP).
Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) and Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX) are Beijing's major gateways.
Around 2 hours 15 minutes is how long you'll be in transit on a direct Seoul to Beijing flight.
Beijing is one hour behind Seoul and observes the UTC+8 timezone.
Incheon International Airport (ICN) to Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) is the most traveled route between these two cities. There are 59 flights a week to choose from. If you have things to do before leaving, the last flight from Seoul to Beijing is with Korean Air at 23:55. Choose the first ICN to PEK departure operated by Korean Air at 07:55 to make the most of your first day in Beijing.
To ensure you make your Seoul to Beijing flight, leave plenty of time to check in and drop off your luggage. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is a good rule of thumb.
You can expect longer lines during popular months such as August. Arriving up to four hours in advance for international flights and two hours for domestic departures is a good idea.
How to find the cheapest flights from Seoul to Beijing
Score cheap Seoul to Beijing flights by booking 11 months ahead. According to our research, that's the ideal time for bagging a bargain.
Schedule your trip for April. That's the best month for landing an incredible deal on plane tickets from Seoul to Beijing. If you're open to different travel dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest price across each month.
There's no need to check every day to see if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll notify you the moment a better deal is available on cheap flights from Seoul to Beijing.
Pick your preferred departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines by using the filters. Alternatively, sort your Seoul to Beijing flight results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest.'
Flying from Seoul
Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Start your journey at Incheon International Airport (ICN), which has a range of direct flights from Seoul to Beijing. From ICN, you can fly nonstop to Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) or Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX).
These are some of the most popular airlines offering direct Seoul to Beijing plane tickets with departures from ICN:
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to break up your journey — and maybe even explore another city. When browsing Seoul to Beijing flights departing from Incheon International Airport, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Consider one of these popular options:
Nanking / Nanjing Airport (NKG)
Qingdao Airport (TAO)
Dalian Airport (DLC)
ICN is about 48 kilometres from central Seoul. If you're catching a taxi, driving or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take you 1 hour 5 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're using public transport, expect the travel time to be around 50 minutes.
Want an easy start to your travels? Stay near Incheon International Airport. Whether you're boarding an early flight from Seoul to Beijing or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are perfect:
74% of flights that depart Incheon International Airport arrive at their destination on time.
Gimpo International Airport (GMP)
Looking for a direct flight from Seoul to Beijing departing from Gimpo International Airport (GMP)? Skip the connections and fly nonstop from GMP to Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) and Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX).
Book a direct Seoul to Beijing plane ticket with one of these top airlines that operate from GMP:
Break up your Seoul to Beijing flight with a stop so you can recharge or cross another place off your list. Popular stopovers between Gimpo International Airport and Beijing are:
Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND)
Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA)
Jeju Airport (CJU)
GMP is around 18 kilometres from central Seoul. It'll take you 30 minutes or so to get to the airport if you're driving from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 35 minutes.
Want to treat yourself to an extra night away before catching your flight from Seoul to Beijing? Kick back in a hotel near Gimpo International Airport before your holiday officially begins. Check out these accommodation options:
Gimpo International Airport has a solid reputation for punctual service. 81% of flights out of here keep to their planned arrival schedule.
Arriving in Beijing
Beijing Capital Airport (PEK)
Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) is approximately 26 kilometres from the centre of Beijing. If you're catching a taxi or a ride-share, the drive will take around 45 minutes.
Travelling to the centre by public transport typically takes 50 minutes.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Seoul to Beijing. Check in to one of these accommodation options near PEK instead:
Go beyond Beijing and check out places that don't make every travel guide with your own set of wheels. You can pick up a Beijing Capital Airport rental car from Hertz.
To get the best possible deal, reserve your ride from Beijing Capital Airport several weeks in advance. Prices typically go up closer to your travel date.
The address for PEK is Capital Airport Rd.
Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX)
Once your flight from Seoul to Beijing has hit the tarmac, you can make your way to the city centre in about 50 minutes by car. Central Beijing is roughly 40 kilometres from Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX).
If you choose to travel on public transport, the ride to the centre will take you 45 minutes or so.
After your flight from Seoul to Beijing, settle in at a hotel close to PKX. These are some comfortable options that'll help you get into relaxation mode:
Best time to go to Beijing
August is the most popular month for flights from Seoul to Beijing. To travel when it's less crowded, go to Beijing in March.
Book a Seoul to Beijing ticket departing in June if you're eager to visit the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Beijing to range from 18ºC (64ºF) to 37ºC (99ºF).
Search for cheap flights from Seoul to Beijing in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -11ºC (12ºF) and 4ºC (39ºF) on average.
More about Beijing
After booking your flight from Seoul to Beijing, find a hotel that offers the right mix of comfort and location. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Beijing:
There are so many things to explore in this city it can be tricky to know where to start. The Palace Museum, Temple of Heaven and Tiananmen Square are highlights which should feature on any well-planned Beijing itinerary.
Explore more of China
Beijing will leave a lasting impression, but there are so many other corners of China waiting to be discovered. About 113 kilometres southeast of Beijing, a visit to Tianjin will keep you on the move. Check out popular attractions like Hai River, China Ancient Castle and Tianjin World Financial Centre.
If there's time to check out another major destination in China, consider Tai'an, roughly 418 kilometres south of Beijing. Daguan Peak, Tai’an Fantawild Adventure and Taishan West Lake are highlights.
