Travelling from Seoul to Chicago: what you need to know
Seoul is home to two main airports where you can start your adventure. Check out your options for booking a flight from Seoul to Chicago flying out of Incheon International Airport (ICN) or Gimpo International Airport (GMP).
Arrive in Chicago at O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW).
Around 12 hours 55 minutes is how long you can expect to be in the air on a direct Seoul to Chicago flight.
Chicago is 14 hours behind Seoul and follows the UTC-5 timezone.
The busiest route for flights from Seoul to Chicago is from Incheon International Airport (ICN) to O'Hare International Airport (ORD). You can choose from seven services every week between these two airports. If you'd like to be on your way as soon as possible, the earliest flight from ICN to ORD is the 10:40 Korean Air service. If you prefer to travel later, the last departure is at 10:40 with Korean Air.
To ensure you don't miss your Seoul to Chicago flight, leave enough time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Turning up two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is a good rule of thumb.
During popular months like July, it's a good idea to get to the airport earlier than usual. Arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead for an international flight whenever you're flying during a peak period in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Seoul to Chicago
To snag cheap Seoul to Chicago flights, reserve your journey two months ahead of your departure date.
The best month for finding cheap plane tickets from Seoul to Chicago is May. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare all available prices, then choose the dates offering the lowest fares.
You don't need to search every day to find out if prices have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll notify you as soon as a better deal comes up on cheap flights from Seoul to Chicago.
Lock in a cheap Seoul to Chicago flight with the help of our filters. Choose your preferred times, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Flying from Seoul
Incheon International Airport (ICN)
If you're after a direct flight from Seoul to Chicago, you can leave from Incheon International Airport (ICN). Get from ICN to O'Hare International Airport (ORD) without making any stops.
Korean Air is a popular airline that offers direct Seoul to Chicago plane tickets from ICN.
We make it a breeze to book a Seoul to Chicago flight with a stopover. To see the options leaving from Incheon International Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Next, choose a flight offering a stop long enough to tour your chosen city. Major stopovers include:
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
ICN is roughly 48 kilometres from central Seoul. To help you work out how to get there, use Google Maps. This useful travel app will show you the fastest route and your public transport options.
Have an early flight from Seoul to Chicago? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the airport (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by choosing one of these hotels near Incheon International Airport:
When it comes to the on-time performance of Incheon International Airport, 54.5% of flights arrive within the scheduled time frame.
Gimpo International Airport (GMP)
Think about adding a stop at Haneda Airport (HND). It's a key stopover on a Seoul to Chicago flight departing Gimpo International Airport. Use a long layover to explore the city, or take advantage of a short break to get a snack at the airport.
The distance from Seoul's city centre to GMP is around 16 kilometres. Take into account transport options and possible delays when working out the fastest way to get to the airport.
Want to treat yourself to an extra night away before catching your flight from Seoul to Chicago? Check in to a hotel near Gimpo International Airport before your holiday officially begins. Stay at one of these accommodation options:
76% of all departures from Gimpo International Airport arrive within the expected time frame.
Arriving in Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to central Chicago takes around 35 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 26 kilometres away.
If you're travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of roughly 55 minutes.
Book a hotel close to ORD if you're coming in on a late flight from Seoul to Chicago. Pick one of these options and skip the long transfer:
Hit the road running by picking up an O'Hare International Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Routes Car Rentals, Dollar or Budget and experience the lesser-explored corners of Chicago and beyond.
Lock in the best possible rate by booking your ride from O'Hare International Airport around four weeks before your travel date.
You'll find ORD at 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
The centre of Chicago is around 14 kilometres from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). Once your flight from Seoul to Chicago has hit the runway and you've made your way through the terminal, expect a drive of around 20 minutes.
If you travel by public transport, you'll reach the centre in 45 minutes or so.
Place the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and unwind at a hotel close to MDW. Here are a few options where you can settle in after your flight from Seoul to Chicago:
No need to worry about public transport schedules or waiting in a long cab line. Grab a Chicago Midway International Airport rental car and blaze your own trail. Compare offers from Dollar, Hertz and Budget.
Get the pick of the lot. Reserving your ride from MDW four weeks ahead of time often means better deals and a wider choice of vehicles.
Chicago Midway International Airport can be found at 5700 South Cicero.
Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD)
Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) is about 129 kilometres from central Chicago. It takes about 1 hour 25 minutes to reach the city centre in a cab or ride-share after your flight from Seoul to Chicago.
The journey will take you about 4 hours 15 minutes by public transport.
Begin your journey without stressing about how to reach your destination with a Chicago Rockford International Airport rental car. Book your wheels with trusted suppliers here like Budget, Alamo and National.
If you'd like a specific kind of vehicle, booking early gives you a better shot at getting your first choice. Book your ride from RFD a few weeks ahead of your flight from Seoul to Chicago.
The address for Chicago Rockford International Airport is 2 Airport Cir.
Best time to go to Chicago
August is the busiest month for flights from Seoul to Chicago. To skip the crowds, head to Chicago in January.
The warmest month in Chicago is July, with temperatures ranging between 15ºC (59ºF) and 29ºC (84ºF). Book your Seoul to Chicago ticket then if that's your idea of comfortable weather.
If you want cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from Seoul to Chicago in January when temperatures average between -12ºC (10ºF) and 3ºC (37ºF).
More about Chicago
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best places to stay in Chicago right here. Check out these options as soon as you've locked in your flight from Seoul to Chicago:
Millennium Park and Art Institute of Chicago are a couple of leading attractions to add to your Chicago itinerary. Continue your sightseeing adventures at LandShark Beer Garden at Navy Pier.
Explore more of United States
You've visited Chicago, now it's time to discover other parts of United States. Journey around 451 kilometres south-east to Columbus to check off its leading attractions. From Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens to Ohio Statehouse and German Village, you'll have a full itinerary ahead.
Indianapolis is another favourite destination in United States and is around 257 kilometres south-east of Chicago. No trip is complete without visiting The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, Indianapolis Museum of Art and Indianapolis Zoo.
