Flying from Seoul to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST): what you need to know
Seoul is home to a couple of airports that could be the jumping-off point for your adventure. Explore your options for booking a flight from Seoul to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) departing from Incheon International Airport (ICN) or Gimpo International Airport (GMP).
11 hours 51 minutes is the average duration of a direct flight from Seoul to Istanbul Ataturk Airport.
Istanbul is 6 hours behind Seoul. Istanbul Ataturk Airport is located in Istanbul, which operates on the UTC+3 timezone.
The busiest route is from Incheon International Airport (ICN) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST), with 26 direct services every week. If you'd like to get going as soon as possible, the earliest flight from ICN to IST is the 00:10 Turkish Airlines service. If you prefer to leave later in the day, the last departure is at 23:20 with Turkish Airlines.
Arrive at the airport on time so you don't miss your flight from Seoul to IST. Be there at least two hours ahead for international flights and an hour early for domestic departures to prevent a last-minute sprint to your gate.
Show up at the airport even earlier during popular months like July. Aim for two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead of international journeys. Once you've checked in, you can use any extra time to finalize your plans or simply relax.
Gimpo International Airport (GMP)
Want other options for a direct flight from Seoul to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)? Check out the fares jetting out of Gimpo International Airport (GMP).
When departing from GMP, you can pick from a range of airlines that offer direct flights from Seoul to IST. Reach cruising altitude with one of these carriers:
Visit friends or family or just take a moment to stretch your legs with a stopover. If you'd like to break up your flight from Seoul to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, check out these options when setting off from Gimpo International Airport:
Kansai International Airport (KIX)
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
The distance from Seoul's city centre to GMP is roughly 16 kilometres. Consider transport options and potential delays when planning the fastest way to get to the airport.
Get a head start on your holiday with an additional night away from home. Before catching your flight from Seoul to IST, take things easy in one of these hotels near Gimpo International Airport:
About Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
If you're arriving on a late flight from Seoul to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, nothing tops the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be showered and resting not long after at one of these hotels near IST:
Getting from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport is approximately 48 kilometres from the centre of Istanbul. With your own car rental or if you take a cab, the drive is around 50 minutes.
If you're travelling by public transport, expect a journey of about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Seoul to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
204 € is the cheapest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Seoul to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Return flights start from 392 €. Fares are subject to availability and may change at any time.
Get cheap tickets from Seoul to IST by booking 9 months ahead. Based on flight price data, that's the sweet spot for finding the biggest deals.
Schedule your trip for June. That's the cheapest month for tickets from Seoul to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. If your travel dates are flexible, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the best price across every month.
Set up a Price Alert and track any changes on this route through push notifications or email. You'll know straight away when prices drop. Timing is key for finding cheap tickets from Seoul to IST.
Tailor your flights with filters. Choose your preferred arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' flights from Seoul to Istanbul Ataturk Airport.
The best time to fly from Seoul to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
August is the busiest month to board a flight from Seoul to Istanbul Ataturk Airport while February is the quietest. To work out the ideal time to visit Istanbul, consider your preferred travel pace and style.
The warmest month in Istanbul is August, with temperatures ranging between 20ºC and 30ºC. Book your flights from Seoul to IST in this month if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
Visit in January if you want to explore when it's cooler. Average temperatures range between 2ºC and 11ºC. However, this city delivers on a good time whenever you book your cheap flights from Seoul to Istanbul Ataturk Airport.
More about Istanbul
Start your Istanbul trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Seoul to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, explore our selection of hotels including:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be tricky to know where to begin. Topkapi Palace, The Basilica Cistern and Galata Tower are top attractions which should be on any well-planned Istanbul itinerary.
Complete your Istanbul trip with a car rental
Grab the keys to one of our car rentals in Istanbul and see the city on your own terms. Easily compare rates from trusted rental companies in one place after booking your hotel and cheap flights from Seoul to Istanbul Ataturk Airport.