Flying from Seoul to San Diego: what you need to know
Seoul has two main airports where you can kick off your trip. Explore your options for booking a flight from Seoul to San Diego departing from Incheon International Airport (ICN) or Gimpo International Airport (GMP).
Hop off the plane at San Diego's primary gateway, San Diego International Airport (SAN).
The timezone in San Diego is UTC-7, which is 16 hours behind Seoul.
For a stress-free start to your trip, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This will give you enough time to catch your Seoul to San Diego flight.
You'll likely experience longer queues during popular months like July. Arriving up to four hours in advance for international flights and two hours for domestic departures is a smart move.
How to find the cheapest flights from Seoul to San Diego
To find cheap Seoul to San Diego flights, book as early as possible. Airlines generally offer their most competitively priced fares when tickets first go on sale.
If you can be flexible with your trip dates, use the 'Whole month' tool. It'll show you the cheapest price in each month when searching for your plane ticket from Seoul to San Diego.
Save time looking for cheap flights from Seoul to San Diego by setting up a Price Alert. You'll get an email or notification on the app when a lower fare becomes available.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Choose your departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' Seoul to San Diego flights.
Flying from Seoul
Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Think about adding a stopover to possibly find a cheaper Seoul to San Diego flight. Simply deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Incheon International Airport. Take a pause at one of these popular airports:
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Narita International Airport (NRT)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
The distance from central Seoul to ICN is about 48 kilometres. Use Google Maps for the fastest route, whether you plan to drive or take public transport.
Looking for a convenient hotel close to Incheon International Airport? If you're boarding an early flight from Seoul to San Diego, these accommodation options will have you sleeping moments from check-in:
54.5% of flights that leave from Incheon International Airport reach their destination on time.
Gimpo International Airport (GMP)
The distance from Seoul's city centre to GMP is about 16 kilometres. Consider the available transport options and potential delays when working out the fastest way to get to the airport.
Get a head start on your holiday with an extra night away from home. Before catching your flight from Seoul to San Diego, kick back in one of these hotels near Gimpo International Airport:
Gimpo International Airport has an on-time performance of 75.94%. This figure reflects how often flights that take off from this airport reach their destination on schedule.
Arriving in San Diego
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
San Diego International Airport (SAN) is approximately 3 kilometres from the centre of San Diego. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes around 10 minutes.
If you're travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of roughly 20 minutes.
The last thing you need is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Seoul to San Diego. Stay at one of these accommodation options near SAN instead:
Say yes to new adventures by picking up a San Diego International Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Thrifty, Dollar or Budget and explore beyond San Diego's usual tourist stops.
Booking your vehicle from San Diego International Airport around two weeks ahead gives you the best shot at securing a great deal.
The street address for SAN is N Harbour Dr.
McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD)
The centre of San Diego is located around 48 kilometres from McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD). Once your flight from Seoul to San Diego has landed and you've made your way out of the airport, expect a drive of around 40 minutes.
If you hop on public transport, the ride to the centre will take you 2 hours 15 minutes or so.
Forget about public transport timetables or long cab lines. Grab a McClellan-Palomar Airport rental car and take your journey in whatever direction you like. Compare rates and availability from Budget, Hertz and Avis.
Avoid filling out paperwork at the rental desk by having everything prearranged. Secure your ride from CLD a few weeks in advance so you can just grab the keys and get going.
Best time to go to San Diego
It's time to figure out your trip dates for your flight from Seoul to San Diego. July is the busiest month to travel to San Diego. If you like a more peaceful vibe, go in May.
Before locking in your Seoul to San Diego tickets, think about what kind of weather you prefer. August is the warmest month in San Diego, with temperatures ranging from 17ºC (63ºF) to 28ºC (82ºF).
February has average temperatures of between 7ºC (45ºF) and 23ºC (73ºF). Search for cheap flights from Seoul to San Diego around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about San Diego
Once you've booked your flight from Seoul to San Diego, choose a hotel that puts you where you want to be. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring San Diego:
Every great adventure has to include some sightseeing. San Diego Zoo, USS Midway Museum and SeaWorld San Diego are must-do's during your San Diego adventure.
Explore more of United States
San Diego has plenty going for it, but there are so many other parts of United States you'll want to see. Around 177 kilometres north-west of San Diego, a trip to Los Angeles will keep you on the move. Start with leading attractions like Griffith Observatory, The Broad and La Brea Tar Pits & Museum.
If you're eager to discover another major stop in United States, consider Phoenix, about 483 kilometres east of San Diego. Desert Botanical Garden, Heard Museum and Papago Park are key highlights.