Flying from London to Seoul: what you need to know
You can choose from a range of airports when planning a flight from London to Seoul. Explore your options for leaving London from London Heathrow Airport (LHR), London Gatwick Airport (LGW) or London Stansted Airport (STN). London Luton Airport (LTN) and London City Airport (LCY) also service London.
When it comes to landing in Seoul, Incheon International Airport (ICN) and Gimpo International Airport (GMP) are the primary gateways.
Around 12 hours 35 minutes is how long you can expect to be travelling on a direct London to Seoul flight.
Seoul's timezone is UTC+9, making Seoul nine hours ahead of London.
Choose from 21 weekly services between London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and Incheon International Airport (ICN). LHR to ICN is the most popular route when booking flights from London to Seoul.
For hassle-free travel, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This ensures you have enough time to catch your London to Seoul flight.
During popular months like July, it's best to get to the airport even earlier. Plan to arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead of an international flight whenever you're flying during peak periods in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from London to Seoul
To score cheap London to Seoul flights, book your trip 11 months ahead of your planned departure.
The best month for finding cheap plane tickets from London to Seoul is April. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare prices, then choose the dates that offer the biggest savings.
Spend less time searching for cheap flights from London to Seoul by setting up a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification on the app when fares go down.
Save money on your London to Seoul flight with the help of our filters. Choose your preferred duration, departure time and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Flying from London
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Set off from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) on a nonstop flight from London to Seoul. From LHR, you can land directly at Incheon International Airport (ICN).
You'll have your pick of airlines that offer direct London to Seoul plane tickets out of LHR. Book your journey with one of these:
Stopovers are the perfect opportunity to break up your trip — and perhaps even visit a new city. When searching for London to Seoul flights leaving from London Heathrow Airport, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Popular options include:
Beijing Capital Airport (PEK)
Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA)
Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND)
LHR is around 26 kilometres from central London. If you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a taxi from the centre, it'll take 45 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're taking public transport, expect the trip time to be around 25 minutes.
Want a relaxed start to your trip? Stay near London Heathrow Airport. Whether you have an early flight from London to Seoul or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are just the thing:
78% of flights that depart London Heathrow Airport make it to their destination on schedule.
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
Break up your London to Seoul flight with a stop so you can freshen up or cross another place off your list. Some popular stopovers between London Gatwick Airport and Seoul include:
Beijing Capital Airport (PEK)
Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA)
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Using public transport, you can travel from central London to LGW in around 45 minutes. The airport is roughly 40 kilometres away. Driving will take you about 1 hour 5 minutes.
Want to enjoy an extra night away before catching your flight from London to Seoul? Unwind in a hotel near London Gatwick Airport before your break officially starts. These stays are calling your name:
London Gatwick Airport has a strong track record for reliability and timeliness. 83% of flights departing here arrive right on target.
London Stansted Airport (STN)
You can reserve a ticket from London to Seoul with a stop or two out of London Stansted Airport (STN). These are some of the most common stopovers between STN and Seoul:
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP)
Helsinki Vantaa Airport (HEL)
STN is roughly 48 kilometres from central London. The drive from the city centre to the airport takes about 1 hour 5 minutes. If you're considering public transport, you can expect a journey of around 45 minutes.
Skip the rush on your departure day — stay close to London Stansted Airport and know you'll be at the terminal with time to spare. Get comfy at one of these hotels the day before if you've booked an early London to Seoul flight:
With 80% of its departing flights arriving on time, STN is a dependable starting point for your trip.
Arriving in Seoul
Incheon International Airport (ICN)
The distance from Incheon International Airport (ICN) to central Seoul is roughly 48 kilometres. It takes around 1 hour 5 minutes to get to the centre driving.
When travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of about 50 minutes.
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from London to Seoul. Book one of these accommodation options near ICN instead:
Begin your adventure by picking up a Incheon International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from WECAR, Hi Rent A Car or Alamo and explore beyond Seoul's usual tourist stops.
Lock in the lowest price by booking your vehicle from Incheon International Airport about four weeks ahead of your departure.
Gimpo International Airport (GMP)
After your flight from London to Seoul has landed, you can get to the city centre in about 30 minutes by car. Central Seoul is approximately 18 kilometres from Gimpo International Airport (GMP).
If you hop on public transport, the ride to the centre will take you 35 minutes or so.
Hang up the 'Do not disturb' sign and rest at a hotel close to GMP. Here are a few options where you can check in after your flight from London to Seoul:
The fastest way to get to where you're going is with a Gimpo International Airport rental car. Collect a set of wheels from GOGO Rent a Car, Gogo Rental Car Seoul or Hi Rent A Car and set off in the blink of an eye.
Avoid paying extra. Securing your ride one week before your arrival at GMP will help you stay within budget.
Best time to go to Seoul
March is the quietest month for flights from London to Seoul, while August is the busiest. Work out the best time to visit Seoul based on whether you want a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.
The warmest month in Seoul is August, with temperatures ranging between 19ºC (66ºF) and 32ºC (90ºF). Book your London to Seoul ticket then if you enjoy this type of weather.
For cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from London to Seoul in January when temperatures average between -12ºC (10ºF) and 4ºC (39ºF).
More about Seoul
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best places to stay in Seoul right here. Check out these hotels after you've booked your flight from London to Seoul:
Every great holiday has to include a little sightseeing. Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village and N Seoul Tower are must-visits when exploring Seoul.
Explore more of South Korea
You've done Seoul, now it's time to discover other corners of South Korea. Travel around 338 kilometres southeast to Busan to tick off its leading attractions. From Gamcheon Culture Village to Haeundae Beach and Oryukdo Skywalk, there's plenty to keep you on the go.
If you're ready to explore another well-known destination in South Korea, head for Incheon, about 27 kilometres southwest of Seoul. Songdo Central Park, Songdo Hanok Village and Wolmi Theme Park are key highlights.