Flying from Los Angeles to Seoul: what you need to know
Los Angeles has a couple of airports where you can set off on your adventure. Check out your options for booking a flight from Los Angeles to Seoul leaving from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) or Van Nuys Airport (VNY).
Step off your plane in Seoul at Incheon International Airport (ICN) or Gimpo International Airport (GMP).
The average time for a direct flight from Los Angeles to Seoul is 13 hours 12 minutes. Seoul's timezone is UTC+9, which makes Seoul 16 hours ahead of Los Angeles.
With 41 weekly flights between the two airports, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Incheon International Airport (ICN) is the busiest route. Board the earliest flight from Los Angeles to Seoul with Korean Air at 10:50. If you'd like to get more out of your day before you fly, the latest flight from LAX to ICN is with Korean Air at 23:50.
Leave plenty of time to get on your flight from Los Angeles to Seoul. A good rule of thumb is to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Travelling during a peak time such as July? School holidays and other high seasons can mean longer queues and delays at security. Play things extra safe and arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
You will need an ETA for South Korea if you hold a passport from United States and are travelling for tourism purposes. Travel documentation and visa requirements can change. So before you book your cheap flights from Los Angeles to Seoul, check with your airline and the destination country's local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date information.
Flying from Los Angeles
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Depart from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on a nonstop flight from Los Angeles to Seoul. From LAX, you can fly straight to Incheon International Airport (ICN).
At LAX, you'll find a variety of carriers that offer direct flights from Los Angeles to Seoul, such as:
Consider adding a stopover to possibly find a cheaper flight from Los Angeles to Seoul. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' when browsing departures from Los Angeles International Airport. Take a break from travelling at one of these airports:
Haneda Airport (HND)
Kansai International Airport (KIX)
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Located around 32 kilometres from the centre of Los Angeles, LAX can be reached in about 32 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The same journey by public transport is roughly 54 minutes.
Want a stress-free start to your vacation? Stay near Los Angeles International Airport. Whether you've booked an early flight from Los Angeles to Seoul or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels are the answer:
Van Nuys Airport (VNY)
Get the most out of your vacation with a stopover on your flight from Los Angeles to Seoul. Visit friends or family or tick another city off your bucket list. Whatever you choose to do, check out these stops between Los Angeles International Airport and Seoul:
Haneda Airport (HND)
Kansai International Airport (KIX)
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
You can arrive at VNY from central Los Angeles in about 34 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey by public transport takes roughly 1 hour and 41 minutes to cover the 32 kilometres or so.
Want to treat yourself to an extra night away before catching your flight from Los Angeles to Seoul? Check in to a hotel near Van Nuys Airport before your break officially starts. Here's where you can stay:
Arriving in Seoul
Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Central Seoul is about 48 kilometres from Incheon International Airport (ICN). Travel times by cab or car rental will vary based on time of day and traffic conditions, so do some research before you go.
Travelling to the centre on public transport will take you roughly 1 hour and 44 minutes.
Reserve a hotel close to ICN if you're taking a late flight from Los Angeles to Seoul. Pick one of these options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Gimpo International Airport (GMP)
Central Seoul is around 16 kilometres from Gimpo International Airport (GMP). Make your way off your flight from Los Angeles to Seoul and then be on the lookout for any airport signs that'll help you get to the city centre.
You can also travel by public transport, which will take around 1 hour and 3 minutes.
There are some comfortable hotels to drop your things at near GMP. Kick back after your flight from Los Angeles to Seoul at one of these well-located options:
How to find the cheapest flights from Los Angeles to Seoul
Right now, C$625 is the best price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Los Angeles to Seoul. The cheapest price for a return flight is C$1,137. Bear in mind fares can change due to demand at the time of booking.
Get cheap flights from Los Angeles to Seoul by booking 9 months ahead. Based on our research, that's the sweet spot for picking up a bargain.
Plan your trip for May. That's the cheapest month for tickets from Los Angeles to Seoul. If you're flexible with your travel dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the cheapest price across each month.
Create a Price Alert for cheap flights from Los Angeles to Seoul. You don't need to check back in every day to find out if fares have dropped. We'll notify you when there's a change in price.
Tailor your flights using filters. Choose your arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' flights from Los Angeles to Seoul.
Best time to go to Seoul
It's time to figure out your travel dates for your flight from Los Angeles to Seoul. July is the most popular month to travel to Seoul. If you prefer a more relaxed atmosphere, go in April.
Before locking in your flight from Los Angeles to Seoul, consider the type of weather you like. August is the warmest month in Seoul, with temperatures ranging from 19ºC to 32ºC.
January sees average temperatures of between -12ºC and 4ºC. Search for cheap flights from Los Angeles to Seoul around that time if you like travelling in cooler conditions.
More about Seoul
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best stays in Seoul right here. Check out these hotels as soon as you've locked in your flight from Los Angeles to Seoul:
Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village are just a couple of the major attractions to put on your Seoul to-do list. Keep the momentum going by heading to N Seoul Tower.
Complete your Seoul trip with a car rental
We use the same magic that helped you find your cheap flight from Los Angeles to Seoul to track down deals on car rentals. Search for your ride in seconds and compare offers in one place. Plus we give you all the info you need to drive in Seoul, from the most popular rental company to the best time to book.