Travelling from Seoul to Beijing: what you need to know
Seoul has a couple of airports where you can set off on your adventure. Explore your options for booking a flight from Seoul to Beijing flying out of Incheon International Airport (ICN) or Gimpo International Airport (GMP).
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Daxing International Airport (PKX) are Beijing's major entry points.
A direct flight from Seoul to Beijing takes an average of 2 hours 10 minutes. The timezone in Beijing is UTC+8, meaning it's 1 hour behind Seoul.
With 171 weekly flights between the two airports, Incheon International Airport (ICN) to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) is the most popular route. Board the first flight from Seoul to Beijing with Korean Air at 07:55. If you prefer to get more out of your day before flying, the last departure from ICN to PEK is with Korean Air at 23:55.
To ensure you catch your flight from Seoul to Beijing, leave enough time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Arriving two hours before international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
You can expect longer queues during popular months such as July and other peak periods. Arriving up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours for a domestic departure will give you plenty of time for security and boarding.
If you hold a passport from South Korea, you will need a visa to enter China. This applies if you're booking a cheap flight from Seoul to Beijing for tourism purposes. Requirements may change if you're travelling for work or other reasons. Always consult official visa guidelines before you book and definitely before flying.
Flying from Seoul
Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Direct flights from Seoul to Beijing frequently depart from Incheon International Airport (ICN). ICN offers nonstop services to two Beijing terminals, Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Daxing International Airport (PKX).
These are some of the leading carriers operating direct flights from Seoul to Beijing taking off from ICN:
Think about adding a stopover to potentially save money on your flight from Seoul to Beijing. Simply uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Incheon International Airport. Take a pause at one of these airports:
Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport (DLC)
Yantai Laishan International Airport (YNT)
Qingdao Liuting International Airport (TAO)
Want a leisurely start to your journey? Stay near Incheon International Airport. Whether you're catching an early flight from Seoul to Beijing or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are perfect:
Gimpo International Airport (GMP)
Direct flights from Seoul to Beijing are also available at Gimpo International Airport (GMP), so consider departing from this hub. GMP has nonstop services to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Daxing International Airport (PKX).
When departing from GMP, you'll have your pick of airlines that offer direct flights from Seoul to Beijing. Reach cruising altitude with one of these carriers:
Maximize your vacation with a stopover on your flight from Seoul to Beijing. Visit friends or family or cross another city off your list. Whatever you want to do, check out these options between Incheon International Airport and Beijing:
Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport (DLC)
Yantai Laishan International Airport (YNT)
Qingdao Liuting International Airport (TAO)
Start your vacation early with an additional night away from home. Before your flight from Seoul to Beijing, stay in one of these hotels near Gimpo International Airport:
Arriving in Beijing
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) to central Beijing is about 40 minutes by car. It's approximately 31 kilometres away.
Consider booking a hotel near PEK if you're taking a late flight from Seoul to Beijing. Pick one of these options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Daxing International Airport (PKX)
Daxing International Airport (PKX) is around 56 kilometres from the centre of Beijing. After your flight from Seoul to Beijing, expect a drive time of approximately 1 hour and 3 minutes to reach the heart of the city.
Place the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and relax at a hotel close to PKX. Here are a few options where you can put your feet up after your flight from Seoul to Beijing:
How to find the cheapest flights from Seoul to Beijing
The lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Seoul to Beijing is C$170. For a return flight on this route, the best price is C$293. Depending on the availability and when you book, these fares may change.
Book 8 months before you want to travel. After crunching the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you should book ahead to secure cheap flights from Seoul to Beijing.
April is the cheapest month for tickets from Seoul to Beijing. If you're looking to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices for each month.
Create a Price Alert for cheap flights from Seoul to Beijing. There's no need to check back in every day to see whether prices have fallen. We'll update you when the price changes.
Use filters to find your ideal journey. To see the 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' flights from Seoul to Beijing, use the 'Sort by' function. You can also filter results by airline, arrival and departure times, and journey duration.
Best time to go to Beijing
July is the most popular month for flights from Seoul to Beijing. To escape the crowds, go to Beijing in February.
The warmest month in Beijing is July, with temperatures ranging between 21ºC and 35ºC. Lock in your flights from Seoul to Beijing in this month if this is the type of weather you like.
If you want cooler conditions, lock in a cheap ticket from Seoul to Beijing in January when temperatures average between -11ºC and 3ºC.
More about Beijing
After booking your flight from Seoul to Beijing, think about where to rest your head in this city. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Beijing:
Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven are just two of the leading attractions to add to your Beijing to-do list. Continue your sightseeing adventures at Tiananmen Square.
Complete your Beijing trip with a car rental
Check out our lineup of car rentals once you've booked your hotel and cheap flight from Seoul to Beijing. Whether you're after an economy ride, a standard vehicle or even something that'll turn heads, you can easily compare companies in one go to find the perfect deal.
