Flying from Seoul to Chicago: what you need to know
There are a couple of main airports you can fly out of in Seoul. Check out your options leaving from Incheon International Airport (ICN) or Gimpo International Airport (GMP) when reserving your flight from Seoul to Chicago.
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) are Chicago's primary hubs.
A direct flight from Seoul to Chicago takes an average of 12 hours 58 minutes. The timezone in Chicago is UTC-5, which makes it 14 hours behind Seoul.
The busiest route for flights from Seoul to Chicago is from Incheon International Airport (ICN) to O'Hare International Airport (ORD). Choose from 9 services every week between these two airports. If you want to head off as soon as possible, the earliest flight from ICN to ORD is the 10:40 Korean Air service. If you prefer travelling later, the last departure is at 10:40 with Korean Air.
For a smooth journey, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This will give you plenty of time to catch your flight from Seoul to Chicago.
If you're flying during a major holiday or other peak period, allow extra time. A good general rule is two hours ahead of domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Queues at check-in and security will be longer.
You'll need an ETA for United States if you have a passport from South Korea and are travelling for tourism purposes. Travel documentation and visa requirements are subject to change. So before booking your cheap flights from Seoul to Chicago, check with your airline and your destination country's local consulate or embassy for up-to-date information.
Flying from Seoul
Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Depart from Incheon International Airport (ICN) on a nonstop flight from Seoul to Chicago. From ICN, you can land directly at O'Hare International Airport (ORD).
If you want to leave from ICN, you can take a direct flight from Seoul to Chicago with Korean Air.
Stopovers are the perfect opportunity to break up your trip — and maybe even visit a new city. When searching for flights from Seoul to Chicago departing from Incheon International Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Popular options include:
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
In search of a handy hotel near Incheon International Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Seoul to Chicago, these stays will have you sleeping moments from your check-in counter:
Gimpo International Airport (GMP)
Break up your flight from Seoul to Chicago with a stop so you can freshen up or cross a new place off your list. Some great stopovers between Incheon International Airport and Chicago include:
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Want to enjoy an extra night away before catching your flight from Seoul to Chicago? Check in to a hotel near Gimpo International Airport before your vacation officially starts. Here's where you can stay:
Arriving in Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to the centre of Chicago is about 35 minutes by car. It's approximately 40 kilometres away.
It'll take around 54 minutes to get there by public transport.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Seoul to Chicago, few things beat the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your suitcases from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing soon after at one of these hotels near ORD:
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
The centre of Chicago is approximately 19 kilometres from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). After your flight from Seoul to Chicago has hit the runway and you've navigated your way to arrivals, the drive should be around 21 minutes.
Public transport will get you there in approximately 46 minutes.
After your flight from Seoul to Chicago, settle in at a hotel near MDW. These are some comfortable accommodation options that'll help you switch to relaxation mode:
How to find the cheapest flights from Seoul to Chicago
The lowest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Seoul to Chicago is C$644. For a return flight on this route, the best price is C$1,370. Depending on how early you book and the availability, these fares can change.
Book 9 months before travelling. After crunching the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you should book ahead to secure cheap flights from Seoul to Chicago.
May is the cheapest month for tickets from Seoul to Chicago. If you want to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices for every month.
Log into your online account or use the app to create a Price Alert. You'll get notified right away if there's a cheaper deal on this route. It doesn't take long, and it'll save you from checking for cheap flights from Seoul to Chicago every day.
Use filters to tailor your flights from Seoul to Chicago. Simply enter your ideal departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops. Or sort your results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Best time to go to Chicago
February is the quietest month for flights from Seoul to Chicago, while August is the most popular. Choose the ideal time to go to Chicago based on whether you want a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.
Book your flight from Seoul to Chicago for July if you want to visit the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Chicago to range from 15ºC to 29ºC.
If you'd rather travel in cooler conditions, book a cheap ticket from Seoul to Chicago in January when temperatures average between -12ºC and 3ºC.
More about Chicago
Start your Chicago trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Seoul to Chicago, explore our range of hotels including:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be difficult to know where to begin. Millennium Park, Art Institute of Chicago and LandShark Beer Garden at Navy Pier are major attractions which should be on every Chicago itinerary.
Complete your Chicago trip with a car rental
Explore our range of car rentals once you've found your hotel and cheap flight from Seoul to Chicago. Whether you're searching for a compact ride, an SUV or something that makes a statement, you can compare companies in one go to find the best deal.
