Travelling from San Jose to Seoul: what you need to know
San Jose's main base, Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC), is where plenty of awesome adventures begin. Explore the departure options from here when searching for a flight from San Jose to Seoul.
Incheon International Airport (ICN) and Gimpo International Airport (GMP) are Seoul's major gateways.
Give yourself enough time to get on your flight from San Jose to Seoul. A good rule of thumb is to arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
You can expect bigger queues in popular months such as August and other peak seasons. Arriving up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours for domestic departures is a wise move.
If you have a passport from United States, you'll need an ETA to enter South Korea. This applies when booking a cheap flight from San Jose to Seoul for tourism purposes. The rules may differ if you're travelling for business or other reasons. Always check the visa rules before you book and definitely before flying.
Flying from San Jose
Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC)
Stopovers are the perfect opportunity to take a travel break — and perhaps even explore another city. When browsing flights from San Jose to Seoul leaving from Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Here are some popular options to consider:
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Harry Reid Airport (formerly McCarran Airport) Airport (LAS)
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Located around 6 kilometres from the centre of San Jose, SJC can be reached in approximately 12 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport will take roughly 44 minutes.
Need a handy hotel near Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport? If you've booked an early flight from San Jose to Seoul, these stays will have you sleeping moments from check-in:
Arriving in Seoul
Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Incheon International Airport (ICN) to the centre of Seoul is about 48 kilometres. If you're renting a car or taking a cab, plan in advance to make your trip as smooth as possible. Journey times will vary based on traffic conditions and the time of day.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey of about 1 hour and 44 minutes.
If you have a late flight from San Jose to Seoul, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your luggage from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping not long after at one of these accommodation options near ICN:
Gimpo International Airport (GMP)
If you're staying in Seoul's centre (or just want to explore straight away), the city is around 16 kilometres from Gimpo International Airport (GMP). Look for any visitor information desks to help direct you after disembarking your flight from San Jose to Seoul.
You can also opt for public transport, which will take approximately 1 hour and 3 minutes.
You'll find some cozy hotels to call home for the night near GMP. Kick back after your flight from San Jose to Seoul at any of these well-located options:
How to find the cheapest flights from San Jose to Seoul
The cheapest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from San Jose to Seoul is C$508. For a return flight on this route, the best price is C$1,282. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares may change.
Don't leave everything to the last moment. You're more likely to get cheap flights from San Jose to Seoul if you book in advance. Airlines often offer some great early bird rates.
If you're willing to be flexible with your travel dates, try using the 'Whole month' tool. It'll give you the lowest price in each month when looking for a ticket from San Jose to Seoul.
Getting a cheap ticket from San Jose to Seoul is a breeze with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch when the price has fallen.
Use filters to tailor your flights from San Jose to Seoul. Pick your ideal arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines. Alternatively, sort your results by 'Cheapest' to get the best deals.
Best time to go to Seoul
April is the quietest month for flights from San Jose to Seoul, while July is the busiest. Choose the best time to visit Seoul based on whether you like a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.
Book your flight from San Jose to Seoul for August if you want to head to the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Seoul to range from 19ºC to 32ºC.
January sees average temperatures of between -12ºC and 4ºC. Search for cheap flights from San Jose to Seoul sometime around then if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Seoul
After booking your flight from San Jose to Seoul, think about where you want to stay in this city. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Seoul:
All great adventures should include a little sightseeing. Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village and N Seoul Tower are essential stops on your Seoul itinerary.
Complete your Seoul trip with a car rental
Check out our range of car rentals once you've locked in your hotel and cheap flight from San Jose to Seoul. Whether you're after an economy ride, a standard vehicle or something more luxurious, you can compare companies in one go to find the best deal.