Travelling from Chicago to Seoul: what you need to know
There are two main airports you can start your trip from in Chicago. Explore your options departing from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) when reserving your flight from Chicago to Seoul.
Incheon International Airport (ICN) and Gimpo International Airport (GMP) are Seoul's primary hubs.
14 hours 16 minutes is the average duration of a direct flight from Chicago to Seoul. Operating on the UTC+9 timezone, Seoul is 14 hours ahead of Chicago.
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Incheon International Airport (ICN) is the most traveled route between these two cities. There are 9 weekly departures to choose from. If you have things to do before heading off, the last flight from Chicago to Seoul is with Korean Air at 12:30. Choose the first ORD to ICN departure with Korean Air at 11:25 to maximise your time in Seoul.
To ensure you get on your flight from Chicago to Seoul, leave enough time to check in and find your gate. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
Be prepared for bigger queues in popular months such as August and other peak seasons. Arriving up to four hours in advance for an international flight and two hours for a domestic departure will give you plenty of time for security and boarding.
If you have a passport from United States, you will need an ETA to enter South Korea. This applies when booking a cheap flight from Chicago to Seoul for tourism purposes. Requirements may be different if you're travelling for work or other reasons. Always consult official visa guidelines before you book and certainly before you fly.
Flying from Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
You can book a direct flight from Chicago to Seoul jetting off from O'Hare International Airport (ORD). Begin your journey at ORD and arrive at Incheon International Airport (ICN).
You can book a direct flight from Chicago to Seoul with Korean Air. This top airline offers services from ORD.
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to take a break from travelling — and possibly even tour another city. When searching for flights from Chicago to Seoul leaving from O'Hare International Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Here are some popular options to consider:
Haneda Airport (HND)
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
Travelling from central Chicago to ORD takes approximately 54 minutes on public transport. If you ride-share, drive or get a cab, you'll cover the 40 kilometres in 35 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
After a hassle-free start to your break? Stay near O'Hare International Airport. Whether you've booked an early flight from Chicago to Seoul or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels have you covered:
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Visit friends or family or just take some time to unwind with a stopover. If you'd like to break up your flight from Chicago to Seoul, check out these options when heading out from O'Hare International Airport:
Haneda Airport (HND)
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
MDW is about 19 kilometres from central Chicago. It'll take 21 minutes or so to get to the airport by car from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 46 minutes.
Want to treat yourself to an extra night away before boarding your flight from Chicago to Seoul? Check in to a hotel near Chicago Midway International Airport before your trip officially begins. Consider one of these stays:
Arriving in Seoul
Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Incheon International Airport (ICN) is around 48 kilometres from central Seoul. How long it'll take to get there in a cab or car rental will depend on the time of day. Do a little research before you go.
It takes around 1 hour and 44 minutes to get there by public transport.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Chicago to Seoul, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your luggage from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing not long after at one of these accommodation options near ICN:
Gimpo International Airport (GMP)
Gimpo International Airport (GMP) is roughly 16 kilometres from the centre of Seoul. Check out your options for making your way into town after your flight from Chicago to Seoul has landed.
Travelling by public transport will take around 1 hour and 3 minutes.
After your flight from Chicago to Seoul, unwind at a hotel close to GMP. These are some great accommodation options that'll help you slip into relaxation mode:
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Seoul
₹ 39,360 is currently the lowest price for a one-way ticket from Chicago to Seoul. Return flights start from ₹ 78,247. These fares may change depending on demand and availability.
It's usually smart to book as early as possible if you want to find cheap tickets from Chicago to Seoul. That's because airlines change prices based on demand, which tends to rise closer to the date of departure.
If you can be flexible with your trip dates, use the 'Whole month' tool. It'll give you the cheapest price across each month when searching for your ticket from Chicago to Seoul.
Sign into your online account or use the app to create a Price Alert. We'll get in touch straight away if there's a better deal on this route. It doesn't take long, and it'll save you time searching for cheap tickets from Chicago to Seoul every day.
Use filters to tailor your flights from Chicago to Seoul. Select your ideal departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops. Alternatively, sort your results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Best time to go to Seoul
It's time to work out your dates for your flight from Chicago to Seoul. July is the busiest month to travel to Seoul. If you want a quieter atmosphere, go in April.
Book your flight from Chicago to Seoul for August if you'd like to head to the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Seoul to range from 19ºC to 32ºC.
January sees average temperatures of between -12ºC and 4ºC. Search for cheap tickets from Chicago to Seoul sometime then if you like travelling in cooler conditions.
More about Seoul
Start your Seoul trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Chicago to Seoul, browse our range of accommodation options including:
There are so many things to discover in this city it can be difficult to know where to start. Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village and N Seoul Tower are top sights which should be on any good Seoul itinerary.
Complete your Seoul trip with a car rental
Explore our range of car rentals once you've locked in your hotel and cheap flight from Chicago to Seoul. Whether you're searching for a compact ride, roomy sedan or something in between, you can easily compare companies in one go to find the perfect deal.
