South Korea
How to get to South Korea: airports, flights and border crossings
Fly into Incheon (ICN) for Seoul — it has the most nonstop routes and the AREX train to the city. Gimpo (GMP) suits short-haul Asia flights and lands closer in. Busan (PUS) and Jeju (CJU) work if you skip Seoul. Arrive before 22:00 so trains and buses are still running.Fly into Incheon (ICN) for Seoul — it has the most nonstop routes and the AREX train to the city. Gimpo (GMP) suits short-haul Asia flights and lands closer in. Busan (PUS) and Jeju (CJU) work if you skip Seoul. Arrive before 10:00 PM so trains and buses are still running.
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GuideSouth Korea
Key facts
- Main gateway
- Incheon International (ICN), about 50 km west of central Seoul
- Second Seoul airport
- Gimpo (GMP), closer to the city, mostly short-haul Asia routes
- Other useful airports
- Busan (PUS), Jeju (CJU), Daegu (TAE), Cheongju (CJJ), Muan (MWX), Yangyang (YNY)
- Airport to Seoul
- AREX train (express and all-stop), limousine bus, taxi; 43–70 min by train
- Land entry
- Only from North Korea; no practical overland route for tourists
- Sea entry
- Ferries from Japan (Busan–Fukuoka, Shimonoseki, Osaka) and China
- Entry rulecheck
- K-ETA or visa depending on passport; check before booking
Quick answer
For a first trip, book Incheon (ICN). It carries the bulk of long-haul flights from the US, Europe, the Middle East and Australia, and it is the only airport with a direct rail link to Seoul. Gimpo (GMP) is the better choice if you are arriving from elsewhere in Asia and want a shorter ride into town. Busan (PUS) and Jeju (CJU) make sense only if you are skipping Seoul or flying onward domestically.
| Airport | Code | Best for | To the city |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incheon | ICN | Long-haul from the US, UK, Europe, Australia | AREX train 43–70 min; bus 60–90 min; taxi 60–80 min |
| Gimpo | GMP | Short-haul Asia, some Japan and China routes | Subway Line 5/9 or AREX to Seoul, about 30–40 min |
| Busan | PUS | South coast and Gyeongju without Seoul | Light rail plus subway, about 40–60 min |
| Jeju | CJU | Island trips; domestic from Seoul in about 1 h | Bus or taxi, 10–20 min to Jeju City |
| Daegu | TAE | Southeast inland | Bus or taxi to Daegu, about 20–30 min |
| Cheongju | CJJ | Central Korea, Daejeon and Sejong | Bus to Daejeon or Seoul, 40–90 min |
| Muan | MWX | Southwest, Mokpo and Jeolla | Bus to Mokpo or Gwangju, 30–60 min |
| Yangyang | YNY | Gangwon coast and Seoraksan | Bus to Sokcho or Gangneung, 30–60 min |
Times are 2026 estimates and vary with traffic and timetable; check the airport or rail operator before you travel.
Flights by origin
Incheon is one of the busiest transfer airports in Asia, so most long-haul travellers reach Korea on a nonstop or a single connection through Tokyo, Taipei, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Doha, Dubai or Istanbul. Fares swing widely by season: cherry blossom (late March to mid April), Chuseok and the New Year period are the expensive windows, while late January to February and November are usually cheaper.
| From | Typical routing | Nonstop flight time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| US West Coast | Nonstop to ICN | 11–12 h | Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Las Vegas |
| US East Coast | Nonstop or one stop | 14–15 h nonstop | New York, Atlanta, Washington DC; connections via West Coast or Europe |
| UK and Ireland | Nonstop or one stop | 11–12 h nonstop | London nonstop; Dublin usually via London, Paris, Amsterdam or the Gulf |
| Canada | Nonstop or one stop | 11–12 h from Vancouver | Toronto and Vancouver nonstop; Montreal usually one stop |
| Australia | Nonstop or one stop | 10–11 h from Sydney | Sydney and Brisbane nonstop; Melbourne nonstop or via Sydney |
| New Zealand | One stop | 13–16 h total | Usually via Sydney, Brisbane or Singapore |
2026 estimates; schedules change each season, so check with the airline or a flight search before booking.
Airport to city, step by step
At Incheon, clear immigration and customs, then follow signs to the AREX. The express train runs nonstop to Seoul Station; the all-stop train costs less and stops at more stations including Hongik University (Hongdae) and Gimpo Airport. Both are covered by a T-money card or a single ticket. Limousine buses run to major hotel districts and are easier with heavy bags. Taxis are metered and the deluxe and jumbo types cost more; agree nothing, just take the official queue.
- Buy or top up a T-money card at the airport; it works on subway, bus and taxi across the country.
- Allow 60–90 minutes from landing to the train if you check a bag and the queues are long.
- The last AREX trains leave around 22:30–23:00; after that it is a taxi or an airport hotel.
- Gimpo is on Seoul subway Line 5 and Line 9 plus the AREX, so it is often the faster door-to-door option.
- For Busan, Gimhae airport connects by light rail to the subway; a taxi to Haeundae takes longer in traffic.
| Option | Cost (2026 estimate) | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| AREX express | ₩9,000–11,000 | 43 min to Seoul Station | Solo travellers, light bags |
| AREX all-stop | ₩4,000–5,000 | 55–70 min | Cheapest rail option, Hongdae and Gimpo stops |
| Limousine bus | ₩10,000–18,000 | 60–90 min | Heavy bags, hotel-door drops |
| Taxi | ₩60,000–100,000 | 60–80 min | Groups of three or four, late arrivals |
Fares are 2026 estimates; check the operator for current prices and last-train times.
Land and sea entry
There is no practical overland route into South Korea for tourists: the only land border is the DMZ with North Korea, and it is not a crossing point. Everyone else arrives by air or sea.
Ferries link Busan with Fukuoka, Shimonoseki and Osaka in Japan, and Incheon and Pyeongtaek with ports in China. These routes are slower and less frequent than flying and are mainly used by residents and freight passengers; check the operator for the current timetable and whether foreign passengers are accepted on your date.
| Route | Port | Typical time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Busan–Fukuoka | Busan | 3–6 h | Fast and slow ferries |
| Busan–Shimonoseki | Busan | about 12 h | Overnight ferry |
| Busan–Osaka | Busan | about 18 h | Overnight ferry |
| Incheon–China ports | Incheon | 12–24 h | Several routes; check operator and entry rules |
| Pyeongtaek–China ports | Pyeongtaek | 12–24 h | Check operator |
Schedules change often and some routes pause in winter; confirm before planning around a ferry.
Before you fly
Check your entry status early. Many passports can use the K-ETA electronic travel authorisation, but the eligible list changes and some nationalities need a visa instead. Your passport should have at least six months of validity left, and you may be asked for an onward ticket and an address in Korea.
Book the first night before you land, especially in Seoul in spring and autumn. If you arrive after 23:00, plan a taxi or an airport-area hotel rather than a city train. Travel insurance is worth arranging before departure, particularly if you plan hiking, skiing or a DMZ tour.
- Confirm K-ETA or visa status and apply before booking non-refundable flights.
- Save your accommodation address in Korean for the arrival card.
- Set up an eSIM or pick up a SIM at the airport if you need data on landing.
- Check the weather for your dates: July and August are hot and wet, January is cold and dry.
Questions people ask
What is the best airport to fly into for South Korea?
Incheon (ICN) for most travellers: the widest long-haul network and a direct train to Seoul. Choose Gimpo (GMP) for short-haul Asia flights, or Busan (PUS) and Jeju (CJU) if you are not starting in Seoul.
How long is the flight to South Korea from the US, UK, Canada, Australia and NZ?
Roughly 11–12 h nonstop from the US West Coast, 14–15 h from the East Coast, 11–12 h from London, 11–12 h from Vancouver, 10–11 h from Sydney, and 13–16 h total from New Zealand with one stop.
Can I enter South Korea by land or sea?
Not by land: the only border is with North Korea and it is closed to tourists. By sea, ferries run from Japan to Busan and from China to Incheon and Pyeongtaek, but schedules are limited, so check the operator.
How do I get from Incheon Airport to Seoul?
Take the AREX train: express to Seoul Station in about 43 minutes or the all-stop train in 55–70 minutes. Limousine buses reach hotel districts in 60–90 minutes, and taxis take 60–80 minutes depending on traffic.
Do I need a visa or K-ETA to enter South Korea?
It depends on your passport. Many nationalities can apply for a K-ETA online before travel; others need a visa. Check the official immigration site for your nationality well before you book.
What time should I arrive to catch the last train from Incheon?
Land before about 22:00. The last AREX trains leave around 22:30–23:00, so a later arrival means a taxi or a night near the airport.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialIncheon International Airport
- officialKorea Airports Corporation
- officialKorea Tourism Organization – Visit Korea
- officialKorea Immigration Service – K-ETA
- officialAREX Airport Railroad
- secondaryWikivoyage – South Korea