Flying from Chicago to Seoul: what you need to know
Chicago is home to a couple of airports that could be the jumping-off point for your adventure. Check out your options for booking a flight from Chicago to Seoul flying out of O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW).
When it comes to working out where to land in Seoul, Incheon International Airport (ICN) and Gimpo International Airport (GMP) are the chief entry points.
Jump on a direct Chicago to Seoul flight and you'll be in transit for an average of 14 hours 40 minutes.
Seoul's timezone is UTC+9, making Seoul 14 hours ahead of Chicago.
The most popular route for flights from Chicago to Seoul is from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Incheon International Airport (ICN). You can choose from seven services every week between these two airports. If you want to take off at the first opportunity, the earliest flight from ORD to ICN is the 11:05 Korean Air service. If you prefer travelling later, the latest available service is at 12:30 with Korean Air.
For stress-free travel, 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 Chicago to Seoul flight.
During popular months like August, you'll want to get to the airport even earlier. Arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead for an international flight when you travel during peak periods in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Seoul
Score cheap Chicago to Seoul flights by booking five months ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for landing a bargain.
Plan your trip for August. That's the best month for scoring an awesome deal on plane tickets from Chicago to Seoul. If your travel dates are not set in stone, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the cheapest price across every month.
Save time searching for cheap flights from Chicago to Seoul by setting up a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or push notification on the app when a special offer becomes available.
Save money on your Chicago to Seoul flight with the help of our filters. Select your preferred duration, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Flying from Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
You can get a direct flight from Chicago to Seoul jetting off from O'Hare International Airport (ORD). Begin your journey at ORD and end it at Incheon International Airport (ICN).
Korean Air is a well-known airline that offers direct Chicago to Seoul plane tickets from ORD.
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to take a break from travelling — and possibly even explore another city. When browsing Chicago to Seoul flights leaving from O'Hare International Airport, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Here are some options to consider:
Haneda Airport (HND)
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
Located around 26 kilometres from the centre of Chicago, ORD can be reached in about 35 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey by public transport is roughly 55 minutes.
Catching an early flight from Chicago to Seoul? Avoid rushing to the airport (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these stays close to O'Hare International Airport:
74.85% of flights that depart O'Hare International Airport arrive at their destination on schedule.
ORD is located at 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Get the most out of your holiday with a stopover on your Chicago to Seoul flight. Visit family or friends or tick a new city off your list. Whatever you'd like to do, check out these stops between Chicago Midway International Airport and Seoul:
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
With public transport, you can travel from central Chicago to MDW in around 45 minutes. The airport is roughly 14 kilometres away. Driving will take you about 20 minutes.
Want to treat yourself to an extra night away before catching your flight from Chicago to Seoul? Unwind in a hotel near Chicago Midway International Airport before your adventure officially begins. These stays are calling your name:
When it comes to flight punctuality, Chicago Midway International Airport has an on-time arrival performance of 78%.
The address for MDW is 5700 South Cicero.
Arriving in Seoul
Incheon International Airport (ICN)
From Incheon International Airport (ICN), central Seoul is around 48 kilometres away.
Getting there on public transport will take you roughly 1 hour 45 minutes.
The last thing you need is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from Chicago to Seoul. Check in to one of these accommodation options near ICN instead:
Grab an Incheon International Airport rental car and discover Seoul and beyond with your own set of wheels. WECAR, Hi Rent A Car and Alamo are popular outlets you can book with here.
To get the lowest price, book your ride from Incheon International Airport about four weeks in advance of your Chicago to Seoul flight.
Gimpo International Airport (GMP)
If you're staying in Seoul's centre (or just want to start sightseeing straight away), the city is around 16 kilometres from Gimpo International Airport (GMP). Look for any information kiosks to help direct you after disembarking your flight from Chicago to Seoul.
The journey will take approximately 1 hour 5 minutes on public transport.
After your flight from Chicago to Seoul, rest your head at a hotel near GMP. These are some comfortable options that'll help you get into relaxation mode:
Forget about public transport schedules or waiting forever for a cab. Grab a Gimpo International Airport rental car and go in any direction that inspires you. Compare rates and availability from GOGO Rent a Car, Gogo Rental Car Seoul and Hi Rent A Car.
Get the pick of the lot. Booking your ride from GMP one week ahead of time often means more savings and a wider choice of vehicles.
Best time to go to Seoul
It's time to plan your trip dates for your flight from Chicago to Seoul. July is the most popular month to visit Seoul. If you want a more relaxed vibe, go in April.
The warmest month in Seoul is August, with temperatures ranging between 19ºC (66ºF) and 32ºC (90ºF). Book your Chicago to Seoul ticket then if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
Look for cheap flights from Chicago to Seoul in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -12ºC (10ºF) and 4ºC (39ºF) on average.
More about Seoul
Once you've booked your flight from Chicago to Seoul, decide where you'll be dropping your bags. Make one of these options your base for exploring Seoul:
Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village are just the start of the top attractions to add to your Seoul must-do list. Keep the sightseeing going at N Seoul Tower.
Explore more of South Korea
Seoul will leave a lasting impression, but there are so many other corners of South Korea waiting to be discovered. About 322 kilometres south-east of Seoul, a visit to Busan will keep you on the move. Start with leading attractions like Haeundae Beach, Gamcheon Culture Village and Beomeosa Temple.
Around 56 kilometres west of Seoul, Incheon is another essential stop in South Korea. No visit is complete without checking out Lawn Square of Incheon International Airport, Yeongjong Sky City No.23 Park and 스카이72 GC 바다코스.
