Travelling from Seoul to Los Angeles: what you need to know
Start your travel planning by considering the departure point for your flight from Seoul to Los Angeles. Incheon International Airport (ICN) and Gimpo International Airport (GMP) are Seoul's main airports.
When choosing where to land in Los Angeles, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Los Angeles Van Nuys Airport (VNY) are the chief entry points.
Around 11 hours 15 minutes is how long you'll be in transit on a direct Seoul to Los Angeles flight.
The timezone in Los Angeles is UTC-8, which is 17 hours behind Seoul.
Incheon International Airport (ICN) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the most traveled route between these two cities. There are 35 weekly departures to pick from. If you have things to finalize before heading off, the last flight from Seoul to Los Angeles is with Asiana Airlines at 20:40. Go for the first ICN to LAX departure with Air Premia at 12:50 to make the most of your arrival in Los Angeles.
For a relaxed travel experience, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This leaves you with plenty of time to catch your Seoul to Los Angeles flight.
Travelling during a peak time like August? Major public holidays and other popular periods can lead to longer queues and delays at security. Play things extra safe and arrive up to four hours before an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.
How to find the cheapest flights from Seoul to Los Angeles
Don't leave everything to the last moment. You're more likely to find cheap Seoul to Los Angeles flights if you book early. Airlines often have some excellent early bird deals.
The 'Whole month' search tool shows you the cheapest plane tickets from Seoul to Los Angeles across the month. It's a good way to snap up a bargain if your trip dates are flexible.
Finding a cheap flight from Seoul to Los Angeles is a breeze with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when the price has dropped.
Pick your preferred departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines by using the filters. Alternatively, sort your Seoul to Los Angeles flight results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest.'
Flying from Seoul
Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Jet off from Incheon International Airport (ICN) on a nonstop flight from Seoul to Los Angeles. From ICN, you can fly directly into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
Choose from a variety of airlines that offer direct Seoul to Los Angeles plane tickets out of ICN. Let one of these carriers take you there:
We make it easy to book a Seoul to Los Angeles flight with a stopover. To see all the options departing from Incheon International Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, simply pick a flight that has a stop long enough to see the sights of the city of your choice. Top stopovers include:
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT)
Kansai International (Osaka) Airport (KIX)
ICN is around 48 kilometres from central Seoul. If you're ride-sharing, catching a taxi or driving from the centre, it'll take you 1 hour 5 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're taking public transport, expect the journey time to be around 50 minutes.
Planning to catch an early flight from Seoul to Los Angeles? Avoid rushing to the airport (and catch some extra z's) by choosing one of these hotels close to Incheon International Airport:
Of the flights that depart from Incheon International Airport, 74% land on schedule at their destination.
Gimpo International Airport (GMP)
Break up your Seoul to Los Angeles flight with a stop so you can stretch your legs or cross a new place off your list. Some top stopovers between Gimpo International Airport and Los Angeles include:
Beijing Capital Airport (PEK)
Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND)
Kansai International (Osaka) Airport (KIX)
You can get to GMP from the centre of Seoul in about 30 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport takes roughly 35 minutes to travel the 18 kilometres or so.
You're going on holiday, so why not extend it with an extra night away from home? Consider checking in to one of these hotels near Gimpo International Airport the day before your flight from Seoul to Los Angeles:
Flights from Gimpo International Airport have a reputation for punctuality, with 81% of them touching down on schedule.
Arriving in Los Angeles
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
The distance from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to central Los Angeles is roughly 19 kilometres. It'll take you around 35 minutes to get to the centre driving.
It typically takes 1 hour to get there on public transport.
Consider staying in a hotel close to LAX if you're coming in on a late flight from Seoul to Los Angeles. Settle into one of these options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Travel at your own speed with a Los Angeles International Airport rental car. Book your wheels from Dollar, Thrifty or Hertz and discover more of Los Angeles and beyond.
Booking your ride from Los Angeles International Airport around one week ahead can help you get the lowest rate.
LAX is located at One World Way.
Los Angeles Van Nuys Airport (VNY)
The centre of Los Angeles is about 27 kilometres from Los Angeles Van Nuys Airport (VNY). After your flight from Seoul to Los Angeles has landed and you've made your way to arrivals, expect a drive of about 35 minutes.
The trip will take approximately 1 hour 15 minutes on public transport.
You'll find some great places to lay your head close to VNY. Kick back after your Seoul to Los Angeles flight at any of these perfectly located options:
Budget, Dollar and Hertz make collecting a Los Angeles Van Nuys Airport rental car easy and quick. These reliable suppliers are located around or in the terminal and will have you on your way in a heartbeat.
Save time at the rental desk by completing your booking beforehand. Reserve your ride from VNY ahead of time so you can just grab the keys and go.
Best time to go to Los Angeles
March is the quietest month for flights from Seoul to Los Angeles, while July is the most popular. Choose the best time to go to Los Angeles based on whether you want a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
Lock in a Seoul to Los Angeles ticket departing in August if you want to explore the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Los Angeles to range from 16ºC to 32ºC.
If you'd rather travel in cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from Seoul to Los Angeles in February when temperatures average between 6ºC and 26ºC.
More about Los Angeles
Once you've booked your flight from Seoul to Los Angeles, find a hotel that keeps you close to what you want to see. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Los Angeles:
All great adventures should include a little sightseeing. Hollywood Sign, Universal Studios Hollywood and Hollywood Bowl are must-visits when exploring Los Angeles.
Explore more of the United States
San Diego is just one of the many places in the United States waiting to be discovered after you've experienced Los Angeles. Around 177 kilometres to the southeast, popular attractions include San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park and USS Midway Museum.
If you want to check out another major destination in the United States, consider San Jose, about 499 kilometres northwest of Los Angeles. Winchester Mystery House, The Tech Interactive and Santa Clara Valley are key highlights.