Travelling from Seoul to Beijing: what you need to know
There are two main airports you can start your journey from in Seoul. Check out your options leaving from Incheon International Airport (ICN) or Gimpo International Airport (GMP) when searching for a flight from Seoul to Beijing.
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Daxing International Airport (PKX) are Beijing's major entry points.
Jump on a direct Seoul to Beijing flight and you'll be in the air for an average of 2 hours 10 minutes.
The timezone in Beijing is UTC+8, which is one hour behind Seoul.
Incheon International Airport (ICN) to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) is the most popular route that connects these two cities. There are 60 flights a week to pick from. If you have things to finalize before heading off, the last flight from Seoul to Beijing is with Korean Air at 23:55. Choose the first ICN to PEK departure with Korean Air at 07:55 to fit in more activities on your first day in Beijing.
Leave enough time to catch your Seoul to Beijing flight. A good rule of thumb is to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
You'll likely experience bigger queues in popular months such as July. Arriving up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours for a domestic departure is a smart move.
How to find the cheapest flights from Seoul to Beijing
RM268 is currently the best price for a one-way ticket from Seoul to Beijing. Return flights start from RM406. These prices can change based on availability.
To secure cheap Seoul to Beijing flights, reserve your journey one month ahead of your departure date.
The best month for finding cheap plane tickets from Seoul to Beijing is April. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare flight prices, then choose the dates that offer the biggest savings.
You don't need to search every day to see if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll notify you as soon as there's a better deal on cheap flights from Seoul to Beijing.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Select your ideal arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' Seoul to Beijing flights.
Flying from Seoul
Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Begin your journey at Incheon International Airport (ICN), which offers a range of direct flights from Seoul to Beijing. From ICN, you can fly without any stops to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) or Daxing International Airport (PKX).
There's a good selection of airlines that offer direct Seoul to Beijing plane tickets out of ICN. Some of the most popular are:
Think about adding a stopover to potentially save on your Seoul to Beijing flight. Simply deselect 'Direct flights only' when browsing departures from Incheon International Airport. Break up your trip (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these popular options:
Nanjing Lukou International Airport (NKG)
Qingdao Liuting International Airport (TAO)
Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport (DLC)
From the centre of Seoul, ICN is around 48 kilometres away. Visit the official airport website or use navigation apps to find the best way to arrive at the terminal.
In search of a handy hotel near Incheon International Airport? If you're boarding an early flight from Seoul to Beijing, these stays will have you sleeping nice and close to your departure gate:
When it comes to Incheon International Airport's on-time performance, data shows 54.5% of flights meet their scheduled arrival time.
Gimpo International Airport (GMP)
Thinking of jetting off from Gimpo International Airport (GMP)? You can take a direct flight from Seoul to Beijing out of this major hub. Come in for landing at Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) or Daxing International Airport (PKX) without changing planes.
You have a choice of airlines offering direct Seoul to Beijing plane tickets from GMP. Set off with any of these carriers and skip the layovers:
Visit friends or family or just take some time to unwind with a stopover. If you'd like to split up your Seoul to Beijing flight, browse these options when departing from Gimpo International Airport:
Haneda Airport (HND)
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
Jeju International Airport (CJU)
From the centre of Seoul, GMP is about 16 kilometres away. When working out the fastest way to get there, find out if public transport is an option or if it's easier to drive.
You're off on holiday, so why not book another night away? Consider kicking back in one of these accommodation options near Gimpo International Airport the day before your flight from Seoul to Beijing:
76% of flights leaving Gimpo International Airport arrive within the expected time frame.
Arriving in Beijing
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) is approximately 26 kilometres from the centre of Beijing. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes roughly 40 minutes.
Consider booking a hotel near PEK if you have a late flight from Seoul to Beijing. Pick one of these options and skip the long transfer:
Go beyond Beijing and check out places that aren't on most itineraries with your own wheels. You can grab a Beijing Capital International Airport rental car from Hertz.
Increase your chances of securing the best possible rate by booking early. Reserving your vehicle from Beijing Capital International Airport at least a few weeks ahead is a good move.
You'll find PEK at Capital Airport Rd.
Daxing International Airport (PKX)
Daxing International Airport (PKX) is roughly 40 kilometres from the centre of Beijing. Once you've hopped off your flight from Seoul to Beijing, it'll take you approximately 1 hour 5 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.
You'll find some comfortable places to call home for the night near PKX. Unwind after your Seoul to Beijing flight at one of these well-located options:
Best time to go to Beijing
April is the most popular month for flights from Seoul to Beijing. To steer clear of the crowds, visit Beijing in February.
When booking your Seoul to Beijing tickets, think about the type of weather you enjoy. July is the warmest month in Beijing, with temperatures ranging from 21ºC (70ºF) to 35ºC (95ºF).
January has average temperatures of between -11ºC (12ºF) and 3ºC (37ºF). Look for cheap flights from Seoul to Beijing around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about Beijing
When it comes to looking for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the best stays in Beijing right here. Check out these options once you've locked in your flight from Seoul to Beijing:
Every great journey has to include a little sightseeing. Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Tiananmen Square are must-do's during your Beijing adventure.
Explore more of China
Beijing is easy to fall in love with, but there are so many other parts of China waiting to be discovered. About 113 kilometres south-east of Beijing, a trip to Tianjin will keep your itinerary packed. Start with popular sights like Ancient Culture Street, Porcelain house and Haihe River.
If you're eager to discover another major stop in China, head for Tai'an, about 418 kilometres south of Beijing. Sanyi Cypress, Xixi Stone Pavilion and Qiuxian Cave are key highlights.