Flying from Seoul to San Diego: what you need to know
Seoul is home to a couple of airports where you can kick off your travels. Explore your options for booking a flight from Seoul to San Diego departing from Incheon International Airport (ICN) or Gimpo International Airport (GMP).
San Diego International Airport (SAN) is the primary point of entry to San Diego.
San Diego is 16 hours behind Seoul and observes the UTC-7 timezone.
For hassle-free travel, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. That way, you can comfortably board your Seoul to San Diego flight.
Be prepared for longer queues in popular months like July. Arriving up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours for a domestic departure will help ensure a smooth travel experience.
How to find the cheapest flights from Seoul to San Diego
To find cheap Seoul to San Diego flights, book as early as possible. Airlines generally offer their most competitively priced fares when tickets first go on sale.
If you can be flexible with your trip dates, use the 'Whole month' tool. It'll show you the cheapest price in each month when searching for your plane ticket from Seoul to San Diego.
Save time looking for cheap flights from Seoul to San Diego by setting up a Price Alert. You'll get an email or notification on the app when a lower fare becomes available.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Choose your departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' Seoul to San Diego flights.
Flying from Seoul
Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Think about adding a stopover to potentially find a cheaper Seoul to San Diego flight. Simply deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Incheon International Airport. Break up your trip (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these airports:
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Narita International Airport (NRT)
From the centre of Seoul, ICN is around 48 kilometres away. Use navigation apps or check the official airport website to find the best way to arrive at the terminal.
In search of a convenient hotel close to Incheon International Airport? If you're catching an early flight from Seoul to San Diego, these accommodation options will put you moments from your departure gate:
When it comes to the on-time performance of Incheon International Airport, 54.5% of flights meet their scheduled arrival time.
Gimpo International Airport (GMP)
GMP is roughly 16 kilometres from central Seoul. Plan ahead to find the best way to reach the terminal.
It's your holiday, so why not spend an extra night away from home? Think about checking in to one of these accommodation options near Gimpo International Airport the day before your flight from Seoul to San Diego:
Gimpo International Airport has an on-time performance of 76%. This figure shows how often flights that depart from this airport reach their destination on time.
Arriving in San Diego
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
San Diego International Airport (SAN) to central San Diego takes around 10 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 5 kilometres away.
Travelling to the centre on public transport takes about 20 minutes.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Seoul to San Diego, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and resting not long after at one of these hotels near SAN:
Get your adventure underway by picking up a San Diego International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Thrifty, Dollar or Budget and explore beyond San Diego's main sights.
To get the lowest price, book your vehicle from San Diego International Airport around two weeks in advance of your Seoul to San Diego flight.
You'll find SAN at N Harbour Dr.
McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD)
As soon as your flight from Seoul to San Diego has hit the runway, you can make your way to the city centre in about 40 minutes by car. Central San Diego is approximately 48 kilometres from McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD).
If you choose to travel on public transport, the ride to the centre takes 2 hours 15 minutes or so.
The fastest way to get to where you're going is with a McClellan-Palomar Airport rental car. Collect your wheels from Budget, Hertz or Avis and be on your way in a flash.
Avoid filling out forms at the rental desk by completing your booking beforehand. Secure your ride from CLD ahead of time so you can simply grab the keys and be on your way.
Best time to go to San Diego
It's time to figure out your trip dates for your flight from Seoul to San Diego. July is the busiest month to travel to San Diego. If you like a more peaceful vibe, go in May.
Before locking in your Seoul to San Diego tickets, think about what kind of weather you prefer. August is the warmest month in San Diego, with temperatures ranging from 17ºC (63ºF) to 28ºC (82ºF).
February has average temperatures of between 7ºC (45ºF) and 23ºC (73ºF). Search for cheap flights from Seoul to San Diego around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about San Diego
Once you've booked your flight from Seoul to San Diego, find a hotel that offers the right mix of comfort and location. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring San Diego:
San Diego Zoo and USS Midway Museum are just two of the popular attractions to add to your San Diego travel itinerary. Keep the momentum going by heading to SeaWorld San Diego.
Explore more of United States
San Diego has plenty going for it, but there are so many other parts of United States you'll want to see. Around 177 kilometres north-west of San Diego, a trip to Los Angeles will keep you on the move. Start with leading attractions like Griffith Observatory, The Broad and La Brea Tar Pits & Museum.
If you're eager to discover another major stop in United States, consider Phoenix, about 483 kilometres east of San Diego. Desert Botanical Garden, Heard Museum and Papago Park are key highlights.