Travelling from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Seoul: what you need to know
Jump on a direct flight from O'Hare International Airport to Seoul and you'll be in the air for around 12 hours 58 minutes.
Seoul is 14 hours ahead of Chicago, where O'Hare International Airport is located. Seoul operates on the UTC+9 timezone.
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Incheon International Airport (ICN) is the most popular route, with 9 weekly flights to pick from. If you prefer starting your day later, the last flight from ORD to ICN is with Korean Air at 12:30. Choose the first departure with Korean Air at 11:25 if you want to get going early.
Give yourself plenty of time to get on your flight from ORD to Seoul. It's generally best to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
If you're going away during a peak month like August, be at the airport even earlier. You'll want to arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours ahead of a domestic departure. Check-in and security lines are longer during high seasons like summer and spring break.
You can catch a direct flight from O'Hare International Airport to Seoul that arrives at Incheon International Airport (ICN).
Book your seat with Korean Air. This leading carrier operates direct flights from O'Hare International Airport to Seoul.
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to break up your journey — and perhaps even visit a new city. When browsing flights from ORD to Seoul, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Consider one of these popular options:
Haneda Airport (HND)
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
If you have a passport from United States, you will need an ETA to visit South Korea. This applies if you're booking a cheap ticket from O'Hare International Airport to Seoul for tourism purposes. The rules may differ if you're travelling for business or other reasons. Always check the visa rules ahead of booking and definitely before you fly.
ORD is around 40 kilometres from central Chicago. If you're ride-sharing, catching a cab or driving from the centre, it'll take 35 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're taking public transport, expect the trip time to be approximately 54 minutes.
Booked an early flight from O'Hare International Airport to Seoul? Avoid the last-minute rush to the airport (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these stays close to ORD:
How to find the cheapest flights from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Seoul
The lowest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from O'Hare International Airport to Seoul is R 8,311. The cheapest price for a return flight is R 16,303. Keep in mind fares can change due to availability at the time of booking.
It's a good idea to book ahead of time if you're hoping to get cheap tickets from ORD to Seoul. That's because airlines change prices based on demand, which tends to increase closer to departure.
The 'Whole month' search function shows you the cheapest tickets from O'Hare International Airport to Seoul throughout the month. It's the best way to snap up a bargain if your trip dates aren't set in stone.
Sign into your online account or use the app to set up a Price Alert. We'll get in touch straight away if there's a cheaper deal on this route. It doesn't take long, and it'll save you time looking for cheap tickets from ORD to Seoul every day.
Use the filters to tailor your flights from O'Hare International Airport to Seoul. Select your ideal departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops. Or sort your results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Airports in Seoul
Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Incheon International Airport (ICN) to central Seoul is roughly 48 kilometres. If you're getting a cab or renting a car, plan ahead to make your trip as smooth as possible. Journey times will vary based on the time of day and traffic conditions.
It takes around 1 hour and 44 minutes to get there by public transport.
Reserve a hotel near ICN if you're taking a late flight from O'Hare International Airport to Seoul. Pick one of these options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Gimpo International Airport (GMP)
Central Seoul is around 16 kilometres from Gimpo International Airport (GMP). Make your way off your flight from O'Hare International Airport to Seoul and then look for any airport signs that'll help you reach the city centre.
The journey will take approximately 1 hour and 3 minutes on public transport.
There are some great places to park your luggage (and yourself) near GMP. Kick back and get cosy after your flight from ORD to Seoul at any of these perfectly located options:
Best time to go to Seoul
It's time to work out your trip dates for your flight from O'Hare International Airport to Seoul. July is the most popular month to travel to Seoul. If you want a more low-key vibe, go in April.
The warmest month in Seoul is August, with the temperature ranging between 19ºC and 32ºC. Lock in your flights from O'Hare International Airport to Seoul in this month if you enjoy this type of weather.
Look for cheap flights from ORD to Seoul in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest around then, ranging between -12ºC and 4ºC on average.
More about Seoul
Once you've booked your flight from O'Hare International Airport to Seoul, think about where to rest your head in this city. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Seoul:
Every great journey has to include a little sightseeing. Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village and N Seoul Tower are must-do's during your Seoul adventure.
Complete your Seoul trip with a car rental
Finding you a cheap flight from O'Hare International Airport to Seoul isn't our only party trick. Check out our car rentals in Seoul and explore at your own pace. We search for deals from trusted car rental companies and put them all in one place. Instantly compare offers and then book with no fees.