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Cheap Flights from Seoul to Istanbul

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Compare Seoul to Istanbul flight deals

Find the cheapest month or even day of the year to fly to Istanbul

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Flight deals from Seoul to Istanbul

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best return flight from Seoul to Istanbul? Find the lowest prices on one-way and return tickets right here.
Istanbul.$608 per passenger.Departing Tue, 20 May, returning Tue, 27 May.Return flight with China Eastern.Outbound indirect flight with China Eastern, departs from Incheon International on Tue, 20 May, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with China Eastern, departs from Istanbul on Tue, 27 May, arriving in Incheon International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $608, select.
Istanbul.$630 per passenger.Departing Wed, 11 Jun, returning Thu, 19 Jun.Return flight with China Southern.Outbound indirect flight with China Southern, departs from Gimpo International on Wed, 11 Jun, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with China Southern, departs from Istanbul on Thu, 19 Jun, arriving in Gimpo International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $630, select.
Istanbul.$667 per passenger.Departing Thu, 22 May, returning Wed, 4 Jun.Return flight with China Eastern.Outbound indirect flight with China Eastern, departs from Incheon International on Thu, 22 May, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with China Eastern, departs from Istanbul on Wed, 4 Jun, arriving in Incheon International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $667, select.
Istanbul.$703 per passenger.Departing Sun, 1 Jun, returning Tue, 1 Jul.Return flight with China Eastern.Outbound indirect flight with China Eastern, departs from Incheon International on Sun, 1 Jun, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with China Eastern, departs from Istanbul on Tue, 1 Jul, arriving in Incheon International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $703, select.
Istanbul.$704 per passenger.Departing Sun, 8 Jun, returning Mon, 11 Aug.Return flight with China Eastern.Outbound indirect flight with China Eastern, departs from Incheon International on Sun, 8 Jun, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with China Eastern, departs from Istanbul on Mon, 11 Aug, arriving in Incheon International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $704, select.
Istanbul.$775 per passenger.Departing Wed, 12 Nov, returning Sun, 16 Nov.Return flight with MIAT Mongolian Airlines.Outbound indirect flight with MIAT Mongolian Airlines, departs from Incheon International on Wed, 12 Nov, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with MIAT Mongolian Airlines, departs from Istanbul on Sun, 16 Nov, arriving in Incheon International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $775, select.
Istanbul.$783 per passenger.Departing Mon, 27 Oct, returning Sun, 9 Nov.Return flight with MIAT Mongolian Airlines.Outbound indirect flight with MIAT Mongolian Airlines, departs from Incheon International on Mon, 27 Oct, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with MIAT Mongolian Airlines, departs from Istanbul on Sun, 9 Nov, arriving in Incheon International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $783, select.
Istanbul.$794 per passenger.Departing Sat, 18 Oct, returning Tue, 28 Oct.Return flight with MIAT Mongolian Airlines.Outbound indirect flight with MIAT Mongolian Airlines, departs from Incheon International on Sat, 18 Oct, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with MIAT Mongolian Airlines, departs from Istanbul on Tue, 28 Oct, arriving in Incheon International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $794, select.

Find the cheapest month to fly from Seoul to Istanbul

We’re always keeping an eye on fares, so you can find the best one in seconds. It looks like Seoul to Istanbul flights are currently cheapest in May.
Apr
from $1,573
May
from $608
Jun
from $630
Jul
from $812
Aug
from $844
Sep
from $889
Oct
from $794
Nov
from $775
Dec
from $835
Jan
from $886
Feb
from $895
Mar
from $895

Direct flights from Seoul to Istanbul

Alternative Seoul to Istanbul routes

Looking for the cheapest, fastest or easiest route from Seoul to Istanbul? You could fly into the following airports instead.

Seoul to Istanbul: Flight information

The things to know before you go.
Cheapest flight found$608
Cheapest month to flyMay
Average flight time11 hrs, 48 mins
Most popular airlineTurkish Airlines
Average flights per week128

Finding cheap flights from Seoul to Istanbul: Frequently asked questions

There are 2 airports in Istanbul: Istanbul Sabiha and Istanbul.
The best price we found for a return flight from Seoul to Istanbul is $608. This is an estimate based on information collected from different airlines and travel providers over the last 4 days and is subject to change and availability.
11 hours and 48 minutes is the average flight time from Seoul to Istanbul.
Turkish Airlines, Asiana Airlines and Korean Air fly direct from Seoul to Istanbul.
As of April 2025, there are 32 flights per week flying from Seoul to Istanbul.
The cheapest month to fly from Seoul to Istanbul is usually April 2025.
If you're flying from Seoul, the cheapest airport near Istanbul is Istanbul – which is 34.4 km away from the centre of Istanbul. We've found flights into this airport from $608.
After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it is currently cheapest to fly from Seoul to Istanbul on Tuesday, 20 May 2025.
Yes – the average flight time is 11 hours and 48 minutes.
We show every price from over 1,200 airlines and travel agents, comparing them all so you don’t have to. If you know you want to fly to Istanbul but you’re not ready to book, set up a Price Alert. We’ll track prices for you, and let you know when they rise or fall.
We crunched all the numbers in our flight calendar and it looks like the cheapest time to book a flight to Istanbul is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.
In April, the average temperature is usually around 12°C. August is typically the warmest month in Istanbul, when it usually averages around 27°C. You can expect the least rain in August. The coldest month is January, with temperatures averaging 4°C. The rainiest month is December.
The cheapest airline that flies to Istanbul is China Eastern. And the cheapest airline that flies to Istanbul Airport is Korean Air.

Travelling from Seoul to Istanbul: what you need to know

  • Seoul is home to two main airports where you can kick off your travels. Check out your options for reserving a flight from Seoul to Istanbul departing from Incheon International Airport (ICN) or Gimpo International Airport (GMP).

  • Touch down in Istanbul at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).

  • The average duration of a direct Seoul to Istanbul flight is 11 hours 50 minutes.

  • Istanbul is six hours behind Seoul and is in the UTC+3 timezone.

  • With 19 flights a week between the two airports, Incheon International Airport (ICN) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the busiest route. Board the first flight from Seoul to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines at 00:10. If you'd like to get more out of your day before flying, the last departure from ICN to IST is with Turkish Airlines at 23:20.

  • To ensure you make your Seoul to Istanbul flight, leave enough time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is a good rule of thumb.

  • Flying during a popular month such as July? Major public holidays and other popular periods can mean longer queues at security. Play it safe and get there up to four hours before international flights and two hours before domestic departures.

How to find the cheapest flights from Seoul to Istanbul

  • Book three months before travelling. Research into pricing trends suggests this is the ideal window for finding cheap Seoul to Istanbul flights.

  • Plan your trip for June. That's the best month for landing cheap plane tickets from Seoul to Istanbul. If you have flexibility with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest price across each month.

  • You don't need to search every day to find out if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll update you the moment there's a better deal on cheap flights from Seoul to Istanbul.

  • Tailor your flights using filters. Choose your ideal departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' Seoul to Istanbul flights.

Flying from Seoul

Incheon International Airport (ICN)

  • You can catch a direct flight from Seoul to Istanbul taking off from Incheon International Airport (ICN). Start your trip at ICN and arrive at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).

  • Choose from a range of airlines offering direct Seoul to Istanbul plane tickets with departures from ICN, including:

  • Think about adding a stopover to potentially save money on your Seoul to Istanbul 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:

    • Tashkent International Airport (TAS)

    • Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH)

    • Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)

  • ICN is around 48 kilometres from central Seoul. To work out how to get there, use Google Maps. This essential travel app will show you the best route and available public transport options.

  • Looking for a convenient hotel close to Incheon International Airport? If you're boarding an early flight from Seoul to Istanbul, these accommodation options will have you sleeping nice and close to your departure gate:

  • When it comes to the on-time performance of Incheon International Airport, 54.5% of flights arrive within the expected time frame.

Gimpo International Airport (GMP)

  • Get the most out of your holiday with a stopover on your Seoul to Istanbul flight. Visit friends or family or cross another city off your list. Whatever you want to do, check out these stops between Gimpo International Airport and Istanbul:

    • Kansai International Airport (KIX)

    • Haneda Airport (HND)

    • Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)

  • The distance from Seoul's city centre to GMP is roughly 16 kilometres. Take into account transport options and potential delays when working out the best route to the airport.

  • It's your holiday, so why not extend it with another night away? Think about staying at one of these hotels near Gimpo International Airport the day before your flight from Seoul to Istanbul:

  • 75.94% of flights out of Gimpo International Airport meet their expected arrival time.

Arriving in Istanbul

Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)

  • The distance from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul is approximately 32 kilometres. It takes around 50 minutes to get to the centre driving.

  • It usually takes 1 hour 45 minutes to get there on public transport.

  • If you have a late flight from Seoul to Istanbul, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your suitcases from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing not long after at one of these hotels near IST:

  • Fast-track your adventure by picking up an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car and explore beyond Istanbul's main sights.

  • Reserving your vehicle from Istanbul Ataturk Airport about two weeks ahead gives you the best chance of locking in a great deal.

Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)

  • Central Istanbul is around 31 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). As soon as your flight from Seoul to Istanbul has touched down and you've made your way through the terminal, the drive should be around 55 minutes.

  • If you're travelling on public transport, it'll take around 1 hour 30 minutes.

  • Place the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and rest at a hotel close to SAW. Here are a few options where you can put your feet up after your flight from Seoul to Istanbul:

  • Essence, Eren Rent a Car and 724 Rent make picking up a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car quick and easy. These companies are located around or in the terminal and will get you on your way in no time.

  • Get the pick of the lot. Booking your ride from SAW four weeks ahead of time often means lower prices and a bigger choice of vehicles.

Best time to go to Istanbul

  • February is the quietest month for flights from Seoul to Istanbul, while April is the most popular. Find the best time to go to Istanbul based on whether you prefer a lively atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.

  • Book a Seoul to Istanbul ticket departing in August if you're eager to explore the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Istanbul to range from 20ºC (68ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).

  • January has average temperatures of between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF). Look for cheap flights from Seoul to Istanbul around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.

More about Istanbul

  • Start your Istanbul trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Seoul to Istanbul, check out our selection of hotels including:

  • There are so many things to discover in this city it can be hard to work out where to start. Topkapi Palace, The Basilica Cistern and Galata Tower are highlights which should feature on any good Istanbul itinerary.

Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)

  • You've seen Istanbul, now it's time to discover more of Türkiye (Turkey). Journey about 354 kilometres east to Ankara to check off its leading sights. From Museum of Anatolian Civilizations to Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park, there's plenty to keep you busy.

  • If you want to check out another major stop in Türkiye (Turkey), consider Izmir, roughly 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul. Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Konak Square are key highlights.

Plan the rest of your trip from Seoul to Istanbul

Prices shown on this page are estimated lowest prices only. Found in the last 45 days.