Flying from Istanbul to Incheon International Airport (ICN): what you need to know
Istanbul has two main airports where you can start your adventure. Check out your options for booking a flight from Istanbul to Incheon International Airport (ICN) departing from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
Book a direct flight from Istanbul to Incheon International Airport and you'll be in the air for around 9 hours 53 minutes.
Incheon International Airport is located in Seoul. The city operates in the UTC+9 timezone and is 6 hours ahead of Istanbul.
The busiest route is from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Incheon International Airport (ICN), with 26 direct services every week. If you want to get going as soon as possible, the earliest flight from IST to ICN is the 01:50 Turkish Airlines option. If you prefer travelling later, the last departure is at 22:30 with Korean Air.
Get to the airport on time so you don't miss your flight from Istanbul to ICN. Be there at least two hours ahead for international flights and an hour early for domestic departures to avoid the stress of rushing.
You can expect longer queues during popular months like August and other peak seasons. Arriving up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours for domestic departures is a good idea.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
You can take a direct flight from Istanbul to Incheon International Airport (ICN) out of Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
Pick from a variety of airlines that operate direct flights from Istanbul to Incheon International Airport departing from IST. Head off on your trip with any of these:
Think about adding a stopover to potentially save money on your flight from Istanbul to ICN. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' when browsing departures from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). Take a break from travelling at one of these popular options:
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Kansai International Airport (KIX)
The distance from central Istanbul to IST is about 48 kilometres. Use Google Maps for the best way to get there, whether you prefer to drive or use public transport.
After a relaxed start to your trip? Stay near Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Whether you have an early flight from Istanbul to Incheon International Airport or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are perfect:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Prefer to leave from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)? You can book a direct flight from Istanbul to Incheon International Airport (ICN) out of this popular hub.
Visit friends or family or just take a moment to recharge with a stopover. If you'd like to split up your flight from Istanbul to Incheon International Airport, here's where you can stop when departing from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport:
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD)
Vienna International Airport (VIE)
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
You can arrive at SAW from the centre of Istanbul in about 57 minutes by car, depending on traffic conditions. The ride on public transport will take roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes to cover the 48 kilometres or so.
It's your holiday, so why not enjoy an extra night away? Consider staying at one of these hotels near Sabiha Gokcen International Airport the day before your flight from Istanbul to ICN:
About Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Reserve a hotel near ICN if you have a late flight from Istanbul to Incheon International Airport. Choose one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Getting from Incheon International Airport (ICN) to central Seoul
Central Seoul is roughly 48 kilometres from Incheon International Airport. Journey times by cab or car rental will vary based on traffic conditions, so do some research before you go.
If you're travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour and 44 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to Incheon International Airport (ICN)
The best price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Istanbul to Incheon International Airport is R 5,846. The cheapest price for a return flight is R 8,222. Keep in mind fares can change due to availability at the time of booking.
You're more likely to find cheap tickets from Istanbul to ICN if you book 1 month ahead of takeoff. We crunched the flight price data and found that's when fares for this route tend to be at their lowest.
To score the best deal on your tickets from Istanbul to Incheon International Airport, schedule your trip for October (it's when flights are cheapest). Flexible on when you travel? Use the 'Whole month' function to find the most affordable day to fly.
Set up a Price Alert for cheap tickets from Istanbul to ICN. You don't need to check every day to see if fares have dropped. We'll tell you as soon as the price changes.
Use the filters to tailor your flights from Istanbul to Incheon International Airport. Pick your ideal departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest' to find the best deals.
The best time to fly from Istanbul to Incheon International Airport (ICN)
July is the busiest month to catch a flight from Istanbul to Incheon International Airport while April is the quietest. To work out the best time to go to Seoul, consider whether you like a lively atmosphere or a quieter vibe.
Think about the kind of weather that'll suit your plans for Seoul. August is known as the warmest month. Book your flights from Istanbul to ICN sometime then and you can expect temperatures of between 19ºC and 32ºC.
If you like travelling in cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from Istanbul to Incheon International Airport in January when temperatures average between -12ºC and 4ºC.
More about Seoul
Start your Seoul trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Istanbul to Incheon International Airport, check out our selection of accommodation options including:
All great adventures should include a little sightseeing. Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village and N Seoul Tower are essential stops on your Seoul itinerary.
Complete your Seoul trip with a car rental
Hop behind the wheel of one of our car rentals in Seoul and explore at your own pace. Easily compare prices from trusted providers in one place after booking your hotel and cheap flights from Istanbul to Incheon International Airport.