Cheap Flights from Seoul to Istanbul

Compare Seoul to Istanbul flight deals

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

Book the best Istanbul fare with no extra fees

Flight deals from Seoul to Istanbul

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best return flight from Seoul to Istanbul? If you want to travel next month, return fares start from R 8,005. Find the lowest prices on one-way and return tickets right here.

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 August.

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 foundR 4,379
Cheapest month to flyAugust
Average flight time11 hrs, 51 mins
Most popular airlineAsiana Airlines
Average flights per week33

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 R 7,575. 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 51 minutes is the average flight time from Seoul to Istanbul.
Asiana Airlines, Turkish Airlines and Korean Air fly direct from Seoul to Istanbul.
As of July 2026, there are 33 flights per week flying from Seoul to Istanbul.
The cheapest month to fly from Seoul to Istanbul is usually July.
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 R 7,575.
After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it is currently cheapest to fly from Seoul to Istanbul on Monday, 27 July 2026.
Yes – the average flight time is 11 hours and 51 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 July, the average temperature is usually around 24°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 Air China. And the cheapest airline that flies to Istanbul Airport is Turkish Airlines.

Travelling from Seoul to Istanbul: what you need to know

  • Get your holiday planning started by considering where you'll catch your flight from Seoul to Istanbul. Incheon International Airport (ICN) and Gimpo International Airport (GMP) are the main airports in Seoul.

  • When working out where to arrive in Istanbul, Istanbul Airport (IST) and Istanbul Sabiha Airport (SAW) are the major entry points.

  • 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 weekly flights between the two airports, Incheon International Airport (ICN) to Istanbul 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 leaving, the last departure from ICN to IST is with Turkish Airlines at 23:20.

  • To ensure you make it on your Seoul to Istanbul flight, allow plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Arriving two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.

  • During popular months like August, you'll want to get to the airport earlier. Arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead for an international flight whenever you're travelling during high season in general.

How to find the cheapest flights from Seoul to Istanbul

  • Book one month before you want to travel. Pricing trends suggest that this is the ideal window for finding cheap Seoul to Istanbul flights.

  • Plan your trip for June. That's the best month for scoring a great bargain on plane tickets from Seoul to Istanbul. If your travel dates are not set in stone, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the cheapest price across each month.

  • Stay on top of deals for cheap flights from Seoul to Istanbul by setting up a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or notification on the app when a lower fare becomes available.

  • Find a cheap Seoul to Istanbul flight with the help of our filters. Choose your preferred departure time, duration and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.

Flying from Seoul

Incheon International Airport (ICN)

  • If you're looking for a direct flight from Seoul to Istanbul, you can depart from Incheon International Airport (ICN). Travel from ICN to Istanbul Airport (IST) in one seamless journey.

  • You can choose from various carriers offering direct Seoul to Istanbul plane tickets with departures from ICN, including:

  • We make it simple to book a Seoul to Istanbul flight with a stopover. To see the options leaving from Incheon International Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Next, select a flight that has a stop long enough to see the sights of your chosen city. Some popular stopovers include:

    • Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG)

    • Athens International Airport (ATH)

    • Hamad International Airport (DOH)

  • Located around 48 kilometres from the centre of Seoul, ICN can be reached in about 1 hour 5 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey by public transport is roughly 50 minutes.

  • Planning to catch an early flight from Seoul to Istanbul? Avoid rushing to the airport (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by choosing one of these hotels near Incheon International Airport:

  • Of all flights leaving Incheon International Airport, 74% land on time at their destination.

Gimpo International Airport (GMP)

  • Visit family or friends or just take a moment to stretch your legs with a stopover. If you'd like to split up your Seoul to Istanbul flight, check out these options when leaving from Gimpo International Airport:

    • Beijing Capital Airport (PEK)

    • Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND)

    • Kansai International (Osaka) Airport (KIX)

  • GMP is about 18 kilometres from central Seoul. It takes 30 minutes or so to get to the airport driving from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 35 minutes.

  • You're going on holiday, so why not enjoy an additional night away? Think about kicking back in one of these hotels near Gimpo International Airport the day before your flight from Seoul to Istanbul:

  • Flights from Gimpo International Airport have a track record for punctuality, with 81% of them landing right on cue.

Arriving in Istanbul

Istanbul Airport (IST)

  • Istanbul Airport (IST) to central Istanbul takes about 45 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 32 kilometres away.

  • Getting to the centre by public transport will take you around 1 hour 10 minutes.

  • The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Seoul to Istanbul. Check in to one of these accommodation options near IST instead:

  • Pick up a Istanbul Airport rental car and discover Istanbul and beyond with your own set of wheels. Hit, Avec car rentals and Eren Rent a Car are popular outlets to choose from here.

  • Lock in the lowest price by booking your vehicle from Istanbul Airport about two weeks ahead of your departure.

Istanbul Sabiha Airport (SAW)

  • The centre of Istanbul is around 31 kilometres from Istanbul Sabiha Airport (SAW). As soon as your flight from Seoul to Istanbul has touched down and you've made your way out of the airport, the drive should be around 1 hour 5 minutes.

  • The journey will take roughly 1 hour 40 minutes on public transport.

  • After your flight from Seoul to Istanbul, rest your head at a hotel close to SAW. These are some comfortable accommodation options that'll help you sink into relaxation mode:

  • No need to worry about public transport schedules or long taxi lines. Pick up a Istanbul Sabiha Airport rental car and let your trip unfold on your terms. Check out the rates and availability from Essence, Eren Rent a Car and 724 Rent.

  • Snap up a deal by booking your ride from SAW four weeks ahead of time. You can also expect to have a wider range of vehicles.

Best time to go to Istanbul

  • August is the busiest month for flights from Seoul to Istanbul. To avoid the crowds, visit Istanbul in March.

  • Before locking in your Seoul to Istanbul tickets, think about the weather you're most comfortable in. July is the warmest month in Istanbul, with temperatures ranging from 21ºC (70ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).

  • Search for cheap flights from Seoul to Istanbul in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF) on average.

More about Istanbul

  • Once you've booked your flight from Seoul to Istanbul, decide where you'll be dropping your bags. Make one of these options your base for exploring Istanbul:

  • Every great adventure has to include some sightseeing. Hagia Sophia, Historic Areas of Istanbul and Hagia Sophia History and Experience Museum are essential stops on your Istanbul itinerary.

Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)

  • Ankara is just one of the many places in Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be explored after you've seen Istanbul. Around 354 kilometres to the east, check out popular attractions including The Roman Theatre, Kocatepe Mosque and Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.

  • If you want to check out another side of Türkiye (Turkey), consider Izmir, about 322 kilometres southwest of Istanbul. Aegean Coast, Smyrna Basilika and Ataturk Konak Square are among its highlights.

Prices shown on this page are estimated lowest prices only. Found in the last 12 days.