IST - SEL

£227 Find Cheap Flights from Istanbul to Seoul – Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest return flight
£382
Typical prices: £416-£684
China Southern
Fri 2/11Fri 16/11
IST - ICN • 1 stop
Cheapest direct flights
£701
Typical prices: £680-£839
Asiana Airlines
Sat 8/12Sat 15/12
IST - ICN • Direct
Direct flights
Every day
You can fly direct with Turkish Airlines, Korean Air, and Asiana Airlines. Average duration is 9h 54m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Top routes
IST - GMP
Cheapest • 10% average savings
IST - ICN
Most popular
Insights
Insights
When to book
11 weeks
in advance
Our data shows that travellers who book at least 11 weeks in advance save around 38% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
June
Cheapest • 14% price drop
June
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top stopover airports
Ashgabat (ASB)
Cheapest • Avg £287 (return)
Almaty (ALA)
Shortest trip • 16h 01m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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We hope you enjoy your trip to Seoul!
Flight Deals
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Expert advice
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Istanbul to Seoul (IST-SEL)

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent return flight deals from Istanbul to Seoul

Mon, 2 Nov - Mon, 16 Nov
China Southern Logo
14:10 - 13:15IST  Istanbul-ICN Incheon Intl
17h 05m1 stop Guangzhou Baiyun
China Southern Logo
09:25 - 06:40ICN  Incheon Intl-IST Istanbul
27h 15m1 stop Beijing Daxing Intl
£382China Southern
Tue, 3 Nov - Sat, 14 Nov
China Southern Logo
00:20 - 17:05IST  Istanbul-ICN Incheon Intl
34h 45m2 stops Urumqi Yantai Penglai Intl
China Southern Logo
15:15 - 07:10ICN  Incheon Intl-IST Istanbul
21h 55m1 stop Guangzhou Baiyun
£388China Southern
Mon, 2 Nov - Sat, 14 Nov
China Southern Logo
14:10 - 21:50IST  Istanbul-ICN Incheon Intl
25h 40m1 stop Guangzhou Baiyun
China Southern Logo
15:15 - 07:10ICN  Incheon Intl-IST Istanbul
21h 55m1 stop Guangzhou Baiyun
£401China Southern
Mon, 2 Nov - Tue, 17 Nov
Air China Logo
14:45 - 16:35IST  Istanbul-ICN Incheon Intl
19h 50m1 stop Beijing Capital
Air China Logo
13:10 - 08:20ICN  Incheon Intl-IST Istanbul
25h 10m1 stop Beijing Capital
£406Air China
Sun, 1 Nov - Tue, 17 Nov
Air China Logo
14:55 - 16:35IST  Istanbul-ICN Incheon Intl
19h 40m1 stop Beijing Capital
Air China Logo
13:10 - 08:20ICN  Incheon Intl-IST Istanbul
25h 10m1 stop Beijing Capital
£423Air China
Tue, 20 Oct - Tue, 3 Nov
Air China Logo
14:55 - 16:35IST  Istanbul-ICN Incheon Intl
19h 40m1 stop Beijing Capital
Air China Logo
13:10 - 08:20ICN  Incheon Intl-IST Istanbul
25h 10m1 stop Beijing Capital
£425Air China
Wed, 4 Nov - Thu, 19 Nov
Air China Logo
14:55 - 20:55IST  Istanbul-ICN Incheon Intl
24h 00m1 stop Beijing Capital
Air China Logo
13:10 - 08:20ICN  Incheon Intl-IST Istanbul
25h 10m1 stop Beijing Capital
£432Air China
Thu, 3 Dec - Tue, 8 Dec
SCAT Airlines Logo
11:00 - 06:30IST  Istanbul-ICN Incheon Intl
13h 30m1 stop Shimkent
SCAT Airlines Logo
08:40 - 18:35ICN  Incheon Intl-IST Istanbul
15h 55m1 stop Shimkent
£447SCAT Airlines
Mon, 18 Jan - Fri, 29 Jan
SCAT Airlines Logo
11:00 - 06:30IST  Istanbul-ICN Incheon Intl
13h 30m1 stop Shimkent
SCAT Airlines Logo
08:40 - 18:40ICN  Incheon Intl-IST Istanbul
16h 00m1 stop Shimkent
£448SCAT Airlines
Mon, 2 Nov - Wed, 18 Nov
China Southern Logo
14:10 - 13:15IST  Istanbul-ICN Incheon Intl
17h 05m1 stop Guangzhou Baiyun
China Southern Logo
09:25 - 06:40ICN  Incheon Intl-IST Istanbul
27h 15m1 stop Beijing Daxing Intl
£448China Southern
Booking Insights

Price, demand, and travel trends for Istanbul Airport to Seoul flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines, and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights from Istanbul Airport to Seoul with more confidence.

How much is a return flight from Istanbul Airport to Seoul?

Return flights from Istanbul Airport to Seoul start at £382. Prices are below average for this route right now, with typical return fares ranging from £416 to £684. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was £382 on China Southern.

What is the cheapest Istanbul Airport to Seoul flight route?

Istanbul Airport (IST) to Seoul Gimpo Intl Airport (GMP) is the cheapest Istanbul Airport to Seoul route, averaging £425 return. Other Istanbul Airport to Seoul routes average £516, based on KAYAK data over the past 12 months.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from Istanbul Airport to Seoul?

Monday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Istanbul Airport to Seoul and is 9% cheaper than the average day. Friday is the most expensive day with flight prices 26% higher than average. Based on deals found by KAYAK users in the last 12 months.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Istanbul Airport to Seoul?

  • June is the cheapest month to fly from Istanbul Airport to Seoul at £439 return.
  • February (£648) and May (£614) are the most expensive months.
  • The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 47% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are prices from Istanbul Airport to Seoul the cheapest?

Flights from Istanbul Airport to Seoul are cheapest 11 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 38% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

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Expert advice

Expert advice for your flight from Istanbul to Seoul

 
KAYAK teamed up with top travel experts to share the best tips for your journey.
Our travel experts
Gabriel Leigh

Gabriel Leigh

Expert on Turkish Airlines

Gabriel is a writer and video creator. As senior content producer for Flightradar24 and Monocle’s transport correspondent, he keeps a close eye on aviation in particular. He has also written travel articles for the likes of The New York Times. Born in New York but raised around the world, he now lives in Sweden. He’s been to 75 countries, flying 2.3 million miles on 113 airlines and through 234 airports in the process.

Read more
Robert Schrader

Robert Schrader

Expert on Korean Air and ICN

One of the web's original travel bloggers, Robert launched his first site, Leave Your Daily Hell, in 2009. Since then, he's expanded into destination niche sites (one each for Japan, Thailand and Taiwan), in addition to having written for the inflight magazines of Singapore Airlines and Korean Air. Overall, he's visited nearly 100 countries, and flies business as often as possible.

Read more
John Walton

John Walton

Expert on Asiana Airlines

Independent aviation journalist John Walton took his first flight at eight weeks old and hasn’t stopped travelling since. A world-renowned expert in airlines and the passenger experience, he writes in depth on aviation, is a resident expert on travel in Japan and France, and offers a uniquely queer perspective on travelling the world.

Read more
Jenna Scatena

Jenna Scatena

Expert on IST

Journalist and Travel Writer, Jenna Scatena is an award-winning travel writer with a love for sharing stories and exploring new places, especially by Vespa. Though she's from San Francisco, she has spent a significant chunk of her vacation days over the last decade eating her way through Texas and sleeping in hotels around the world—especially in California, the Middle East, and Europe.

Read more

Key details for Istanbul Airport to Seoul flights

Low season

January

Cheapest flight

£225
Best time to beat the crowds (7% less expensive on average)
Most popular time to fly and prices are also 14% lower on average.
Flights from Istanbul Airport to Incheon Intl Airport

When to book flights from Istanbul to Seoul

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Istanbul to Seoul based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated return price

Your Istanbul Airport to Seoul flight questions, answered

Find helpful route details based on KAYAK data, including flight times, airports, airlines, and booking questions.

  • Which airlines offer extra legroom and free seat selection on Istanbul Airport to Seoul flights?

    Among airlines operating Istanbul Airport to Seoul flights:

    • Asiana Airlines: offers free seat selection

    Extra legroom and free seat selection availability depends on fare class and route.

  • Which airlines are available on the route from Istanbul Airport to Seoul?

    3 airlines operate flights between Istanbul Airport and Seoul. The airlines offering direct flights on this route include:

    • Turkish Airlines
    • Korean Air
    • Asiana Airlines

  • Which airports can I use when flying from Istanbul Airport to Seoul?

    Flights from Istanbul Airport to Seoul usually depart from Istanbul (IST) and may arrive at several airports in Seoul area, including Seoul Gimpo Intl (GMP) and Incheon Intl (ICN).

  • Which airlines include bags at no extra cost on Istanbul Airport to Seoul flights?

    Here are some options for this route, based on selected ticket types and cabin classes:

    • Korean Air: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class
    • Asiana Airlines: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class
    • Turkish Airlines: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class

    Bag allowance can vary by ticket type, cabin class, route, and airline, so travellers should check the fare details before booking.

  • Which cabin classes can I book on flights from Istanbul Airport to Seoul?

    Two cabin classes are available on flights from Istanbul Airport to Seoul:

    • Economy class
    • Business Class

  • How much can I save by having a stopover when flying from Istanbul Airport to Seoul?

    On this route, stopover flights are cheaper than direct options on average. Stopover fares average £287 return via Ashgabat (ASB), compared with £746 for direct.

  • What is the standard checked bag allowance on flights from Istanbul Airport to Seoul?

    There is no standard. Checked bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge £38–£38 for the first checked bag in Economy. Premium fares and elite status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

  • Which airports do connecting flights from Istanbul Airport to Seoul pass through?

    One-stop flights from Istanbul Airport to Seoul most commonly connect through:

    • Beijing Capital (PEK) – 20% of one-stop connections
    • Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN) – 20% of one-stop connections
    • Ulaanbaatar Chinggis Khaan (UBN) – 19% of one-stop connections
    • Ashgabat (ASB) – 12% of one-stop connections

    Beijing Capital (PEK) handles the largest share of one-stop connections on this route.

  • Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from Istanbul Airport to Seoul?

    Yes. Being flexible with your travel dates can save you up to 29% on the Istanbul Airport to Seoul route. Monday is the cheapest departure day at £464 return on average, while Friday is the most expensive at £645, a difference of £181. KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

  • How are flight departures from Istanbul Airport to Seoul spread across the day?

    Night is the busiest departure period on Istanbul Airport to Seoul flights, with 66% leaving in that window. Evening departures account for 33%, Morning flights for 1%, and Afternoon flights for 0%.

  • What popular places can I visit in Seoul?

    Some of the most popular sights in Seoul are Hongdae Area, Myeong-dong Subway Station, and Jongno 5-ga Subway Station (Line 1). These are among the most viewed places in Seoul on KAYAK.

  • What are the earliest and latest flights from Istanbul Airport to Seoul?

    These are the earliest and latest flight times available from Istanbul Airport to Seoul:

    • Earliest: departs at 01:50 and lands at 11:44
    • Latest: departs at 21:55 and lands at 07:49.

    The flight takes about 9h 54m.

  • How expensive are last-minute Istanbul Airport to Seoul flights?

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within 2 weeks of departure) run 34% above the route average of £508. Book 11 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • How long is a flight from Istanbul Airport to Seoul?

    A direct flight from Istanbul Airport to Seoul takes 9h 54m, covering 4,940 miles.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from Istanbul Airport to Seoul?

    Yes, a valid passport is required for this international route. Many destinations require at least six months of validity beyond your travel dates. Check your passport expiry well before booking.

  • How are flight prices from Istanbul Airport to Seoul looking right now?

    One-way fares from Istanbul Airport to Seoul are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about £257, which is 16% below the typical average for this route.

  • How much time can I save by choosing a different stopover airport from Istanbul Airport to Seoul?

    Flying via Almaty (ALA) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time of 16h 01m, compared to 16h 34m via Tashkent Vostochny (TAS) and 18h 25m via Shimkent (CIT).

  • What is the time difference between Istanbul Airport and Seoul?

    Seoul is 6 hours ahead of Istanbul Airport (Korean Time vs Turkey Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

  • What car hire options are available in Seoul?

    Since Seoul is served by multiple airports, car hire options and rates can vary depending on which one you fly into.
    Near Incheon Intl Airport (ICN) – daily rates from around £9:

    · WECAR
    · Wheego
    · Yesaway
    · Alamo
    · Enterprise Rent-A-Car

    Near Seoul Gimpo Intl Airport (GMP) – daily rates from around £9:

    · Yesaway
    · Hi Rent
    · Wheego
    · Europcar
    · Bella Jeju

  • How much should I expect to pay for a Istanbul Airport to Seoul flight?

    Return flights from Istanbul Airport to Seoul range from £416 to £684, with an average of £508 over the past 12 months. Anything below £416 counts as a good deal.

Your guide to booking Istanbul Airport to Seoul flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly, and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates are flexible, aim for a Monday departure instead of Friday. On this route, Monday flights average £464 – about £181 less than Friday (28% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 11 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 38% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Istanbul Airport to Seoul trip for June. Fares historically average £439 return in that month – typically £209 less than the most expensive month, which is February (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you have the time, taking a 1-stop flight through Ashgabat Airport (ASB) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest stopover option averages £287 return on this route – about £459 less than direct flights (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you're arriving late at night and need somewhere to stay, hotels close to the airport you're flying into can be a convenient option.

    Near Incheon Intl Airport

    · Grand Hyatt Incheon
    · Best Western Premier Incheon Airport
    · Hotel Hu Incheon Airport

    Near Seoul Gimpo Intl Airport

    · Intercity Seoul Hotel
    · LOTTE City Hotel Gimpo Airport
    · Mayfield Hotel & Resort Seoul

More options for your flight from Istanbul to Seoul

Complete your trip to Seoul with a hotel stay or car hire

Car hire in Seoul
Hotels in Seoul
Holidays in Seoul