Flights to Seoul

 

Seoul is the capital of South Korea, officially called the Republic of Korea. The greater metropolitan area of Seoul, which includes the city of Incheon and the province of Gyeonggi, is home to nearly half the country’s population. Located on the Han River, the city is surrounded by mountains and hilly terrain.

Founded 2,000 years ago, this cosmopolitan city is a fascinating landscape that blends ancient Buddhist temples, palaces, and fortresses with eye-popping futuristic skyscrapers, bridges, and towers. This mash-up of past and present creates an exciting energy for exploring Seoul’s many intriguing sites.

Check out spectacular Banpo Bridge with its rainbow-colored waterfall and the jaw-dropping Lotte World Tower, a 123-floor supertall skyscraper shaped like a rocket. Then go tour Gyeongbokgung, a royal palace from the 14th century, and peruse Namdaemun Market, a jam-packed marketplace of 10,000 stores that dates back to the 1400s.

And whatever you do, be sure to save plenty of time to enjoy the cuisine, from street food to fine dining establishments. This is your chance to experience truly authentic Korean barbecue and so much more.

Seoul-Incheon International Airport (ICN) is the largest in South Korea. It’s located 30 miles west of Seoul in Incheon. The airport serves seven international and domestic airlines, including Delta Air Lines. It has two terminals. Terminal 1 has a passenger concourse with 30 gates solely for international airlines. Terminal 2 was opened in 2018 and features modern, eco-friendly design and glass ceilings to let in natural light. A courtesy shuttle provides transportation between terminals.

The airport has a variety of services, including a beauty salon, spa, kid’s playroom, and a variety of shops and restaurants.

  • KTX train line provides service between the airport and stations throughout the region, including Seoul Station. Passengers board at the Transport Centre beside the terminal building.
  • Multiple bus lines and services feed into the airport. Deluxe Limousine Bus operates non-stop service to major hotels and attractions. Standard Limousine Bus makes more stops. There’s also a city bus and a cross-country bus. Buses board on the first level of Terminal 1, gates 1-4, and first level of Terminal 2, gates 1-6, and B1 level (traffic center).
  • A variety of taxi services provide pickup service. In addition to regular taxis, there black deluxe taxis and jumbo taxis. Non-Korean speaking travelers are recommended to take the International Taxi Service because drivers speak English. To take a taxi, exit the airport on the lower level at Arrivals through Gates 4-8

 

Gyeongbokgung Palace, also known as the Northern Palace, was the main palace of the Joseon Dynasty. Built by the Joseon Dynasty in 1395, it is an impressive example of Korean architecture from the era. The National Folk Museum of Korea is located on the grounds.

Be sure to visit N Seoul Tower at night. A communication and observation tower on Namsan Mountain in the city of Seoul, it is a spectacular sight. From the ground, you can observe it in all its colored light glory. From the observation deck up top, you can admire the gorgeous views and dine at your choice of restaurants.

For the best shopping in Korea, visit bustling Myeong-dong for designer shoes, clothing, and accessories from international name brands. Korea’s finer stores have shops here, too. Street food options are wide, from dumplings to ginseng chicken soup. And there are several full-service restaurants as well, including some serving Western and Japanese cuisine. Pork cutlets and dishes made with thick noodles are specialties here.

Dine on outstanding authentic Korean barbecue at Maple Tree House, a casual eatery decorated with tree trunks and polished brass tables, serving a memorable meal of quality meats cooked at the table.

Four Seasons Seoul is an elegant, luxurious hotel offering 317 accommodations, including standard guest rooms, suites, family rooms, clubrooms, and specialty suites such as a three-bedroom presidential suite. You won’t go hungry here with seven restaurants, serving a variety of cuisines including Korean, Japanese, and Italian. And there is a spa and Korean sauna.

Part of the Starwood W Hotel chain, W Seoul Walkerhill is a super modern hotel with pod-like furniture and neon lights. Enjoy a hinoki hot tub soak while gazing at the skyline from the rooftop deck. Amenities include a gym and indoor swimming pool.

Rakkojae Seoul is classic wood house of traditional Korean design built 130 years ago but renovated in 2003. Here visitors enjoy traditional Korean meals, tea ceremonies and mud saunas.

Seoul has a humid continental/subtropical climate, which means its summers are quite hot and its winters are quite cold, but the falls and springs are sublime. The coldest months are December, January, and February, with the average lows in the low-20s and the average highs in the mid- to high-30s. The hottest months are June, July, and August with average highs in the low- to mid-80s and the average lows in the mid-60s to low-70s.

During winter and spring, Seoul is susceptible to yellow dust from the Gobi Desert. Coming from Mongolia and China, this forms a haze over the city and creates respiratory problems.

The city receives an average of 53 inches of precipitation a year. Most of the rain falls in the summer monsoon season between June and September, with the wettest months being July and August with a monthly average of 13 inches.