South Korea travel guide
Most Indian cities reach South Korea by air with one stop, and Delhi has the most direct options. Flights land at Incheon International Airport near Seoul. Once you arrive, the metro, airport rail and KTX trains link Seoul, Busan and other cities, and a domestic flight is the practical choice for Jeju Island.
Facts checked 3 Nov 2026
Reaching South Korea from India is a long-haul journey, and the route you choose affects your total travel time. Delhi has the most direct options, with nonstop services where scheduled and one-stop routings widely available. Most other Indian cities connect through Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Hanoi or another Asian or Gulf hub. This guide explains the main routes, the airlines that serve them and how to travel around the country once you land.
Airlines that appear in the research for routes from India include Air India and Korean Air, which serve Delhi, along with Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Vietnam Airlines, Thai Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Emirates and Qatar Airways. Schedules change by season, so check current timings with your planner before you book.
Flight times from India vary with the route and the connection. From Delhi, the research gives about 7 hours for a nonstop service where scheduled, but schedules vary and some quoted figures are closer to 12 hours. From Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kolkata, one-stop routings take roughly 11 to 12 hours in the air. From Chennai and Hyderabad, expect about 13 hours, and from Pune and Ahmedabad about 14 hours, depending on the connection. Total journey time also includes transfer time, so compare the whole journey rather than the headline flight time.
Compare total connection time rather than the headline fare. A short Singapore connection is often more predictable for baggage and onward flights. Avoid very long Gulf routings when a shorter Southeast Asian connection is available. If you book separate tickets, allow an overnight buffer, because a missed connection on a separate ticket is not protected. Book a connection with adequate transfer time, since international terminal changes may apply.
Incheon International Airport (ICN) is the main gateway, and it sits in the Seoul area. Gimpo International Airport (GMP) serves some regional and domestic connections. Airport rail links Incheon with Seoul, and express services are faster than all-stop trains. Taxis are metered, and Kakao T is useful where available. Keep your accommodation address written in Korean, and allow time for the transfer.
Seoul and Busan have extensive metro systems, and they are usually the fastest way to get around. Buy a T-money or Cashbee card on arrival, and use it on metro and buses. A single metro ride costs about KRW 1,500 to 2,000, and ordinary buses are also widely used. Taxis are useful late at night or with luggage, but they can be slow during peak traffic.
The KTX high-speed train connects Seoul with Busan and other major cities. The Seoul to Busan journey takes about 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes, depending on the service, and one economy ticket costs about KRW 59,800. Book KTX seats early for busy periods, and consider premium seating if comfort matters more than price. Intercity buses also link cities, and they are useful for places the rail line does not serve.
Jeju Island is reached by a domestic flight, and the island needs its own transport plan. Once there, a rental car or private vehicle is far more efficient than relying on buses, especially for east-west routes. Build in time for the flight and for a long drive, because distances on the island are greater than they look on a map. Your planner can confirm whether the domestic flight is part of your quote.
This guide is compiled from published transport information, airline routes and traveller reports, and it was last checked on 2 November 2026. Flight schedules and fares change by season, so confirm current timings and the total journey with your planner before you book.
Start with the South Korea travel guide for the full overview. Then check places to visit in South Korea to plan your route, best time to visit South Korea for the season, and South Korea trip cost for the budget. Our South Korea tour packages list the trip lengths we plan, and the South Korea visa guide for Indians explains entry requirements before you fly.
Ready-made trips
Seoul 5N
Seoul 2N · Jeju Island 4N
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FAQs
Short answers to what travellers ask about South Korea.
Delhi has the most direct options, with nonstop services where scheduled. Elsewhere, one-stop routings through Singapore, Hong Kong or Bangkok are the usual choice. Compare total journey time, including connection time, rather than the headline flight time alone.
Most travellers fly into Incheon International Airport (ICN), the main international gateway near Seoul. Gimpo International Airport (GMP) serves some regional and domestic connections. Airport rail links Incheon with the city, and express trains are faster than all-stop services.
Airport rail is the most practical option, and express services are faster than all-stop trains. Taxis are also available and metered. Keep your hotel address written in Korean, and allow extra time for transfers during peak traffic.
The KTX high-speed train takes about 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes, depending on the service. It is usually the most convenient way to travel between the two cities. Book seats early for busy periods.
Jeju Island is reached by a domestic flight from Seoul. Your planner can confirm whether the flight is part of your quote. Once on the island, a rental car or private vehicle is much more efficient than buses for most routes.
A T-money or Cashbee card is very useful, because it works on the metro and most buses and saves you buying single tickets. Buy one on arrival. Travellers often say it is essential for getting around Seoul and Busan.
You can, but a missed connection on separate tickets is not protected. Allow an overnight buffer between flights, and check whether an international terminal change applies. A single booking with a protected connection is usually simpler.
Many travellers choose Singapore because connections are usually straightforward for baggage and onward travel. Singapore routings are common from Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Compare the total journey time and fare before you choose a connection.
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