Find the cheapest flights from Athens to Seoul in 2026. Compare airlines, prices by month, and booking tips to save on your trip.
Route: Athens (ATH) → Seoul (ICN)
Distance: Direct flights not available
Flight Duration: 11h 30m – 15h 30m (1-2 stops)
Prices by Month
| Month | Avg Price | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| January | €380 | low |
| February | €360 | low |
| March | €420 | medium |
| April | €480 | medium |
| May | €520 | medium |
| June | €580 | high |
| July | €650 | high |
| August | €680 | high |
| September | €550 | high |
| October | €490 | medium |
| November | €390 | low |
| December | €520 | high |
Airlines on This Route
- Turkish Airlines (connecting): from €480 — Book via Turkish Airlines website directly for lowest prices. Stopover program offers free hotel for transit over 20 hours.
- Emirates (connecting): from €550 — Use Skyscanner to compare, then book direct. Emirates often runs sales in January and September.
- Qatar Airways (connecting): from €540 — Qatar’s student club offers 10% discount. Book 8-10 weeks out for best deals on this route.
- Aegean Airlines (connecting): from €460 — CheckAegean’s Athens-Seoul codeshare routes via Vienna or London. Often cheaper than Turkish for similar routing.
Booking Strategy
The Athens to Seoul route requires a connecting flight, with Istanbul, Dubai, and Doha being the most common hubs. Book your flight 8-12 weeks in advance for the best prices — this is when airlines release their optimal fare classes. February and November offer the lowest prices (€360-390), while July-August sees prices surge to €650+. Tuesday and Wednesday departures are typically cheapest, with savings of €50-100 compared to weekend flights. Use Google Flights to track price alerts for ICN from ATH, and consider flying into Gimpo (GMP) as an alternative — it’s closer to central Seoul and sometimes cheaper. If your schedule allows, build in a 2-3 day stopover in Istanbul or Dubai at no extra cost, turning a long journey into two destinations.
Route Tips
- Book Turkish Airlines for the fastest connection — their Istanbul-Seoul route is well-established with short layovers and free stopover hotels for long transits.
- Download the Korean Air or Incheon Airport app before arrival for real-time gate info and terminal navigation — the airport is massive.
- South Korea requires a valid passport and tourists from EU countries can stay visa-free for 90 days — ensure your passport is valid 6 months beyond entry.
- AREX train from Incheon to Seoul Station is the cheapest and most reliable city transfer — buy a T-Money card at 7-Eleven for seamless transit.
- Flying into Gimpo (GMP) can save money and time if your hotel is in Gangnam or Mapo districts — check both airport arrivals when searching.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the flight from Athens to Seoul?
There are no direct flights from Athens to Seoul. The shortest connecting routes take around 11h 30m with one stop, typically via Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), Dubai (Emirates), or Doha (Qatar Airways). Most flights take 13-15 hours depending on connection time. Turkish Airlines via Istanbul usually offers the shortest total travel time at 11-13 hours. Overnight flights are common, departing Athens in the evening and arriving in Seoul the next afternoon local time.
How much does it cost to fly from Athens to Seoul?
Economy flights start at around €350-380 in the low season (January-February, November), rising to €450-550 in shoulder months (March-May, October), and hitting €600-700 during peak summer (June-September) and holiday periods. Business class starts around €1,800 and can exceed €3,000. Turkish Airlines and Aegean Airlines typically offer the cheapest fares, while Emirates and Qatar Airways charge a premium but include more generous baggage allowances. The average roundtrip price hovers around €520.
Are there direct flights from Athens to Seoul?
No, there are no direct flights from Athens (ATH) to Seoul. All services require at least one connection. The most popular routes go through Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), Dubai (Emirates), or Doha (Qatar Airways). Some flights may have two stops via London, Frankfurt, or other European hubs depending on the airline. Korean Air and Asiana Airlines operate codeshare flights via their European partners. The lack of direct service is due to limited demand on this specific route.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Athens to Seoul?
February is the cheapest month with average fares of €360, followed by January (€380) and November (€390). These months fall outside European and Korean holiday periods. Late November (after Chuseok) offers particularly good deals. Avoid August — prices peak at €680 average due to European summer holidays and Korean university admission season. Late December (post-Christmas) and early January also see high prices. For the best value, aim for late February or early March when prices remain low but daylight hours improve.
Which airlines fly from Athens to Seoul?
Four main carriers operate this route: Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul, 11-13h total, from €480), Emirates (via Dubai, 13-15h, from €550), Qatar Airways (via Doha, 12-14h, from €540), and Aegean Airlines (via various hubs, 13-16h, from €460). All include at least one checked bag. Korean Air and Asiana Airlines offer codeshare flights through Star Alliance and SkyTeam partners. Turkish Airlines generally offers the best balance of price and shortest connection time.
What airport do I fly into in Seoul?
You’ll arrive at Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN), located 52km west of central Seoul. Incheon is Korea’s main international gateway, voted best airport globally multiple times. To reach downtown: the Airport Railroad (AREX) takes 43 minutes to Seoul Station (₩4,950/€3.50), or the limousine bus takes 60-80 minutes to various city points (₩10,000-17,000/€7-12). Taxis to central Seoul cost around ₩50,000-70,000 (€35-50). Consider Gimpo (GMP) for closer access to Gangnam — some budget carriers use this smaller airport.
How far in advance should I book Athens to Seoul flights?
Book 8-12 weeks ahead for optimal pricing. Airlines typically release their cheapest fare classes 3-4 months before departure, and these sell quickly on popular routes. Booking earlier than 12 weeks occasionally yields deals, but prices are often higher as airlines haven’t adjusted to demand. Last-minute bookings (within 2 weeks) rarely offer savings on this route — expect to pay €200+ more than advance bookings. For February travel, start checking prices in late November.
Is it cheaper to fly from Athens to Seoul on weekdays?
Yes, Tuesday and Wednesday departures are typically €50-100 cheaper than Friday or Sunday flights. This pattern holds consistently as business travelers prefer week-edges, leaving mid-week seats more available. The difference is most pronounced in shoulder season. Saturday departures often match weekend prices. If possible, depart Athens Tuesday-Thursday and return from Seoul Monday-Wednesday for the lowest fares. Use Skyscanner’s ‘whole month’ view to compare day-by-day prices.
Data updated: 2026-03
