Palaces, barbecue smoke and soju on a plastic stool, for less than many fares to the Med in summer.
China Southern flies from London to Seoul from £405 return in May 2027, with one stop in China each way. It is a full-service fare, so a checked bag and meals are included.
✈️ The Deal
- From: London Gatwick or Heathrow, United Kingdom
- To: Seoul Incheon, South Korea
- Airline: China Southern
- Stops: 1 stop each way (Guangzhou or Beijing)
- Price: £405 - £437 return
- When: March and May 2027
Example dates:
15/05/2027 - 22/05/2027
22/05/2027 - 29/05/2027
08/03/2027 - 18/03/2027
Claim up to £520 for your delayed or cancelled flight →
On the £405 dates you leave Gatwick at 11:00, change in Guangzhou after 5h10 and land in Seoul at 15:25 the next day. The flight home leaves at 15:15 and has a 7-hour stop in Guangzhou before landing at Gatwick at 06:30. On 22/05 the stops are 3h55 and 5h45. The March dates fly from Heathrow via Beijing Daxing, with stops of under 4 hours.
💰 How far does your money go?
A pint in London now costs about £6.50. In Seoul, a bowl of bibimbap costs about £5.50, a bottle of soju in a restaurant about £2.70 and a metro ride about 85p. A Korean barbecue dinner for two with drinks often comes in under £40.
☀️ The Weather
May is one of the best months in Seoul. Expect sunny days of 20-24°C, cool evenings around 13°C and little rain, before the summer monsoon arrives. The parks are green and the city is at its most pleasant for walking. In early March it is still cold, around 8-10°C.
🏨 Where to Stay
Hongdae for nightlife, or near the palaces for culture.
Sinchon APL Hotel · 8.3/10 · From £44/night
A simple, good-value hotel one stop from Hongdae, near Sinchon station.
L7 Hongdae by Lotte · 8.7/10 · From £143/night
A modern hotel right above Hongik University station, with a rooftop pool.
RYSE, Autograph Collection · 9.0/10 · From £191/night
An art-filled hotel in Hongdae, with one of the city's best rooftop bars.
⏱️ Making the most of your layover in Guangzhou
On the £405 dates, the return stop in Guangzhou Baiyun lasts 7 hours. British passport holders can currently use China's visa-free transit rules for short stays, but check them before you fly, and be back at the airport at least 3 hours before your next flight. With 7 hours, the airport hotel is the easier choice; the Canton Tower is about 1 hour away by metro.
Canton Tower: Views over the whole city from the 450-metre tower, with the bubble tram ride around the top.
If you'd rather rest:
Pullman Guangzhou Baiyun Airport · 8.5/10 · From £74/night
Connected to the terminal, for a shower and a proper sleep without leaving the airport.
🎯 What to Do
Seoul mixes royal palaces with neon streets.
Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon and Gwangjang Market: The main royal palace, the hanok village on the hill and dinner at Seoul's oldest market.
DMZ tour: The border with North Korea, the Third Tunnel and the observatory, about an hour from the city.
Street food market tour: Tteokbokki, bindaetteok and hotteok at the night markets with a local guide.
Seoul Sky at Lotte World Tower: The view from the glass floor at the top of Korea's tallest building.
🗺️ Where to Go From Here
Seoul is a great base for the rest of South Korea.
Busan: Beaches, seafood and colourful hillside villages, about 2h30 by KTX train.
Jeju Island: Volcanic landscapes and waterfalls, about 1h10 by air. Search flights
Tokyo: Japan's capital, about 2h30 by air. Search flights
£405 return to Seoul with a bag included, in one of the best months of the year. The cheapest May dates go first.
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