Palaces in the frost, Korean barbecue sizzling and the city lit up for Christmas.
Hainan Airlines and Asiana fly from Manchester to Seoul from £449 return, with a stop in Beijing. The dates are 29 November to 10 December 2026.
✈️ The Deal
- From: Manchester, UK
- To: Seoul (Incheon), South Korea
- Airline: Hainan Airlines, Asiana Airlines
- Stops: 1 stop in Beijing
- Price: £449 return
- When: November - December 2026
Example dates:
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The flight leaves Manchester at 11:15, stops for 5h35 in Beijing and lands in Seoul at 13:45 the next day. The return leaves Seoul at 15:00, stops for 10h15 in Beijing and lands in Manchester at 05:50 the next morning. We only found this price on these dates: other dates cost £530 or more.
💰 How far does your money go?
A pint in Manchester costs about £5.50. In Seoul, about £9 buys a full Korean barbecue dinner with side dishes at a local grill, or a night of street food at Gwangjang Market. A bottle of soju costs about £2.50 in a restaurant, and a subway ride is under £1.
☀️ The Weather
Late November and early December are cold in Seoul. Expect highs of 4-8°C, nights below zero and clear, dry skies. The first snow is possible, and the streets fill with Christmas lights.
🏨 Where to Stay
Hongdae for nightlife, or the old 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 Beijing
The stop in Beijing Capital is 5h35 on the way out and 10h15 on the way back. UK passport holders may be able to leave the airport under China's visa-free rules, but check them before you fly, and be back at the airport at least 3 hours before your next flight.
Great Wall layover tour from Beijing Capital: A guided trip from the airport to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, with the cable car and transfers both ways.
Hutong layover tour: A private tour from the airport to the old lanes and courtyard houses of central Beijing.
If you'd rather rest:
Jinjiang Inn Beijing Capital Airport · 8.8/10 · From £30/night
A simple, clean hotel about 1 km from Beijing Capital airport, for a few hours of sleep.
🎯 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
From £449 return, Manchester to Seoul. One date at this price, so it will not last.
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