In some ways, Seoul and Bangkok seem made for each other. Both are huge cities with fantastic street food and a vibrant nightlife, where it's almost easier to get discounted Botox than photos that will earn you hundreds of Instagram followers.

On the other hand, there are of course many cultural differences between Thailand and Korea, even if this makes the combination all the more appealing to some travelers. This is especially true for Thais, who traveled to South Korea in large numbers until a controversy arose in recent years.

No matter why you are planning a trip from Thailand to Korea (or vice versa), this article will help you clarify all the necessary details.

Why Thais love (or have loved) Korea

Before the pandemic, it was nearly impossible to book a flight from Bangkok to Seoul in Thailand, let alone a cheap one. Back then, Korean culture was ubiquitous in Thailand: from K-pop and K-dramas to Korean fashion and hairstyles, cosmetic brands (and plastic surgery), and food. Browsing the Instagram profiles of many Thai friends made me feel like I was in an advertisement for the Korean tourism organization.

Unfortunately, this affection has cooled recently due to the Korean government's actions against Thai immigrants residing and working illegally in Korea—so-called "little ghosts." As a result, Korean authorities began arbitrarily denying entry to Thais, even those with confirmed hotel bookings and obvious tourists. This understandably led to negative press—and now to widespread resentment.

Travel options between Thailand and Korea

Fly nonstop from Bangkok (BKK) to Seoul, Busan or Daegu.

When flying from Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok to Seoul, you're spoiled for choice. The only question is whether to fly with a full-service airline (like Thai Airways, Asiana Airlines, or Korean Air) or a low-cost carrier. A Korean low-cost carrier like Air Busan is generally the best option, as all Thai low-cost airlines fly to Korea from a different airport.

Fly nonstop from Bangkok (DMK) to Seoul

If you want to travel from Bangkok's Don Mueang budget airport to Korea, you're essentially limited to Thai low-cost carriers. Well, "limited" is an understatement, but you do have a choice. The most common (and, due to its larger aircraft, also the most comfortable) is Thai AirAsia X.

Fly nonstop from Chiang Mai to Seoul or Busan.

Looking to end your Thailand trip in the north? From Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX), you can fly nonstop to Seoul or Busan with various airlines. CNX is not only less crowded than Bangkok's airports, but also closer to the city center, which speeds up your journey in many ways.

Fly nonstop from Phuket to Seoul

Another alternative for getting from Bangkok to Seoul is a flight from Phuket. This is certainly convenient if you plan to stay there anyway, but it also has a few drawbacks. Phuket airport is quite far from many hotels and resorts on the island and is also rather run-down.

Connect in Hong Kong or Taipei

A direct flight is always preferable, especially since many flights from Southeast Asia to Northeast Asia are overnight. Who wants to waste valuable travel time? However, one advantage of a connection from Bangkok (BKK) to Incheon (ICN) or Puerto Rico (PUS) lies in the connecting options via Hong Kong (HKG) or Taipei (TPE) with first-class airlines such as Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, and Starlux.

Is Korea much more expensive than Thailand?

Korea is clearly a much wealthier country than Thailand, with a higher standard of living and, consequently, higher living costs. But is it really that much more expensive as a travel destination? Well, it depends. Yes, if you're looking for similar experiences in Seoul as you would in Bangkok. For the price of a cheap hotel in Korea, you might get a bit more comfort in Thailand.

On the other hand, a flight from Bangkok to Korea (at least in the mid-2020s, when I'm writing this) isn't as surprising as one might think. For one thing, Thailand has become significantly more expensive in recent years; many things now cost twice as much as they did in 2010 when I first visited. Conversely, the Korean won has remained persistently weak, making the relative cost of travel lower than ever before.

Other frequently asked questions about traveling from Thailand to Korea

How long does the journey from Thailand to South Korea take?

Flights from Thailand to South Korea are fast and often take only about five hours, sometimes even less with strong tailwinds. In the opposite direction, the journey can take longer due to headwinds; a travel time of seven hours from gate to gate is not uncommon for a flight from Seoul to Bangkok.

How do I get from Thailand to Korea?

The only realistic way to travel from Thailand to Korea is by plane. In most cases, this involves a direct flight from one of Bangkok's two airports to Seoul. However, there are also flights from Bangkok to Busan and Daegu, as well as from Chiang Mai and Phuket to Seoul.

Is it possible to travel from Thailand to Korea?

Theoretically, it's possible to drive from Thailand to Korea. However, there are two major obstacles, most notably the inaccessible North Korea. While one could technically drive from Bangkok to Dalian or Shanghai in China and take a ferry from there, that's not really a complete road trip in my book.

Conclusion

There are as many ways to travel from Thailand to Korea as there are sights to see in each country. Most travelers take advantage of one of the approximately twelve daily flights between Bangkok and Seoul airports. Depending on your travel needs, however, you can also fly from Bangkok to a smaller Korean city, or even from Chiang Mai or Phuket to Seoul. Getting to Korea is straightforward – that's the good news. And the even better news? Whether you need help planning your trip to Thailand, Korea, or both, I'd be happy to create the perfect, personalized itinerary for you!