Cebu Pacific
$158
MNL → ICN
Manila → Seoul
Pingsme.com compares prices from 87 airlines on the Manila–Seoul route and highlights useful fare changes.
About Manila to Seoul flights
Pingsme.com monitors airlines operating the Manila (MNL) to Seoul (ICN) route. We check prices regularly and surface useful drops and fare signals. Prices shown are per person, one-way, in economy class.
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Manila to Seoul carries one of the strongest cultural pull factors of any route in the region. Korean food, television and music are everywhere in Philippine daily life, and the trip north is how many travellers finally see the places behind them — palace courtyards, hanok lanes, mountain views over the city and, for a lot of first-timers, snow.
The route mixes holidaymakers and families travelling in school breaks, students, workers heading to or from Korea, and Korean visitors moving between two countries with long-standing ties. It is also a common connection point for travellers combining Northeast Asia with a stop in the Philippines.
Seasonal demand on this corridor is sharp: prices behave very differently in blossom season than they do in deep winter. Pingsme compares 87 airlines across 109 routes and refreshes prices every two hours, so you can see which side of that swing your dates fall on before you commit.
When to fly from Manila to Seoul
For travellers who have never lived through a cold season, December to February is the trip that gets talked about afterwards. Seoul sits at roughly -5 to 5°C, cold enough that you will need real winter clothing, and it delivers ski season, winter festivals and — importantly for a family budget — the cheapest flights of the year.
September to November is the best-weather window by a wide margin. Autumn foliage sweeps across the hills and palace grounds, skies stay clear, temperatures hold at 15–22°C, and festival season is in full flow. It is comfortable walking weather, which matters in a city you explore mostly on foot and by subway.
March to May is built around cherry blossom, usually peaking in early April, when Seoul's parks are at their best and the weather is comfortable. This window and autumn are the two most competitive periods on the route, so plan them like peak-season travel rather than something you can arrange a few weeks out.
On arrival: money, timezone, getting around
South Korea uses the Korean Won (KRW), and Korean is the working language — English signage is dependable on the subway and at major attractions, less so in small restaurants. Seoul runs on UTC+9, so reset your watch on landing and plan a gentle first evening.
The most important prep step is app-related: Google Maps does not work properly in South Korea because of national security restrictions on mapping data. Download Naver Maps before you leave Manila and use it for subway routing, walking directions and finding places to eat.
Local transport is simple once you have a T-money card, sold at any convenience store and valid on all buses, the full subway network and even some taxis. On documents, be aware that Vietnamese passport holders must obtain a K-ETA electronic travel authorisation online at least 72 hours before departure — always confirm the entry rules attached to your own passport before booking.
Where to stay and what to do in Seoul
Seoul's main bases line up by budget. Hongdae is the cheapest and the most energetic after dark, with hostels and student-priced food. Myeongdong is the mid-range option in the middle of the shopping district, convenient for families who want to be near everything. Gangnam and Apgujeong form the luxury tier, with designer streets and upmarket hotels.
A first itinerary should include Gyeongbokgung Palace, the traditional houses and lanes of Bukchon Hanok Village nearby, and N Seoul Tower on Namsan for the view across the city. Reserve one night for Korean BBQ in Mapo-gu — for many travellers on this route, it is the single most anticipated meal of the trip.
Keeping costs down is easier than expected: CU and GS25 convenience stores serve hot kimbap, ramyeon and rice bowls that Koreans treat as genuine meals, so you are not choosing between restaurants and going hungry. For a full breakdown of areas, transport and food, read our destination guide at /en/destinations/seoul.
Booking tips for this route
- If snow is the goal, plan for December to February — the coldest window and also the cheapest for flights, but budget for proper winter clothing.
- Install Naver Maps before departure; Google Maps does not work properly in South Korea.
- Buy a T-money card at any convenience store on arrival for buses, the subway and some taxis.
- Check the entry authorisation your passport requires — Vietnamese citizens need a K-ETA applied for online at least 72 hours before departure.
- Autumn and early-April blossom season are the most competitive dates: book them further ahead and use Pingsme, which compares 87 airlines with prices refreshed every two hours.
Content updated: 2026-07-25
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to fly from Manila to Seoul?
September to November offers the best weather, with autumn foliage, clear skies, 15–22°C temperatures and festival season. March to May centres on cherry blossom, peaking in early April, when Seoul's parks are at their best. December to February is cold at -5 to 5°C but is the season for skiing, winter festivals and the cheapest flights of the year — the usual pick for travellers who want to experience snow.
What currency, language and time zone will I find in Seoul?
Seoul uses the Korean Won (KRW), the language is Korean, and the city is on UTC+9. For getting around, a T-money card from any convenience store covers all buses, the subway and even some taxis. Use Naver Maps for navigation, because Google Maps does not function properly in South Korea due to national security restrictions on mapping data.
How can I get a good price on Manila to Seoul flights?
Book peak windows — autumn and cherry blossom season around early April — well ahead, and look at December to February for the cheapest fares of the year. Compare several departure days instead of one, since midweek flights often price lower than weekends. Pingsme compares 87 airlines on this route and refreshes prices every two hours, so you can follow a fare rather than guess at it.
What is the cheapest flight from Manila to Seoul right now?
The lowest fare we've collected is $158 with Cebu Pacific, departing 2026-08-24. Fares change quickly — the final price is always confirmed on the airline or partner site.
How often are prices on this page updated?
Automated crawlers refresh fares on this route at least once daily. Each listed deal reflects the most recent collection.
Which airlines does Pingsme compare for Manila to Seoul?
Pingsme tracks 87 airlines worldwide and lists every carrier with a collected fare on this route, ranked by price.
Does Pingsme sell tickets?
No — Pingsme is a free price comparator. Clicking a deal takes you to the airline or travel partner to complete the booking; we earn a small affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.
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