Seoul to Nashville (ICN–BNA) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections

South Korean passport holders enter the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) for up to 90 days for tourism or business. You must obtain an approved ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) at esta.cbp.dhs.gov before travel. The ESTA costs $21, is processed within 72 hours (often minutes), and is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. Passport must be a biometric e-passport.

At US immigration, you clear CBP (Customs and Border Protection) where an officer reviews your ESTA, asks about your trip purpose, takes fingerprints and a photo, and determines your allowed stay (up to 90 days). Have your return ticket, hotel booking, and a general idea of your itinerary ready to answer questions. The 90-day VWP stay cannot be extended, and overstaying voids your ESTA and future VWP eligibility. For stays beyond 90 days or work purposes, apply for a visa at the US Embassy in Seoul.

Direct flights from Seoul Incheon to multiple US cities run 10 to 14 hours: Los Angeles (LAX) 11 hours, San Francisco (SFO) 11 hours 30 minutes, New York JFK 14 hours, Seattle (SEA) 10 hours, Dallas (DFW) 13 hours, and Atlanta (ATL) 14 hours. Korean Air, Asiana, Delta, United, and American all operate transpacific routes. The US uses the US dollar. No mandatory vaccinations. Global Entry ($100, valid 5 years) includes ESTA and provides expedited entry through automated kiosks at major US airports, a strong investment for frequent visitors.

AREX (Airport Railroad Express) runs two services from Seoul Station: the Direct Train (43 min, ₩11,000, reserved seats) and the All-Stop train (66 min, ₩4,550, unreserved). Both trains serve T1 first, then T2; confirm which terminal your airline uses before boarding.Limousine buses depart from major Seoul neighborhoods and hotels (₩16,000–18,000, 60–90 min depending on traffic). KAL and LIMOUSINE services are reliable. Taxis from central Seoul cost ₩65,000–80,000 and take 60–90 minutes. Deluxe (black) taxis are pricier but English-speaking drivers are more common.

Uber and Lyft from BNA to downtown run $20–30 (15–25 minutes). Pickup zones for TNCs are on the lower level. Taxis are available at the ground transportation curb, typically $25–35 to downtown.Rental car brands are in the adjacent facility connected via walkway. WeGo bus Route 18 costs $2 but has limited evening hours; check before relying on it for late arrivals. I-40 and Briley Parkway provide direct highway access.

Humid subtropical climate with hot summers and variable winters. July and August average 32–36°C with high humidity. Winter (December–February) temperatures range from −2–10°C. Ice storms are the primary disruption risk. Nashville sees occasional but significant freezing rain events that shut down the airport.

Severe thunderstorm season peaks April through June, bringing tornado risk to the region. Spring storms cause most ground stops and ground delays. Autumn (September–November) is mild and generally the most disruption-free season.