Seoul to Nanjing (ICN–NKG) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections

South Korean passport holders can enter China visa-free for up to 15 days under China's expanded transit visa exemption policy (renewed through 2025, confirm validity before booking). This applies to tourism, business, and transit purposes at major ports of entry. For stays beyond 15 days, apply for a visa at the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in South Korea. A single-entry L (tourist) visa costs KRW 60,000 (about $45) and takes 4 working days. Express processing (2 days) costs KRW 90,000.

Passport must be valid for at least 6 months with two blank pages. For the visa-free entry, you need a return or onward ticket and proof of accommodation. For a visa application, submit the completed form from cova.mfa.gov.cn, a passport photo (48mm x 33mm, white background), flight itinerary, hotel bookings, and bank statements. Group tourist visas are available through authorized Korean travel agencies for organized tours.

Direct flights from Seoul Incheon to Beijing (2 hours), Shanghai (2 hours 15 minutes), and dozens of other Chinese cities run daily on Korean Air, Asiana, Air China, China Eastern, and budget carriers like T'way and Jin Air. China uses the Chinese yuan (CNY), trading at roughly 190 KRW per CNY 1. Cash is nearly obsolete in Chinese cities. Alipay now allows foreign passport holders to link Visa/Mastercard for mobile payments. No mandatory vaccinations. A VPN is needed for Google, KakaoTalk, and most Korean apps inside China.

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.

The S9 metro line connects Lukou directly to Nanjing South Railway Station in 30 minutes (¥29). Trains depart every 20–30 minutes, making it the straightforward connection for onward high-speed rail.

Taxis to the city center cost ¥80–120 and take 40–60 minutes. Metered cabs are widely available at the designated rank outside arrivals. Airport buses serve major hotels and railway stations for ¥20–25.

Humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons. Summers (June–August) are hot and humid, regularly reaching 35–38°C with frequent thunderstorms that can cause delays. Winters (December–February) are cold (−3–7°C) with occasional freezing rain and light snow. Ice events are the main disruption risk.

Spring and autumn (March–May, September–November) are the most comfortable periods with mild temperatures of 15–25°C. Typhoon remnants occasionally bring heavy rain in late summer and early autumn.