Jet Lag from Los Angeles to Seoul

Seoul runs 16 hours ahead of Los Angeles — a eastbound shift over a roughly 13-hour flight. Expect about 16 days to feel close to normal in Seoul.

What to expect

Eastward shifts compress the day and fight the natural drift of the human circadian rhythm, so they tend to feel harder than westward shifts of the same magnitude.

Adjustment playbook

  • Shift bedtime earlier by ~1 hour per day before departure.
  • Reset your watch to Seoul time at boarding.
  • On arrival, get bright morning light and avoid bright evening light.
  • Caffeine in the morning only.

Open in planner

Build a personalized day-by-day plan for Los Angeles → Seoul with your dates, sleep profile, and fixed activities at Jet Zzz.