Nara to Seoul: Road Trip Guide & Distance

531 miles 854.6 km · straight line
773.7 miles actual route 1245.2 km · driving distance
19h 12min estimated drive time
JPY 13759 - JPY 16935 estimated fuel cost
~1h 34min flight time
295° WNW bearing direction

How far is Nara from Seoul?

The distance from Nara to Seoul is 531 miles (854.6 km) as the crow flies. Seoul is located WNW of Nara. By car, the driving distance is approximately 773.7 miles, taking about 19h 12min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 34min. Nara is in Japan, while Seoul is in South Korea.

This is a serious multi-day road trip! We strongly recommend breaking this journey up with an overnight stay to ensure you arrive safely and refreshed. Since you'll be heading mostly West, pack a good pair of sunglasses if you plan to drive during the late afternoon to avoid the harsh sun glare. Keep in mind this route crosses international borders. Don't forget your passport, and check current border crossing times and vehicle insurance requirements.

Coordinates come from public place data for Nara and Seoul. The driving distance uses an OSRM road-route result when route data is available. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.

How to Get from Nara to Seoul

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 19h 12min JPY 13759 - JPY 16935 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 34min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~23h 2min $62–$116* Budget
Train ~24h 58min $93–$271* Comfort

Quick Facts

Nara
34.69°N, 135.80°E
Asia/Tokyo
80m elevation
Seoul
37.57°N, 126.98°E
Asia/Seoul
38m elevation
Explore more routes from Seoul

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 177 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 44 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 46.9 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM