A single airline ticket to Uzbekistan can quietly include a world-class city break in Seoul—if you know how to book it. Korean Air and Asiana Airlines both allow multi-city itineraries that insert a 2-3 day stopover in South Korea at little to no extra cost, effectively turning one fare into two destinations.
The math is compelling. A separate Seoul roundtrip typically costs $400-600 from most Western cities. But adding Seoul as a stopover on your Tashkent routing often adds just $50-100 to the total fare—sometimes nothing at all. That’s $300-500 of value baked into a ticket you were buying anyway.
How the stopover math actually works
Korean Air prices Seoul-Tashkent roundtrips from approximately $820 USD (KRW 1,115,500) for February 2026 departures. The key insight: multi-city bookings through their tool often price nearly identically to direct routings, because Seoul is already on the path.
Flying from Los Angeles to Tashkent direct (via connections) runs roughly $1,200. The same journey with a 48-hour Seoul stopover? Around $1,100 through Korean Air’s multi-city booking—actually cheaper while adding a destination. This pricing anomaly exists because airlines prefer passengers using their hubs over competitors’ routing.
| Origin | Direct to TAS | Via 2-Day ICN Stop | Seoul Value Added |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles (LAX) | ~$1,200 | ~$1,100 | $400 |
| Paris (CDG) | ~$900 | ~$850 | $350 |
| Sydney (SYD) | ~$1,400 | ~$1,300 | $450 |
| Vancouver (YVR) | ~$1,100 | ~$1,000 | $300 |
| Tokyo (NRT) | ~$700 | ~$650 | $500 |
The value calculation assumes a standalone Seoul trip would cost $400-600 roundtrip from these origins. By bundling it into your Tashkent fare, you’re accessing that value for the price difference—often under $100.
Booking the multi-city itinerary step by step
Both Korean Air and Asiana offer multi-city booking tools on their websites. The process is straightforward but requires selecting the right options.
Step 1: Navigate to the airline’s flight search and select “Multi-city” rather than roundtrip. Step 2: Enter your first leg as origin city to Seoul Incheon (ICN), arriving on your preferred date. Step 3: Enter your second leg as Seoul (ICN) to Tashkent (TAS), departing 2-3 days later. Step 4: Add your return leg from Tashkent to your origin.
The system will price this as a single itinerary with through-checked baggage. You’ll receive one confirmation number and full protection if any segment delays—unlike separate tickets where you’d be stranded.
The codeshare that expanded your options
In May 2025, Uzbekistan Airways and Asiana Airlines launched a codeshare agreement that increased Seoul-Tashkent frequencies to 13 weekly nonstop flights across three carriers. This partnership means more scheduling flexibility for stopovers—and single-ticket protection even when mixing airlines on the routing.
Direct Seoul-Tashkent flight time is just 7 hours 10 minutes. The route is well-served enough that you can often find departures that align perfectly with a 48-72 hour Seoul stay without awkward overnight layovers.
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Why Seoul makes sense as a stopover
Beyond the financial arbitrage, Seoul genuinely earns its place in your itinerary. Incheon Airport consistently ranks among the world’s best, with Minimum Connection Times (MCT) of just 90 minutes for international transfers. If you’re continuing to Tashkent after your stopover, the airport’s efficiency minimizes stress.
Most Western passport holders enter Korea visa-free for up to 90 days. US, Canadian, EU, Australian, and UK citizens need only a valid passport. For stays over 24 hours, you’ll want a K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization)—$10 online, valid for two years, processed within 72 hours.
The city itself offers world-class food, efficient public transport, and enough density that 48 hours feels substantial rather than rushed. Jet lag recovery becomes genuinely enjoyable when it involves Korean barbecue at 2am—establishments that cater to exactly that schedule.
Asiana’s stopover program adds extra perks
Asiana operates a formal Stopover Korea program that sweetens the deal for transit passengers. Transfers within 72 hours qualify for special offers including discounted accommodation, guided tours, and transport vouchers.
The program offers tours starting from 641 EUR (~$700 USD) on weekdays, rising to 689 EUR on weekends. These include curated Seoul experiences—useful if you want structure during a short stay. Minimum participation requires just 4 hours total in Korea, though the program extends to the full 72-hour window.
For stopovers longer than 72 hours, you’ll need to book via the multi-city tool rather than the transit program. The trade-off is losing access to the special offers, but gaining complete flexibility over your Seoul schedule.
When this strategy doesn’t work
Several scenarios reduce or eliminate the stopover value:
- Non-Western passports: Visa-free Korea access applies to specific nationalities. If you require a Korean visa, add $50-80 and processing time that may not justify a 48-hour stop.
- Peak travel dates: April 2026 fares rise to KRW 1,140,900 (~$840), compressing the savings gap. Cherry blossom season also reduces Seoul hotel availability.
- Direct Uzbekistan Airways flights: If booking directly with Uzbekistan Airways (not via codeshare), Seoul stopovers aren’t available—their aircraft fly TAS-ICN nonstop without hub privileges.
- Tight schedules: Adding 2-3 days to your journey only makes sense if you have the time. Business travelers on fixed itineraries may prefer the 7-hour direct.
Also note that fares are dynamic. The $820 Korean Air pricing reflects January 2026 searches—by the time you book, numbers will differ. The principle holds (multi-city often matches direct), but always compare real-time quotes.
The broader opportunity
This Seoul stopover strategy reflects a larger pattern: airlines with strong hub operations often price multi-city itineraries competitively to capture traffic that might otherwise route through competitors. Korean Air and Asiana both benefit when passengers choose Incheon over connecting in Istanbul, Dubai, or Frankfurt.
The January 2026 Asiana terminal move to Incheon T2 may further streamline connections. And ongoing Korean Air-Asiana merger discussions could eventually consolidate stopover programs—potentially expanding or restricting current flexibility. For now, both airlines independently offer the multi-city tool that makes this routing possible.
If Uzbekistan is on your list, the question isn’t whether Seoul adds value—it’s whether you have 48 hours to claim it.
Questions? Answers.
Do I need to book specific fare classes for the stopover to work?
No. The multi-city tool works across fare classes—economy, premium economy, and business all allow the Seoul insertion. However, the cheapest “basic economy” fares may restrict changes, so verify flexibility if your Seoul dates aren’t fixed.
What happens to my checked bags during the Seoul stopover?
On a single multi-city ticket, bags are checked through to your final destination but you’ll collect them in Seoul since you’re leaving the airport. When departing Seoul for Tashkent, re-check them at the counter. This is standard for stopovers versus connections.
Can I extend the Seoul stop beyond 3 days?
Yes, the multi-city tool allows gaps of any length between legs. However, Asiana’s special stopover offers (tours, accommodation deals) cap at 72 hours. Longer stays work fine but without those perks.
Is the K-ETA required for all nationalities?
K-ETA requirements vary. US citizens currently need it for stays over 24 hours. Some nationalities are exempt, others require full visas. Check Korea’s official immigration site for your passport before booking.
What if my origin city doesn’t have direct flights to Seoul?
The multi-city tool handles connections automatically. Book origin-ICN as your first leg (even if it routes through Tokyo or another hub), then ICN-TAS as your second. The system prices and protects the entire chain as one itinerary.
Does this work for one-way tickets to Tashkent?
Yes, though savings are smaller. Book a multi-city one-way: origin to Seoul, then Seoul to Tashkent. You lose the roundtrip pricing advantage but still add Seoul for minimal incremental cost.
