A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Aswan vs. Seoul for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Aswan or Seoul?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Aswan or Seoul? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Aswan or Seoul?

Aswan

Lounging along the Nile like Egyptian royalty is a fantasy for most world travelers. If you want to do it without the hustle and bustle of Cairo, there's always Aswan. This city in the south of Egypt is the smallest of the three major cities on the Nile. Located just below the Aswan Dam and Lake Nasser, Aswan's 275,00 people include a large portion of Nubians – mostly resettled from their flooded homeland.

Seoul

With a population of more than 11 million, Seoul is easily the largest city in South Korea. It is also the financial, political, and cultural capital of the country and has much to offer open minded travelers. It is often overlooked by travelers who instead head to Tokyo or Shanghai, but Seoul has a wide range of cultural experiences, food options, and historical sights. Seoul is a city of contrasts with ancient traditions, flashy technology, religious temples and a modern youth culture. It is also more affordable than many of the other Asian metropolis' to which it is often compared. If you're looking for an interesting and different experience that is a little off the tourist trail, Seoul can definitely offer that opportunity.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Egypt, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Egypt, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to South Korea, and The Best Adventure Tours to South Korea.


Which place is cheaper, Seoul or Aswan?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Aswan is $29, while the average daily cost in Seoul is $133. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Aswan and Seoul in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Aswan $9.47
    Seoul $56
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Aswan $19
    Seoul $112
Compare Hotels in Aswan and Seoul

Looking for a hotel in Aswan or Seoul? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Aswan


Hotels in Seoul


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Aswan Hotel Prices and Seoul Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Aswan $5.20
    Seoul $16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aswan

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aswan:

  • Private transfer from Aswan to Aswan Airport: $8.00
  • Transfer from Aswan Airport to Hotels or Nile Cruise in Aswan: $8.00
  • Private Airport Arrival/Departure One Way Transfer: $11
  • luxor Airport Private Transfer: $14
  • Private Transfer from Aswan Airport to Anywhere in Aswan: $15
  • Shared Transfer: Aswan Airport to Hotels: $15
  • Private Transfer Service From Aswan Airport to anywhere in Aswan: $16
  • Private Aswan Transfers (Airport - Luxor - Hurghada ): $17
  • Aswan Airport VIP Transfer – Private,Comfortable &On-Time Service: $18
  • Aswan Airport Transfers inside city & to Luxor, Hurghada- One Way: $18
  • Aswan airport transfer: $21
  • Private transfer from/to Aswan train station: $21

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Seoul

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Seoul:


  • Subway Card
    $3.72
  • Short Taxi Ride
    $5.21
  • Metro Ride
    $1.01
  • Seoul City Pass Plus
    $7.44

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Seoul

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Seoul:

  • Night Views Tour with Guide and Transfers: $41
  • Private One-Way Transfers to/from Incheon Airport(ICN): $49
  • From Round-Trip Transfer to Dae Jang Geum Park: $50
  • Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN) to Seoul - Arrival Private Transfer: $62
  • Seoul to Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN) Departure Private Transfer: $62
  • Gimpo Airport to Seoul /Seoul to GMP Private Transfer (1-7pax): $74
  • Seoul to Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN) - Departure Private Transfer: $77
  • Seoul to Nami Island, Gangchon Rail Park Full-Day Tour, Transfers: $79
  • Private Seoul KTX Station Transfer from/to Seoul Area: $85
  • Gimpo Airport GMP Private Transfer To From Seoul Hotels: $87
  • Incheon Airport Transfer service pick up drop off Seoul ~7 Pax: $89
  • Gimpo International Airport to or from Seoul Private Transfer: $89

Is it cheaper to fly into Aswan or Seoul?

Prices for flights to both Seoul and Aswan change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Aswan $14
    Seoul $53

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aswan

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Aswan.

  • Nubian Dinner in Nubian Village Of Aswan: $40
  • Night Dinner Cruise in Cairo: $42
  • Nubian Dinner at Nubian Village: $51
  • Your Grandmothers Cooking Class In Aswan: $90

Typical Food Prices in Seoul

Some typical examples of dining costs in Seoul are as follows:


  • Rice with Kimchi & Bacon
    $4.47
  • Waffle
    $0.74
  • Dippin' Dots
    $1.49
  • Chicken Fried Rice
    $4.09
  • Chicken Stick
    $1.49
  • Drinking Yoghurt & Mi Chew
    $1.41
  • Lunch Buffet
    $4.47
  • Donut
    $0.74
  • Mushroom Burger
    $3.87
  • Green Tea Ice Cream
    $2.46
  • Udon & Sushi
    $5.21
  • Fresh Burger
    $3.57
  • Soba Noodles Lunch
    $3.35
  • Bibimbap Lunch
    $3.72
  • Fried Rice
    $4.09
  • Vietnamese Dinner
    $7.07
  • Breakfast and Coffee for 2
    $7.07
  • Donut
    $1.86

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Seoul

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Seoul.

  • Guided Street Food Tour at Namdaemun Market: $45
  • Seoul Night Run for Local-Favorite Korean BBQ Dinner: $50
  • [Wine & K-BBQ] A Perfect Pairing Dinner in Sinchon: $51
  • Mangwon Market Food tour By Locals; Cheap Eats to Fancy Feast: $55
  • Mangwon Market Food tour By Locals;Cheap Eats to Fancy Feast: $57
  • North Korean Cooking Class with Defector: Food & Personal Stories: $60
  • Kimchi Dishes Cooking Class with Wine Pairing: $61
  • Gwangjang Market Netflix Food Tour: $64
  • Incheon Full-Day Sunset and Sea Food Tour: $65
  • Sunset Walking Tour in Naksan Park with Dinner: $66
  • Guided City Wall Sunset Hike with Korean Dinner: $67
  • Cooking Class in Seoul with Korean Grandma: $68

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Aswan $8.91
    Seoul $27
Typical Entertainment Prices in Aswan

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Aswan are as follows:


  • Temple Kom Ombo for Two
    $1.15

Tours and Activities in Aswan

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Aswan are as follows:

  • Private shopping tour in Aswan bazzars: $8.00
  • Adventure Felucca Ride in Aswan ( Private boat ): $17
  • Aswan Engineering Marvels Private High Dam & Obelisk Tour: $20
  • Felucca Nile Cruise in Aswan: $20
  • Aswan Highlights Tour Philae Temple High Dam Unfinished Obelisk: $25
  • 3 or 2 or 1 Nights Mighty Nile Felucca Adventure: $25
  • Nubian Village Tour: $25
  • Philae Temple private tour or Sound and light show evining: $25
  • Private Tour Sail on the Nile Aswan Felucca Ride: $25
  • Shared Half-Day Tour to the Nubian Village: $25
  • Explore Philae Temple and High-Dam on Half-day Tour: $26
  • Nubian Village Tour by Motorboat: $28

Typical Entertainment Prices in Seoul

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Seoul are as follows:


  • Palace Tickets
    $5.96
  • Movie Ticket
    $5.96
  • Kimchi Museum
    $2.23

Tours and Activities in Seoul

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Seoul are as follows:

  • Seoul Changdeokgung Palace Hanbok Experience Hanboknam (내국인불가): $7.60
  • Seoul Walking Tour 3h30 and 19 audio reviews: $7.63
  • Youngjaegugakhoe The Concert of Korean Music Prodigies Ticket: $9.30
  • Gwanghwamun Tour l 120 Minutes to Understand South Korea: $10
  • [Seoul] Football Faentasium Admission Ticket (내국인 불가): $10
  • Bukchon Hanok Village Seoul Walking Tour with Audioguide: $11
  • Insadong Running Man Themed Activity Experience Center: $13
  • Elysian Gangchon Winter Ski + Eobi Ice Valley Day Tour fr Seoul: $14
  • Changdeokgung Hanbok Experience at hanboknam: $14
  • bukchon Hanbok Experience at hanboknam: $14
  • Gyeongbokgung Hanbok Experience at hanboknam: $14
  • Undercity Core Techno Party Ticket: $15

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Aswan $1.02
    Seoul $12

Sample the Local Flavors in Seoul

Also in Seoul, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Discover Makgeolli: Inside Seoul's Hidden Urban Brewery: $11
  • Seoul Pub Crawl by Absolute: $20
  • The Seoul Pub Crawl Official: $22
  • Pub Crawl: $25
  • The Seoul Pub Crawl [official]: $26
  • LGBTQ+ Pub Crawl and Drag Show with Local Drag Queen: $28
  • Rice Wine Tasting with Sommelier - Finest Makgeolli (& Soju): $46
  • Soju Tasting at Distillery - story of 3 pigs: $47
  • Soju Tasting at Distillery: $51
  • Premium Pub Crawl with Open Bottles: $57
  • Craft Makgeolli Brewery Tour & Tasting Experience: $67
  • Learn and Craft Makgeolli in a Traditional Brewery: $78


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aswan and Seoul, we can see that Seoul is more expensive. And not only is Aswan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Aswan is in Africa and Seoul is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Aswan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Aswan and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Seoul would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Seoul than you might in Aswan.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Aswan Expensive? and Is Seoul Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Aswan or Seoul?

Seoul has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Aswan. When comparing the sizes of Aswan and Seoul, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.