Should you visit Bali or Seoul?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Bali and Seoul can help you decide which place is right for you.
Bali
Known as the "Island of the Gods," it's not difficult to see why the Gods would want to set up shop in Bali. With a beautifully diverse landscape of hills, mountains, coastlines, beaches, vibrant rice fields and volcanic hillsides, you'll easily go into sensory overload.
Bali is home to 4 million people who all hold true to a deeply spiritual and unique culture. With champion surfing, world class resorts and challenging hiking trails, this Indonesian island accommodates travelers from every walk of life. It's often called, "paradise on earth, " and no one disagrees.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Seoul or Bali?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Bali is $64, while the average daily cost in Seoul is $103. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Bali and Seoul in more detail.
Accommodation
Bali's average price for two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $74. A typical place to stay for one person, per day is $37.
Seoul's average price for two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $104. A typical place to stay for one person, per day is $52.
Food
Bali food costs typically run travelers around $18 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
While meal prices in Seoul can vary, the average travelers spends about $28 per day on food. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out, an average meal in Seoul should cost around $11 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Seoul is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
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Food
Meals for one day
Bali $18
Seoul $28
Typical Food prices in Bali
Some typical examples of dining costs in Bali are as follows:
-
Coffee
$1.40
-
Lunch for Two
$15
-
Bali Cafe for Two
$30
-
Lunch for Two
$9.09
-
Lunch for 2
$10
-
Dinner for 2
$11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bali
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bali.
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Eat while chef is cooking in front of you:
$24
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Withlocals your Way: 100% Personalised Bali Private Food Tour:
$39
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Bali Cooking Class:
$39
-
Romantic Dinner by Oceana Restaurant & Bar:
$74
Typical Food prices in Seoul
Some typical examples of dining costs in Seoul are as follows:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Seoul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Seoul.
-
Night Market Food Tour:
$48
-
Traditional Korean Cooking Class (Kimchi) & market tour with chef Joungy:
$51
-
Korean Cooking Class with Full-Course Meal & Local Market Tour:
$56
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Small-Group Korean Cooking Class in Seoul:
$56
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Traditional Cooking Experience in Korean Style House in Seoul:
$58
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Secret of Banchan (side dish) cooking!:
$61
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Traditional Korean cooking class and market visit in Seoul:
$62
-
Private 3-Hour Korean Cooking Class in Seoul:
$68
-
Local Flavors of Seoul at Night: Street Food Tour:
$70
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Eat like a local! Most authentic Seoul food tour:
$79
-
Historic Jongro District Authentic Food Tour in Seoul:
$81
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Gwangjang Market Food Tour including Lunch:
$82
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around Bali is $8.14 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
The average price of local transportation around Seoul is $14 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Bali
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Bali:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bali
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bali:
-
Airport Transfers:
$16
-
Airport Transfer Service from Area Ubud / Tanah Lot / Pecatu:
$23
-
Airport Transfer Service from Area Ubud / Tanah Lot / Pecatu (8 seater):
$41
-
Airport Transfer Service from Area Ubud / Tanah Lot / Pecatu (13 Seater):
$52
-
Departure Private Transfer Nusa Dua or Seminyak to Bali Airport DPS by Minivan:
$52
-
Airport transfer and tour service:
$56
-
Bali Departure Private Transfers from Bali Central to Bali Airport DPS:
$83
-
Crete Private Transfer from Bali city to Heraklion (HER) Airport:
$108
-
Private Transfer from Bali to Sitia (JSH) Airport:
$394
Typical Local Transportation prices in Seoul
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Seoul:
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Subway Card
$4.49
-
Short Taxi Ride
$6.29
-
Metro Ride
$1.21
-
Seoul City Pass Plus
$8.98
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Seoul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Seoul:
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Everland Theme Park Private Transfer:
$16
-
Private Airport Transfer: Gimpo International Airport (GMP) to Seoul:
$31
-
Private Airport Transfer: from Seoul to Gimpo International Airport (GMP):
$31
-
Private Airport Transfer: Seoul to Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN):
$41
-
Airport Private Transfer: Seoul to Incheon Int'l Airport:
$46
-
Private Airport Transfer: Gimpo Airport to Seoul City (1-6 pax):
$65
-
Private Airport Transfer: Seoul City - Gimpo Airport (1-6 pax):
$67
-
Private Airport Transfer : Seoul to Gimpo/Gimpo to Seoul (up to 7pax):
$68
-
Private transfer in Korea along with a wide range of cars (3~28pax):
$75
-
Private Transfer to Airport : Seoul to Incheon Airport ( up to 7pax):
$79
-
Private Airport Transfer: Seoul City to Incheon Airport (1-6 pax):
$85
-
Private Arrival Transfer: Gimpo International Airport to Seoul Hotels:
$90
Entertainment
Bali's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $9.76 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Seoul's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $26 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Typical Entertainment prices in Bali
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bali are as follows:
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Spa for Two
$61
-
Snorkelling Trip
$14
-
Cooking School
$31
Tours and Activities in Bali
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bali are as follows:
-
Ubud Traditional Tour Private Guided by Local - Free WiFi:
$18
-
Bali Private Tour by Budhi:
$19
-
Bali Private Guided Tour : Best point of Ubud & Uluwatu Sunset - Free WiFi:
$20
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Tour and Transport Services:
$21
-
From Nusa Dua : Private Guided Tour to Ubud - Free WiFi:
$21
-
Discover Hidden Hills & Twin Waterfall Private Guided Tour - Free WiFi:
$25
-
Tukad Cepung Waterfall - Tirta Gangga - Lempuyang Private Guided Tour Free WiFi:
$25
-
Private UBUD Tour:
$37
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Tanah Lot-Jatiluwih-Beratan Temple-Banyumala Waterfalls-Private Tour:
$37
-
Sunset Private Guided Tour in Uluwatu with Sea Walker Experience:
$40
-
Bali Private Tour Customize:
$40
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From Nusa Dua : Discover Ubud Kintamani & Waterfall on Private Tour - Free WiFi:
$40
Typical Entertainment prices in Seoul
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Seoul are as follows:
-
Palace Tickets
$7.18
-
Movie Ticket
$7.18
-
Kimchi Museum
$2.69
Tours and Activities in Seoul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Seoul are as follows:
-
Royal Seoul Private Tour: Zombie City Exploration Game:
$3.72
-
National Museum of Korea Private Tour: Seoul Exploration Game:
$3.72
-
Alternative Uncover the city's alternative culture on an audio tour:
$5.00
-
The Dark Side of Seoul Walking Audio Tour by VoiceMap:
$6.22
-
Changdeokgung Palace Hanbok Rental Experience in Seoul:
$7.00
-
Gyeongbokgung Palace Hanbok Rental Experience in Seoul:
$7.00
-
N Seoul Tower Ticket Combos in Seoul:
$7.01
-
Premium Hanbok Experience in Hanboknam Gyeongbok Palace Branch:
$7.18
-
Poopooland Discount Ticket at Insa-dong:
$8.00
-
Dynamic Maze Discount Ticket Insa-dong:
$8.83
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[Extremely popular Chuncheon trip] Nami Island X Gangchon Railbike One Day Tour:
$9.30
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Alive Museum Discount Ticket at Insa-dong:
$9.50
Alcohol
The average person spends about $2.88 on alcoholic beverages in Bali per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
The average person spends about $9.46 on alcoholic beverages in Seoul per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Sample the Local Flavors in Seoul
Also in Seoul, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Seoul Pub Crawl and Party with Free Shots:
$24
-
3-Hour Small Group Korean Pub Crawl + Food Tasting in Hongdae:
$86
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bali and Seoul, we can see that Seoul is more expensive. And not only is Bali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bali 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 Bali.
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