Which city is cheaper, Seoul or Bali?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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 is a lush, frequented, and spiritual island. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife.
Seoul is a cultural, bustling, and modern city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Seoul and Bali. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Both Bali and Seoul offer a number of unique restaurants to choose from.
Bali has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The food is rich and diverse with a lot of spices and complex flavors. Turmeric is a common spice and many dishes use coconut milk. Popular local dishes include Nasi Ayam (a chicken dish), Satay (grilled chicken), and Babi Guling (a pork dish).
Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Seoul is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. Food is a cultural obsession here, and you'll find everything from world class street food to award winning restaurants. The dishes are so much more diverse than Korean barbecue and kimchi. Many dishes are very spicy, with popular local foods including gamjatang (pork and potato soup) and jeon (savory pancakes).
Both Bali and Seoul are comparable when it comes to partying.
Bali is a world class party destination. The island is known for its crazy raves and all night pool parties. There are multi-story dance clubs as well as upscale bars and beach clubs that host parties late into the night. The best nightlife areas are around Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu.
Seoul has a large number of nightlife venues. This is definitely a work hard/play hard city, with locals working long hours during the day and then partying hard late into the night. The nightlife scene is strong both during the week and on weekends. There are bars, clubs, and lounges that are frequented by locals and tourists alike.
Both Bali and Seoul are good shopping destinations.
Bali is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. A big appeal of shopping on the island is the affordability. There are many local items that are fun to bring home including jewelry, handicrafts, furniture, and clothing.
Many people travel to Seoul specifically to go shopping. This bustling city offers traditional local items as well as Korean cosmetics and trendy fashion. Although shopping malls are spread throughout the city, some of the most popular shopping areas are found around Myeong-dong and Dongdaemun.
You'll find kid-friendly activities in either Bali or Seoul.
Bali is a very kid-friendly island. The island has countless activities that kids can enjoy. There are watersports, snorkeling, surfing lessons and beautiful beaches. You can also expose your kids to the spiritual side of the island with kid-friendly yoga classes. Animals lovers will enjoy getting to see the monkeys up close and for a unique culinary experience, you can take a family cooking class.
You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Seoul. The city has a wide range of kid-friendly activities, ranging from the easy choices like amusement parks and children's museums, to the less obvious like kid-friendly cafes and markets. There are many entertainment options packed into a small space, so kids and adults alike will stay entertained.
Both Bali and Seoul are good destinations to visit as a couple.
For those traveling as a couple, Bali has plenty to offer. This beautiful island offers stunning beaches, adventure sports, and world class snorkeling. There are beautiful resorts with spas as well as couples yoga classes impressive natural areas.
Seoul makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples enjoy the beautiful viewpoints, outdoor parks, and diverse restaurants. There are also many beautiful luxury hotels where couples can enjoy a romantic getaway.
While Seoul and Bali are both good for backpackers, overall Bali is more popular.
Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Bali. Backpackers flock to this beautiful island for its stunning setting and affordable accommodation. There are many nice places where backpackers can hang out and get to know other travelers. If you want to get off the beaten path, it's best to head into the countryside and away from the main tourist hubs.
Plenty of backpackers visit Seoul. The city isn't the most popular among backpackers, but those who visit will enjoy exploring a fascinating culture and delicious cuisine. Because it's a large city, you'll find a diversity of accommodation options including some budget-friendly hostels and hotels.
While Bali and Seoul both provide public transit, overall the system in Seoul is considered to be better.
Seoul has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. The modern and clean transportation system includes both a subway and buses.
Bali has some public transit options. There are minibuses and tourist shuttle buses around the island. You can also hire a taxi or rent a car, scooter, or bicycle.
Seoul is considered more walkable than Bali.
Seoul is a very walkable city. Many neighborhoods are fun to explore on foot but do take note that parts of the city are very hilly and the weather can be bitter cold during the winter months.
Bali is generally not a very walkable island. There are some walkable towns and cities on the island, but many areas can be challenging to navigate on foot.
Both Bali and Seoul have a number of activities to choose from. You can spend a similar amount of time exploring either.
The ideal length of time for a trip to Bali is 5-7 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Seoul is 3-7 days.
In Bali, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping that this stunning destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.
Seoul is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bali. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.
Seoul is a fun place to experience. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
Bali is a fun place to experience. In Bali, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this destination offers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.
Seoul is a cultural big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.
In Bali, many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling that this stunning destination offers. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.
Seoul is a bustling city where you can fill many days. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Bali is $59, while the average daily cost in Seoul is $95. 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. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Bali and Seoul in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Bali 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.
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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Bali:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bali:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Seoul:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Seoul:
Prices for flights to both Seoul and Bali 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.
Some typical examples of dining costs in Bali are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bali.
Some typical examples of dining costs in Seoul are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Seoul.
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bali are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bali are as follows:
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Seoul are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Seoul are as follows:
Also in Seoul, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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.
Seoul has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Bali experiences a tropical climate with fairly warm weather most of the year.
Both Seoul and Bali are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm tropical climate attracts visitors to Bali throughout the year. Also, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Seoul this time of year.
Bali is around the same temperature as Seoul in the summer. The temperature in Bali is usually 27°C (81°F) in July, and Seoul stays around 26°C (78°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bali. Bali usually receives more sunshine than Seoul during summer. Bali gets 253 hours of sunny skies, while Seoul receives 121 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Seoul. In July, Bali usually receives less rain than Seoul. Bali gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 369 mm (14.5 in) of rain each month for the summer. The dry season in Bali is April to September.
Both Seoul and Bali during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Bali because of the warm tropical climate that lasts throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Seoul for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
In the autumn, Bali is much warmer than Seoul. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bali in October are around 27°C (81°F), and Seoul is about 15°C (59°F).
In Seoul, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Bali. In the autumn, Bali often gets more sunshine than Seoul. Bali gets 266 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seoul receives 204 hours of full sun.
Bali usually gets more rain in October than Seoul. Bali gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March is the rainy season in Bali.
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bali and Seoul. Bali attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and tropical climate. Also, many visitors come to Seoul in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Seoul can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Bali is generally much warmer than Seoul. Temperatures in Bali average around 26°C (79°F), and Seoul stays around -3°C (27°F).
Bali usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Seoul during winter. Bali gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while Seoul receives 163 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Bali usually receives more rain than Seoul. Bali gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the winter. Also, October to March is the rainy season in Bali.
The spring brings many poeple to Bali as well as Seoul. The warm tropical climate attracts visitors to Bali throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Seoul for the activities around the city during these months.
Bali is much warmer than Seoul in the spring. The temperature in Bali is usually 27°C (81°F) in April, and Seoul stays around 13°C (55°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Seoul. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bali this time of the year. In the spring, Bali often gets more sunshine than Seoul. Bali gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seoul receives 205 hours of full sun.
Bali usually gets less rain in April than Seoul. Bali gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, April to September in Bali is the dry season.
Bali | Seoul | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | -3°C (27°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
May | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 369 mm (14.5 in) |
Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 294 mm (11.6 in) |
Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) |
Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 0°C (33°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
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