Should you visit Cairo or Seoul?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Cairo and Seoul can help. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Cairo
Cairo is the chaotic capital city of Egypt. With a population of more than 16 million, it is one of the largest cities in both Africa and the Middle East. As a traveler, you're likely to arrive and leave from here and you'll get your first orientation to the area during the chaotic and congestion filled taxi ride from the airport.
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 Cairo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Cairo is $40, 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 Cairo and Seoul in more detail.
Accommodation
The average price for accommodation for two people in Cairo is $42. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
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
Food in Cairo costs travelers about $11 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
While meal prices in Seoul can vary, the average travelers spends about $29 per day on food. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out, an average meal in Seoul should cost around $12 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
Cairo $11
Seoul $29
Typical Food prices in Cairo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cairo:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairo
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cairo.
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From Dinner & Show at a Nile cruiser:
$12
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Dinner Cruise into the History:
$13
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Delicious food tour in Cairo:
$15
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From Dinner Cruise on the Nile River:
$16
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Enjoy a dinner on the boat in the River Nile.:
$19
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Enjoy a dinner on the boat in the River Nile:
$19
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Cairo 2-Hour Nile River Cruise with Dinner and Pickup:
$20
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Cairo dinner cruise includes dinner belly dancing show pickup & all transfers:
$21
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Dinner on a boat in Luxor Nile Cruise with oriental dance:
$21
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Dinner on the river nile and party:
$23
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Nile Cruise Dinner at the Nile with Oriental Show:
$24
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Dinner on the River Nile with Pick-up:
$25
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
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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
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Historic Jongro District Authentic Food Tour in Seoul:
$81
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Gwangjang Market Food Tour including Lunch:
$82
Local Transportation
The cost of a taxi ride in Cairo is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $7.21 per person, per day, on local transportation in Cairo.
The average price of local transportation around Seoul is $15 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 Cairo
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Cairo are as follows:
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Metro Ride
$0.25
-
Taxi Ride
$0.95
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cairo:
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Private Transfer between Cairo Airport & Cairo/Giza:
$6.00
-
Ultra - Private Airport Transfer from Cairo city centre to Cairo Airport CAI:
$8.73
-
Cairo Airport Arrival or Departure Transfers:
$8.75
-
Private Transfer from Cairo Airport:
$11
-
Private Transfer from Cairo Airport to Your Hotel:
$11
-
Transfer from Cairo or Giza Hotels to Cairo Airport:
$11
-
Cairo International Airport Transfer:
$12
-
Cairo Airport Transfers:
$13
-
Cairo Airport Transfer to Hotel:
$13
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Private pickup & Transfer from & to cairo Airport:
$13
-
Private Transfer from Cairo and Giza to Cairo Airport:
$14
-
Private Transfer Cairo Airport to the Hotel in Cairo or Giza:
$14
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
$4.34
-
Short Taxi Ride
$6.08
-
Metro Ride
$1.17
-
Seoul City Pass Plus
$8.68
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Seoul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Seoul:
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(Private Transfer) From hotel / Airbnb in Seoul to Incheon International Airport:
$99
-
1- Day Private Seoul or Outskirts Tour (Round-trip transfer to your hotel):
$120
-
Airport Private Transfer: Seoul to Incheon Int'l Airport:
$46
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Departure Private Transfer Seoul City to Seoul Airport ICN by Business Minivan:
$123
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Departure Private Transfer Seoul City to Seoul Airport ICN by Luxury Sedan:
$123
-
Departure Private Transfer Seoul City to Seoul Airport ICN by Standard Sedan:
$114
-
Everland Theme Park Private Transfer:
$16
-
Everland Themepark Private Round trip Transfer + Ticket from Seoul:
$115
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Incheon Airport / Seoul ⇄ Daemyung Vivaldi Park Ski Resort Private Van Transfers:
$267
-
Incheon Airport Transfer- Private Service between Airport and Seoul (1-13 pax):
$200
-
Incheon Airport Transfer- Private service between Airport and Seoul (1-7 pax):
$101
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Incheon Airport ⇄ Seoul Private Van Transfers (Up to 7 or 13 pax):
$105
Is it cheaper to fly into Cairo or Seoul?
Prices for flights to both Seoul and Cairo 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.
Entertainment
Entertainment and activities in Cairo typically cost an average of $14 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Seoul's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $25 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 Cairo
Here are a few typical costs in Cairo for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Tours and Activities in Cairo
Here are a few actual costs in Cairo for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Giza Pyramid, Sakkara & Memphis Full-Day Private Tour:
$6.24
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Giza Pyramids and Sphinx: Half-Day Private Tour:
$7.00
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Giza Pyramids and Solar Boat Museum Half Day Private Tour:
$7.48
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Cairo City Tour:
$8.58
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Private Tour of the Pyramids:
$9.71
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Pyramids Day Tour:
$10
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Day_tour :Pyramids of Giza & Great Sphinx:
$11
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Virtual Tour of Giza Pyramids and Egyptian Museum:
$12
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Egypt Virtual Tour of Tomb of King Tut:
$12
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Private Day Tour at Pyramids, Sakkara And Dahshur:
$13
-
Giza Pyramids & Sphinx with Camel Ride Private Tour:
$13
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Papyrus Manufacturing Tour and learn Papyrus making in Egypt:
$13
Typical Entertainment prices in Seoul
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Seoul are as follows:
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Palace Tickets
$6.94
-
Movie Ticket
$6.94
-
Kimchi Museum
$2.60
Tours and Activities in Seoul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Seoul are as follows:
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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
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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
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Cairo may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $2.83 per day on alcoholic beverages.
The average person spends about $12 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:
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Seoul Pub Crawl and Party with Free Shots:
$24
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3-Hour Small Group Korean Pub Crawl + Food Tasting in Hongdae:
$86
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cairo and Seoul, we can see that Seoul is more expensive. And not only is Cairo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cairo 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 Cairo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cairo 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 Cairo.
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