Which place is cheaper, Seoul or Delhi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Delhi or Seoul?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Delhi or Seoul, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Delhi or Seoul?
Delhi
Delhi is the largest city in northern India and is officially the country's capital. The city has a population of 11 million with the metropolitan population reaching over 16 million. The city is similar in landscape to the rest of its surrounding area. It is very flat with the river Yamuna flowing on the eastern side of the city. The Aravalii Hills are in the western portion of the city. The city's history dates back to the 6th century BC and it has served as a capital for various kingdoms and empires.
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 Luxury Tours to India, The Best Budget Tours to India, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to South Korea, and The Best Adventure Tours to South Korea.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDelhi $45Seoul $107
The average daily cost (per person) in Delhi is $45, while the average daily cost in Seoul is $107. 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 Delhi and Seoul in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDelhi $23Seoul $54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDelhi $46Seoul $108
Compare Hotels in Delhi and Seoul
Looking for a hotel in Delhi 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Delhi Hotel Prices and Seoul Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Delhi $5.28Seoul $15
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Delhi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Delhi:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$0.12
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Taxi to Airport$1.91
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Subway$0.38
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Uber Cab$0.96
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Delhi Metro Smart Card$1.79
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Auto-rickshaw$1.20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Delhi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Delhi:
- Taj Mahal Sunrise All Inclusive Tour with Transfers : $7.00
- Private Guided Delhi Shopping Tour with Transfers: $8.45
- Private transfers to/from Indira Gandhi International Airport: $10
- From Jaipur Private Full Day Trip with Private Transfers: $10
- New Delhi Airport to Hotel Transfer Private Shuttle Sedan & SUV: $11
- Private Transfer Delhi Hotel to Airport: $14
- Qutub Minar Skip-the-Line E-tickets & guide Delhi transfers: $15
- Delhi - Private arrival transfer from Airport to Hotel: $15
- Delhi hotel to Delhi Airport transfer: $15
- Delhi/Jaipur/Agra: Private One-Way Transfer: $15
- Delhi Private Airport Transfer: $16
- Humayun's Tomb Skip-the-Line E-tickets & guide Delhi transfers: $18
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$3.62
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Short Taxi Ride$5.07
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Metro Ride$0.98
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Seoul City Pass Plus$7.24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Seoul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Seoul:
- From Everland Admission Ticket with Transfer: $75
- From Half-Day MBC Dae Jang Geum Park Transfer: $55
- Incheon Airport Private Transfer between Seoul City: $98
- Private Airport Transfer * Incheon Airport <-> Seoul (1-5 people): $100
- Private Airport Transfer - Incheon Airport ⇔ Seoul (Up to 7 or 11 people): $138
- Private Airport Transfer : Gimpo airport to/from Seoul (1~7pax): $95
- Private Airport Transfer : Incheon airport to/from Seoul(~7 pax): $99
- Private Airport Transfer: Gimpo Airport to Seoul City (1-12 pax): $167
- Private Airport Transfer: Gimpo Airport to Seoul City (1-5 pax): $80
- Private Airport Transfer: Seoul City - Gimpo Airport (1-5 pax): $80
- Private Airport Transfer: Seoul City to Gimpo Airport (1-12 pax): $167
- Private Airport Transfer: Seoul City to Incheon Airport (1-5 pax): $98
Is it cheaper to fly into Delhi or Seoul?
Prices for flights to both Seoul and Delhi 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
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Food Meals for one dayDelhi $12Seoul $30
Typical Food Prices in Delhi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Delhi:
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McDonalds$3.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Delhi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Delhi.
- Appetizing virtual cooking class from Delhi: $20
- Old Delhi Food Tour with local, A must for Indian culinary lover!: $21
- Lunch or dinner with local family: $21
- Food Tour Old Delhi: $31
- Old Delhi Heritage Sightseeing | Walking Tour | Street Food Tour: $34
- Old Delhi Food Tour: A Night Time Feast: $36
- Veg and Non veg : Private Cooking Class in Delhi: $43
- Old Delhi Street Food Tour: $44
- Transit Tour-Guided Best Old Delhi's Attractions & Food Tour: $45
- Vegetarian : Private Cooking Class in Delhi: $46
- Culinary Delights Of Delhi Half Day Food Tour: $48
- Delhi Kabul Cooking Class: $50
Typical Food Prices in Seoul
Some typical examples of dining costs in Seoul are as follows:
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Rice with Kimchi & Bacon$4.34
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Waffle$0.72
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Dippin' Dots$1.45
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Chicken Fried Rice$3.98
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Chicken Stick$1.45
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Drinking Yoghurt & Mi Chew$1.38
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Lunch Buffet$4.34
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Donut$0.72
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Mushroom Burger$3.76
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Green Tea Ice Cream$2.39
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Udon & Sushi$5.07
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Fresh Burger$3.48
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Soba Noodles Lunch$3.26
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Bibimbap Lunch$3.62
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Fried Rice$3.98
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Vietnamese Dinner$6.88
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Breakfast and Coffee for 2$6.88
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Donut$1.81
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Seoul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Seoul.
- Gyeongbokgung Palace : Tour, dinner and coffee: $36
- Seoul Mangwon Market Social Night Food Tour: $44
- Namdaemun Market: the Largest Traditional Market Food Tour: $46
- Namdaemun Market Street Food Tour: $47
- Mangwon Market Food tour By Locals;Cheap Eats to Fancy Feast: $53
- Gwangjang Market Netflix Food Tour: $54
- Guided City Wall Sunset Hike with Korean Dinner: $57
- Sunset Walking Tour in Naksan Park with Dinner: $58
- Half Day Seoul Afternoon Food Tour and visit 3 landMarks of Seoul: $67
- Night Market Food Tour: $70
- Energizing Korean Cooking Class in a Local Home in Seoul: $71
- Night Market Food Tour: $72
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Delhi $13Seoul $26
Typical Entertainment Prices in Delhi
Here are a few typical costs in Delhi for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Red Fort$10
Tours and Activities in Delhi
Here are a few actual costs in Delhi for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Same Day Agra Tour by Gatiman Express Train With Multiple Options: $2.79
- Private Guided Tour to Taj Mahal and Agra Fort with All inclusive: $3.75
- From Taj Mahal & Agra Fort Tour by Car - All Inclusive: $3.75
- Taj Mahal & Agra Private Day Tour from Delhi with 5* Lunch: $4.00
- Private Full-Day Taj Mahal and Agra Fort Tour from New Delhi: $4.30
- Driving tours through beautiful India: $4.59
- Private Taj Mahal Tour from Delhi by Car: $4.70
- Private Same Day Skip The Line Taj Mahal Tour From Delhi: $4.92
- Private Taj Mahal Tour From Delhi By Car: $5.00
- Private Taj Mahal Sunrise Tour from Delhi By Car: $5.00
- Private Day Tour of Taj Mahal by India's Fastest Train or Car - All Inclusive: $5.00
- Delhi Best of Monuments Half Day Tour: $5.00
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$5.79
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Movie Ticket$5.79
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Kimchi Museum$2.17
Tours and Activities in Seoul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Seoul are as follows:
- Gyeongbokgung Palace Hanbok Rental Experience in Seoul: $7.00
- Seoul Changdeokgung Palace Hanbok Experience Hanboknam (내국인불가): $7.20
- [NEWTRO ART TOUR] Media art museum & walking tour: $8.00
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Skip the Line: Figure Museum W Ticket (내국인 불가): $11
- Seoul Job Experience Theme Park Ticket for Kid (내국인 불가): $13
- Dongdaemun City Tour Bus(내국인불가): $14
- 63 Aqua Planet and 63 Building Seoul Observatory Tickets: $14
- Seoul : Guided Consultation Tour (Filler, Cosmetic Surgery): $16
- Gyeongbokgung Palace Private Half-Day Tour: $19
- Virtual Tour of Korean Demilitarized Zone: $19
- Seoul Myeongdong Catholic Church Historic Private Walking Tour: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDelhi $8.67Seoul $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Seoul
Also in Seoul, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Chunpoong Makgeolli Brewery Tour: $10
- The Seoul Pub Crawl [official]: $21
- Pub Crawl: $25
- The Seoul Pub Crawl [official]: $25
- Soju Tasting at Distillery - Story of Three Pigs: $42
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Delhi and Seoul, we can see that Seoul is more expensive. And not only is Delhi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Delhi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Delhi 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 Delhi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Delhi Expensive? and Is Seoul Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Delhi or Seoul?
Delhi has a larger population, and is about 6% larger than the population of Seoul. When comparing the sizes of Delhi 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.
When is the best time to visit Delhi or Seoul?
Seoul has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Delhi experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Delhi or Seoul in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Delhi and Seoul. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Delhi year-round. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Seoul because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
It's very hot in Delhi this time of the year. Delhi is a little warmer than Seoul in the summer. The daily temperature in Delhi averages around 31°C (88°F) in July, and Seoul fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
Delhi usually receives more sunshine than Seoul during summer. Delhi gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Seoul receives 121 hours of full sun in the summer.
Seoul receives a lot of rain in the summer. Delhi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Delhi usually receives less rain than Seoul. Delhi gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 369 mm (14.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDelhi 31°C (88°F)Seoul 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Delhi or Seoul in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Delhi as well as Seoul. Delhi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Seoul this time of year.
In the autumn, Delhi is much warmer than Seoul. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Delhi in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Seoul averages at about 15°C (59°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Seoul. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Delhi this time of the year. In the autumn, Delhi often gets more sunshine than Seoul. Delhi gets 269 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seoul receives 204 hours of full sun.
Delhi usually gets less rain in October than Seoul. Delhi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDelhi 26°C (79°F)Seoul 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Delhi or Seoul in the Winter?
Both Seoul and Delhi are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Delhi throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Seoul for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Seoul. In January, Delhi is generally much warmer than Seoul. Daily temperatures in Delhi average around 15°C (59°F), and Seoul fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Delhi. Delhi usually receives more sunshine than Seoul during winter. Delhi gets 215 hours of sunny skies, while Seoul receives 163 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Delhi usually receives less rain than Seoul. Delhi gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDelhi 15°C (59°F)Seoul -3°C (27°F)
Should I visit Delhi or Seoul in the Spring?
Both Seoul and Delhi during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Delhi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many visitors come to Seoul in the spring for the activities around the city.
Delhi is much warmer than Seoul in the spring. The daily temperature in Delhi averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Seoul fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In Seoul, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Delhi. In the spring, Delhi often gets more sunshine than Seoul. Delhi gets 261 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seoul receives 205 hours of full sun.
Delhi usually gets less rain in April than Seoul. Delhi gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDelhi 29°C (84°F)Seoul 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Seoul and Delhi
| Delhi | Seoul | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 15°C (59°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | -3°C (27°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Feb | 17°C (63°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Mar | 22°C (72°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| May | 33°C (91°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 34°C (93°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
| Jul | 31°C (88°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 369 mm (14.5 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (86°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 294 mm (11.6 in) |
| Sep | 30°C (86°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (61°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 0°C (33°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.