Which place is cheaper, Seoul or Doha?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Doha or Seoul?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Doha and Seoul can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Doha or Seoul?
Doha
Doha is the capital city of Qatar, modern and rapidly developing with much construction underway. It is home to Doha International Airport, the main point of entry for Qatar, as well as many of the country's best museums and examples of cultural heritage.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to South Korea, and The Best Adventure Tours to South Korea.
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Doha Prices
Qatar PricesSeoul Prices
South Korea Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDoha $244Seoul $131
The average daily cost (per person) in Doha is $244, while the average daily cost in Seoul is $131. 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 Doha and Seoul in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDoha $119Seoul $55
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDoha $238Seoul $110
Compare Hotels in Doha and Seoul
Looking for a hotel in Doha 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: Doha Hotel Prices and Seoul Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Doha $23Seoul $16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Doha
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Doha:
- Sharing Arrival Transfer - Doha city: $14
- Shared Arrival Transfer - Doha City: $14
- Shared Departure Transfer from Doha: $14
- Doha : Guided City Tour , Lusail/ Pearl ,All Places/Transfer: $16
- Doha : City Tour To All Main Attractions Including Transfers: $16
- All Attractions Of Doha City Tour With Transfer: $17
- Doha : City Tour To All Main Attractions Including Transfers: $17
- Doha : City Tour To All Main Attractions Including Transfers: $18
- Transit Exclusive Doha City Tour with Transfer: $18
- Doha : City Tour To All Major Attractions Including Transfer: $18
- 4-Hour Doha City Tour, All Attractions With Transfer: $20
- City Tour To All Main Attractions Including Transfers: $20
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$3.68
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Short Taxi Ride$5.15
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Metro Ride$0.99
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Seoul City Pass Plus$7.35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Seoul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Seoul:
- From Yongin Dae Jang Geum Park Transfer: $50
- Incheon Airport Private Transfer between Seoul City: $96
- Incheon Airport Transfer service pick up drop off Seoul ~7 Pax : $99
- Incheon Airport transfer directly to Seoul city: $116
- Incheon International Airport (ICN): Private Seoul Transfer: $95
- Premium Seoul Airport Transfer: Affordable & Convenience: $108
- Private Airport Transfer * Incheon Airport <-> Seoul (1-5 people): $102
- Private Airport Transfer : Incheon to/from Seoul (up to 7 pax): $98
- Private Airport Transfer From Incheon Airport To Seoul(up to 12): $190
- Private Airport Transfer Gimpo Intl Airport (GMP) to Seoul City: $23
- 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 Doha or Seoul?
Prices for flights to both Seoul and Doha 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 dayDoha $106Seoul $52
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Doha
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Doha.
- Private Dinner on Safliya Island with Boat Transfer: $89
- Private Souk Waqif with Lunch or Dinner Tour: $96
- Pearl Island Food Tour – 7 Tastings, AC Vehicle: $99
- Pearl Island Food Tour & Marina Cruise with 7 Tastings: $99
- Half Day Doha City Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $143
- 5-Hour Private Night Tour with Dinner: $158
- Full-Day Desert safari With BBQ Dinner and Camp Activities : $165
- Doha:Full-Day Desert Safari with Lunch or Dinner BBQ at Camp: $189
- Full Day Desert Safari Doha/dinner included: $190
- Full Day Desert Safari with Camp Access, Buffet Dinner,Camel Ride: $195
- Private Desert Safari with BBQ Lunch/Dinner at Souk Al Wakra Tour: $202
- Private Desert Safari with BBQ Lunch/Dinner at Souk Al Wakra: $202
Typical Food Prices in Seoul
Some typical examples of dining costs in Seoul are as follows:
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Rice with Kimchi & Bacon$4.41
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Waffle$0.74
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Dippin' Dots$1.47
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Chicken Fried Rice$4.04
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Chicken Stick$1.47
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Drinking Yoghurt & Mi Chew$1.40
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Lunch Buffet$4.41
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Donut$0.74
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Mushroom Burger$3.82
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Green Tea Ice Cream$2.43
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Udon & Sushi$5.15
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Fresh Burger$3.53
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Soba Noodles Lunch$3.31
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Bibimbap Lunch$3.68
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Fried Rice$4.04
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Vietnamese Dinner$6.98
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Breakfast and Coffee for 2$6.98
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Donut$1.84
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: $46
- Mangwon Market Food tour By Locals; Cheap Eats to Fancy Feast: $48
- Korean Grandma Cooking Class l Gimbap & Kimchi Pancake l Seoul: $52
- [Wine & K-BBQ] A Perfect Pairing Dinner in Sinchon: $53
- Kimchi Dishes Cooking Class with Wine Pairing: $53
- Wine & K-BBQ: A Perfect Pairing Dinner: $54
- Gwangjang Market Netflix Food Tour: $54
- Mangwon Market Food tour By Locals;Cheap Eats to Fancy Feast: $59
- 4 Hours UNESCO Palace and Street Food Tour in Seoul: $60
- Namdaemun Market Food Tour: $65
- Half Day Seoul Afternoon Food Tour and visit 3 landMarks of Seoul: $67
- From Forest to Table: A Hansik Cooking Journey in Seoul: $67
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Doha $18Seoul $27
Tours and Activities in Doha
Here are a few actual costs in Doha for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art Admission Ticket: $3.00
- National Museum of Qatar: Admission Ticket: $6.89
- Museum of Islamic Art Admission Ticket: $14
- 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum: Admission Ticket: $14
- Walking Tour: Discover Souq Waqif: $15
- Sunset Dhow Cruise with View of skyscraper’s: $17
- Guided City Tour With All Attractions, Pickup/Drop-Off: $18
- InlandSea Tour,Camel,Sand Boarding With All Activities: $18
- Traditional Sunset Dhow Cruise With Pickup & Drop Off: $18
- Guided City Tour with Airport or Hotel Pickup: $18
- Safari, Camel Ride, Sandboarding and Inland Sea Tour: $19
- Highlights Of Doha City Tour With Pickup & Drop-Off: $19
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$5.88
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Movie Ticket$5.88
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Kimchi Museum$2.21
Tours and Activities in Seoul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Seoul are as follows:
- K-Culture Adventure in Seoul Self-Guided Walking Tour : $3.47
- Alternative A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.20
- Gyeongbokgung Palace Hanbok Rental Experience in Seoul: $7.00
- Seoul Changdeokgung Palace Hanbok Experience Hanboknam (내국인불가): $7.10
- Seoul Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- [Seoul] Football Faentasium Admission Ticket (내국인 불가): $10
- Dynamic Maze Discount Ticket Insa-dong(내국인불가): $10
- SPAREX Jjimjilbang Sauna Dongmyo branch Admission Ticket(내국인불가): $11
- Skip the Line: Figure Museum W Ticket (내국인 불가): $11
- Changdeokgung Hanbok Experience at hanboknam: $14
- bukchon Hanbok Experience at hanboknam: $14
- Gyeongbokgung Hanbok Experience at hanboknam: $14
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDoha $14Seoul $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Seoul
Also in Seoul, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Gangnam Pub Crawl with 3 Shots and Korean Tapas: $22
- 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: $29
- Rice Wine Tasting with Sommelier - Finest Makgeolli (& Soju): $43
- Soju Tasting at Distillery - story of 3 pigs: $47
- Rice Wine Tasting with Sommelier - Finest Makgeolli (& Soju): $48
- Soju Tasting at Distillery: $52
- Premium Pub Crawl with Open Bottles: $56
- Korean Craft Makgeolli Brewery Tour & Tasting Experience: $60
- Craft Makgeolli Brewery Tour & Tasting Experience: $67
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Doha and Seoul, we can see that Doha is more expensive. And not only is Seoul much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Doha is in Middle East 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 Seoul would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Seoul 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 Doha would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Doha than you might in Seoul.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Doha Expensive? and Is Seoul Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Doha or Seoul?
Seoul has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Doha. When comparing the sizes of Doha 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.
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.