Which city is cheaper, Seoul or Dubai?
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 Dubai and Seoul can help you decide which place is right for you.
Dubai is a glamorous, opulent, and modern city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, live music, and food.
Seoul is a cultural, bustling, and modern city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Seoul and Dubai. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
You'll find a number of museums and attractions in both Seoul and Dubai.
Many visitors head to Dubai specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city's most famous landmark is the Burj Khalifa, which is the tallest building in the world. Head to the observation deck for stunning views.
With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Seoul can be an interesting and educational experience. The museums and landmarks are diverse, with notable sights including N Seoul Tower, the Bukchon Hanok Traditional Village, and the National Museum of Korea.
Foodies will find both Dubai and Seoul both to be unique destinations.
Dubai has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The national dish in the area is khuzi, or ghuzi, which is a meal of roasted lamb or mutton, prepared with rice vegetables and nuts.
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).
If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find comparable options between Dubai and Seoul.
People head to Dubai just to party. Frequented by the wealthy and opulent, the city has world class night clubs and DJs that travel from around to world to perform.
Seoul offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.
Dubai and Seoul are both destinations where visitors can find live music.
Dubai has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The city attracts world famous international DJs and musicians giving it one of the world's best music scenes.
Seoul is a world class music destination. K-pop has put the city on the map for music, but you'll actually find a wide range of genres here including rock music and electronic dance music.
If you're looking to go shopping, Dubai and Seoul both offer plenty of spots.
Many people travel to Dubai specifically to go shopping. With its many malls, souks, and shopping areas, this is the place to go for luxury shopping. Popular items to purchase include gold and diamond jewelry, shawls, and Persian rugs.
Seoul is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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 Dubai or Seoul.
You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Dubai. This city has family-friendly resorts, skyscrapers with spectacular views, and amusement parks that are fun for the whole family. There are also plenty of fountains that the kids can splash around in.
Seoul is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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 Dubai and Seoul are good destinations to visit as a couple.
Dubai is a good city for couples to visit. From the spectacular views to the high end resorts, couples can enjoy a romantic retreat to the city.
Seoul is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples enjoy the beautiful viewpoints, outdoor parks, and diverse restaurants. There are also many beautiful luxury hotels where couples can enjoy a romantic getaway.
For students, both Dubai and Seoul are fairly comparable places to visit.
Students come from all over the world to visit Dubai. Many major universities from around the world have campuses in this city, making this a top destination for international students.
Seoul is a great city to visit as a student. Many international students head to Seoul National University, which has an excellent academic reputation. The city is also fun and energetic, so everyone will be entertained.
Seoul has better public transit to get you around.
With a huge network, the transit system in Seoul can get you around easily. The modern and clean transportation system includes both a subway and buses.
Dubai has a few public transit options. The city's public transportation system includes buses, water buses, a monorail system, and a metro.
Seoul is more walkable than Dubai.
Seoul is a very walkable destination. 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.
Dubai is generally not very walkable. It is one of the less pedestrian-friendly cities around the world. There is lots of road work, even in the more walkable areas, so getting around on foot can be challenging.
Both Dubai 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 Dubai is 3-7 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Seoul is 3-7 days.
Each neighborhood in Dubai has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This city 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.
In Seoul, many people enjoy the live music and food that this high energy big city offers. This city 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.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dubai. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. 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.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Seoul. 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.
Dubai is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Dubai has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. 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 fun place to experience. In Seoul, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this big city destination offers. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.
Each neighborhood in Dubai has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. 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.
In Seoul, many people enjoy the museums and nightlife that this modern big city offers. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Dubai is $198, while the average daily cost in Seoul is $96. 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 Dubai and Seoul in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Dubai 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.
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dubai:
Also for Dubai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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 Dubai 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.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubai:
For Dubai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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.
For Dubai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dubai.
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:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Dubai:
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 Dubai and Seoul, we can see that Dubai is more expensive. And not only is Seoul much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dubai 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 Dubai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dubai than you might in Seoul.
Seoul has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Dubai experiences a tropical climate with fairly warm weather most of the year.
Both Seoul and Dubai during the summer are popular places to visit. Dubai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and tropical climate. Also, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Seoul this time of year.
Dubai can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Dubai is generally a little warmer than Seoul. Temperatures in Dubai average around 35°C (95°F), and Seoul stays around 26°C (78°F).
Seoul gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Dubai usually gets less rain in July than Seoul. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 369 mm (14.5 in) of rain this time of the year. June to August is the dry season in Dubai.
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dubai and Seoul. The warm tropical climate attracts visitors to Dubai throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Seoul for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
Dubai is much warmer than Seoul in the autumn. The temperature in Dubai is usually 29°C (84°F) in October, and Seoul stays around 15°C (59°F).
In October, Dubai usually receives less rain than Seoul. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The winter brings many poeple to Dubai as well as Seoul. Plenty of visitors come to Dubai because of the warm tropical climate that lasts throughout the year. 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 the winter, Dubai is much warmer than Seoul. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dubai in January are around 19°C (66°F), and Seoul is about -3°C (27°F).
Dubai usually gets less rain in January than Seoul. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year. January to March in Dubai is the rainy season.
Both Seoul and Dubai are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Dubai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and tropical climate. Also, most visitors come to Seoul for the activities around the city during these months.
In April, Dubai is generally much warmer than Seoul. Temperatures in Dubai average around 26°C (79°F), and Seoul stays around 13°C (55°F).
In April, Dubai usually receives less rain than Seoul. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Dubai is June to August.
Dubai | Seoul | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | -3°C (27°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
Jun | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
Jul | 35°C (95°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 369 mm (14.5 in) |
Aug | 36°C (97°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 294 mm (11.6 in) |
Sep | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) |
Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 0°C (33°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.