Which place is cheaper, Seoul or Hefei?
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 Hefei or Seoul?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Hefei or Seoul? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Hefei or Seoul?
Hefei
While most would consider the city of Hefei a pass-through destination, there are plenty of things to see in the capital city of China's Anhui province.
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 Adventure Tours to China, The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to South Korea, and The Best Adventure Tours to South Korea.
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Hefei Prices
China PricesSeoul Prices
South Korea Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHefei $78Seoul $128
The average daily cost (per person) in Hefei is $78, while the average daily cost in Seoul is $128. 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 Hefei and Seoul in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHefei $29Seoul $54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHefei $58Seoul $108
Compare Hotels in Hefei and Seoul
Looking for a hotel in Hefei 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: Seoul Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hefei $17Seoul $15
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$3.58
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Short Taxi Ride$5.01
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Metro Ride$0.97
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Seoul City Pass Plus$7.16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Seoul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Seoul:
- From Round-Trip Transfer to Dae Jang Geum Park: $55
- Incheon Airport (ICN) Transfer to Seoul/Suwon/Seongnam/Yongin: $68
- Incheon Airport transfer directly to Seoul city: $113
- Incheon International Airport (ICN): Private Seoul Transfer: $95
- Premium Seoul Airport Transfer: Affordable & Convenience: $106
- Private Airport Transfer * Incheon Airport <-> Seoul (1-5 people): $99
- Private Airport Transfer - Incheon Airport ⇔ Seoul (Up to 7 or 11 people): $130
- Private Airport Transfer : Gimpo airport to/from Seoul (1~7pax): $89
- 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: $83
- Private Airport Transfer: Gimpo Airport to Seoul City (1-12 pax): $167
Is it cheaper to fly into Hefei or Seoul?
Prices for flights to both Seoul and Hefei 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 dayHefei $36Seoul $51
Typical Food Prices in Seoul
Some typical examples of dining costs in Seoul are as follows:
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Rice with Kimchi & Bacon$4.30
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Waffle$0.72
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Dippin' Dots$1.43
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Chicken Fried Rice$3.94
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Chicken Stick$1.43
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Drinking Yoghurt & Mi Chew$1.36
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Lunch Buffet$4.30
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Donut$0.72
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Mushroom Burger$3.72
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Green Tea Ice Cream$2.36
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Udon & Sushi$5.01
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Fresh Burger$3.44
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Soba Noodles Lunch$3.22
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Bibimbap Lunch$3.58
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Fried Rice$3.94
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Vietnamese Dinner$6.80
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Breakfast and Coffee for 2$6.80
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Donut$1.79
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: $45
- Seoul Night Run for Local-Favorite Korean BBQ Dinner: $50
- [Wine & K-BBQ] A Perfect Pairing Dinner in Sinchon: $52
- Mangwon Market Food tour By Locals; Cheap Eats to Fancy Feast: $53
- Wine & K-BBQ: A Perfect Pairing Dinner: $53
- Mangwon Market Food tour By Locals;Cheap Eats to Fancy Feast: $57
- Gwangjang Market Netflix Food Tour: $58
- Kimchi Dishes Cooking Class with Wine Pairing: $61
- Seoul by Night: Palaces, Market & Street Food Tour (Vegan Option): $65
- Namdaemun Market Food Tour: $65
- Guided City Wall Sunset Hike with Korean Dinner: $67
- Cooking Class in Seoul with Korean Grandma: $68
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hefei $19Seoul $26
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$5.73
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Movie Ticket$5.73
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Kimchi Museum$2.15
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 : $3.58
- Gyeongbokgung Palace Hanbok Rental Experience in Seoul: $7.00
- Seoul Changdeokgung Palace Hanbok Experience Hanboknam (내국인불가): $7.10
- Alternative A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Korean Society and Local Mindset Gwanghwamun Tour: $8.00
- [Seoul] Football Faentasium Admission Ticket (내국인 불가): $10
- Street Hustle Adventure in Seoul: $11
- Gwanghwamun Tour about Korean Society and Local Mindset: $11
- SPAREX Jjimjilbang Sauna Dongmyo branch Admission Ticket(내국인불가): $11
- Skip the Line: Figure Museum W Ticket (내국인 불가): $11
- Dynamic Maze Discount Ticket Insa-dong(내국인불가): $12
- Seoul Job Experience Theme Park Ticket for Kid (내국인 불가): $13
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHefei $11Seoul $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Seoul
Also in Seoul, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- 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): $42
- Rice Wine Tasting with Sommelier - Finest Makgeolli (& Soju): $47
- Soju Tasting at Distillery: $51
- Premium Pub Crawl with Open Bottles: $57
- Chunpoong Makgeolli Brewery Tour: $59
- Korean Craft Makgeolli Brewery Tour & Tasting Experience: $60
- Craft Makgeolli Brewery Tour & Tasting Experience: $67
- Itaewon Premium Pub Crawl with Open Bottles: $73
- Learn and Craft Makgeolli in a Traditional Brewery: $79
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hefei and Seoul, we can see that Seoul is more expensive. And not only is Hefei much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hefei would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hefei 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 Hefei.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hefei Expensive? and Is Seoul Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hefei or Seoul?
Seoul has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Hefei. When comparing the sizes of Hefei 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 Hefei or Seoul?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Hefei or Seoul in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hefei and Seoul. Furthermore, many travelers come to Seoul for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Hefei is a little warmer than Seoul in the summer. The daily temperature in Hefei averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Seoul fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
Seoul receives a lot of rain in the summer. Hefei gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Hefei usually receives less rain than Seoul. Hefei gets 171 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 JulyHefei 29°C (83°F)Seoul 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Hefei or Seoul in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Hefei as well as Seoul. Additionally, many visitors come to Seoul in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
In the autumn, Hefei is a little warmer than Seoul. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hefei in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Seoul averages at about 15°C (59°F).
Hefei usually gets more rain in October than Seoul. Hefei gets 66 mm (2.6 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 OctoberHefei 18°C (64°F)Seoul 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Hefei or Seoul in the Winter?
Both Seoul and Hefei are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Seoul for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Seoul can be very cold during winter. Hefei can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Hefei is generally much warmer than Seoul. Daily temperatures in Hefei average around 3°C (38°F), and Seoul fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).
In January, Hefei usually receives more rain than Seoul. Hefei gets 30 mm (1.2 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 JanuaryHefei 3°C (38°F)Seoul -3°C (27°F)
Should I visit Hefei or Seoul in the Spring?
Both Seoul and Hefei during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Seoul because of the activities around the city.
Hefei is a little warmer than Seoul in the spring. The daily temperature in Hefei averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Seoul fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
Hefei usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Seoul. Hefei gets 95 mm (3.7 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 AprilHefei 16°C (61°F)Seoul 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Seoul and Hefei
| Hefei | Seoul | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | -3°C (27°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (40°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (50°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| May | 22°C (71°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (78°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 369 mm (14.5 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 294 mm (11.6 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 11°C (53°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (42°F) | 25 mm (1 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.