Which place is cheaper, Seoul or Hongcun?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hongcun 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 Hongcun 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: Hongcun or Seoul?
Hongcun
When you picture ancient China, you likely picture old cobblestone streets, white homes with pointed black roofs and a slight air of mysticism in the surroundings. This is Hongcun.
The backdrop for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is not usually on the top of many traveler's lists. This isn't a bustling tourist town with guides offering to show you the sights or carts peddling the latest tacky souvenir. It's a quiet village where you'll see the real Chinese culture. The homes along the complex water canals air their fish in their windows to preserve it for their family dinners. There is no bowing to tourism here.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Adventure Tours to China, 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 dayHongcun $52Seoul $107
The average daily cost (per person) in Hongcun is $52, 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 Hongcun and Seoul in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHongcun $23Seoul $54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHongcun $46Seoul $108
Compare Hotels in Hongcun and Seoul
Looking for a hotel in Hongcun 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.Hongcun $12Seoul $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$3.62
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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 Half-Day MBC Dae Jang Geum Park Transfer: $55
- Transfer Service from Gimpo Airport to Hotel City: $57
- From Everland Admission Ticket with Transfer: $75
- Private Airport Transfer: Gimpo Airport to Seoul City (1-5 pax): $80
- Private Airport Transfer: Seoul City - Gimpo Airport (1-5 pax): $80
- Seoul Incheon International Airport to from Incheon Private Transfer: $85
- Seoul Airport: Private Departure Transfer from Seoul City Center: $87
- Private Airport Transfer : Gimpo airport to/from Seoul (1~7pax): $95
- Private Gimpo Airport Transfer to Seoul and Vice Versa: $95
- Private Airport Transfer: Seoul City to Incheon Airport (1-5 pax): $98
- Incheon Airport Private Transfer between Seoul City: $98
- Private Airport Transfer : Incheon airport to/from Seoul(~7 pax): $99
Is it cheaper to fly into Hongcun or Seoul?
Prices for flights to both Seoul and Hongcun 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 dayHongcun $19Seoul $30
Typical Food Prices in Hongcun
Some typical examples of dining costs in Hongcun are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.83
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Breakfast of Dumplings$2.07
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.Hongcun $17Seoul $26
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hongcun
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Hongcun are as follows:
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Two Entrance Tickets$29
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 dayHongcun $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:
- 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 Hongcun and Seoul, we can see that Seoul is more expensive. And not only is Hongcun much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hongcun would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hongcun 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 Hongcun.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hongcun Expensive? and Is Seoul Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Hongcun 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 Hongcun or Seoul in the Summer?
Both Seoul and Hongcun are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Seoul for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Hongcun is generally a little warmer than Seoul. Daily temperatures in Hongcun average around 29°C (85°F), and Seoul fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Seoul. It's quite rainy in Hongcun. In July, Hongcun usually receives less rain than Seoul. Hongcun gets 185 mm (7.3 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 JulyHongcun 29°C (85°F)Seoul 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Hongcun or Seoul in the Autumn?
Both Seoul and Hongcun during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Seoul because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
Hongcun is a little warmer than Seoul in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hongcun averages around 19°C (65°F) in October, and Seoul fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
Hongcun usually gets more rain in October than Seoul. Hongcun gets 74 mm (2.9 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 OctoberHongcun 19°C (65°F)Seoul 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Hongcun or Seoul in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hongcun and Seoul. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Seoul this time of year.
It's quite cold in Seoul in the winter. The weather in Hongcun can be very cold. In the winter, Hongcun is much warmer than Seoul. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hongcun in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Seoul averages at about -3°C (27°F).
In January, Hongcun usually receives more rain than Seoul. Hongcun gets 38 mm (1.5 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 JanuaryHongcun 4°C (40°F)Seoul -3°C (27°F)
Should I visit Hongcun or Seoul in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Hongcun as well as Seoul. Additionally, many travelers come to Seoul for the activities around the city.
In April, Hongcun is generally a little warmer than Seoul. Daily temperatures in Hongcun average around 17°C (62°F), and Seoul fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
Hongcun receives a lot of rain in the spring. Hongcun usually gets more rain in April than Seoul. Hongcun gets 170 mm (6.7 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 AprilHongcun 17°C (62°F)Seoul 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Seoul and Hongcun
| Hongcun | Seoul | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (40°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | -3°C (27°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (51°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (62°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| May | 22°C (71°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (78°F) | 235 mm (9.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 369 mm (14.5 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 121 mm (4.7 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 294 mm (11.6 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 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.