Which place is cheaper, Seoul or Islamabad?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Islamabad 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 Islamabad 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: Islamabad or Seoul?
Islamabad
Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan, specially built in the 1960's to replace the former capital, Karachi. Most of the city's population are employees of the government, though many people come from all over Pakistan to enjoy the city's peaceful atmosphere and green spaces, museums, and monuments.
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 Pakistan, The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan, 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 dayIslamabad $42Seoul $107
The average daily cost (per person) in Islamabad is $42, 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 Islamabad and Seoul in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIslamabad $20Seoul $54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIslamabad $40Seoul $108
Compare Hotels in Islamabad and Seoul
Looking for a hotel in Islamabad 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: Islamabad Hotel Prices and Seoul Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Islamabad $7.68Seoul $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Islamabad
Also for Islamabad, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer: $35
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer - ARRIVAL: $40
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer - DEPARTURE: $40
- Private Chauffeur: Arrival Transfer Airport Pick up (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore): $50
- Islamabad International Airport Departure Drop off Transfer : $55
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Departures: $55
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Arrival: $55
- Islamabad International Airport Arrival Pick up Transfer: $55
- Private Transfer from Islamabad Airport to Pakistan: $61
- Transit Trip: Murree Exploration Day Trip & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $140
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:
- Private Airport Transfer: Seoul City to Incheon Airport 1-12 pax: $204
- Private Airport Transfer: Gimpo Airport to Seoul City (1-12 pax): $167
- Private Airport Transfer: Seoul City to Gimpo Airport (1-12 pax): $167
- Private Airport Transfer * Incheon Airport <-> Seoul (1-5 people): $101
- Private Transfer l Airport to/from Seoul: $100
- Private Transfer To/From Incheon Airport: $99
- Private Airport Transfer : Incheon airport to/from Seoul(~7 pax): $99
- Private Airport Transfer: Seoul City to Incheon Airport (1-5 pax): $98
- Incheon Airport Private Transfer between Seoul City: $98
- Private Airport Transfer : Gimpo airport to/from Seoul (1~7pax): $95
- Seoul Airport: Private Departure Transfer from Seoul City Center: $87
- Seoul Incheon International Airport to from Incheon Private Transfer: $85
Is it cheaper to fly into Islamabad or Seoul?
Prices for flights to both Seoul and Islamabad 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 dayIslamabad $15Seoul $30
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
- Grandma's Home Cooking Class at Korean House l Seoul: $45
- 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: $59
- 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.Islamabad $9.48Seoul $26
Tours and Activities in Islamabad
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Islamabad.
- Full-Day Sightseeing Tour Of Islamabad: $80
- Islamabad In & Around Full Day Customized City Tour: $80
- Shopping Tour: Full Day Islamabad Markets Exploration Tour: $90
- Private Tour: Hidden Gems of Islamabad Exploration Tour: $90
- Islamabad Instagram Tour: Most Famous Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $95
- City Tour with Faisal Mosque and Lake View Park: $95
- Best of Islamabad Half Day Tour With Meal At Monal Restaurant (Morn & Eve Slots): $100
- Islamabad City Tour With Faisal Mosque, Pakistan Monument & Lunch : $110
- Top Ten Wonders of Islamabad Guided City Tour: $120
- Private Tour: Guided Day Trip To Murree from Islamabad: $130
- 5-Hour Private Guided Tour in Islamabad City: $130
- Full Day Private Guided Tour of Taxila Gandahara Civilization : $140
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:
- Full Day Tour Jeonju Hanok Village, Wansan Park and Gakwonsa: $72
- Private Tour Nami Island with Petite France 'and/or' The Garden of Morning Calm: $98
- (Private tour) Nami Island + Railbike + Garden of morning calm: $220
- 2-Hour Makgeolli Tasting Experience in Seoul: $37
- 2-Hour Private Kayaking and Paddleboarding Experience in Hanriver: $30
- 3 Hour Walking Tour in Songpa Seoul: $49
- 3-Hour Self-guided Sokcho Tour with Private Transportation: $33
- 365-day DMZ Special Tour including Monday & National Holiday: $55
- ARMY must visit BTS tour in Seoul: $55
- Activity - Mt. Bukhan Hiking Guided Tour: $150
- Afternoon Half Day Seoul City Tour, visit Queen's dorm: $67
- All in One Full Day Tour 2 (Palace & Korean Folk Village): $125
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIslamabad $2.88Seoul $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 3 pigs: $42
- Soju Tasting at Distillery - Story of Three Pigs: $42
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Islamabad and Seoul, we can see that Seoul is more expensive. And not only is Islamabad much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Islamabad would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Islamabad 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 Islamabad.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Islamabad Expensive? and Is Seoul Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Islamabad or Seoul?
Seoul has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Islamabad. When comparing the sizes of Islamabad 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 Islamabad or Seoul?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Islamabad or Seoul in the Summer?
Both Seoul and Islamabad during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Seoul for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
The heat can be very extreme in Islamabad. In the summer, Islamabad is a little warmer than Seoul. Typically, the summer temperatures in Islamabad in July average around 32°C (90°F), and Seoul averages at about 26°C (78°F).
It's quite sunny in Islamabad. In the summer, Islamabad often gets more sunshine than Seoul. Islamabad gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seoul receives 121 hours of full sun.
Seoul gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Islamabad. Islamabad usually gets less rain in July than Seoul. Islamabad gets 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 369 mm (14.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyIslamabad 32°C (90°F)Seoul 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Islamabad or Seoul in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Islamabad and Seoul. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Seoul because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
In October, Islamabad is generally much warmer than Seoul. Daily temperatures in Islamabad average around 26°C (80°F), and Seoul fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Seoul this time of the year. In Islamabad, it's very sunny this time of the year. Islamabad usually receives more sunshine than Seoul during autumn. Islamabad gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Seoul receives 204 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Islamabad usually receives less rain than Seoul. Islamabad gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberIslamabad 26°C (80°F)Seoul 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Islamabad or Seoul in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Islamabad as well as Seoul. Also, 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. Islamabad is much warmer than Seoul in the winter. The daily temperature in Islamabad averages around 14°C (57°F) in January, and Seoul fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Islamabad this time of the year. In the winter, Islamabad often gets more sunshine than Seoul. Islamabad gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seoul receives 163 hours of full sun.
Islamabad usually gets more rain in January than Seoul. Islamabad gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryIslamabad 14°C (57°F)Seoul -3°C (27°F)
Should I visit Islamabad or Seoul in the Spring?
Both Seoul and Islamabad are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Seoul for the activities around the city.
In the spring, Islamabad is much warmer than Seoul. Typically, the spring temperatures in Islamabad in April average around 27°C (80°F), and Seoul averages at about 13°C (55°F).
It's quite sunny in Seoul. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Islamabad. Islamabad usually receives more sunshine than Seoul during spring. Islamabad gets 258 hours of sunny skies, while Seoul receives 205 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Islamabad usually receives less rain than Seoul. Islamabad gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilIslamabad 27°C (80°F)Seoul 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Seoul and Islamabad
| Islamabad | Seoul | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | -3°C (27°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| May | 32°C (89°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 35°C (94°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
| Jul | 32°C (90°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 369 mm (14.5 in) |
| Aug | 31°C (89°F) | 221 mm (8.7 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 294 mm (11.6 in) |
| Sep | 31°C (87°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (80°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 30 mm (1.2 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.