Which place is cheaper, Seoul or Kao-hsiung?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Kao-hsiung 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 Kao-hsiung 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: Kao-hsiung or Seoul?
Kao-hsiung
Kaohsiung is the second-most populated city and also the largest port city in the country, located in the south of Taiwan. Compared to Taipei, the lifestyle in Kaohsiung is laid-back and noticeably slower, populated with friendly locals. However, with Taipei in the spotlight, Kaohsiung is often overlooked, though it offers so much in the way of art and culture, history, and delicious food.
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 Historical Tours in Taiwan, The Best Adventure Tours to Taiwan, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to South Korea, and The Best Adventure Tours to South Korea.
-
Kao-hsiung Prices
Taiwan PricesSeoul Prices
South Korea Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKao-hsiung $126Seoul $124
The average daily cost (per person) in Kao-hsiung is $126, while the average daily cost in Seoul is $124. 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 Kao-hsiung and Seoul in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKao-hsiung $56Seoul $52
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKao-hsiung $112Seoul $104
Compare Hotels in Kao-hsiung and Seoul
Looking for a hotel in Kao-hsiung 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
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kao-hsiung $11Seoul $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kao-hsiung
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kao-hsiung:
- Kaohsiung Airport Chauffeur service , Kaohsiung Airport Transfer: $50
- Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Port to Kaohsiung Airport (KHH): $74
- Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Port to Kaohsiung Airport (KHH): $83
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Seoul
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Seoul:
-
Subway Card$3.47
-
Short Taxi Ride$4.85
-
Metro Ride$0.94
-
Seoul City Pass Plus$6.93
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Seoul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Seoul:
- Private One-Way Transfers to/from Incheon Airport(ICN): $39
- Night Views Tour with Guide and Transfers: $41
- From Round-Trip Transfer to Dae Jang Geum Park: $50
- Seoul Gimpo Airport (GMP) Transfer to Seoul/Suwon/Seongnam/Yongin: $60
- Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN) to Seoul - Arrival Private Transfer: $63
- Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN) to Seoul - Arrival Private Transfer: $79
- Seoul to Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN) - Departure Private Transfer: $79
- Private Airport Transfer : Gimpo airport to/from Seoul (1~7pax): $89
- Seoul to Incheon &Gimpo Airport Transfer 24/7 Departure Service: $90
- Private Transfer To/From Incheon Airport: $90
- Incheon International Airport (ICN): Private Seoul Transfer: $95
- Private Airport Transfer * Incheon Airport Seoul (1-5 people): $98
Is it cheaper to fly into Kao-hsiung or Seoul?
Prices for flights to both Seoul and Kao-hsiung 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
-
Food Meals for one dayKao-hsiung $55Seoul $49
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kao-hsiung
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kao-hsiung.
- Sunset Dinner on Monkey Mountain: $100
Typical Food Prices in Seoul
Some typical examples of dining costs in Seoul are as follows:
-
Rice with Kimchi & Bacon$4.16
-
Waffle$0.69
-
Dippin' Dots$1.39
-
Chicken Fried Rice$3.81
-
Chicken Stick$1.39
-
Drinking Yoghurt & Mi Chew$1.32
-
Lunch Buffet$4.16
-
Donut$0.69
-
Mushroom Burger$3.60
-
Green Tea Ice Cream$2.29
-
Udon & Sushi$4.85
-
Fresh Burger$3.33
-
Soba Noodles Lunch$3.12
-
Bibimbap Lunch$3.47
-
Fried Rice$3.81
-
Vietnamese Dinner$6.58
-
Breakfast and Coffee for 2$6.58
-
Donut$1.73
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: $51
- Korean Grandma Cooking Class l Gimbap & Kimchi Pancake l Seoul: $52
- Mangwon Market Food tour By Locals;Cheap Eats to Fancy Feast: $57
- Kimchi Dishes Cooking Class with Wine Pairing: $61
- Korean Home Style Cooking Class in Gangnam Seoul: $62
- Explore Seoul's Flavors on Group Cooking Class Adventure: $63
- Wine & K-BBQ: A Perfect Pairing Dinner: $63
- Gwangjang Market Netflix Food Tour: $64
- Street Food Tour in Jongno, Heart of Seoul: $65
- Guided City Wall Sunset Hike with Korean Dinner: $67
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kao-hsiung $20Seoul $25
Tours and Activities in Kao-hsiung
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kao-hsiung are as follows:
- Zuojhen Fossil Park Fossil Discovery Experience Ticket: $5.00
- Chimei Museum Permanent Exhibition Entry Ticket Tainan: $14
- Wanpi World Wildlife Experience Ticket Tainan: $24
- National Museum of Marine Biology & Aquarium Admission Ticket: $25
- Suzuka Circuit Park Admission Ticket in Kaohsiung: $32
- Southern Taiwan Golf 2 Day Tour: $40
- Kaohsiung Private Walking Tour with a Local: $48
- Classic Kaohsiung Day Tour: Fo Guang Shan x Lotus Pond x Pier-2: $62
- Maritime Kaohsiung Lotus Pond, Cijin Island and Love River Cruise: $65
- Kenting National Park & Pingtung Coastal Day Tour from Kaohsiung: $65
- Food and Culture Walking Tour in Tainan: $69
- Tainan Night Walking Tour: $70
Typical Entertainment Prices in Seoul
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Seoul are as follows:
-
Palace Tickets$5.54
-
Movie Ticket$5.54
-
Kimchi Museum$2.08
Tours and Activities in Seoul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Seoul are as follows:
- Seoul Ghost Tour: Self-Guided Haunted Walk: $5.87
- Seoul Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
- Gyeongbokgung Palace Hanbok Rental Experience Hanboknam (내국인불가): $7.00
- Gyeongbokgung Palace Hanbok Rental Experience in Seoul: $7.00
- Seoul Changdeokgung Palace Hanbok Experience Hanboknam (내국인불가): $7.10
- Gyeongbokgung Palace Web Guide and Room Escape Tour Ticket: $7.30
- Bukchon Hanok Village Seoul Walking Tour with Audioguide: $7.63
- Alternative A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Youngjaegugakhoe The Concert of Korean Music Prodigies Ticket: $8.70
- Gwanghwamun Tour l 120 Minutes to Understand South Korea: $10
- Skip the Line: Figure Museum W Ticket (내국인 불가): $11
- Insadong Running Man Themed Activity Experience Center: $13
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayKao-hsiung $10Seoul $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Seoul
Also in Seoul, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- 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: $28
- Soju Tasting at Distillery - story of 3 pigs: $45
- Rice Wine Tasting with Sommelier - Finest Makgeolli (& Soju): $46
- Soju Tasting at Distillery: $51
- Premium Pub Crawl with Open Bottles: $57
- Craft Makgeolli Brewery Tour & Tasting Experience: $67
- Learn and Craft Makgeolli in a Traditional Brewery: $78
- Chunpoong Makgeolli Brewery Tour: $80
- Korean Craft Makgeolli Brewery Tour & Tasting Experience: $80
When comparing the travel costs between Kao-hsiung and Seoul, we can see that Kao-hsiung is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kao-hsiung Expensive? and Is Seoul Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kao-hsiung or Seoul?
Seoul has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Kao-hsiung. When comparing the sizes of Kao-hsiung 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.