A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kuala Lumpur vs. Seoul for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Kuala Lumpur or Seoul?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Kuala Lumpur and Seoul. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is a historic, modern, and welcoming 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, food, and shopping.

Seoul

Seoul is a high energy, colorful, and cultural city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Other reasons to visit include live music, food, and shopping.

Kuala Lumpur and Seoul: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kuala Lumpur or Seoul?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Seoul than Kuala Lumpur. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Seoul is very popular for its music, while Kuala Lumpur attracts visitors for its museums and impressive beauty. Kuala Lumpur is more touristy than Seoul and is popular for its blend of cultures and cuisines, its mix of modern and colonial, and its bustling neighborhoods with markets and restaurants. Seoul is famous for its shopping malls, colorful street markets, beautiful parks, and vibrant energy. It is also well known for Gyeongbokgung Palace.

How is Kuala Lumpur different from Seoul?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Seoul and Kuala Lumpur. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Kuala Lumpur or Seoul?

Kuala Lumpur is very popular for its sights and museums. Also, Seoul is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Kuala Lumpur are among the most recognizable in the world. The most notable landmark in the city is the famed Petronas Twin Towers, but other popular sights include Merdeka Square, Kuala Lumpur Tower, and the National Museum.

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.

Is the Food Better in Kuala Lumpur or Seoul? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Kuala Lumpur and Seoul both to be first-rate destinations.

Eat your way through Kuala Lumpur, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The food is influenced by the populations that live here and you'll find a lot of Malay, Chinese and Indian flavors. Spicy curries and noodle dishes are very common. Street food is also a mainstay in this city and it's an experience to wander the market streets and sample dishes from the different vendors.

For foodies, Seoul is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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).

Is Kuala Lumpur or Seoul Better for Nightlife?

The high quality nightlife scene is relatively similar in Kuala Lumpur and Seoul.

Kuala Lumpur has a large number of nightlife venues. Rooftop bars and lounges are popular hangout spots after the sun sets. For classy pubs and clubs head to the Golden Triangle district, but if drinking and partying isn't your thing, the city's night markets are not to be missed.

Seoul is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Seoul Better for Music?

Seoul is a world-class destination for live music. However, Kuala Lumpur is not a live music destination.

Seoul is known as a music capital around the world. 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.

Kuala Lumpur is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kuala Lumpur or Seoul?

Shoppers can find a variety of first-rate stores in both Kuala Lumpur and Seoul.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Kuala Lumpur. The city is filled with shopping malls, and a big appeal of shopping in this city is the very affordable prices. Some of the most popular shopping malls are Suria KLCC at the base of the Petronas Towers as well as the malls in the Bukit Bintang/Jalan Imbi areas.

The abundance of shops in Seoul make it a world-class shopping destination. 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.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Seoul Better for Families?

Both Kuala Lumpur and Seoul are high quality family-friendly destinations.

Kuala Lumpur is a very family-friendly destination. This family-friendly city includes a surprising number of opportunities to experience wildlife. There's an aquarium, petting zoos, and places to see the wild monkeys. There are also large playgrounds including one by the Petronas Towers. Kids will also enjoy exploring the Botanical Gardens, Butterfly Park, and the Forest Eco Park.

Seoul is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Seoul Better for Couples?

Kuala Lumpur and Seoul both high quality destinations for a couple.

Kuala Lumpur makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. This city has diverse restaurants and a number of luxury hotels at affordable prices. For couples who enjoy romance on a budget, this is a good city.

Couples visit Seoul frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples enjoy the beautiful viewpoints, outdoor parks, and diverse restaurants. There are also many beautiful luxury hotels where couples can enjoy a romantic getaway.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Seoul Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kuala Lumpur is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Seoul is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Kuala Lumpur is a great city to visit for backpackers. This is a popular stop for backpackers on the Southeast Asia circuit. It's modern and comfortable but also affordable and diverse. The city has a number of affordable hostels, but it also has a more laid back and authentic vibe than you'll find in many other Southeast Asian cities. The city also isn't as touristy as some other cities, so the people are down to Earth and helpful without being jaded by all of the vacationers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Seoul. The city isn't the most popular among backpackers, but those who visit will enjoy exploring a fascinating culture and delicious cuisine. Because it's a large city, you'll find a diversity of accommodation options including some budget-friendly hostels and hotels.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Seoul Better for Students?

Kuala Lumpur is very popular for students. Also, Seoul is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Students come from all over the world to visit Kuala Lumpur. It's affordability, diversity, and dynamic atmosphere make this a great city 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.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Seoul Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find first-rate public transit in both Kuala Lumpur and Seoul.

With a huge network, the transit system in Kuala Lumpur can get you around easily. The system is relatively easy to navigate with most signs in English. There are buses, a monorail, light rail transit and commuter trains.

Visitors in Seoul can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The modern and clean transportation system includes both a subway and buses.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Seoul a more walkable city?

Kuala Lumpur and Seoul are high quality when it comes to walkability.

Kuala Lumpur is very walkable. Traffic can be congested, but there are many wide sidewalks and pedestrian areas around town. The River of Life waterfront area offers nice paths that connect many tourist areas.

Seoul is a very walkable city. 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.

For even more information, also check out Is Kuala Lumpur Worth Visiting? and Is Seoul Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Seoul or Kuala Lumpur?

How long in Kuala Lumpur or Seoul?

Both Kuala Lumpur and Seoul have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Seoul than in Kuala Lumpur. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Kuala Lumpur, and 3-7 days is enough time in Seoul.

Families should spend more time in Kuala Lumpur than Seoul. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Kuala Lumpur, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kuala Lumpur than Seoul if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Kuala Lumpur.

One day in Kuala Lumpur or Seoul?

Each neighborhood in Kuala Lumpur has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

In Seoul, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this colorful city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Kuala Lumpur or Seoul?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kuala Lumpur. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Seoul is a fun place to experience. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

Five days in Kuala Lumpur or Seoul?

Kuala Lumpur is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Kuala Lumpur has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

In Seoul, many people enjoy the nightlife and live music that this high energy big city offers. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A week in Kuala Lumpur or Seoul?

You'll find food and shopping around the historic big city of Kuala Lumpur. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Seoul is a popular place to visit. Many people spend one week here. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Malaysia, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to South Korea, and The Best Adventure Tours to South Korea.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kuala Lumpur and Seoul, we can see that Seoul is more expensive. And not only is Kuala Lumpur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kuala Lumpur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kuala Lumpur Expensive? and Is Seoul Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kuala Lumpur or Seoul?

Seoul has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Kuala Lumpur. When comparing the sizes of Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur or Seoul?

Seoul has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Kuala Lumpur experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Seoul in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Kuala Lumpur as well as Seoul. Kuala Lumpur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Seoul in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Kuala Lumpur is around the same temperature as Seoul. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kuala Lumpur in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Seoul averages at about 26°C (78°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kuala Lumpur this time of the year. In the summer, Kuala Lumpur often gets more sunshine than Seoul. Kuala Lumpur gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seoul receives 121 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Seoul. Kuala Lumpur receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kuala Lumpur usually gets less rain in July than Seoul. Kuala Lumpur gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 369 mm (14.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Seoul in the Autumn?

Both Seoul and Kuala Lumpur are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kuala Lumpur throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Seoul for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.

In October, Kuala Lumpur is generally much warmer than Seoul. Daily temperatures in Kuala Lumpur average around 27°C (81°F), and Seoul fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

It's quite sunny in Seoul. Kuala Lumpur usually receives less sunshine than Seoul during autumn. Kuala Lumpur gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Seoul receives 204 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Kuala Lumpur. In October, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than Seoul. Kuala Lumpur gets 280 mm (11 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Seoul in the Winter?

Both Seoul and Kuala Lumpur during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kuala Lumpur because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Seoul because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Seoul can be very cold. Kuala Lumpur is much warmer than Seoul in the winter. The daily temperature in Kuala Lumpur averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Seoul fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).

In the winter, Kuala Lumpur often gets more sunshine than Seoul. Kuala Lumpur gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seoul receives 163 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kuala Lumpur. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in January than Seoul. Kuala Lumpur gets 239 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Seoul in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kuala Lumpur and Seoul. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kuala Lumpur year-round. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Seoul this time of year.

In the spring, Kuala Lumpur is much warmer than Seoul. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kuala Lumpur in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Seoul averages at about 13°C (55°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Seoul this time of the year. Kuala Lumpur usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Seoul during spring. Kuala Lumpur gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while Seoul receives 205 hours of full sun in the spring.

Kuala Lumpur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than Seoul. Kuala Lumpur gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Seoul and Kuala Lumpur