Which place is cheaper, Seoul or Nakhon Ratchasima?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Seoul?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nakhon Ratchasima or Seoul, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Nakhon Ratchasima or Seoul?
Nakhon Ratchasima
If you're planning on traveling from Bangkok to Isaan, you'll likely make Nakhon Ratchasima your pit stop or home base. However, there is so much more to this sprawling metropolis than just a layover. Underneath the chaos of it all, is a charming and traditional Thai city.
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 Tours for Seniors to Thailand, The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand, 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 dayNakhon Ratchasima $40Seoul $107
The average daily cost (per person) in Nakhon Ratchasima is $40, 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 Nakhon Ratchasima and Seoul in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNakhon Ratchasima $19Seoul $54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNakhon Ratchasima $38Seoul $108
Compare Hotels in Nakhon Ratchasima and Seoul
Looking for a hotel in Nakhon Ratchasima 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: Nakhon Ratchasima Hotel Prices and Seoul Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nakhon Ratchasima $4.50Seoul $15
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nakhon Ratchasima
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Nakhon Ratchasima:
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Tuk Tuk$1.36
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Bus to Vientiane$1.36
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:
- Transfer Service from Gimpo Airport to Hotel City: $57
- Private Transfer l Airport to/from Seoul: $100
- Private Transfer To/From Incheon Airport: $99
- Seoul Incheon International Airport to from Incheon Private Transfer: $85
- Seoul Airport: Private Departure Transfer from Seoul City Center: $87
- Private Gimpo Airport Transfer to Seoul and Vice Versa: $95
- Private Airport Transfer: Seoul City to Incheon Airport 1-12 pax: $204
- Private Airport Transfer: Seoul City to Incheon Airport (1-5 pax): $98
- Private Airport Transfer: Seoul City to Gimpo Airport (1-12 pax): $167
- Private Airport Transfer: Seoul City - Gimpo Airport (1-5 pax): $80
- Private Airport Transfer: Gimpo Airport to Seoul City (1-5 pax): $80
- Private Airport Transfer: Gimpo Airport to Seoul City (1-12 pax): $167
Is it cheaper to fly into Nakhon Ratchasima or Seoul?
Prices for flights to both Seoul and Nakhon Ratchasima 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 dayNakhon Ratchasima $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
- 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.Nakhon Ratchasima $5.81Seoul $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$5.79
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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
- 1 Day Private Full DMZ Tour in Seoul with Crystal Gondola: $220
- 2-Hour Makgeolli Tasting Experience in Seoul: $37
- 2-Hour Private Kayaking and Paddleboarding Experience in Hanriver: $30
- 2D 1N Phoenix Pyeongchang Reseot Stay + Trout Ice-Fishing Festival Tour: $144
- 3 Hour Walking Tour in Songpa Seoul: $48
- 3-Hour Self-guided Sokcho Tour with Private Transportation: $33
- 63 Aqua Planet and 63 Building Seoul Observatory Tickets: $14
- 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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNakhon Ratchasima $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:
- 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 Nakhon Ratchasima and Seoul, we can see that Seoul is more expensive. And not only is Nakhon Ratchasima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nakhon Ratchasima would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nakhon Ratchasima 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 Nakhon Ratchasima.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nakhon Ratchasima Expensive? and Is Seoul Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nakhon Ratchasima or Seoul?
Seoul has a larger population, and is about 10349310 times larger than the population of Nakhon Ratchasima. When comparing the sizes of Nakhon Ratchasima 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 Nakhon Ratchasima or Seoul?
Seoul has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Nakhon Ratchasima experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Seoul in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Nakhon Ratchasima as well as Seoul. Nakhon Ratchasima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Seoul because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Nakhon Ratchasima is a little warmer than Seoul in the summer. The daily temperature in Nakhon Ratchasima averages around 30°C (86°F) in July, and Seoul fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
It's quite rainy in Seoul. Nakhon Ratchasima receives a lot of rain in the summer. Nakhon Ratchasima usually gets less rain in July than Seoul. Nakhon Ratchasima gets 123 mm (4.8 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 JulyNakhon Ratchasima 30°C (86°F)Seoul 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Seoul in the Autumn?
Both Seoul and Nakhon Ratchasima are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Nakhon Ratchasima throughout the year. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Seoul this time of year.
In the autumn, Nakhon Ratchasima is much warmer than Seoul. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nakhon Ratchasima in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Seoul averages at about 15°C (59°F).
It's quite rainy in Nakhon Ratchasima. In October, Nakhon Ratchasima usually receives more rain than Seoul. Nakhon Ratchasima gets 152 mm (6 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 OctoberNakhon Ratchasima 28°C (82°F)Seoul 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Seoul in the Winter?
Both Seoul and Nakhon Ratchasima during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Nakhon Ratchasima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Seoul for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Seoul. In January, Nakhon Ratchasima is generally much warmer than Seoul. Daily temperatures in Nakhon Ratchasima average around 25°C (77°F), and Seoul fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).
Nakhon Ratchasima usually gets less rain in January than Seoul. Nakhon Ratchasima gets 5 mm (0.2 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 JanuaryNakhon Ratchasima 25°C (77°F)Seoul -3°C (27°F)
Should I visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Seoul in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Nakhon Ratchasima and Seoul. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Nakhon Ratchasima year-round. Also, many visitors come to Seoul in the spring for the activities around the city.
It's very hot in Nakhon Ratchasima this time of the year. Nakhon Ratchasima is much warmer than Seoul in the spring. The daily temperature in Nakhon Ratchasima averages around 31°C (89°F) in April, and Seoul fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In April, Nakhon Ratchasima usually receives less rain than Seoul. Nakhon Ratchasima gets 66 mm (2.6 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 AprilNakhon Ratchasima 31°C (89°F)Seoul 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Seoul and Nakhon Ratchasima
| Nakhon Ratchasima | Seoul | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | -3°C (27°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Mar | 30°C (86°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (89°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (87°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 369 mm (14.5 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (85°F) | 128 mm (5 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 294 mm (11.6 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 4 mm (0.2 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.