Should you visit Seoul or Barcelona?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Seoul and Barcelona can help you decide which place is right for you.
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.
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain with a population of over 1.5 million people. It's also the capital of Catalonia and is located on the northeastern part of the Mediterranean coast. Barcelona is one of the country's most popular travel destinations because of its rich history, interesting architecture, and vibrant culture. Barcelona hosted the 1992 Summer Olympic games and that had a strong influence over tourism in the area. Many different neighborhoods were renovated and rebuilt. Modern design became the norm in many parts of the city, although there is still an old city feel and many efforts at preservation.
Which city is cheaper, Barcelona or Seoul?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Seoul is $101, while the average daily cost in Barcelona is $145. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Seoul and Barcelona in more detail.
Accommodation
Seoul's average price for two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $102. A typical place to stay for one person, per day is $51.
The average price for accommodation for two people in Barcelona is $176. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
Food
While meal prices in Seoul can vary, the average travelers spends about $28 per day on food. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out, an average meal in Seoul should cost around $11 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Seoul is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
The price of a meal in Barcelona can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $32 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $13 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
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Food
Meals for one day
Seoul $28
Barcelona $32
Typical Food prices in Seoul
Some typical examples of dining costs in Seoul are as follows:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Seoul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Seoul.
-
Jeonju Virtual Tour and Online Cooking Class with Kimchi Chef:
$13
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Mokpo Virtual Tour and Online Cooking Class with Kimchi Chef:
$13
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Gangneung Virtual Tour and Online Cooking Class with Kimchi Chef:
$13
-
Andong Virtual Tour and Online Cooking Class with Kimchi Chef:
$13
-
Yeot-gangjeong Making Cooking Class in Gangnam:
$17
-
Incheon Sunset and Seafood Tour:
$22
-
Night Market Food Tour:
$48
-
Busan Jagalchi Market Tour and Korean Daily Special Dish Cooking Class:
$49
-
Traditional Korean Cooking Class (Kimchi) & market tour with chef Joungy:
$51
-
Korean Full-Course Meal Cooking Class at Local Home with Local Market Experience in Seoul:
$52
-
Private Traditional Korean Cooking Class and Dongdaemun Market Food Tour by Janet's Cooking Studio:
$52
-
Korean Cooking Class with Full-Course Meal & Local Market Tour:
$56
Typical Food prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of dining costs in Barcelona are as follows:
-
Hot Cocoa & Churro
$4.90
-
Sandwich
$2.01
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Baguette & Horchata
$4.49
-
Tapas on the beach
$9.79
-
Gelatto
$2.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Barcelona
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Barcelona.
-
Live from Barcelona to China: Potato Gnocchi Online Cooking Class:
$23
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Live from Potato Gnocchi Online Cooking Class:
$23
-
Barcelona organic dinner in a beautiful rooftop garden:
$35
-
Interactive Spanish Cooking Experience in Barcelona:
$49
-
Hands-on Brunch Cooking Class with Bottomless Mimosas!:
$50
-
Born district food tour and tasting in Barcelona:
$51
-
Barcelona Street Food Tour: Local Market & Gothic Quarter with Expert Guide:
$52
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Street Food Tour & Gothic Quater Sightseeing with Local Expert:
$52
-
Bus and Walking Tour with Dinner:
$58
-
Tasty Barcelona Street Food Tour With Local Market Visit:
$59
-
Skip the Line: Flamenco Show and Dinner Ticket:
$62
-
Traveling Spoon Seafood Paella and Sangria Private Online Cooking Class:
$66
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around Seoul is $15 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
The cost of a taxi ride in Barcelona is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $18 per person, per day, on local transportation in Barcelona.
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
$4.27
-
Short Taxi Ride
$5.98
-
Metro Ride
$1.15
-
Seoul City Pass Plus
$8.54
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Seoul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Seoul:
-
Shared Transfers between Myeongdong and N Seoul Tower:
$5.19
-
Shared One Way Transfer from Seoul to Nami Island or Gangchon Rail Bike:
$6.59
-
Round Trip Everland Shuttle Bus Transfers from Seoul by World Travel:
$8.25
-
Round Trip Shuttle Bus Transfers to Everland by World Travel:
$8.65
-
Shuttle Bus Transfers between Seoul and Everland by Daesung Tour:
$9.35
-
Round Trip Shuttle Bus Transfers to Everland from Seoul by JINA International Travel:
$9.35
-
Incheon International Airport (ICN) Limousine Bus Transfers for Seoul (Gangnam District):
$12
-
Everland Theme Park Private Transfer:
$16
-
Round Trip DMZ Shuttle Bus Transfers from Seoul:
$22
-
Shared Airport Transfers (ICN/GMP) for Seoul:
$25
-
Private Airport Transfer: from Seoul to Gimpo International Airport (GMP):
$31
-
Private Airport Transfer: Gimpo International Airport (GMP) to Seoul:
$31
Typical Local Transportation prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Barcelona are as follows:
-
10 Trip Metro Ticket
$9.22
-
Airport Bus
$5.91
-
Metro
$2.48
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Barcelona
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Barcelona:
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Ultra - Barcelona Private Transfer from Barcelona Cruise Port to City Centre:
$9.41
-
Ultra - Barcelona Private Transfer from City Centre to Barcelona Cruise Port:
$9.41
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Ultra - Barcelona Private Airport Transfer city centre to El Prat Airport BCN:
$9.41
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Airport Transfers:
$20
-
From Luxury Transfers to La Roca Village:
$24
-
Private Departure Transfer from Barcelona City Center to El-Prat Airport (BCN):
$24
-
Private Transfer from Barcelona City to Barcelona Airport:
$27
-
Barcelona Airport Transfers:
$27
-
Barcelona Airport Transfer:
$28
-
Barcelona Private Transfer from City Centre to Cruise Terminal:
$29
-
Barcelona Private Transfer from City Centre to Cruise Terminal:
$29
-
Barcelona Departure Private Transfers from Barcelona City to Barcelona Airport:
$29
Is it cheaper to fly into Seoul or Barcelona?
Prices for flights to both Barcelona and Seoul 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.
Entertainment
Seoul's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $25 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Entertainment and activities in Barcelona typically cost an average of $31 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Typical Entertainment prices in Seoul
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Seoul are as follows:
-
Palace Tickets
$6.83
-
Movie Ticket
$6.83
-
Kimchi Museum
$2.56
Tours and Activities in Seoul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Seoul are as follows:
-
Jeju Samseonghyeol Shrine Admission Ticket:
$0.69
-
Mobile KOREA TOUR CARD (Tmoney):
$2.19
-
Cart Riding, Horse Riding, and Maze Park Experience in Jeju Seri World :
$3.45
-
Norimae Park Ticket in Jeju:
$3.45
-
Jeju Camellia Hill Admission Ticket:
$3.65
-
Royal Seoul Private Tour: Zombie City Exploration Game:
$3.72
-
National Museum of Korea Private Tour: Seoul Exploration Game:
$3.72
-
Alice in Wonderland Ticket in Jeju:
$4.09
-
Alternative Uncover the city's alternative culture on an audio tour:
$5.00
-
Soingook Theme Park Admission Ticket:
$5.05
-
Jeju Marine Animal Museum Admission Ticket:
$5.10
-
Spirited Garden Ticket in Jeju:
$5.19
Typical Entertainment prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Barcelona are as follows:
Tours and Activities in Barcelona
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Barcelona are as follows:
-
A Culinary Audio Tour of El Born by VoiceMap:
$5.50
-
Museu de la Xocolata Tickets:
$7.16
-
Private Barcelona Ghost Tour: Gothic Quarter Exploration Game:
$7.45
-
Museu de la Xocolata Admission Ticket:
$7.46
-
Gaudi House Museum Skip-the-Line Ticket:
$8.95
-
Barcelona Port Traditional Boat Tour:
$9.16
-
Guided Tour of Requesens Palace:
$9.54
-
Guided Tour of Barcelona's Royal Academy of Sciences & Arts:
$9.54
-
Skip the Line: History Museum of Catalonia & Rooftop Access Ticket:
$9.95
-
Skip the Line: Human Bodies - Entrance to the exhibition Ticket:
$9.95
-
Skip the Line: Erotic Museum of Barcelona Admission Ticket with free souvenir:
$9.95
-
Guided Tour at Barcelona's Royal Academy of Sciences and Arts:
$10
Alcohol
The average person spends about $11 on alcoholic beverages in Seoul per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
The average person spends about $16 on alcoholic beverages in Barcelona per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Sample the Local Flavors in Seoul
Also in Seoul, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Absolute Busan Pub Crawl Experience in Seomyeon and Haeundae:
$11
-
Absolute Seoul Pub Crawl Experience in Hongdae and Itaewon:
$19
-
Seoul Pub Crawl and Party with Free Shots:
$24
-
3-Hour Small Group Korean Pub Crawl + Food Tasting in Hongdae:
$86
Sample the Local Flavors in Barcelona
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Barcelona:
-
Columbus Monument with Optional Wine Tasting:
$7.16
-
Estrella Damm Brewery Guided Tour with Tasting:
$9.54
-
Backpacker Pub Crawl:
$18
-
The Original Barcelona Pub Crawl:
$18
-
Barcelona Halloween Pub Crawl:
$18
-
Generation Pub Crawl in Barcelona:
$19
-
Barcelona Pub Crawl:
$20
-
Barcelona Wine Tasting: Catalan and Spanish Wines:
$21
-
Wine Tasting Experience in Barcelona:
$22
-
Opera Samfaina: Food and Wine Tasting Interactive Experience in Barcelona:
$26
-
Wine tasting & tapas:
$39
-
Barcelona Guided Local Wine Tasting Tour:
$44
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Seoul and Barcelona, we can see that Barcelona is more expensive. And not only is Seoul much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Seoul is in Asia and Barcelona is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Seoul would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Seoul 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 Barcelona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Barcelona than you might in Seoul.
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