Which place is cheaper, Benxi or Seoul?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Seoul or Benxi?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
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 Benxi can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Seoul or Benxi?
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.
Benxi
Benxi, China is a city in the south east of the Liaoning Province in northeast China. The city itself is a major industrial hub, but is best known for the Benxi Shuidong National Park where you'll find the famous five million year old water cave. Benxi experiences cold winters, with weather being less enjoyable for touring from November through March. May through August see much warmer weather, getting up to the high 80's Fahrenheit in late summer. September and October are also good times to visit as temperatures cool to 60-70 degrees.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to South Korea, The Best Adventure Tours to South Korea, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySeoul $107Benxi $94
The average daily cost (per person) in Seoul is $107, while the average daily cost in Benxi is $94. 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 Seoul and Benxi in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSeoul $54Benxi $47
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSeoul $108Benxi $94
Compare Hotels in Seoul and Benxi
Looking for a hotel in Seoul or Benxi? 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.Seoul $15Benxi $31
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Seoul
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Seoul:
-
Subway Card$3.62
-
Short Taxi Ride$5.07
-
Metro Ride$0.98
-
Seoul City Pass Plus$7.24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Seoul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Seoul:
- From Half-Day MBC Dae Jang Geum Park Transfer: $55
- Transfer Service from Gimpo Airport to Hotel City: $57
- From Everland Admission Ticket with Transfer: $75
- Private Airport Transfer: Gimpo Airport to Seoul City (1-5 pax): $80
- Private Airport Transfer: Seoul City - Gimpo Airport (1-5 pax): $80
- Seoul Incheon International Airport to from Incheon Private Transfer: $85
- Seoul Airport: Private Departure Transfer from Seoul City Center: $87
- Private Airport Transfer : Gimpo airport to/from Seoul (1~7pax): $95
- Private Gimpo Airport Transfer to Seoul and Vice Versa: $95
- Private Airport Transfer: Seoul City to Incheon Airport (1-5 pax): $98
- Incheon Airport Private Transfer between Seoul City: $98
- Private Airport Transfer : Incheon airport to/from Seoul(~7 pax): $99
Is it cheaper to fly into Seoul or Benxi?
Prices for flights to both Benxi 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.
Food
-
Food Meals for one daySeoul $30Benxi $30
Typical Food Prices in Seoul
Some typical examples of dining costs in Seoul are as follows:
-
Rice with Kimchi & Bacon$4.34
-
Waffle$0.72
-
Dippin' Dots$1.45
-
Chicken Fried Rice$3.98
-
Chicken Stick$1.45
-
Drinking Yoghurt & Mi Chew$1.38
-
Lunch Buffet$4.34
-
Donut$0.72
-
Mushroom Burger$3.76
-
Green Tea Ice Cream$2.39
-
Udon & Sushi$5.07
-
Fresh Burger$3.48
-
Soba Noodles Lunch$3.26
-
Bibimbap Lunch$3.62
-
Fried Rice$3.98
-
Vietnamese Dinner$6.88
-
Breakfast and Coffee for 2$6.88
-
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
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Seoul $26Benxi $7.29
Typical Entertainment Prices in Seoul
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Seoul are as follows:
-
Palace Tickets$5.79
-
Movie Ticket$5.79
-
Kimchi Museum$2.17
Tours and Activities in Seoul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Seoul are as follows:
- Gyeongbokgung Palace Hanbok Rental Experience in Seoul: $7.00
- Seoul Changdeokgung Palace Hanbok Experience Hanboknam (내국인불가): $7.20
- [NEWTRO ART TOUR] Media art museum & walking tour: $8.00
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Skip the Line: Figure Museum W Ticket (내국인 불가): $11
- Seoul Job Experience Theme Park Ticket for Kid (내국인 불가): $13
- Dongdaemun City Tour Bus(내국인불가): $14
- 63 Aqua Planet and 63 Building Seoul Observatory Tickets: $14
- Seoul : Guided Consultation Tour (Filler, Cosmetic Surgery): $16
- Gyeongbokgung Palace Private Half-Day Tour: $19
- Virtual Tour of Korean Demilitarized Zone: $19
- Seoul Myeongdong Catholic Church Historic Private Walking Tour: $20
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySeoul $12Benxi $7.69
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 comparing the travel costs between Seoul and Benxi, we can see that Seoul 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 Seoul Expensive? and Is Benxi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Seoul or Benxi?
Seoul has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Benxi. When comparing the sizes of Seoul and Benxi, 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 Seoul or Benxi?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Seoul or Benxi in the Summer?
Both Benxi and Seoul are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Seoul for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Seoul is around the same temperature as Benxi in the summer. The daily temperature in Seoul averages around 26°C (78°F) in July, and Benxi fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).
It's quite sunny in Benxi. Seoul usually receives less sunshine than Benxi during summer. Seoul gets 121 hours of sunny skies, while Benxi receives 214 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Benxi. It's quite rainy in Seoul. In July, Seoul usually receives more rain than Benxi. Seoul gets 369 mm (14.5 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulySeoul 26°C (78°F)Benxi 25°C (78°F)
Should I visit Seoul or Benxi in the Autumn?
Both Benxi and Seoul during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Seoul in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
In the autumn, Seoul is a little warmer than Benxi. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Seoul in October average around 15°C (59°F), and Benxi averages at about 11°C (52°F).
In Benxi, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Seoul. In the autumn, Seoul often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Benxi. Seoul gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Benxi receives 216 hours of full sun.
Seoul usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Benxi. Seoul gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSeoul 15°C (59°F)Benxi 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Seoul or Benxi in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Seoul and Benxi. Most visitors come to Seoul for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
The weather in Benxi can be very cold. Seoul can be very cold during winter. In January, Seoul is generally much warmer than Benxi. Daily temperatures in Seoul average around -3°C (27°F), and Benxi fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).
Seoul usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Benxi during winter. Seoul gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Benxi receives 167 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Seoul usually receives more rain than Benxi. Seoul gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySeoul -3°C (27°F)Benxi -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Seoul or Benxi in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Seoul as well as Benxi. The spring months attract visitors to Seoul because of the activities around the city.
Seoul is a little warmer than Benxi in the spring. The daily temperature in Seoul averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Benxi fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Benxi. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Seoul this time of the year. In the spring, Seoul often gets less sunshine than Benxi. Seoul gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Benxi receives 241 hours of full sun.
Seoul usually gets more rain in April than Benxi. Seoul gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilSeoul 13°C (55°F)Benxi 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Benxi and Seoul
| Seoul | Benxi | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -3°C (27°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | -10°C (14°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | -0°C (32°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | -7°C (20°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (42°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| May | 18°C (65°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (78°F) | 369 mm (14.5 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (80°F) | 294 mm (11.6 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (71°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (59°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Nov | 8°C (46°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Dec | 0°C (33°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | -7°C (20°F) | 12 mm (0.5 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.