Which place is cheaper, Boracay or Seoul?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Seoul or Boracay?
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 Boracay can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Seoul or Boracay?
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.
Boracay
A small island in the Philippines known for its resorts and beaches, Boracay is a little escape. Each beach has its own unique character, each with new treasures waiting to be discovered.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to South Korea, The Best Adventure Tours to South Korea, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines, and The Best Adventure Tours to Philippines.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySeoul $107Boracay $56
The average daily cost (per person) in Seoul is $107, while the average daily cost in Boracay is $56. 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 Boracay in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSeoul $54Boracay $23
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSeoul $108Boracay $46
Compare Hotels in Seoul and Boracay
Looking for a hotel in Seoul or Boracay? 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 $15Boracay $28
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 Everland Admission Ticket with Transfer: $75
- From Half-Day MBC Dae Jang Geum Park Transfer: $55
- Incheon Airport Private Transfer between Seoul City: $98
- Private Airport Transfer * Incheon Airport <-> Seoul (1-5 people): $100
- Private Airport Transfer - Incheon Airport ⇔ Seoul (Up to 7 or 11 people): $138
- Private Airport Transfer : Gimpo airport to/from Seoul (1~7pax): $95
- Private Airport Transfer : Incheon airport to/from Seoul(~7 pax): $99
- Private Airport Transfer: Gimpo Airport to Seoul City (1-12 pax): $167
- Private Airport Transfer: Gimpo Airport to Seoul City (1-5 pax): $80
- Private Airport Transfer: Seoul City - Gimpo Airport (1-5 pax): $80
- Private Airport Transfer: Seoul City to Gimpo Airport (1-12 pax): $167
- Private Airport Transfer: Seoul City to Incheon Airport (1-5 pax): $98
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boracay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boracay:
- Shared Transfer from/to MPH for Domestic Passports: $21
- Airport Transfer to Boracay or vice versa: $26
- Departure: Ferry boat Transfer Boracay to Caticlan Airport: $30
- Boracay Adventures Transfer Services Via Caticlan: $35
- Caticlan: Ferry Boat Airport Transfer To Boracay: $41
- Private Transfer from Caticlan Airport to Boracay: $43
- Caticlan: Shared Airport Transfer From/To Boracay: $54
- PRIVATE AIRPORT TRANSFER TO BORACAY: $59
- Boracay Transfer round trip with Island Hopping: $69
- Speedboat Caticlan to Boracay Transfer (Oneway): $81
Is it cheaper to fly into Seoul or Boracay?
Prices for flights to both Boracay 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 $30Boracay $14
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 $26Boracay $15
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
Tours and Activities in Boracay
Here are a few actual costs in Boracay for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Crystal Kayak Photo-op Experience: $6.31
- Boracay - Crystal Kayak phot-op Experience: $9.02
- Flying Donut Water Tubing Experience: $14
- Boracay UFO Adventure: $16
- Sunset Cruise with Water Activities: $16
- Boracay Sunset Cruise: $16
- Island and Beach-Hopping Boat Tour with Snorkeling: $20
- Boracay Island Rhythm Sunset Cruise: $21
- Stand-up Paddleboard Experience: $22
- Helmet Diving Experience with Photos and Videos: $22
- All-Terrain Vehicle or Buggy Car Experience: $23
- Boracay Optional Tours and Packages: $24
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySeoul $12Boracay $16
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 Seoul and Boracay, we can see that Seoul is more expensive. And not only is Boracay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Boracay would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Boracay 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 Boracay.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Seoul Expensive? and Is Boracay Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Seoul or Boracay?
Seoul has a larger population, and is about 4500 times larger than the population of Boracay. When comparing the sizes of Seoul and Boracay, 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.