Which place is cheaper, Denver or Seoul?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Seoul or Denver?
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 Denver can help you decide which place is right for you.
Seoul
Seoul is a bustling, modern, and high energy city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and live music.
Denver
Denver is a sprawling, park-filled, and suburban city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the skiing, nightlife, and hiking.
Seoul and Denver: Pros and Cons
Seoul
Pros- Popular museums and historical sights
- Popular for food and cuisine
- Active nightlife
- Good music scene
- Fun shopping
- Family-friendly
- Good for couples and romance
- Good for backpackers and budget travelers
- Good public transit
- Very walkable
- Big city activities
Denver
Pros- Popular for skiing
- Active nightlife
- Good for hiking
- Family-friendly
- Good for couples and romance
- Less museums and historical sights
- Less popular for food
- Less popular for shopping
- Less popular with backpackers
- Public transit not as usable
- Less walkable
Is there more to do in Seoul or Denver?
You'll generally find more things to do in Seoul than Denver. Seoul is bigger than Denver, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Seoul is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Denver is more popular for its skiing and hiking. Seoul is more touristy than Denver and is known for its shopping malls, colorful street markets, beautiful parks, and vibrant energy. Also, Seoul is famous for Gyeongbokgung Palace. Denver is well known for serving as a gateway to the Rocky Mountains and the many national parks that are in the area.
How is Seoul different from Denver?
Which is Better for a Holiday?
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Denver and Seoul. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Is Seoul or Denver Better for Skiing?
Seoul
Denver
Denver is very good for snow skiing. However, Seoul is not a skiing destination.
For winter sports and skiing, Denver is a great destination to visit. Although there's no skiing in the immediate area, there is a huge list of world class ski resorts within an hour or two of town. Two of the closest are Echo Mountain Resort and Loveland Ski Area.
Seoul is not a skiing destination.
Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Seoul or Denver?
Seoul
Denver
Seoul is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Denver is not a good city for its museums and history.
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.
While most people don't head to Denver specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Many people use Denver as a starting or ending point for their mountain and national park trip, but those who linger can visit some of the city's museums and sights. Popular museums include the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the History Colorado Center, and the Forney Museum of Transportation.
Is the Food Better in Seoul or Denver? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?
Seoul
Denver
Seoul is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Denver is not a good city for its restaurants.
Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Seoul is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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).
Denver may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. It's a pretty large city, so you'll find some nice local restaurants, but the foodie scene is still emerging in many neighborhoods. A number of restaurants offer outdoor seating, which is nice. You'll also find a growing selection of international restaurants. For something uniquely local, you should try the Bison steak and fried pickles.
Is Seoul or Denver Better for Nightlife?
Seoul
Denver
Seoul is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. Also, Denver is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.
Seoul offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.
With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Denver. The city has come a long way with its nightlife. There's a great craft beer scene and the downtown area has really come to life. Popular bars and clubs in town include the Grizzly Rose and 54Thirty Rooftop. Many places are concentrated in the Soco Nightlife District.
Is Seoul or Denver Better for Music?
Seoul
Denver
Seoul is renowned for its live music scene. However, Denver is not a live music destination.
Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Seoul 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.
Denver is not a live music destination.
Is Seoul or Denver Better for Hiking?
Seoul
Denver
Denver is very good for the nearby hiking options. However, Seoul is not a hiking destination.
Many people include a hike when visiting Denver. The city is very close to many beautiful parks and hiking areas in the Rocky Mountains. It's not hard to make a day trip from town and enjoy some great hiking. Nice options include the Trading Post Trail in Red Rocks Mountain Park, Bergen Peak near Evergreen, and Chimney Gulch Trail near the town of Golden.
Seoul is not a hiking destination.
Is the Shopping Better in Seoul or Denver?
Seoul
Denver
Seoul is renowned for its shopping opportunities. Also, Denver is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping 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.
Denver has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The city has many outlet malls that budget shoppers appreciate. There are also weekend farmer's markets, boutique shopping areas, and all of the major chains that you'll find in most larger cities.
Is Seoul or Denver Better for Families?
Seoul
Denver
Seoul is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Denver is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.
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.
Denver is a family-friendly city. It is a family-friendly city with museums, playgrounds, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are also a few ropes courses near town that kids and adults alike will enjoy. Popular activities include the Denver Zoo, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus.
Is Seoul or Denver Better for Couples?
Seoul
Denver
Seoul is a well-known place for its romantic activities. Also, Denver is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.
Seoul is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples enjoy the beautiful viewpoints, outdoor parks, and diverse restaurants. There are also many beautiful luxury hotels where couples can enjoy a romantic getaway.
Denver is a good city for couples to visit. There are many beautiful and romantic outdoor activities in the area such as parks and botanical gardens. There are also spas, including the impressive Spa at the Brown Palace, as well as upscale restaurants and fun bars and clubs to explore.
Is Seoul or Denver Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?
Seoul
Denver
Seoul is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Denver is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.
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.
Denver is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Some backpackers fly into Denver to begin their national park tour. There is a hostel or two around town, and if you leave town quickly you'll find campgrounds not far away.
Is Seoul or Denver Better for Students?
Seoul
Denver
Seoul is a well-known place for students. Also, Denver is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.
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.
Plenty of students visit Denver. There are a few students in the city, but there isn't a college town vibe that you'd get at other nearby university areas.
Is Seoul or Denver Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?
Seoul
Denver
Seoul is renowned for its public transit. Also, Denver is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.
Seoul has a great public transit system. The modern and clean transportation system includes both a subway and buses.
Denver has some public transit options. If you're not planning to leave town, the light rail and bus systems offer good access to much of Denver.
Is Seoul or Denver a more walkable city?
Seoul
Denver
Seoul is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. However, Denver is not a good city for its ease of walking around.
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.
Denver is not a very walkable city. While the downtown area is generally walkable, this is still a sprawling city where you'll really want to have a car to access areas outside of town.
For even more information, also check out Is Seoul Worth Visiting? and Is Denver Worth Visiting?.
Should I spend more time in Denver or Seoul?
How long in Seoul or Denver?
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Seoul and Denver. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Seoul than in Denver. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Seoul, and 2-3 days is enough time in Denver.
Families should spend more time in Seoul than Denver. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Seoul, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Seoul than Denver. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Seoul that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Seoul than Denver 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 Seoul.
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How many days in Seoul or Denver? Ideal Length of StaySeoul 3-7Denver 2-3
One day in Seoul or Denver?
Seoul is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
In Denver, many people enjoy the skiing and nightlife that this sprawling destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.
A weekend in Seoul or Denver?
Seoul is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Denver. 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.
Five days in Seoul or Denver?
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Seoul. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
Denver is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and skiing when visiting the destination of Denver. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.
A week in Seoul or Denver?
Seoul is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.
You'll find skiing and nightlife around the accessible destination of Denver. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to South Korea, The Best Adventure Tours to South Korea, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySeoul $109Denver $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Seoul is $109, while the average daily cost in Denver is $218. 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 Denver in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSeoul $55Denver $87
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSeoul $110Denver $174
Compare Hotels in Seoul and Denver
Looking for a hotel in Seoul or Denver? 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 and Denver Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Seoul $16Denver $101
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$3.69
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Short Taxi Ride$5.16
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Metro Ride$0.99
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Seoul City Pass Plus$7.37
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Denver
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Denver:
- Denver hotel or address to Denver Airport (DEN) - Departure Private Transfer: $50
- Transfer in Private Car from Denver International Airport (DEN) to Downtown: $72
- Transfer in Private Car from Denver Downtown to International Airport (DEN) : $72
- Private Transfer from Denver Airport DEN to Denver in Business Car: $108
- Private Transfer from Denver to Denver Airport DEN in Business Car: $108
- Departure Private Transfer: Denver to Denver Airport DEN in Business Car: $108
- Denver Airport (DEN) to Glenwood Springs - Round-Trip Transfer: $121
- Private City Tour in Denver with Transfer: $130
- Departure Private Transfer: Denver to Denver Airport DEN in Luxury SUV: $136
- Departure Private Transfer: Denver to Denver Airport DEN in Luxury Van: $136
- Arrival Private Transfer: Denver Airport DEN to Denver in Luxury Van: $136
- Arrival Transfer Denver Airport DEN to Denver City by Luxury Car: $161
Is it cheaper to fly into Seoul or Denver?
Prices for flights to both Denver 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
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Food Meals for one daySeoul $30Denver $42
Typical Food Prices in Seoul
Some typical examples of dining costs in Seoul are as follows:
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Rice with Kimchi & Bacon$4.42
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Waffle$0.74
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Dippin' Dots$1.47
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Chicken Fried Rice$4.05
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Chicken Stick$1.47
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Drinking Yoghurt & Mi Chew$1.40
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Lunch Buffet$4.42
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Donut$0.74
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Mushroom Burger$3.83
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Green Tea Ice Cream$2.43
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Udon & Sushi$5.16
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Fresh Burger$3.54
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Soba Noodles Lunch$3.32
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Bibimbap Lunch$3.69
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Fried Rice$4.05
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Vietnamese Dinner$7.00
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Breakfast and Coffee for 2$7.00
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Donut$1.84
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Seoul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Seoul.
- Korean Cooking @ Seoul Cooking Club!: $0.11
- Gyeongbokgung Palace : Tour, dinner and coffee: $37
- Seoul Mangwon Market Social Night Food Tour: $44
- Namdaemun Market: the Largest Traditional Market Food Tour: $47
- Namdaemun Market Street Food Tour: $48
- Gwangjang Market Netflix Food Tour: $54
- Mangwon Market Food tour By Locals;Cheap Eats to Fancy Feast: $54
- Guided City Wall Sunset Hike with Korean Dinner: $58
- 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
Typical Food Prices in Denver
Some typical examples of dining costs in Denver are as follows:
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Sushi Dinner (for 2)$61
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Denver
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Denver.
- RiNo Arts District Food Tour: $79
- Downtown Denver Food Tour: $79
- Arts District Walking Food Tour: $79
- Mystery Puzzle Food Tour in Golden, CO: $80
- The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Denver, CO: $86
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Seoul $27Denver $52
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$5.90
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Movie Ticket$5.90
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Kimchi Museum$2.21
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 Denver
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Denver are as follows:
- Discover A Walking Tour of Denver's Top Sights: $5.00
- Denver's Spokes and Scoops: A Self-Guided Cycle Tour: $5.20
- Denver’s Downtown: Past and Present In-App Audio Tour (ENG): $9.00
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Denver by Operation City Quest: $10
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure on Your Phone: $10
- Denver Ghost Hunt: Mile High Ghost Tour: $12
- Denver Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $13
- Denver Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $13
- Molly Brown House Museum Self-Guided Tour & Entry: $14
- Denver Botanic Gardens General Admission Ticket: $16
- General Admission to Denver Botanic Gardens Ticket: $16
- Colorado Rockies Baseball Game Ticket at Coors Field: $18
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySeoul $12Denver $5.31
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: $11
- The Seoul Pub Crawl [official]: $21
- Pub Crawl: $25
- The Seoul Pub Crawl [official]: $26
- Soju Tasting at Distillery - Story of Three Pigs: $43
- Learn and Craft Makgeolli in a Traditional Brewery: $81
Sample the Local Flavors in Denver
Also in Denver, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Terrors Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Wine Tasting with Cheese, Charcuterie, and Dessert : $74
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Seoul and Denver, we can see that Denver 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 Denver is in North America, 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 Denver would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Denver than you might in Seoul.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Seoul Expensive? and Is Denver Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Seoul or Denver?
Seoul has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Denver. When comparing the sizes of Seoul and Denver, 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.