Should you visit Seoul or Dubrovnik?
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 Dubrovnik 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.
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik, the "Pearl of the Adriatic", is a beautiful walled city in southern Croatia that sits on the edge of the Adriatic Sea. It's a small city, with only about 40,000 residents, but it's become one of the most significant tourist destinations in the Mediterranean. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The city was historically built on maritime trade, which is not surprising given its location near major Italian and Greek ports such as Venice, Bari, Corfu, and Trieste. It was a center of language and literature and was the home of many important poets, playwrights, painters, and scientists during the 15th and 16th centuries. Today its economy is dependent on tourism and it is one of the most popular destinations in the region. People visit the city for its impressive history, beautiful setting, great weather, and interesting architecture.
Which city is cheaper, Dubrovnik 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 Dubrovnik is $91. 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 Dubrovnik 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.
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $94 in Dubrovnik For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
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.
Dubrovnik food costs typically run travelers around $30 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
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Food
Meals for one day
Seoul $28
Dubrovnik $30
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
-
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 Dubrovnik
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubrovnik:
-
Seafood Dinner (for 2)
$34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dubrovnik
For Dubrovnik, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Unique Sunset and Dinner Cruise in the Magnificent Traditional Karaka boat:
$96
-
Old Town Food Tour:
$130
-
Flavours of Dubrovnik - Food Tour:
$131
-
Croatian Traditional Cuisine: Peka Cooking Lesson:
$149
-
Traditional Cooking Class in Dubrovnik Countryside:
$164
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Cooking Classes Traditional Meals of Konavle region:
$166
-
Dubrovnik Food Tour with Friendly Local Guide:
$167
-
E-Bike Tour + Farm To Table Cooking Class:
$184
-
Dubrovnik Food Tour by Vidokrug:
$192
-
Rural Side of Cooking Class in Local Household:
$281
-
Croatian Cooking Class in a Local's Home in Rural Konavle:
$1,753
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.
Dubrovnik's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $12 per person, per day on transportation in Dubrovnik.
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:
-
Seoul ⇄ Alpensia / Yongpyong Ski Resort Private Van Transfers:
$469
-
Summer Activity in Korea: Water Leisure Tour at Gapyeong with Private Transfer:
$360
-
Incheon Airport / Seoul ⇄ Daemyung Vivaldi Park Ski Resort Private Van Transfers:
$267
-
Incheon Airport Transfer- Private Service between Airport and Seoul (1-13 pax):
$200
-
Private Airport Transfer: Gimpo Airport to Seoul City (1-9 pax):
$125
-
Private Airport Transfer: Seoul City to Gimpo Airport (1-9 pax):
$125
-
Departure Private Transfer Seoul City to Seoul Airport ICN by Business Minivan:
$123
-
Departure Private Transfer Seoul City to Seoul Airport ICN by Luxury Sedan:
$123
-
[COVID19] Private Incheon Airport(ICN) Transfer for Seoul & Gyeonggi-do:
$121
-
1- Day Private Seoul or Outskirts Tour (Round-trip transfer to your hotel):
$120
-
Private Transfer from Seoul Hotels to Incheon Int'l Airport:
$120
-
Private Airport Transfer: Seoul City to Incheon Airport (1-9 pax):
$120
Typical Local Transportation prices in Dubrovnik
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dubrovnik:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dubrovnik
Also for Dubrovnik, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Ultra - Private Transfer from Dubrovnik Port to Cavtat:
$9.41
-
Private Arrival Transfer: Dubrovnik Port to Dubrovnik, Orebic or Korcula Town Hotels:
$15
-
Private Departure Transfer: Dubrovnik, Orebic or Korcula Town Hotels to Dubrovnik Port:
$15
-
Shared Departure Transfer: Dubrovnik, Cavtat, Orebic and Korcula Town Hotels to Dubrovnik Airport:
$19
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Transfer Dubrovnik airport to Dubrovnik City:
$24
-
Airport Private Transfer Dubrovnik:
$25
-
Cruiser Taxi Private group Airport transfers in Dubrovnik:
$25
-
Private Airport Transfer: from Dubrovnik to Dubrovnik Airport (DBV):
$26
-
Private Airport Transfer: Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) to Dubrovnik:
$26
-
Private transfer from city Dubrovnik to airport:
$27
-
Dubrovnik Airport Transfers: Dubrovnik to Dubrovnik Airport DBV in Business Car:
$31
-
Departure Private Transfers: Dubrovnik to Dubrovnik Airport DBV in Business Car:
$31
Is it cheaper to fly into Seoul or Dubrovnik?
Prices for flights to both Dubrovnik 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.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Dubrovnik can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $18 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
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:
-
AREX Incheon Airport Express, Lotte World Pass and Running Man Thematic Experience Center Combo Package:
$17
-
Busan Skywalk, Gamcheon Culture Village, and Haedong Yonggungsa Temple Day Tour:
$37
-
Cheese Smile Studio Self Photoshoot Experience in Bukchon:
$41
-
GOT7 Ahgase Tour in Seoul:
$59
-
Han River Sevit Island Yacht Experience (Pets allowed):
$16
-
Hanbok Experience (Hanboknam Gyeongbokgung Store) with Korean Hairstyling:
$6.95
-
Instant Ticket! Korea Rail Pass (KR PASS) 2/3/4/5Days:
$96
-
Instant Ticket: Korea Rail Pass (KR PASS) 2/3/4/5 Days:
$96
-
Instant Ticket: Korea Rail Pass (KR PASS) 2/3/4/5 Days:
$93
-
Instant Ticket: Korea Rail Pass (KR PASS) 2/3/4/5 Days:
$96
-
Nami Island, Gangchon Rail Bike, Petite France, Garden of Morning Calm, and Alpaca World Day Tour:
$62
-
"Nami Island" & "Petite France" or "Garden of Morning Calm" ※ Private Tour:
$97
Typical Entertainment prices in Dubrovnik
For Dubrovnik, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Boat to Lokrum Island (for 2)
$16
-
Dubrovnik City Wall Tour (for 2)
$63
-
Dubrovnik Cable Car (for 2)
$54
Tours and Activities in Dubrovnik
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dubrovnik.
-
Walls of Liberty: an audio tour of Dubrovnik's rich history along the city walls:
$5.99
-
Gornji Ugao Tower Admission Ticket:
$7.66
-
Skip the Line: Love Stories Museum Admission Ticket:
$8.71
-
Insider’s Virtual Tour of Dubrovnik:
$8.71
-
Small-Group Guided Walking Tour of Dubrovnik:
$12
-
Dubrovnik 1-Hour Discovery Walking Tour:
$15
-
Discovery Dubrovnik walking tour:
$15
-
Dubrovnik Old Town Walking Tour:
$16
-
Dubrovnik Self-Guided Audio Tour:
$16
-
'Up with the Chickens' or "Sunset chasing" Old Town Tour:
$16
-
Dubrovnik Walking Tour:
$17
-
Dubrovnik By Night Walking Tour:
$17
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.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Dubrovnik, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $13.
Sample the Local Flavors in Seoul
Also in Seoul, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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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 Dubrovnik
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dubrovnik:
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Sunset Sea Kayaking and Wine Tasting Tour Dubrovnik:
$44
-
Wine tasting and visit to Ston- Group Tour:
$60
-
Peljesac Peninsula Wine Tour from Dubrovnik:
$61
-
Day Tour of Korcula Island from Dubrovnik with Wine Tasting:
$63
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FAMOUS LEGENDS OF PELJESAC and KORCULA with WINE TASTING:
$65
-
Island of Korcula with Wine Tasting Day Trip from Dubrovnik:
$69
-
Korčula tour with wine tasting from Dubrovnik:
$69
-
Wine tasting and visit to Ston:
$72
-
Wine Tasting Pelješac and a visit to Ston:
$72
-
Konavle Valley Wine Tour from Dubrovnik with Train Ride and Wine Tasting:
$75
-
Smiley wine tasting on peninsula Peljesac:
$76
-
Smiley Hercegovina wine tour:
$77
When comparing the travel costs between Seoul and Dubrovnik, 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. Even though Seoul is in Asia and Dubrovnik is in Europe, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
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