Which place is cheaper, Havana or Seoul?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Seoul or Havana?
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 Havana can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Seoul or Havana?
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.
Havana
The city of Havana is at the top of most peoples' bucket list - mostly because of the allure of a forbidden land. Before the Communist revolution, Cuba was a popular tourist destination. Since it has reopened in the 1990s, it has drawn tourists from all over the world (except the US).
This capital city is a land trapped in the past. With 50 years of neglect, when you step off the plane, prepare to step back in time. A trip to Havana is meant for those with truly open minds - and when they arrive they'll be swept away.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to South Korea, and The Best Adventure Tours to South Korea.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySeoul $109Havana $65
The average daily cost (per person) in Seoul is $109, while the average daily cost in Havana is $65. 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 Havana in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSeoul $55Havana $40
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSeoul $110Havana $80
Compare Hotels in Seoul and Havana
Looking for a hotel in Seoul or Havana? 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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Seoul $16Havana $19
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 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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Havana
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Havana:
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Short Taxi Ride$0.68
Is it cheaper to fly into Seoul or Havana?
Prices for flights to both Havana 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 $30Havana $10
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 Havana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Havana:
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Pizza$0.03
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Seoul $27Havana $11
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySeoul $12Havana $5.76
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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Havana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Havana:
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Mojito$0.15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Seoul and Havana, we can see that Seoul is more expensive. And not only is Havana much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Seoul is in Asia and Havana is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Havana would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Havana 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 Havana.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Seoul Expensive? and Is Havana Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Seoul or Havana?
Seoul has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Havana. When comparing the sizes of Seoul and Havana, 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 Havana?
Seoul has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Havana experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Seoul or Havana in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Seoul and Havana. The summer months attract visitors to Seoul because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Seoul is around the same temperature as Havana. Typically, the summer temperatures in Seoul in July average around 26°C (78°F), and Havana averages at about 27°C (81°F).
Seoul gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Seoul usually receives more rain than Havana. Seoul gets 369 mm (14.5 in) of rain, while Havana receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySeoul 26°C (78°F)Havana 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Seoul or Havana in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Seoul as well as Havana. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Seoul this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year.
In October, Seoul is generally much colder than Havana. Daily temperatures in Seoul average around 15°C (59°F), and Havana fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
Seoul usually gets less rain in October than Havana. Seoul gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Havana receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSeoul 15°C (59°F)Havana 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Seoul or Havana in the Winter?
Both Havana and Seoul are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Seoul for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Havana because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Seoul. Seoul is much colder than Havana in the winter. The daily temperature in Seoul averages around -3°C (27°F) in January, and Havana fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
In January, Seoul usually receives more rain than Havana. Seoul gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Havana receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySeoul -3°C (27°F)Havana 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Seoul or Havana in the Spring?
Both Havana and Seoul during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Seoul in the spring for the activities around the city. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round.
In the spring, Seoul is much colder than Havana. Typically, the spring temperatures in Seoul in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Havana averages at about 24°C (75°F).
Seoul usually gets more rain in April than Havana. Seoul gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Havana receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSeoul 13°C (55°F)Havana 24°C (75°F)
Typical Weather for Havana and Seoul
| Seoul | Havana | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -3°C (27°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Feb | -0°C (32°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (42°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| May | 18°C (65°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (78°F) | 369 mm (14.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (80°F) | 294 mm (11.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (71°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (59°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 8°C (46°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Dec | 0°C (33°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 30 mm (1.2 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.