Which place is cheaper, Lyon or Seoul?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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 Lyon can help you decide which place is right for you.
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.
Lyon is a quaint, authentic, and historic city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.
You'll generally find more things to do in Seoul than Lyon. Seoul is bigger than Lyon, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Seoul is better known for its music, shopping, and big city activities, while Lyon is more popular for its museums, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Lyon is more touristy than Seoul and is known for its world-renowned cuisine, charming old town, and vibrant new town. Seoul is well known for its shopping malls, colorful street markets, beautiful parks, and vibrant energy. Also, Seoul is famous for Gyeongbokgung Palace.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Lyon and Seoul. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Lyon is very popular for its sights and museums. Also, Seoul is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.
The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Lyon are among the most recognizable in the world. There are many world class museums and historic landmarks in the city including Musée des Beaux Arts, Musée de la Civilisation Gallo-Romaine, and Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière.
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.
Both Seoul and Lyon offer terrific local cuisine and restaurants.
Seoul has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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).
Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Lyon is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. Known as "the Gastronomic Capital of the World" this city stands above the rest when it comes to Michelin star restaurants (there are 17!), fresh ingredients, and unique local flavors. Favorite local dishes include pâté en croûte, rosette de Lyon, and saucisson brioché.
Both Seoul and Lyon are excellent when it comes to partying.
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.
Lyon has a large number of nightlife venues. The city has enough diverse neighborhoods that you'll find a scene that is great for everyone. There are dance clubs, cocktail bars, and wine bars that meet every personality and style.
Seoul is an amazing city to visit for its live music scene. However, Lyon 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.
Lyon is not a live music destination.
Lyon is very popular for its old town. However, Seoul does not have a historic old town.
Lyon has a world-famous historical area. This impressive old town climbs from the river into Fourvière Hill. It's a Renaissance era district with beautiful buildings and plenty of character. You can spend days wandering the quaint streets and popping in the world class restaurants.
Seoul does not have a historic old town.
Seoul is an amazing city to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Lyon 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.
Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Lyon. The city has many trendy markets, pedestrian shopping areas, and character-filled boutiques. From the charming shops in old town to the chic shopping streets, there are plenty of places to splurge around town.
You'll find excellent kid-friendly activities in either Seoul or Lyon.
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.
You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Lyon. The city has many kid-friendly museums including Musée des Confluences and the Cinema and Miniature Museum. There are also playgrounds, patisseries, and river cruises that you can enjoy as a family. Puppet shows are also fun, but do note that they're usually in French. While the restaurants are amazing for adults, it can be tricky to find a kid-friendly option with early opening hours that are convenient for little ones.
Both Seoul and Lyon are excellent destinations to visit as a couple.
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.
Lyon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples can enjoy wandering the beautiful Old Town, taking a river cruise, and dining on some of the best food in France.
Lyon is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Seoul is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.
Lyon is a great city to visit for backpackers. The city has several hostels and a number of activities that are fun for budget travelers and backpackers.
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.
Lyon is very popular for students. Also, Seoul is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.
Students come from all over the world to visit Lyon. It is a very livable city with many fun cultural activities for students. There are many different entertainment options during the day, and during the evening there are plenty of places to hang out.
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.
Both Seoul and Lyon offer terrific public transit options.
Seoul has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. The modern and clean transportation system includes both a subway and buses.
With a huge network, the transit system in Lyon can get you around easily. The city has a metro, trams, and buses, that make it easy to get around.
Seoul and Lyon both are excellent when exploring on foot.
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.
Lyon is a very walkable destination. The old town is particularly walkable, but the hills can make things a bit challenging. There are also a number of pedestrian streets around town.
For even more information, also check out Is Seoul Worth Visiting? and Is Lyon Worth Visiting?.
In either Seoul or Lyon, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Seoul than Lyon because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Seoul, and 2-5 days is enough time in Lyon.
Families should spend more time in Lyon than Seoul. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Lyon, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lyon than Seoul 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 Lyon.
Seoul is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.
In Lyon, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this beautiful big city offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.
Seoul is a fun place to experience. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lyon. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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.
Seoul is a high energy big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.
Lyon is a fun place to experience. In Lyon, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this quaint big city offers. Visiting the old town is also a must. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.
Seoul is a colorful city where you can fill many days. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.
You'll find food and shopping around the cultural big city of Lyon. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Seoul is $109, while the average daily cost in Lyon is $134. 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 Lyon in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Seoul or Lyon? 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Seoul:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Seoul:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Lyon:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lyon:
Prices for flights to both Lyon 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.
Some typical examples of dining costs in Seoul are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Seoul.
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lyon are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lyon.
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Seoul are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Seoul are as follows:
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lyon are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lyon are as follows:
Also in Seoul, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Lyon from other travelers:
Also in Lyon, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Seoul and Lyon, we can see that Lyon 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 Lyon is in Europe, 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 Lyon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lyon 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 Lyon Expensive?.
Seoul has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Lyon. When comparing the sizes of Seoul and Lyon, 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.
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.
Both Lyon and Seoul are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Seoul this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Lyon for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Seoul is a little warmer than Lyon in the summer. The daily temperature in Seoul averages around 26°C (78°F) in July, and Lyon fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).
It's quite sunny in Lyon. Seoul usually receives less sunshine than Lyon during summer. Seoul gets 121 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Seoul. In July, Seoul usually receives more rain than Lyon. Seoul gets 369 mm (14.5 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Both Lyon and Seoul during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Seoul for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, many visitors come to Lyon in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Seoul is a little warmer than Lyon. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Seoul in October average around 15°C (59°F), and Lyon averages at about 14°C (56°F).
It's quite sunny in Seoul. In the autumn, Seoul often gets more sunshine than Lyon. Seoul gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 127 hours of full sun.
Seoul usually gets less rain in October than Lyon. Seoul gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Seoul and Lyon. Many visitors come to Seoul in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Lyon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Lyon can be very cold during winter. Seoul can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Seoul is generally much colder than Lyon. Daily temperatures in Seoul average around -3°C (27°F), and Lyon fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
Seoul usually receives more sunshine than Lyon during winter. Seoul gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Seoul usually receives less rain than Lyon. Seoul gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
The spring brings many poeple to Seoul as well as Lyon. Most visitors come to Seoul for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Lyon because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Seoul is a little warmer than Lyon in the spring. The daily temperature in Seoul averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Lyon fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Seoul this time of the year. In the spring, Seoul often gets more sunshine than Lyon. Seoul gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 174 hours of full sun.
Seoul usually gets more rain in April than Lyon. Seoul gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
Seoul | Lyon | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | -3°C (27°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 55 mm (2.1 in) |
Feb | -0°C (32°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
Mar | 6°C (42°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
May | 18°C (65°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) |
Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
Jul | 26°C (78°F) | 369 mm (14.5 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
Aug | 26°C (80°F) | 294 mm (11.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
Sep | 22°C (71°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
Oct | 15°C (59°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
Nov | 8°C (46°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
Dec | 0°C (33°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) |