A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Seoul vs. Mexico City for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Seoul or Mexico City?

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 Mexico City 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.

Mexico City

Mexico City is one of the largest and most populated cities in the world. There are an estimated 26 million people living in the greater Mexico City metropolitan area. The area is about 60 kilometers by 40 kilometers and is surrounded by tall mountains and volcanoes on three sides. Mexico City proper has about 8.8 million people and is the capital of the country. More than a third of the country's economy is based here, making it the wealthiest city in all of Latin America.

Which city is cheaper, Mexico City or Seoul?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Seoul is $93, while the average daily cost in Mexico City is $137. 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. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Seoul and Mexico City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Seoul $47
    Mexico City $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Seoul $94
    Mexico City $44

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Seoul $13
    Mexico City $8.80
Typical Local Transportation prices in Seoul

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Seoul:


  • Subway Card
    $3.91
  • Short Taxi Ride
    $5.47
  • Metro Ride
    $1.06
  • Seoul City Pass Plus
    $7.82

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Seoul

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Seoul:

  • Summer Activity in Korea: Water Leisure Tour at Gapyeong with Private Transfer: $360
  • Seoul ⇄ Alpensia / Yongpyong Ski Resort Private Van Transfers: $469
  • Private transfer in Korea along with a wide range of cars (3~28pax): $75
  • Private Transfer: Seoul to Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN): $108
  • Private Transfer to Airport : Seoul to Incheon Airport ( up to 7pax): $79
  • Private Transfer from Seoul Hotels to Incheon Int'l Airport: $120
  • Private Departure Transfer from Seoul Hotels to Gimpo International Airport: $90
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Gimpo International Airport to Seoul Hotels: $90
  • Private Airport Transfer: from Seoul to Gimpo International Airport (GMP): $31
  • Private Airport Transfer: Seoul to Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN): $41
  • Private Airport Transfer: Seoul City to Incheon Airport (1-9 pax): $120
  • Private Airport Transfer: Seoul City to Incheon Airport (1-6 pax): $85

Typical Local Transportation prices in Mexico City

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Mexico City:


  • Metro
    $1.00
  • Uber Ride
    $3.50

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mexico City

Also for Mexico City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Shared Transfer Mexico city Airport - Mexico city Downtown hotels: $16
  • Private Departure transfer from Mexico City Center to Mexico City Airport (MEX): $21
  • Transfer in private vehicle from México City to México Airport: $24
  • Transfer AICM Airport - any Hotel in CD Mexico: $24
  • Private Airport Transfer: B. Juarez International Airport (MEX) to Mexico City: $27
  • Private Airport Transfer: Mexico City to B. Juarez International Airport (MEX): $27
  • Departure Shared Transfer to Mexico City Airport: $28
  • Private Departure Transfer from Mexico City Center to Mexico Airport: $29
  • Shared Arrival Transfer from Mexico City Airport: $38
  • Private Transfer From Mexico City Airport to Downtown: $42
  • Mexico City - Mexico City International Airport(MEX) -Private Departure Transfer: $44
  • Round Trip Mexico City Airport (MEX) Transfer to Mexico City Center: $45

Is it cheaper to fly into Seoul or Mexico City?

Prices for flights to both Mexico City 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 day
    Seoul $26
    Mexico City $18
Typical Food prices in Seoul

Some typical examples of dining costs in Seoul are as follows:


  • Rice with Kimchi & Bacon
    $4.69
  • Waffle
    $0.78
  • Dippin' Dots
    $1.56
  • Chicken Fried Rice
    $4.30
  • Chicken Stick
    $1.56
  • Drinking Yoghurt & Mi Chew
    $1.49
  • Lunch Buffet
    $4.69
  • Donut
    $0.78
  • Mushroom Burger
    $4.07
  • Green Tea Ice Cream
    $2.58
  • Udon & Sushi
    $5.47
  • Fresh Burger
    $3.75
  • Soba Noodles Lunch
    $3.52
  • Bibimbap Lunch
    $3.91
  • Fried Rice
    $4.30
  • Vietnamese Dinner
    $7.43
  • Breakfast and Coffee for 2
    $7.43
  • Donut
    $1.96

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Seoul

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Seoul.

  • Night Market Food Tour: $48
  • Traditional Korean Cooking Class (Kimchi) & market tour with chef Joungy: $51
  • Korean Cooking Class with Full-Course Meal & Local Market Tour: $56
  • Small-Group Korean Cooking Class in Seoul: $56
  • Traditional Cooking Experience in Korean Style House in Seoul: $58
  • Secret of Banchan (side dish) cooking!: $61
  • Traditional Korean cooking class and market visit in Seoul: $62
  • Private 3-Hour Korean Cooking Class in Seoul: $68
  • Local Flavors of Seoul at Night: Street Food Tour: $70
  • Eat like a local! Most authentic Seoul food tour: $79
  • Historic Jongro District Authentic Food Tour in Seoul: $81
  • Gwangjang Market Food Tour including Lunch: $82

Typical Food prices in Mexico City

For Mexico City, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Lunch for Two
    $11
  • Coffee and Snacks
    $3.90

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mexico City

For Mexico City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Traveling Spoon Mexican Tacos and Tortillas Private Online Cooking Class: $27
  • Withlocals The 10 Tastings: Mexico City Private Food Tour: $60
  • Private Contemporary Mexican Cooking Class Inspired by Family Recipes: $68
  • 3–Hour Polanco Food Tour: $75
  • Mexican Cooking Class: $79
  • Mexico City Private Traditional Pre-Hispanic Cooking Class: $83
  • Private Mexican Cooking Lesson in a Coyoacan Apartment: $86
  • Wrestling show and a Mexican dinner: $101
  • Private Market Tour and Authentic Mexican Cooking Class with a Local in Coyoacan: $105
  • Mexican Cooking Lesson in a Local Home: $106
  • Authentic Mexican Cooking Lesson With a Gastronomic Historian in Mexico City: $109
  • Dinner at El Lago Lakeside Restaurant Mexico City: $110

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Seoul $23
    Mexico City $10
Typical Entertainment prices in Seoul

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Seoul are as follows:


  • Palace Tickets
    $6.26
  • Movie Ticket
    $6.26
  • Kimchi Museum
    $2.35

Tours and Activities in Seoul

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Seoul are as follows:

  • "Nami Island" & "Petite France" or "Garden of Morning Calm" ※ Private Tour: $97
  • "Parasite" Filming Location Afternoon Tour with Free Jjapaguri(Ram-don): $44
  • 'My Love From The Star' TV Tour Including Petite France: $120
  • (Private) 9-Days Tasty Journey Around South Korea Tour: $3,475
  • 1 Day Seorak Mt. Private Tour: $314
  • 1 day Jeonju City tour by KTX Train from Seoul: $390
  • 10 Day Essential Korea Tour(Seoul, DMZ, Busan, Gyeongju, Andong, Jeju): $4,306
  • 1Day Customizable Private Daegu tour from Seoul by KTX train: $462
  • 2 Day Essential Tour-Nami Island,Petite Fr. and Mt.Seorak(Inc. Accom. & 4 Meals): $741
  • 2 Day Private: Rakkojae Korean Cultural Heritage Tour via Andong Hahoe Village: $654
  • 2 Day Tour for Seoul City/Nami, Petite,Garden of Morning Calm(Inc. Lun. & Din.): $555
  • 2 Days Gyeongju Private Tour from Seoul and Near Seoul: $490

Tours and Activities in Mexico City

For Mexico City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • MUCHO Museum of Chocolate Entrance Ticket: $3.79
  • Museo del Tequila y el Mezcal Tour and Tasting: $20
  • City at Night Walking tour: $20
  • Customizable Tour with a Private Guide: $25
  • Tickets to Frida Kahlo & Diego Rivera Museum Skip The Line FREE CANCELATION: $25
  • Mexico City Tour with Anthropology Museum entrance fee included: $27
  • Tickets & Transport to Frida Kahlo's Museum & Diego Rivera's Studio: $28
  • National Palace and Metropolitan Cathedral Tour: $29
  • Private tour to Anthropology Museum: $29
  • Full-Day City Tour with Anthropology Museum: $33
  • Teotihuacan + Basilica de Guadalupe + Tlatelolco Tour!: $34
  • Teotihuacan, Shrine of Guadalupe & Tlatelolco All-Inclusive Tour: $35

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Seoul $10
    Mexico City $14

Sample the Local Flavors in Seoul

Also in Seoul, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Seoul Pub Crawl and Party with Free Shots: $24
  • Pub Crawl and Party at City's Best Bars and Clubs: $25
  • 3-Hour Small Group Korean Pub Crawl + Food Tasting in Hongdae: $86

Sample the Local Flavors in Mexico City

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Mexico City:

  • Full-Day Peña de Bernal Wine Tours: $220

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Seoul and Mexico City, we can see that Mexico City 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 Mexico City 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 Mexico City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mexico City than you might in Seoul.

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Seoul vs. Mexico City Travel Comparison

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