Should you visit Seoul or Mexico City?
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 $101, while the average daily cost in Mexico City is $138. 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 Mexico City 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 $44 in Mexico City 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.
While meal prices in Mexico City can vary, the average travelers spends about $18 per day on food. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out, an average meal in Mexico City should cost around $7.20 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Mexico City is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
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Food
Meals for one day
Seoul $28
Mexico City $18
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
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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
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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
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Traditional Korean Cooking Class (Kimchi) & market tour with chef Joungy:
$51
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Korean Full-Course Meal Cooking Class at Local Home with Local Market Experience in Seoul:
$52
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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 Mexico City
For Mexico City, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for Two
$11
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Coffee and Snacks
$3.92
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:
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Traveling Spoon Mexican Tacos and Tortillas Private Online Cooking Class:
$27
-
Withlocals The 10 Tastings: Mexico City Private Food Tour:
$60
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Private Contemporary Mexican Cooking Class Inspired by Family Recipes:
$68
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Mexico City Private Traditional Pre-Hispanic Cooking Class:
$83
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Private Mexican Cooking Lesson in a Coyoacan Apartment:
$86
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Wrestling show and a Mexican dinner:
$101
-
Private Market Tour and Authentic Mexican Cooking Class with a Local in Coyoacan:
$105
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Mexican Cooking Lesson in a Local Home:
$106
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Authentic Mexican Cooking Lesson With a Gastronomic Historian in Mexico City:
$109
-
Taco Night Private Food Tour in Mexico City:
$112
-
Traditional Mexican Cooking Class in a Beautiful Home:
$119
-
Private Market Tour and Hands-On Home Cooking With a Local in Mexico City:
$123
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.
Mexico City'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 $8.84 per person, per day on transportation in Mexico City.
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
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Short Taxi Ride
$5.98
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Metro Ride
$1.15
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Seoul City Pass Plus
$8.54
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Seoul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Seoul:
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[COVID19] Private Incheon Airport(ICN) Transfer for Seoul & Gyeonggi-do:
$121
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Summer Activity in Korea: Water Leisure Tour at Gapyeong with Private Transfer:
$360
-
Shuttle Bus Transfers between Seoul and Everland by Daesung Tour:
$9.35
-
Shared Transfers between Myeongdong and N Seoul Tower:
$5.19
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Shared One Way Transfer from Seoul to Nami Island or Gangchon Rail Bike:
$6.59
-
Shared Airport Transfers (ICN/GMP) for Seoul:
$25
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Seoul ⇄ Alpensia / Yongpyong Ski Resort Private Van Transfers:
$469
-
Round Trip Shuttle Bus Transfers to Everland from Seoul by JINA International Travel:
$9.35
-
Round Trip Shuttle Bus Transfers to Everland by World Travel:
$8.65
-
Round Trip Everland Shuttle Bus Transfers from Seoul by World Travel:
$8.25
-
Round Trip DMZ Shuttle Bus Transfers from Seoul:
$22
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Private transfer in Korea along with a wide range of cars (3~28pax):
$75
Typical Local Transportation prices in Mexico City
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Mexico City:
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Metro
$1.01
-
Uber Ride
$3.52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mexico City
Also for Mexico City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Shared Transfer Mexico city Airport - Mexico city Downtown hotels:
$16
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Private Departure transfer from Mexico City Center to Mexico City Airport (MEX):
$21
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Transfer in private vehicle from México City to México Airport:
$24
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Transfer AICM Airport - any Hotel in CD Mexico:
$24
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Private Airport Transfer: B. Juarez International Airport (MEX) to Mexico City:
$27
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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
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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.
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 Mexico City can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $10 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:
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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
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Instant Ticket! Korea Rail Pass (KR PASS) 2/3/4/5Days:
$96
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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
Tours and Activities in Mexico City
For Mexico City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Museo del Tequila y el Mezcal Tour and Tasting:
$20
-
Customizable Tour with a Private Guide:
$25
-
Tickets to Frida Kahlo & Diego Rivera Museum Skip The Line FREE CANCELATION:
$25
-
Full-Day City Tour with Anthropology Museum:
$27
-
Mexico City Tour with Anthropology Museum entrance fee included:
$27
-
Tickets & Transport to Frida Kahlo's Museum & Diego Rivera's Studio:
$28
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Private tour to Anthropology Museum:
$29
-
Xochimilco & Coyoacan Full-Day Tour with Frida Kahlo Museum:
$32
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Teotihuacan + Basilica de Guadalupe + Tlatelolco Tour!:
$34
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Teotihuacan, Shrine of Guadalupe & Tlatelolco All-Inclusive Tour:
$35
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Full City Tour/español-ingles:
$36
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From Teotihuacan and Guadalupe Shrine Day Tour:
$36
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.
Typically, people visiting Mexico City spend on average $14 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
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 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
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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