Which place is cheaper, Saint John or Seoul?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Seoul or Saint John?
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 Saint John can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Seoul or Saint John?
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.
Saint John
With the popularity of the Caribbean rising, many islands have become touristy and expensive – but not St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
At only nine miles long and five miles wide, St. John is the smallest of the Virgin Islands, and, many argue, the prettiest. It's the kind of place that has maintained it's cultural identity, but still welcomes visitors from all over the world. With a population of just 5,000, the residents of St. John know everyone and everything happening on the island.
This island is perfect for people who want an undisturbed island getaway at any price. Between resorts and campgrounds there is a spot for everyone on St. John.
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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Seoul Prices
South Korea PricesSaint John Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySeoul $128Saint John $233
The average daily cost (per person) in Seoul is $128, while the average daily cost in Saint John is $233. 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 Saint John in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSeoul $54Saint John $106
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSeoul $108Saint John $212
Compare Hotels in Seoul and Saint John
Looking for a hotel in Seoul or Saint John? 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 $15Saint John $49
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$3.58
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Short Taxi Ride$5.01
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Metro Ride$0.97
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Seoul City Pass Plus$7.16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Seoul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Seoul:
- From Round-Trip Transfer to Dae Jang Geum Park: $50
- Incheon Airport (ICN) Transfer to Seoul/Suwon/Seongnam/Yongin: $68
- Incheon Airport transfer directly to Seoul city: $113
- Incheon International Airport (ICN): Private Seoul Transfer: $95
- Premium Seoul Airport Transfer: Affordable & Convenience: $105
- Private Airport Transfer * Incheon Airport <-> Seoul (1-5 people): $99
- Private Airport Transfer - Incheon Airport ⇔ Seoul (Up to 7 or 11 people): $130
- Private Airport Transfer : Gimpo airport to/from Seoul (1~7pax): $89
- Private Airport Transfer : Incheon to/from Seoul (up to 7 pax): $98
- Private Airport Transfer From Incheon Airport To Seoul(up to 12): $190
- Private Airport Transfer Gimpo Intl Airport (GMP) to Seoul City: $83
- Private Airport Transfer: Gimpo Airport to Seoul City (1-12 pax): $167
Is it cheaper to fly into Seoul or Saint John?
Prices for flights to both Saint John 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 $51Saint John $97
Typical Food Prices in Seoul
Some typical examples of dining costs in Seoul are as follows:
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Rice with Kimchi & Bacon$4.30
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Waffle$0.72
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Dippin' Dots$1.43
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Chicken Fried Rice$3.94
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Chicken Stick$1.43
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Drinking Yoghurt & Mi Chew$1.36
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Lunch Buffet$4.30
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Donut$0.72
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Mushroom Burger$3.72
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Green Tea Ice Cream$2.36
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Udon & Sushi$5.01
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Fresh Burger$3.44
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Soba Noodles Lunch$3.22
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Bibimbap Lunch$3.58
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Fried Rice$3.94
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Vietnamese Dinner$6.80
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Breakfast and Coffee for 2$6.80
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Donut$1.79
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Seoul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Seoul.
- Guided Street Food Tour at Namdaemun Market: $45
- Seoul Night Run for Local-Favorite Korean BBQ Dinner: $50
- [Wine & K-BBQ] A Perfect Pairing Dinner in Sinchon: $51
- Wine & K-BBQ: A Perfect Pairing Dinner: $53
- Mangwon Market Food tour By Locals; Cheap Eats to Fancy Feast: $53
- Mangwon Market Food tour By Locals;Cheap Eats to Fancy Feast: $57
- Kimchi Dishes Cooking Class with Wine Pairing: $61
- Gwangjang Market Netflix Food Tour: $64
- Namdaemun Market Food Tour: $65
- Seoul by Night: Palaces, Market & Street Food Tour (Vegan Option): $65
- Guided City Wall Sunset Hike with Korean Dinner: $67
- Cooking Class in Seoul with Korean Grandma: $68
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Seoul $26Saint John $23
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$5.73
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Movie Ticket$5.73
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Kimchi Museum$2.15
Tours and Activities in Seoul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Seoul are as follows:
- K-Culture Adventure in Seoul Self-Guided Walking Tour : $3.58
- Gyeongbokgung Palace Hanbok Rental Experience in Seoul: $7.00
- Seoul Changdeokgung Palace Hanbok Experience Hanboknam (내국인불가): $7.10
- Alternative A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Gwanghwamun Tour l 120 Minutes to Understand South Korea: $10
- [Seoul] Football Faentasium Admission Ticket (내국인 불가): $10
- Gwanghwamun Tour about Korean Society and Local Mindset: $11
- Street Hustle Adventure in Seoul: $11
- SPAREX Jjimjilbang Sauna Dongmyo branch Admission Ticket(내국인불가): $11
- Skip the Line: Figure Museum W Ticket (내국인 불가): $11
- Dynamic Maze Discount Ticket Insa-dong(내국인불가): $12
- Seoul Job Experience Theme Park Ticket for Kid (내국인 불가): $13
Tours and Activities in Saint John
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- St. John: A Private Island Adventure Tour & Trunk Bay Beach: $627
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySeoul $12Saint John $44
Sample the Local Flavors in Seoul
Also in Seoul, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl: $25
- The Seoul Pub Crawl [official]: $26
- LGBTQ+ Pub Crawl and Drag Show with Local Drag Queen: $28
- Rice Wine Tasting with Sommelier - Finest Makgeolli (& Soju): $42
- Rice Wine Tasting with Sommelier - Finest Makgeolli (& Soju): $46
- Soju Tasting at Distillery: $51
- Premium Pub Crawl with Open Bottles: $57
- Chunpoong Makgeolli Brewery Tour: $59
- Korean Craft Makgeolli Brewery Tour & Tasting Experience: $60
- Craft Makgeolli Brewery Tour & Tasting Experience: $67
- Itaewon Premium Pub Crawl with Open Bottles: $73
- Learn and Craft Makgeolli in a Traditional Brewery: $78
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Seoul and Saint John, we can see that Saint John 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 Saint John 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 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 Saint John would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John 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 Saint John Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Seoul or Saint John?
Seoul has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint John experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Seoul or Saint John in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Seoul and Saint John. Many visitors come to Seoul in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Seoul is generally cooler than Saint John. Daily temperatures in Seoul average around 26°C (78°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
Seoul gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Seoul usually receives more rain than Saint John. Seoul gets 369 mm (14.5 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySeoul 26°C (78°F)Saint John 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Seoul or Saint John in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Seoul as well as Saint John. Most visitors come to Seoul for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.
Seoul is much colder than Saint John in the autumn. The daily temperature in Seoul averages around 15°C (59°F) in October, and Saint John fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It's quite rainy in Saint John. Seoul usually gets less rain in October than Saint John. Seoul gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSeoul 15°C (59°F)Saint John 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Seoul or Saint John in the Winter?
Both Saint John and Seoul are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Seoul because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The weather in Seoul can be very cold. In the winter, Seoul is much colder than Saint John. Typically, the winter temperatures in Seoul in January average around -3°C (27°F), and Saint John averages at about 26°C (78°F).
In January, Seoul usually receives less rain than Saint John. Seoul gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySeoul -3°C (27°F)Saint John 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Seoul or Saint John in the Spring?
Both Saint John and Seoul during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city are the main draw to Seoul this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.
In April, Seoul is generally much colder than Saint John. Daily temperatures in Seoul average around 13°C (55°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
Seoul usually gets more rain in April than Saint John. Seoul gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSeoul 13°C (55°F)Saint John 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint John and Seoul
| Seoul | Saint John | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -3°C (27°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | -0°C (32°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (42°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 18°C (65°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (78°F) | 369 mm (14.5 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (80°F) | 294 mm (11.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (71°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (59°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 8°C (46°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 0°C (33°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 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.