Which place is cheaper, Seoul or Shijiazhuang?
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 Shijiazhuang or Seoul?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Shijiazhuang and Seoul can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Shijiazhuang or Seoul?
Shijiazhuang
Shijiazhuang is the capital city of Hebei Province in China. It is a fairly young city, acting as the regional transport hub and economic center, though there are a few sights worth seeing. The city is also the largest pharmaceutical hub in China, as well as an important center for textile, IT, manufacturing, and chemical industries.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to South Korea, and The Best Adventure Tours to South Korea.
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Shijiazhuang Prices
China PricesSeoul Prices
South Korea Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayShijiazhuang $91Seoul $128
The average daily cost (per person) in Shijiazhuang is $91, while the average daily cost in Seoul is $128. 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 Shijiazhuang and Seoul in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personShijiazhuang $44Seoul $54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomShijiazhuang $88Seoul $108
Compare Hotels in Shijiazhuang and Seoul
Looking for a hotel in Shijiazhuang or Seoul? 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.Shijiazhuang $27Seoul $15
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 Shijiazhuang or Seoul?
Prices for flights to both Seoul and Shijiazhuang 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 dayShijiazhuang $32Seoul $51
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.Shijiazhuang $4.41Seoul $26
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayShijiazhuang $5.21Seoul $12
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 Shijiazhuang and Seoul, we can see that Seoul is more expensive. And not only is Shijiazhuang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Shijiazhuang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Shijiazhuang 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 Shijiazhuang.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Shijiazhuang Expensive? and Is Seoul Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Shijiazhuang or Seoul?
Seoul has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Shijiazhuang. When comparing the sizes of Shijiazhuang and Seoul, 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 Shijiazhuang or Seoul?
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.
Should I visit Shijiazhuang or Seoul in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Shijiazhuang and Seoul. Also, most visitors come to Seoul for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Shijiazhuang is around the same temperature as Seoul in the summer. The daily temperature in Shijiazhuang averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Seoul fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
Seoul receives a lot of rain in the summer. Shijiazhuang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Shijiazhuang usually receives less rain than Seoul. Shijiazhuang gets 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 369 mm (14.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyShijiazhuang 27°C (81°F)Seoul 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Shijiazhuang or Seoul in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Shijiazhuang as well as Seoul. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Seoul because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
In the autumn, Shijiazhuang is around the same temperature as Seoul. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Shijiazhuang in October average around 15°C (59°F), and Seoul averages at about 15°C (59°F).
Shijiazhuang usually gets less rain in October than Seoul. Shijiazhuang gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberShijiazhuang 15°C (59°F)Seoul 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Shijiazhuang or Seoul in the Winter?
Both Seoul and Shijiazhuang are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Seoul this time of year.
It's quite cold in Seoul in the winter. The weather in Shijiazhuang can be very cold. In January, Shijiazhuang is generally much warmer than Seoul. Daily temperatures in Shijiazhuang average around -2°C (29°F), and Seoul fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).
In January, Shijiazhuang usually receives less rain than Seoul. Shijiazhuang gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryShijiazhuang -2°C (29°F)Seoul -3°C (27°F)
Should I visit Shijiazhuang or Seoul in the Spring?
Both Seoul and Shijiazhuang during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Seoul for the activities around the city.
Shijiazhuang is a little warmer than Seoul in the spring. The daily temperature in Shijiazhuang averages around 15°C (60°F) in April, and Seoul fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
Shijiazhuang usually gets less rain in April than Seoul. Shijiazhuang gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilShijiazhuang 15°C (60°F)Seoul 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Seoul and Shijiazhuang
| Shijiazhuang | Seoul | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (29°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | -3°C (27°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Feb | 1°C (33°F) | 9 mm (0.3 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (46°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (60°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| May | 21°C (71°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 369 mm (14.5 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 294 mm (11.6 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (59°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 1°C (33°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 0°C (33°F) | 22 mm (0.9 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.