Which place is cheaper, Seoul or Tianjin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tianjin or Seoul?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tianjin or Seoul? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Tianjin or Seoul?
Tianjin
Tianjin is a large metropolis on the north east coast of China. This ancient city, which dates back to prehistoric times, is one of five National Central Cities of China and is rich in culture and history. Tianjin is most famous for its beautiful walking streets and history of European concession territories.
Tianjin experiences hot and humid summers, with temperatures reaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Winters are cool and dry with temperatures around 15° (F). Spring and Autumn tend to be the best times to visit as weather is a little more mild, although Spring has a tendency to be a little rainy.
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 Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to South Korea, and The Best Adventure Tours to South Korea.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTianjin $76Seoul $107
The average daily cost (per person) in Tianjin is $76, while the average daily cost in Seoul is $107. 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 Tianjin and Seoul in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTianjin $34Seoul $54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTianjin $68Seoul $108
Compare Hotels in Tianjin and Seoul
Looking for a hotel in Tianjin 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.Tianjin $36Seoul $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tianjin
Also for Tianjin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Tianjin Airport Chauffeur Service, Tianjin Airport Transfer: $13
- Tianjin Airport Chauffeur Service, Tianjin Airport Transfer: $18
- Tianjin Binhai International Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Area : $29
- Private Arrival Transfer:Any Tianjin Railway Station to City Hotel: $30
- Private Departure Transfer: Bejing City Hotel to Airport: $32
- Private Transfer from Tianjin Port to Tianjin Binhai Airport TSN: $33
- Private Transfer from Tianjin Binhai Airport TSN to Tianjin Port: $33
- Private Transfer from Tianjin Binhai Airport to Tianjin Port: $36
- Private Arrival Transfer: Tianjin Binhai International Airport (TSN) to Hotel: $39
- Tianjin Airport (TSN) to Tianjin RoundTrip Private Transfer: $50
- Tianjin Port Private transfers to Tianjin train station: $50
- Private Transfer from Tianjin City Hotels to Tianjin Cruise Port: $52
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$3.62
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Short Taxi Ride$5.07
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Metro Ride$0.98
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Seoul City Pass Plus$7.24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Seoul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Seoul:
- Private Airport Transfer: Seoul City to Incheon Airport 1-12 pax: $204
- Private Airport Transfer: Gimpo Airport to Seoul City (1-12 pax): $167
- Private Airport Transfer: Seoul City to Gimpo Airport (1-12 pax): $167
- Private Airport Transfer * Incheon Airport <-> Seoul (1-5 people): $101
- Private Transfer l Airport to/from Seoul: $100
- Private Transfer To/From Incheon Airport: $99
- Private Airport Transfer : Incheon airport to/from Seoul(~7 pax): $99
- Private Airport Transfer: Seoul City to Incheon Airport (1-5 pax): $98
- Incheon Airport Private Transfer between Seoul City: $98
- Private Airport Transfer : Gimpo airport to/from Seoul (1~7pax): $95
- Seoul Airport: Private Departure Transfer from Seoul City Center: $87
- Seoul Incheon International Airport to from Incheon Private Transfer: $85
Is it cheaper to fly into Tianjin or Seoul?
Prices for flights to both Seoul and Tianjin 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 dayTianjin $20Seoul $30
Typical Food Prices in Seoul
Some typical examples of dining costs in Seoul are as follows:
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Rice with Kimchi & Bacon$4.34
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Waffle$0.72
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Dippin' Dots$1.45
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Chicken Fried Rice$3.98
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Chicken Stick$1.45
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Drinking Yoghurt & Mi Chew$1.38
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Lunch Buffet$4.34
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Donut$0.72
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Mushroom Burger$3.76
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Green Tea Ice Cream$2.39
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Udon & Sushi$5.07
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Fresh Burger$3.48
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Soba Noodles Lunch$3.26
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Bibimbap Lunch$3.62
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Fried Rice$3.98
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Vietnamese Dinner$6.88
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Breakfast and Coffee for 2$6.88
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Donut$1.81
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Seoul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Seoul.
- Gyeongbokgung Palace : Tour, dinner and coffee: $36
- Seoul Mangwon Market Social Night Food Tour: $44
- Grandma's Home Cooking Class at Korean House l Seoul: $45
- Namdaemun Market: the Largest Traditional Market Food Tour: $46
- Namdaemun Market Street Food Tour: $47
- Mangwon Market Food tour By Locals;Cheap Eats to Fancy Feast: $53
- Gwangjang Market Netflix Food Tour: $54
- Guided City Wall Sunset Hike with Korean Dinner: $57
- Sunset Walking Tour in Naksan Park with Dinner: $59
- Night Market Food Tour: $70
- Energizing Korean Cooking Class in a Local Home in Seoul: $71
- Night Market Food Tour: $72
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tianjin $10Seoul $26
Tours and Activities in Tianjin
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tianjin.
- Tianjin Private Walking Tour Guided by a Lady Worked in Europe: $151
- Tianjin Cruise Port To Beijing Hotel With the English Speaking Driver: $160
- 5-Hour Private Tianjin Shopping Tour from Tianjin Cruise Port: $179
- Tianjin Cruise Port To Beijing Capital Airport With the English Speaking Driver: $187
- Private Tianjin City Highlight Day Tour: $188
- Tianjin Cruise Port To Beijing Daxing Airport With the English Speaking Driver: $203
- Bullet Train Private Tour: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Temple of Heaven: $219
- 1 Day Tianjin City Essence Tour from Tianjin Port: $235
- Tianjin Private Tour to Eastern Qing Tombs with Flexible Departure time: $237
- Private Tianjin Day Tour to Huangyaguan Great Wall and Dule Temple: $238
- Tianjin Shore Excursion: Huangyaguan Great Wall Private Day Tour: $238
- Bullet Train Private Tour: Beijing Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Great Wall: $239
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$5.79
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Movie Ticket$5.79
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Kimchi Museum$2.17
Tours and Activities in Seoul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Seoul are as follows:
- Full Day Tour Jeonju Hanok Village, Wansan Park and Gakwonsa: $72
- Private Tour Nami Island with Petite France 'and/or' The Garden of Morning Calm: $98
- (Private tour) Nami Island + Railbike + Garden of morning calm: $220
- 2-Hour Makgeolli Tasting Experience in Seoul: $37
- 2-Hour Private Kayaking and Paddleboarding Experience in Hanriver: $30
- 3 Hour Walking Tour in Songpa Seoul: $49
- 3-Hour Self-guided Sokcho Tour with Private Transportation: $33
- 365-day DMZ Special Tour including Monday & National Holiday: $55
- ARMY must visit BTS tour in Seoul: $55
- Activity - Mt. Bukhan Hiking Guided Tour: $150
- Afternoon Half Day Seoul City Tour, visit Queen's dorm: $67
- All in One Full Day Tour 2 (Palace & Korean Folk Village): $125
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTianjin $11Seoul $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Seoul
Also in Seoul, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Chunpoong Makgeolli Brewery Tour: $10
- The Seoul Pub Crawl [official]: $21
- Pub Crawl: $25
- The Seoul Pub Crawl [official]: $25
- Soju Tasting at Distillery - story of 3 pigs: $42
- Soju Tasting at Distillery - Story of Three Pigs: $42
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tianjin and Seoul, we can see that Seoul is more expensive. And not only is Tianjin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tianjin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tianjin 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 Tianjin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tianjin Expensive? and Is Seoul Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tianjin or Seoul?
Seoul has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Tianjin. When comparing the sizes of Tianjin 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 Tianjin or Seoul?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Tianjin or Seoul in the Summer?
Both Seoul and Tianjin during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Seoul for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Tianjin is around the same temperature as Seoul. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tianjin in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Seoul averages at about 26°C (78°F).
It's quite sunny in Tianjin. In the summer, Tianjin often gets more sunshine than Seoul. Tianjin gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seoul receives 121 hours of full sun.
Seoul gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Tianjin. Tianjin usually gets less rain in July than Seoul. Tianjin gets 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 369 mm (14.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyTianjin 27°C (80°F)Seoul 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Tianjin or Seoul in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tianjin and Seoul. Furthermore, many visitors come to Seoul in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
In October, Tianjin is generally around the same temperature as Seoul. Daily temperatures in Tianjin average around 15°C (58°F), and Seoul fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Seoul this time of the year. In Tianjin, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tianjin usually receives more sunshine than Seoul during autumn. Tianjin gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Seoul receives 204 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Tianjin usually receives less rain than Seoul. Tianjin gets 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTianjin 15°C (58°F)Seoul 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Tianjin or Seoul in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Tianjin as well as Seoul. Additionally, most visitors come to Seoul for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Seoul can be very cold during winter. Tianjin can get quite cold in the winter. Tianjin is cooler than Seoul in the winter. The daily temperature in Tianjin averages around -3°C (27°F) in January, and Seoul fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tianjin this time of the year. In the winter, Tianjin often gets more sunshine than Seoul. Tianjin gets 201 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seoul receives 163 hours of full sun.
Tianjin usually gets less rain in January than Seoul. Tianjin gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryTianjin -3°C (27°F)Seoul -3°C (27°F)
Should I visit Tianjin or Seoul in the Spring?
Both Seoul and Tianjin are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Seoul because of the activities around the city.
In the spring, Tianjin is a little warmer than Seoul. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tianjin in April average around 14°C (58°F), and Seoul averages at about 13°C (55°F).
It's quite sunny in Seoul. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tianjin. Tianjin usually receives more sunshine than Seoul during spring. Tianjin gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Seoul receives 205 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Tianjin usually receives less rain than Seoul. Tianjin gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilTianjin 14°C (58°F)Seoul 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Seoul and Tianjin
| Tianjin | Seoul | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -3°C (27°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | -3°C (27°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Feb | -1°C (31°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 9 mm (0.3 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (58°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| May | 21°C (69°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 369 mm (14.5 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 155 mm (6.1 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 294 mm (11.6 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (58°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (43°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | -1°C (31°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.