Which place is cheaper, Seoul or Zhangjiajie?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Zhangjiajie or Seoul?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Zhangjiajie and Seoul. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Zhangjiajie or Seoul?
Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie, China is a picturesque city located in the northwest of the Hunan Province. This ancient city, which dates all the way back to the Stone Age, is famous for being home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Wulingyuan Scenic Area. Zhangjiajie is also known for being a popular filming location and and overall great place to escape the bustling Chinese cities. Zhangjiajie has its own dialect, which is a branch of the Hunan and Southern dialects, so Mandarin does not always translate when trying to speak to locals here.
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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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZhangjiajie $63Seoul $107
The average daily cost (per person) in Zhangjiajie is $63, 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 Zhangjiajie and Seoul in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZhangjiajie $30Seoul $54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZhangjiajie $60Seoul $108
Compare Hotels in Zhangjiajie and Seoul
Looking for a hotel in Zhangjiajie 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.Zhangjiajie $14Seoul $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zhangjiajie
Also for Zhangjiajie, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Zhangjiajie Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Railway Station: $18
- Fox Fairy Show VIP Ticket with Private Transfer: $63
- Private Car Transfer From WLY to Glass Bridge (Round Trip ): $105
- Private Transfer: Zhangjiajie to/from Fenghuang : $149
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang and stops at Furong old town: $187
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang and stops at Aizhai bridge area: $187
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 Zhangjiajie or Seoul?
Prices for flights to both Seoul and Zhangjiajie 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 dayZhangjiajie $20Seoul $30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zhangjiajie
For Zhangjiajie, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Full-Day Private Discovery Tour to Tianmen Mountain National Park with Dinner: $184
- 1 Day Zhangjiajie Private Tour Visit Avatar Mount and Tianzi Mount with Dinner: $196
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.Zhangjiajie $23Seoul $26
Tours and Activities in Zhangjiajie
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Zhangjiajie.
- Virtual Guided Tour: Visit China's Landscapes with Hollywood Movies: $16
- Baofeng Lake Admission Ticket in Zhangjiajie (with Boat Ride): $37
- Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon and Glass Bridge Ticket: $57
- Tianmen Mountain day tour: $96
- Full-Day Private Tour of Zhangjiajie(Wulingyuan) National Forest Park: $115
- Full-Day Private Tour of Tianmen Mountain With the Skywalk: $121
- Full-Day Private Tour of Tianmen Mountain: $122
- Join-in Tour: Day Tour to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon & Glass Bridge : $125
- 1-day Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge Tour: $132
- 1 Days Zhangjiajie Natural Beauty Tour with Baofeng Lake: $132
- 1-day Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain Tour with Tianmen Cave: $137
- Private Day Tour of Baofeng Lake and Yellow Dragon Cave: $140
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 dayZhangjiajie $16Seoul $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 Zhangjiajie and Seoul, we can see that Seoul is more expensive. And not only is Zhangjiajie much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Zhangjiajie would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zhangjiajie 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 Zhangjiajie.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zhangjiajie Expensive? and Is Seoul Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zhangjiajie or Seoul?
Seoul has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of Zhangjiajie. When comparing the sizes of Zhangjiajie 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 Zhangjiajie 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 Zhangjiajie or Seoul in the Summer?
Both Seoul and Zhangjiajie during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Seoul in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Zhangjiajie is a little warmer than Seoul in the summer. The daily temperature in Zhangjiajie averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Seoul fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
Seoul gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Zhangjiajie. Zhangjiajie usually gets less rain in July than Seoul. Zhangjiajie gets 125 mm (4.9 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 JulyZhangjiajie 29°C (85°F)Seoul 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Seoul in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Zhangjiajie and Seoul. Furthermore, most visitors come to Seoul for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.
In the autumn, Zhangjiajie is a little warmer than Seoul. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zhangjiajie in October average around 19°C (65°F), and Seoul averages at about 15°C (59°F).
In October, Zhangjiajie usually receives more rain than Seoul. Zhangjiajie gets 90 mm (3.6 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 OctoberZhangjiajie 19°C (65°F)Seoul 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Seoul in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Zhangjiajie as well as Seoul. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Seoul because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Seoul can be very cold. In January, Zhangjiajie is generally much warmer than Seoul. Daily temperatures in Zhangjiajie average around 5°C (42°F), and Seoul fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).
Zhangjiajie usually gets more rain in January than Seoul. Zhangjiajie gets 44 mm (1.7 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 JanuaryZhangjiajie 5°C (42°F)Seoul -3°C (27°F)
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Seoul in the Spring?
Both Seoul and Zhangjiajie are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Seoul this time of year.
Zhangjiajie is a little warmer than Seoul in the spring. The daily temperature in Zhangjiajie averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and Seoul fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
It's quite rainy in Zhangjiajie. In April, Zhangjiajie usually receives more rain than Seoul. Zhangjiajie gets 166 mm (6.5 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 AprilZhangjiajie 17°C (63°F)Seoul 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Seoul and Zhangjiajie
| Zhangjiajie | Seoul | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (42°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | -3°C (27°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Mar | 11°C (52°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (78°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 369 mm (14.5 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 294 mm (11.6 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (65°F) | 90 mm (3.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 70 mm (2.7 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (45°F) | 44 mm (1.7 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.