Is South Korea expensive to visit?
South Korea is known as both a well-liked and moderately priced destination. It falls roughly in the middle range for overall travel costs. When compared to the rest of Asia, it is a moderately priced country. It places in the top 50% of countries in Asia for its travel costs. This puts it on par with destinations such as Bhutan and Taiwan.
As this is not an overly touristy country to visit, you'll find a number of great places in South Korea at a variety of price ranges. The most expensive destination is Pyeongchang. If you're looking for a lower cost destination, you can visit Cheju (Jeju).
Average daily price of selected cities in South Korea, by affordability
| City | Average Daily Cost |
|---|---|
| Pyeongchang | $118 |
| Seoul | $107 |
| Busan (Pusan) | $88 |
| Cheju (Jeju) | $74 |
Waterfall on Jeju-do, South Korea
How expensive is South Korea?
The average daily spending amount for tourists in South Korea tends to be around $107 (U.S. Dollars). Keep in mind that your travel style, spending habits, and trip length will influence these costs. However, you can keep fairly close to this budget if you opt for moderately priced hotels, dine at economical restaurants, and make use of public transportation when available. See more travel costs for South Korea here.
How expensive is a one week trip to South Korea?
Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a one week trip to South Korea will cost around $750 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a one week trip would cost $1,499.
How expensive is a two week trip to South Korea?
On average, a two week trip to South Korea costs about $1,499 per person. This is based on the previous expenses of actual travelers, and includes accommodation, food, activities, local transportation, and more. For two people, a two week trip costs $2,998.
How expensive is a month long trip to South Korea?
A one month trip to South Korea costs about $3,212 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a one month trip costs $6,425.
Gyeongbokgung Palace at night, Seoul, South Korea
Is it expensive to backpack in South Korea?
South Korea is a somewhat popular destination for backpackers, offering over 30 hostels around the country. The average cost for a dorm room in one of these hostels is around $17 per night. (See details on hostel prices in South Korea here.) Backpackers often head first to hostels in Seoul. For budget-friendly options, Busan (Pusan) offer some of the most affordable hostels, averaging $16 per night. Conversely, you'll find the most expensive hostels on average in Seoul with an average cost of $18 per night.
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in South Korea.
- $12 for a dorm bed at Time Travelers Party Hostel in Hongdae in Seoul
- $18 for a dorm bed at Kimchee Busan Downtown Guesthouse in Busan
- $16 for a dorm bed at Good Moments in Incheon
Where to find affordable hostels in South Korea
| City | Number of Hostels | Average Price for a Dorm |
|---|---|---|
| Seoul | 18 | $18 |
| Busan (Pusan) | 7 | $16 |
Are hotels expensive in South Korea?
When analyzing the price of hotels in South Korea, they're very affordable compared to the rest of the world. The average price is $47 per night for a decent hotel room. Keep in mind that places like Pyeongchang are more expensive, averaging around $60 per night. But fear not, there are budget-friendly destinations like Busan (Pusan) where you can book a room for an average of $38 per night.
Where to find affordable hotels in South Korea
| City | Average Hotel Price |
|---|---|
| Pyeongchang | $60 |
| Suwon | $47 |
| Seoul | $45 |
| Busan (Pusan) | $38 |
Haedong Yonggungsa Temple and the Haeundae Sea in Busan, South Korea.
How expensive are sightseeing activities in South Korea?
In South Korea, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the country. On average, previous travelers have spent around $26 per day on sightseeing and entertainment.
- Mini Van Private Guided Tour in Seoul (Optional Layover): $220
- Rare Chance : Korea's White House Walking Tour: $36
- Busan Guided Small Group Tour for Up to 6 Cruise Guests.: $99
- K BBQ Experience & Soju Pairing: $50
- Private BTS Location Tour from Seoul City with Pickup: $230
- Private DMZ Tour and Suspension Bridge + Korean BBQ: $250
- Full-Day Private Jumbo taxi Tour - East of Jeju Island (UNESCO): $55
- Busan Private Tour: $216
Is food expensive in South Korea?
In South Korea, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $28 per day on food, per person.
- Night Market Food Tour: $72
- Noryangjin Fish Market Dinner: $119
- Traditional Private Korean Cooking: $99
- Night Food Tour in Seoul with Traditional and Modern Cuisine: $89
- Kkakdugi(Korean radish Kimchi) Cooking class at Busan : $110
- Seoul Korean BBQ Dinner Experience with Secret Food Tours: $200
Is transportation expensive in South Korea?
Local transportation in South Korea can vary in price depending on the type of transit used. Generally, other travelers have spent $16 on local transportation per person per day. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.
Expenses for intercity transportation within South Korea can vary based on the type of transportation used and the distance traveled. On average, previous travelers have spent $65 per person per day for intercity transit. To save money, it's advisable to choose long-distance buses or trains over air travel. This is generally a more cost-effective choice despite the potential increase in travel time.
More for South Korea
If you're planning a trip to South Korea, check out these other informative travel guides.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
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.