Is Seoul expensive to visit?
Seoul is a moderately priced destination with an average daily cost of $107. Compared to the rest of Asia, it is a somewhat more expensive place to visit. It's ranked in the top 25% of cities in Asia for its overall travel costs, comparable to places like Sapporo and Tainan City.
Gyeongbokgung Palace at night, Seoul, South Korea
How expensive is Seoul?
On average, visitors spend about $107 per day when visiting Seoul (U.S. Dollars). Two travelers together would spend an average of $214 per day. Prices vary dramatically by travel style and length of trip, but if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and use public transportation when possible, you can expect to stay close to this budget. See more travel costs for Seoul here.
How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Seoul?
A weekend trip to Seoul costs about $322 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 weekend trip costs $643.
How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Seoul?
Based on the travel expenses of others, a one week trip to Seoul costs around $751 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $1,501.
Is it expensive to backpack in Seoul?
Seoul is a popular backpacker destination with more than 20 hostels. Dorm beds in hostels cost, on average, $17 per night. (See hostel prices in Seoul here.) You'll find quite a range in prices here, too. The most expensive beds are priced around $35 and the cheapest around $0 per night.
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Seoul.
- $12 for a dorm bed at Time Travelers Party Hostel in Hongdae
- $3 for a dorm bed at Zzzip Guesthouse in Hongdae
- $16 for a dorm bed at Time Travelers Relax Guesthouse Seoul
Are hotels expensive in Seoul?
Considering our analysis of hotel prices in Seoul, it becomes apparent that they are fairly even and moderately priced in comparison to hotels in other cities. On average, you can expect to spend around $45 per night for a hotel room. The city is home to approximately 19 five-star hotels, presenting an average rate of $180 per night. For a balanced choice catering to both comfort and cost-effectiveness, three-star hotels provide an average rate of $45 per night, while two-star hotels offer an even more budget-friendly alternative at $37 per night.
Hotels by star rating in Seoul
| Rating | Number of Hotels | Average Hotel Price |
|---|---|---|
| 5 stars | 19 | $180 |
| 4 stars | 30 | $77 |
| 3 stars | 107 | $45 |
| 2 stars | 161 | $37 |
| 1 star | 29 | $39 |
| No rating | 12 | $50 |
How expensive are sightseeing activities in Seoul?
Activities and things to do in Seoul can vary in price depending on the type of activity, length, and location. Below are a number of popular activities to give you an idea of what to expect when visiting. Generally, previous travelers have spent $26 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting, which is more than the country's average of $26.
- Mini Van Private Guided Tour in Seoul (Optional Layover): $220
- Rare Chance : Korea's White House Walking Tour: $36
- 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
- Han River Urban Nature Bike Tour in Seoul: $45
- Morning Pedicab Heritage Tour: $200
- Private Nami Island Photo Shoot and Tour with a Photographer: $200
Is food expensive in Seoul?
Food in Seoul can vary in price depending on the restaurant and food options available. Generally, other travelers have spent $30 on food per person per day, which is more than the country's average of $28. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.
- 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
- Seoul Korean BBQ Dinner Experience with Secret Food Tours: $200
- Gangnam Tour(Inc. Dinner & Drink) _ The past and present of Korea: $279
Is transportation expensive in Seoul?
The prices of local transportation in Seoul can vary by the type of transit used. Other travelers have spent an average of $15 on local transportation per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $16. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.
More for Seoul
If you're planning a trip to Seoul, 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.