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Practical · The numbers
What a trip to Korea costs
Less than Japan, more than South-East Asia. The item that weighs is accommodation; eating and getting around cost surprisingly little, and a good share of the sights are free.
Updated 7 October 2026
The ballpark
Excluding international flights, allow about ₩60,000 to ₩90,000 per day per person travelling tight, ₩130,000 to ₩200,000 for a comfortable trip, and ₩350,000 and up if you are not counting.
For a quick mental conversion in autumn 2026: ₩10,000 is worth roughly €6 or US$7. The rate moves; the converter on this site gives today's rate.
Three travel styles, per person per day
| Item | Tight budget | Comfort | High end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | ₩25,000–40,000 (dorm, small hotel shared by two) | ₩60,000–100,000 (3-star hotel shared by two) | ₩200,000 and up |
| Meals | ₩20,000–30,000 | ₩40,000–60,000 | ₩100,000 and up |
| City transport | ₩5,000–8,000 | ₩8,000–15,000 | ₩30,000 (taxis) |
| Sights and outings | ₩5,000–10,000 | ₩20,000–30,000 | ₩50,000 and up |
| Indicative total | ₩60,000–90,000 | ₩130,000–200,000 | ₩350,000 and up |
Prices to know
| Expense | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Subway or bus ride in Seoul | ₩1,500–1,550 |
| Taxi flag-fall in Seoul | ₩4,800 |
| Incheon Airport → centre by train | ₩5,000–13,000 |
| KTX Seoul–Busan, one way | about ₩54,000 |
| Express bus Seoul–Busan | ₩25,000–40,000 |
| Domestic flight Seoul–Jeju, one way | ₩30,000–100,000 |
| Simple restaurant meal | ₩9,000–14,000 |
| Pork barbecue, per person | ₩16,000–25,000 |
| Americano | ₩2,000–6,000 |
| Beer or soju in a restaurant | ₩5,000–6,000 |
| Bottle of water in a convenience store | ₩1,000 |
| Palace entry | ₩1,000–3,000 |
| Observatory (Namsan, Lotte Tower) | ₩20,000–31,000 |
| Dorm bed | ₩20,000–40,000 |
| Double room in a business hotel | ₩80,000–150,000 |
| Night in a hanok | ₩100,000–250,000 |
| Data eSIM, one to two weeks | ₩15,000–40,000 |
Item by item
From Europe, allow eleven to fourteen hours direct; from the US west coast about the same. Fares vary from single to double by season: spring, summer and autumn are the dearest, January–February and November the cheapest. Booking two to four months ahead remains the rule.
The most variable item. Prices rise sharply on Fridays and Saturdays, during blossom season, and across Korea during the summer holidays. Outside Seoul, Busan and Jeju, everything is cheaper.
You can eat very well on ₩30,000 a day by mixing local restaurants, markets and convenience stores. Water and side dishes are free, and there is no tipping or cover charge.
Very cheap in town. Between cities, the express bus costs about half the high-speed train, for one to two hours more.
Temples, national parks, most national museums and all parks are free. Palaces cost the price of a coffee. What adds up: observatories, theme parks and organised tours.
Spending less without missing out
Lunch rather than dinner
Many restaurants offer lunch sets noticeably cheaper than in the evening.
The express bus
"Udeung" coaches have wide reclining seats for a fraction of the train fare.
Travel midweek
From Sunday to Thursday, hotels often drop by 20 to 40 per cent.
Hanbok
Wearing one makes palace entry free — the rental soon pays for itself if you visit several.
The last Wednesday of the month
Culture Day: free or discounted entry at many sites.
Tax refunds
From ₩15,000 spent in participating shops, part of the VAT is refunded. See Shopping and tax refunds.
Passes
The KORAIL Pass only pays off with at least two long return trips; the Climate Card from four city rides a day. Do the sums before buying.
Three sample total budgets, excluding flights
| Trip | Tight budget | Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| 1 week in Seoul | ₩450,000–650,000 | ₩1,000,000–1,400,000 |
| 2 weeks, 6-city route | ₩1,000,000–1,400,000 | ₩2,200,000–3,000,000 |
| 3 weeks with Jeju | ₩1,600,000–2,200,000 | ₩3,400,000–4,600,000 |
Prices checked in autumn 2026, per person. The sample totals include transport between cities. Rates change: treat these figures as markers, not quotes.