Seoul Travel Budget: How Much Does a Trip to Seoul Cost? (2026)
Last updated: October 2026 · Written by the Seoul Travel Tips team, based in Seoul
Seoul can be surprisingly affordable: public transport is cheap, many of the best sights are free, and a filling local meal often costs under ₩10,000. Hotels and shopping are where costs add up. Below are realistic 2026 prices for each part of your trip, three sample daily budgets, and a calculator at the bottom of this page to work out your own total.
All prices are approximate, in Korean won (KRW), per person unless stated, and exclude international flights.
Daily Budget at a Glance
| Travel style | Per person per day | Typical setup |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | ₩60,000–100,000 | Hostel or guesthouse, local meals, subway |
| Mid-range | ₩120,000–220,000 | 3–4 star hotel shared by two, restaurants, some paid sights |
| Comfortable | ₩220,000–350,000 | Upper-range hotel, taxis, more dining and activities |
| Luxury | ₩400,000+ | Five-star hotel, fine dining, taxis |
Accommodation
Your hotel is usually your biggest daily cost, and prices swing with the season and the day of the week.
| Type | Per room per night |
|---|---|
| Hostel dorm or simple guesthouse | ₩30,000–70,000 |
| Mid-range or business hotel | ₩80,000–180,000 |
| Upscale and five-star hotels | ₩200,000–500,000+ |
Money-saving tips
- Weekday nights are often noticeably cheaper than Friday and Saturday.
- A hotel 3–5 minutes from a subway station saves more in time and taxis than a slightly cheaper one 15 minutes away.
- Areas such as Jongno, Euljiro and Dongdaemun often have better value than Myeongdong’s main streets while still being central.
Food and Drink
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Gimbap, ramyeon, convenience-store meal | ₩3,000–8,000 |
| Simple Korean meal (kalguksu, bibimbap, stew) | ₩8,000–13,000 |
| Korean BBQ, per person | ₩20,000–40,000 |
| Street food snack (tteokbokki, hotteok) | ₩2,000–5,000 |
| Coffee at a cafe | ₩4,500–7,000 |
| Cafe drink plus dessert | ₩10,000–15,000 |
Daily food budget: about ₩25,000–40,000 if you eat locally, ₩40,000–70,000 with restaurants and a cafe stop.
Tipping is not expected in Korean restaurants, and water and side dishes are free. Note that many Korean BBQ restaurants require a minimum of two portions.
Getting Around
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Subway, adult with card | ₩1,550 (first 10 km) |
| City bus, adult with card | ₩1,500 |
| Taxi base fare | ₩4,800, then by distance and time |
| Short taxi ride in the city | ₩5,000–15,000 |
| Climate Card unlimited pass | ₩5,000 (1 day) to ₩20,000 (7 days) + ₩3,000 card |
Daily transport budget: ₩5,000–10,000 using mostly subway and buses.
→ T-money guide · Climate Card guide · Seoul taxi guide
Airport Transport (One Way)
| Option | Adult fare |
|---|---|
| AREX All-Stop train | About ₩4,750 |
| AREX Express train | ₩13,000 |
| Airport limousine bus | Around ₩17,000 |
| Taxi to central Seoul | Around ₩60,000–80,000 |
Remember to budget for the return trip too. → Incheon Airport to Seoul
Sights and Activities
Many of Seoul’s highlights cost nothing: Bukchon Hanok Village, Insadong, Cheonggyecheon Stream, Gwanghwamun Square, the Han River parks and Seoul Forest. The main palaces charge small entry fees of a few thousand won, and entry is free if you wear a hanbok.
Paid extras — observation decks, theme parks, performances, museums with special exhibitions — typically cost ₩10,000–60,000 each.
Daily sightseeing budget: ₩0–15,000 for mostly free sights, ₩10,000–40,000 for a typical mix.
Mobile Data
A tourist eSIM or SIM for a week typically costs ₩10,000–50,000 depending on data allowance and whether it includes a Korean number. → SIM & eSIM guide
Three Sample Daily Budgets
| Per person per day | Budget | Mid-range | Comfortable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (share of room) | ₩40,000 | ₩60,000 | ₩100,000 |
| Food and drinks | ₩30,000 | ₩55,000 | ₩80,000 |
| Transport | ₩7,000 | ₩10,000 | ₩20,000 |
| Sights and activities | ₩5,000 | ₩20,000 | ₩40,000 |
| Cafes and snacks | ₩5,000 | ₩10,000 | ₩15,000 |
| Total per day | ₩87,000 | ₩155,000 | ₩255,000 |
| 5 days | ₩435,000 | ₩775,000 | ₩1,275,000 |
| 7 days | ₩609,000 | ₩1,085,000 | ₩1,785,000 |
Accommodation here assumes two people share a room (for example, a ₩120,000 mid-range room split two ways). Solo travelers should add the full room price. Airport transport, mobile data and shopping are extra.
A Real Mid-Range Day, Step by Step
| Time | Spending | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Breakfast at a bakery cafe | ₩8,000 |
| Subway to Gyeongbokgung | ₩1,550 | |
| Palace entry | ₩3,000 | |
| Lunch | Kalguksu in Insadong | ₩11,000 |
| Afternoon | Coffee | ₩6,000 |
| Subway to Myeongdong | ₩1,550 | |
| Evening | Korean BBQ dinner (per person) | ₩25,000 |
| Street food snack | ₩4,000 | |
| Subway back to hotel | ₩1,550 | |
| Total (before hotel) | ₩61,650 |
Add half of a ₩120,000 hotel room and the day comes to about ₩122,000 per person.
How Much Cash to Carry
Cards are accepted almost everywhere, but cash is still handy for traditional markets, street stalls, some small restaurants and topping up T-money at older machines. About ₩30,000–50,000 in cash per day is plenty; keep the rest on a card. → Global ATM Finder · WOWPASS guide
Seven Ways to Save Money in Seoul
- Stay near a subway station rather than in the most famous street.
- Use public transport — or a Climate Card if you ride three or more times a day.
- Eat where locals eat. Lunch specials in office areas are some of the best value in the city.
- Use convenience stores for breakfast, drinks and snacks.
- Plan free days around Bukchon, Insadong, Cheonggyecheon and the Han River.
- Claim your tax refund on shopping. → Tax refund guide
- Set a separate shopping budget before you arrive — shopping is the cost that most often doubles a trip.
Calculate Your Own Budget
Use the Seoul Budget Calculator below to estimate your total for your number of days and travelers, and see the result in your own currency. → Currency calculator
Prices change with season, exchange rates and personal style. These are planning estimates, checked in October 2026, not fixed prices.
Seoul Budget Calculator
Estimate your travel expenses in Seoul and see your budget in Korean Won or your preferred currency.
1. Trip Information
2. Accommodation
Accommodation is calculated assuming two travelers share one room. 1–2 travelers = 1 room, 3–4 travelers = 2 rooms, 5–6 travelers = 3 rooms.
3. Food
4. Transportation
5. Attractions & Activities
6. Shopping
7. Other Expenses
Other expenses may include SIM/eSIM, luggage storage, laundry, small purchases, or unexpected expenses.
Your Estimated Seoul Budget
Display Budget in Your Currency
Exchange rates are provided for reference only. Actual bank, credit card, or cash exchange rates may differ.
Exchange rate data provided by Frankfurter.