How Much Does Seoul Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Seoul offers a fascinating balance of hyper-modern technology and deep-rooted tradition, with a cost of living that sits comfortably between Southeast Asian bargains and expensive Western capitals. Travelers can expect a high standard of infrastructure, where a budget-conscious solo trip starts at approximately $51 / ₩73,955 per day, while a luxury experience typically reaches around $646 / ₩936,816. The city is remarkably safe and efficient, with a public transport system that remains one of the most affordable in the developed world. While districts like Gangnam and Myeongdong cater to high-end spenders, the abundance of world-class street food and free cultural sites makes the city accessible to most budgets. Navigating the costs here requires understanding the difference between boutique districts and local neighborhoods where value is much higher.
Is Seoul expensive to visit?
Seoul is moderately priced, with daily budgets typically ranging from $51 / ₩73,955 for budget travelers to $646 / ₩936,816 for a full luxury experience.
On This Page
Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Seoul
$51
per person /day
$190
per person /day
$646
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $153 | $572 | $1,939 |
| 5-Day Trip | $255 | $952 | $3,232 |
| 7-Day Trip | $357 | $1,334 | $4,524 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
It is wise to carry a 15% buffer to cover hidden costs such as subway luggage lockers, which cost ~$2.71–$5.41 / ₩3,924–₩7,848 for 4 hours. This also covers the mandatory K-ETA application fee and the ~$2.71 / ₩3,924 premium for specialized Tmoney card designs.
How Does It Compare?
See how Seoul stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Seoul
Food & Drink (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant (Bibimbap or Kalguksu) Side dishes (Banchan) are always free and refillable. | $8.84 ₩12,812 |
| Mid-range Dinner for Two (e.g., Korean BBQ with Pork) Korean BBQ is often priced per 150–200g portion (~$14–$21 / ₩20,472–₩30,708 per portion). | $61 ₩88,746 |
| Large Iced Americano at a local cafe Budget chains like Mega Coffee or Paik's Coffee sell large sizes for ~$1.35 / ₩1,962. | $3.4 ₩4,930 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Seoul Metro - Adult with Tmoney Card Transferring between metro and bus is free if you tap within 30 minutes. | $0.95 ₩1,382 |
| Regular Taxi - Base Fare (1.6 km) A night surcharge of 20–40% applies between 22:00 and 04:00. | $3.26 ₩4,726 |
| AREX Express Train (Incheon Airport to Seoul Station) This is the non-stop service (43–51 minutes). All-stop train is ~$4 / ₩5,800 cheaper. | $7.49 ₩10,850 |
| Tmoney Mpass - 1-Day Pass (International Visitors) Allows up to 20 rides per day on most Seoul metro and bus lines. | $10 ₩14,791 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Dorm bed in a highly-rated hostel (Hongdae/Myeongdong) Booking in advance for weekends saves ~$6.83 / ₩9,895. Prices vary significantly by season. | $22 ₩31,561 |
| Mid-range boutique hotel (3-4 stars) Hotels in Myeongdong are generally ~$18–$29 / ₩25,590–₩42,650 more expensive than those in Mapo or Jongno. | $126 ₩182,440 |
| Luxury 5-star hotel (e.g., Four Seasons or Signiel Seoul) Expect prices to double during Cherry Blossom season (early April). | $442 ₩640,978 |
Activities (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Gyeongbokgung Palace Entrance (International Adult) Admission is free if you are wearing a full Hanbok. | $2.04 ₩2,951 |
| Changdeokgung Palace + Secret Garden Tour The Secret Garden is only accessible via a guided tour booked in advance. | $5.44 ₩7,882 |
| N Seoul Tower Observatory Ticket The cable car to the base of the tower costs an additional ~$10 / ₩14,842 round-trip. | $14 ₩20,711 |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| KT Unlimited Data SIM (5 Days) Picking up at the airport is efficient; they assist with installation. | $19 ₩27,125 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
The dining landscape is diverse, ranging from quick bibimbap meals at inexpensive restaurants for $8.84 / ₩12,812 to elaborate Korean BBQ dinners for two costing around $61 / ₩88,746. A major budget advantage is the 'Banchan' system, where an array of side dishes is provided for free and can be refilled at no extra cost. Coffee culture is prominent; while boutique cafes charge ~$3.4 / ₩4,930 for an americano, budget-friendly chains like Mega Coffee offer large sizes for just $1.35 / ₩1,962.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Myeongdong Kyoja
$7.49–$8.17 / ₩10,850–₩11,840Myeongdong · Local chain
This Michelin Bib Gourmand spot is famous for its garlic-heavy kimchi. Refills of noodles are ~$0.
Isaac Toast
$2.38–$4.08 / ₩3,446–₩5,920Myeongdong / Hongdae · Local chain
The ultimate budget breakfast. Look for the 'Ham Special' for ~$2.35 / ₩3,412.
Gwangjang Market Bindaetteok
$3.4–$6.8 / ₩4,930–₩9,861Jongno · Street market
One pancake is enough for two people as a snack (~$3.41 / ₩4,947).
Sinseon Seolnongtang
$6.8–$10 / ₩9,861–₩14,791Myeongdong · Local chain
Healthy ox-bone soup that's perfect for a cold winter day at ~$6.83 / ₩9,895.
Hongdae Street Food Alley
$2.04–$5.44 / ₩2,951–₩7,882Hongdae · Street food area
Get a cup of Tteokbokki for ~$2 / ₩2,900 while watching street performers.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Public transit is the most economical way to navigate the city, with the Seoul Metro charging just $0.95 / ₩1,382 per ride when using a Tmoney card. For visitors arriving from the airport, the AREX Express Train costs $7.49 / ₩10,850, though the all-stop version is roughly $4 / ₩5,800 cheaper. Taxis are reliable with a base fare of $3.26 / ₩4,726, though late-night travelers should account for a 20–40% surcharge between 22:00 and 04:00.
Accommodation Overview
Hostel dorms in social hubs like Hongdae or Myeongdong average $22 / ₩31,561 per night, while mid-range boutique hotels typically cost $126 / ₩182,440. For high-end stays at the Signiel Seoul or Four Seasons, prices average $442 / ₩640,978, though choosing neighborhoods like Mapo or Jongno over Myeongdong can save visitors roughly $18–$29 / ₩25,590–₩42,650 per night.
Accommodation Budget in Seoul
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Wear a full Hanbok when visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace to waive the $2.04 / ₩2,951 entrance fee entirely.
- 2 Purchase a 'Climate Card' tourist pass for unlimited transport, starting at approximately $3.41 / ₩4,947 for a single day.
- 3 Eat at Gwangjang Market to find filling traditional snacks like Bindaetteok for less than the cost of a sit-down restaurant meal.
- 4 Use a Tmoney card to enable free transfers between the metro and buses if tapped within 30 minutes.
- 5 Look for '1+1' or '2+1' deals at convenience stores like GS25 or CU for discounted drinks and snacks.
- 6 Visit the Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA) near Deoksugung Palace, which offers free admission to its permanent collections.
- 7 Hike the trails of Bukhansan National Park for panoramic city views instead of paying $14 / ₩20,711 for the N Seoul Tower observatory.
- 8 Book weekend accommodation well in advance to save approximately $6.83 / ₩9,895 per night on hostel rates.
- 9 Drink from the free, purified water dispensers found in most subway stations and public buildings to save on bottled water.
- 10 Shop for skincare in Myeongdong to receive a high volume of free samples, reducing the need to buy travel-sized toiletries.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Apr, May, Oct, Nov
+20-35%
Jan, Feb, Jul, Aug
-15-25%
Jun, Sep
Late March to early April sees the highest hotel demand. Winter (Jan–Feb) is freezing but offers hotel deals under ~$68 / ₩98,948 per night.
Events to Watch
- ● Seollal (Lunar New Year): +40% transport difficulty
- ● Chuseok (Autumn Harvest): +50% hotel spikes & closures
- ● Cherry Blossom Season (Early April): +30% hotel rates
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Walk the 11km Cheonggyecheon Stream, a restored sunken waterway in the city center.
- 2 Explore Bukchon Hanok Village to see hundreds of traditional Korean houses (open 09:00–17:00).
- 3 Visit the National Museum of Korea, where access to the permanent galleries is $0.
- 4 Watch the Banpo Bridge Moonlight Rainbow Fountain show, which runs several times nightly from April to October.
- 5 Walk the Seoullo 7017, a former highway overpass converted into a high-line botanical garden.
- 6 Hike up Inwangsan Mountain for spectacular sunset views along the ancient city fortress walls.
- 7 Visit the War Memorial of Korea to view the extensive outdoor military equipment exhibits for free.
- 8 Explore Jogyesa Temple, the colorful chief temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism.
- 9 Stroll through the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) to admire its futuristic architecture and public art installations.
- 10 Visit the Ewha Womans University campus to see its unique 'Campus Valley' architectural landmark.
- 11 Explore the National Folk Museum of Korea (located within Gyeongbokgung, free with palace entry or separately free on certain holidays).
- 12 Window shop and enjoy street performances in the lively Hongdae Walking Street.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Hanwoo (Korean Beef) BBQ Dinner
Hanwoo is highly marbled and strictly regulated; it's a unique Korean culinary experience that rivals Wagyu.
Seoul Sky (Lotte World Tower) Premium Ticket
It's the world's 5th tallest building; the glass-floor Sky Deck at 478m is terrifyingly brilliant.
Private Hanbok Photoshoot in Bukchon
High-quality 'premium' Hanbok rentals plus a professional photographer for 1 hour captures the city's beauty perfectly.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Seoul
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Seoul and what they cost
DMZ (Demilitarized Zone)
$31 / ₩44,373 by tour bus
$10 / ₩14,791
$51 / ₩73,955
Nami Island & Petite France
$8.17 / ₩11,840 by train (ITX-Cheongchun)
$11 / ₩15,781
$31 / ₩44,373
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
South Korean Won (KRW)
1 $ ≈ 1,449 ₩
Yes
Excellent; cards are accepted at almost every store, cafe, and even most street stalls in Myeongdong.
Strictly not required and can be seen as confusing. Service charges are already included in prices. If you want to show appreciation at a high-end hotel, a small gift is more common than cash.
Look for 'Global ATM' signs. Standard ATMs often reject foreign cards. Woori Bank and Shinhan Bank are usually reliable. Fees range from ~$2.47 / ₩3,583 to $4.12 / ₩5,971 per withdrawal.
Connectivity
eSIM: $14–$21 for 10GB (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $26–$41 / ₩37,532–₩59,710 for unlimited 10-30 day passes
WiFi: Excellent; Korea has some of the fastest public Wi-Fi globally, found in all cafes, metro stations, and public parks.
Buy a local KT or SKT SIM card at the airport if you need a Korean phone number for restaurant queuing apps (like CatchTable).
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Seoul.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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