Seoul travel guide
Seoul Travel Budget: Daily Costs & Calculator
Budget travellers need about $70 USD per day in Seoul covering a hostel, street food and subway fares. Mid-range travellers average $200 with a hotel and BBQ dinners; luxury starts around $550. Transit is excellent and cheap — ₩1,400 per ride with a T-money card.
How expensive is Seoul?
Seoul sits between Tokyo and Bangkok on price: cheap transit and street food, mid-range hotels, and BBQ dinners that feed two for $35. The free-sights list is unusually strong.
Seoul trip budget calculator
Pick your travel style and trip length — the calculator estimates your total budget in USD using real 2026 Seoul prices.
Excludes international flights. Lodging is per room (shared by travellers); other costs are per person. Prices in USD, converted from South Korean Won (KRW).
Seoul daily costs by travel style
| Cost per day | Backpacker | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lodging | $25 | $110 | $300 |
| Food | $28 | $55 | $150 |
| Transport | $6 | $9 | $35 |
| Activities | $12 | $25 | $60 |
| Total per day | $71 | $199 | $545 |
Money-saving tips for Seoul
- A T-money card covers all transit; fares run ₩1,400–1,500 a ride
- Palace entry is ₩3,000 — or free in a rented hanbok
- Convenience-store meals (₩5,000) and market food keep food budgets low without sacrifice
Also in south korea
Seoul travel budget — FAQs
How much money do I need per day in Seoul?
Budget travellers need about $70 USD per day in Seoul covering a hostel, street food and subway fares. Mid-range travellers average $200 with a hotel and BBQ dinners; luxury starts around $550. Transit is excellent and cheap — ₩1,400 per ride with a T-money card.
Last reviewed and updated: by the AmazingAsia editorial team. See our editorial policy.