Travel budget and cost of living in Seoul (South Korea) how much does a trip cost?

Seoul travel budget

Seoul: calculate your travel budget

Sample budgets for a trip to Seoul

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in Seoul for 2 people.

* estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks (excluding plane tickets).

Cost of living in Seoul compared to United States in 2024

On average, the cost of living in Seoul in 2024 is 12% less than the average cost of living in the United States (USA).

See the graphic below for the price variation percentage by type of expense in Seoul in 2024 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):

Local prices in Seoul by expense type

Restaurant budget in Seoul

Lunch

$ 7.8/person
($ 5.7 to $ 11)

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59% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 20

3 course dinner

$ 24/person
($ 15 to $ 43)

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36% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 37

McDonald's meal

$ 6/person
($ 5.1 to $ 7.1)

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43% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11

Local beer

$ 3.5 for 500ml
($ 2.2 to $ 5)

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39% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.8

Imported beer

$ 2.9 for 330ml
($ 1.8 to $ 5.7)

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14% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.4

Cappuccino

$ 3.6/cup
($ 2.2 to $ 4.8)

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27% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5

Fizzy drink

$ 1.6/can
($ 1 to $ 2.5)

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36% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5

Water bottle

$ 0.8/bottle
($ 0.6 to $ 1.2)

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58% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2

Hotel and accommodation budget in Seoul

1-star hotel

$ 78/night
($ 29 to $ 269)

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51% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 163

2-star hotel

$ 70/night
($ 25 to $ 372)

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53% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 150

3-star hotel

$ 92/night
($ 26 to $ 411)

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58% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 220

4-star hotel

$ 163/night
($ 44 to $ 505)

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46% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 302

5-star hotel

$ 307/night
($ 89 to $ 635)

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32% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 453

Hostel/Youth Hostel

$ 68/month
($ 26 to $ 301)

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57% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 161

Room with kitchen

$ 113/month
($ 26 to $ 591)

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51% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 233

Hotel with swimming pool

$ 221/month
($ 30 to $ 699)

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11% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 200

Cottage or guest house

$ 280/month
($ 187 to $ 497)

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28% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 220

Family room

$ 233/month
($ 52 to $ 825)

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18% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 198

Supermarket food budget in Seoul

Milk

$ 2.2/litre
($ 1.6 to $ 2.8)

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110% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1

Bread

$ 3.2/500g
($ 2.2 to $ 6.8)

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8% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5

Rice

$ 3.1/kg
($ 1.9 to $ 5.7)

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29% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.4

Eggs

$ 3.1/12 eggs
($ 1.7 to $ 5.9)

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12% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6

Chicken

$ 11/kg
($ 4.3 to $ 13)

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12% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 12

Apples

$ 7.3/kg
($ 4 to $ 10)

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42% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.1

Tomatoes

$ 5.9/kg
($ 3.3 to $ 9.3)

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25% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.8

Potatoes

$ 3.7/kg
($ 1.9 to $ 5.5)

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32% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.9

Water bottle

$ 1.2
($ 0.6 to $ 1.5)

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41% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.1

Public and private transport budget in Seoul

Bus ticket

$ 1/ticket
($ 1 to $ 1.6)

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56% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.4

Taxi (per km)

$ 0.6/km
($ 0.5 to $ 1)

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65% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.7

Petrol

$ 1.2/litre
($ 1.1 to $ 1.5)

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30% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 0.9

Taxi (initial pick-up charge)

$ 3.4
($ 2.8 to $ 3.4)

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4% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6

Car hire

$ 85/24hrs
($ 45 to $ 113)

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23% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 69

Leisure activity budget in Seoul

Cinema

$ 11/ticket
($ 10 to $ 13)

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21% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 14

Tennis

$ 30/hr
($ 11 to $ 37)

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42% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 21

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in Seoul

Cigarettes

$ 3.2/pack
($ 3.2 to $ 5.5)

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67% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 10

Levi's jeans

$ 60
($ 37 to $ 108)

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16% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 51

Summer dress

$ 46
($ 22 to $ 72)

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10% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 42

Plane ticket budget

Sydney → Seoul

$ 734
(fair price: $ 627)

Melbourne → Seoul

$ 610
(fair price: $ 512)

Los Angeles → Seoul

$ 1316
(fair price: $ 1154)

New York City → Seoul

$ 1557
(fair price: $ 1384)

Vancouver → Seoul

$ 1352
(fair price: $ 1160)

Toronto → Seoul

$ 1651
(fair price: $ 1427)

Book a flight Flight prices to Seoul