Planning a trip to Korea and wondering how much is a trip to Korea going to cost? Whether you’re heading there for the K-pop, the street food, the cherry blossoms, or a dreamy autumn foliage trip, one of the most important questions to ask is: what’s my Korea travel cost going to look like?
Good news: we’ve built a Korea Travel Budget Calculator to help you plan smarter, spend wiser, and travel better.
👉 Try it below to get a personalized cost breakdown based on your trip length, daily habits, and comfort level.
Korea Travel Budget Calculator
What you’ll be spending on during your Korea trip?
Accommodation Costs
Your accommodation will likely be one of the largest parts of your Korea trip budget — but the great thing is, there’s a wide range of options to suit every kind of traveler.
- Budget Guesthouses ($35–$45/night): Great for solo travelers or backpackers, these usually offer clean dorms or small private rooms with shared bathrooms. You’ll find them in traveler-friendly areas like Hongdae, Itaewon, and Busan’s Nampo-dong.
- Mid-Range Hotels ($80–$150/night): Expect 3–4 star hotels with private bathrooms, in-room amenities, and often breakfast included. These are perfect for couples or friends looking for comfort without breaking the bank.
- Luxury Hotels ($400–$700/night): If you’re looking for 5-star experiences, designer rooms, spas, or skyline views (hello, Signiel Seoul or Grand Hyatt Jeju), this is the tier for you. Perfect for honeymooners or anyone planning a splurge.
- Airbnb ($50–$80/night): Airbnbs can be a cost-effective option, especially for longer stays or families. Expect cozy studios or apartments, often in residential neighborhoods with a more local feel.
Tip: Staying just outside the central areas, like near Hongdae instead of Myeongdong, can drop your nightly cost by $10–$20 and give you a more local experience.
Transportation Costs
Public transportation in Korea is not only convenient, but it’s also budget-friendly — perfect for a budget Korea travel plan.
- T-money Card: Prepaid transport card for buses/subways (Available in a special Tourist Only version). Grab a T-Money card at the airport or any convenience store for ₩4,000 (~$2.75). You can use it on subways, buses, taxis, and even in some shops. Just top it up with cash, tap to pay, and you’re good to go!
- Subway & Bus fare: From ₩1,250 (~$1) per ride
- KTX high-speed train (Seoul ↔ Busan): $90–$110 round trip
- Intercity buses: ₩7,000–₩30,000 ($5–$23)
- Flight to Jeju from Seoul: $75 – $85 round trip
Tip: If you’re planning to travel across multiple cities, check out the Korail Pass for tourists — it can be a great value.
Taxi Costs
- Basic Fare: 4,800KRW for the first 1.6km
- Additional Fare: 100KRW per 132m or 31 seconds
- Late Night Surcharge: 20% extra from midnight to 4 a.m.
Kakao Taxi is widely used and supports English, similar to Uber (which is unavailable in South Korea). For more information please check our post Must-have Apps for Traveling in Korea.
Food, the most important Korea travel budget
Street Food ($3–$7)
Whether you’re wandering through Gwangjang Market or snacking your way through Myeongdong, street food is both tasty and super budget-friendly. You can easily fill up on spicy rice cakes, grilled skewers, or a warm hotteok for under $10.
Korean Restaurants ($8–$15)
These are your casual sit-down meals — hearty soups like kimchi jjigae, sizzling stone pot bibimbap, or fried chicken and beer. Many places come with unlimited side dishes (called banchan), making these meals super satisfying for the price.
Korean BBQ ($20–$30 per portion)
Yes, it’s a must-try — but it can add up quickly. Most BBQ spots charge per portion of meat, and you’ll usually need 1–2 per person. Add drinks and a few extras, and your meal can hit $40+ per person easily.
Fine Dining ($80+)
Whether it’s modern Korean fusion or Michelin-starred hanjeongsik, fine dining in Korea is a full-on culinary experience. Expect to pay $40 and up — sometimes much more — but for food lovers, it’s often worth the splurge.
💡 Budget Tip: Convenience stores and department store food courts are your best friend for a quick, filling, and affordable meal. You can grab kimbap, dumplings, or even microwaveable bulgogi rice bowls for $3–$6.
Cafe
Korea’s café scene is on another level — especially in Seoul. From minimalist spaces with perfect lattes to themed cafés serving up dreamy desserts, it’s easy to find a spot to relax, snap some pics, and soak in the vibes.
A simple coffee + cake combo will typically run you between ₩9,000–₩15,000 (around $7–$12) depending on the area and how fancy the place is.
Where to Find Instagrammable Cafés in Seoul
- Hongdae – Youthful and artsy, this area near Hongik University is packed with themed cafés, pet cafés, and creative dessert spots.
- Garosugil (Sinsa-dong, Gangnam) – Chic and stylish, with minimalist interiors, designer lattes, and modern dessert cafés perfect for your Insta feed.
- Itaewon – A mix of global flair and cozy rooftops, this area offers trendy brunch cafés, espresso bars, and great city views.
- Ikseon-dong – A charming maze of renovated hanoks (traditional Korean houses), now home to ultra-cute cafés with floral drinks, matcha cakes, and unique fusion menus. It’s a hidden gem for aesthetic lovers!
- Insadong – Known for its traditional arts and crafts, Insadong also features quiet, beautifully decorated tea houses and modern cafés tucked inside old alleyways.
How much do package tours cost in South Korea?
If you’re the kind of traveler who likes everything handled for you — from airport pickup to hotels, tours, and meals — then a package tour in Korea could be a great fit. It removes the stress of planning and is super convenient, especially if you’re visiting several cities or traveling with family.
While organized tours are usually more expensive than traveling independently, they offer peace of mind knowing everything is booked by a travel expert.
Average cost: Around $380 per day per person for a full-package tour in South Korea. This often includes accommodation, transport, guides, entry tickets, and most meals.
Check out these top package tours:
- Discover Eastern Korea in 4 days: A Wellness Holiday From $1,200
- Discover Korea in 7days: A Wellness Holiday From $1,576
- 10-Day Premium South Korea Adventure: Culture, Cuisine, and Coastlines From $3,102
Budget Korea Travel: Sample Costs
| 5-day trips | 7-day trips | 10-day trips | |
| Budget | $600 | $840 | $1,200 |
| Normal | $1,500 | $2,100 | $3,000 |
| Luxury | $3,300 | $4,800 | $6,900 |
Ideal Activities For The Best Budget South Korea Trips
- Free Walking Tours: Explore the city with unique perspectives and valuable information. Seoul Metropolitan Government runs free walking tours.
- Shopping in Local Markets: Head to local markets like Namdaemun, Dongdaemun in Seoul, or Gukje Market in Busan.
- Street Food Delights: Explore bustling local food markets like Gwangjang Market in Seoul or BIFF Square in Busan.
- Free Attractions and Cultural Experiences: Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung during the designated days.
- Hiking and Nature Exploration: Seoraksan or Bukhansan Mountain offer breathtaking views and well-marked trails.
- Hanbok Rental and Temple Visits: Rent a hanbok, then take advantage of free admission to the Royal Palaces in Seoul.
- Museum and Gallery Visits: Immerse yourself in art, history, and culture by visiting institutions like the National Museum of Korea or the Leeum Samsung Museum of Art.
Best Activities For The Best Normal South Korea Trips
- Seoul: Explore the historic Gyeongbokgung Palace, stroll through the trendy neighborhood of Gangnam, and visit the iconic N Seoul Tower. Take advantage of the bustling shopping streets of Myeongdong and Insadong.
- Busan: Spend a day at Haeundae Beach, explore the colorful Gamcheon Culture Village, and visit the Jagalchi Fish Market.
- Jeju Island: Explore the volcanic wonders of Jeju’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
- Gyeongju: Travel to Gyeongju and visit the UNESCO-listed Bulguksa Temple and its famous Seokguram Grotto.
- Nami Island: Take a day trip to Nami Island, a picturesque island near Seoul.
Smart Budget Tips for Traveling Korea
- Use T-Money for subway and bus rides — it saves both time and money.
- Stay in guesthouses or goshiwons if you’re on a tight budget.
- Eat like a local: Korean street food and university cafeterias are delicious and cheap.
- Look for combo passes: like Discover Seoul Pass for discounted attractions.
- Shop at Daiso or eMart for essentials instead of convenience stores.
Best Times to Visit Korea for Cost Savings
Timing is everything when it comes to stretching your Korea travel budget. While Korea is beautiful year-round, some months are significantly more wallet-friendly than others. From lower airfare to cheaper hotels and fewer crowds, here’s when to plan your trip if you want to save big:
Late Winter (February–March)
If you don’t mind the cold, this is one of the cheapest times to visit Korea. Tourist traffic is low after the Lunar New Year, and many accommodations offer steep discounts to attract visitors. Flights into Seoul and Busan also tend to be cheaper, especially if you book a month or two in advance.
Plus, if you’re lucky, you might catch the early plum blossoms starting in late March — a quieter, underrated alternative to cherry blossom season.
Early Autumn (September–October)
Ask any local: early autumn is one of the best times to explore Korea — and it’s not just for the scenery. The weather is near-perfect (sunny, crisp, and dry), and crowds haven’t yet peaked like they do in mid-October.
Airfare is usually cheaper compared to the summer peak, and hotel prices are reasonable — especially if you avoid the national holiday week.
Bonus: The autumn foliage starts glowing in late October, especially in mountainous regions like Seoraksan and Naejangsan. If you plan it right, you’ll see gorgeous fall colors and still score decent deals.
Avoid: Major Holidays (Chuseok & Lunar New Year)
Unless you’re specifically interested in cultural celebrations (which are beautiful, by the way), it’s best to avoid Korea’s biggest holidays: Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) and Seollal (Lunar New Year).
During these times:
- Transportation tickets (especially KTX trains and domestic flights) sell out weeks in advance.
- Accommodation prices spike sharply, even in smaller cities.
- Many restaurants and attractions close for a few days, especially outside of major tourist areas.
In short, unless you’re staying with family or planning well in advance, these holidays can throw off both your itinerary and your Korea travel cost.
You may also like:
- K-ETA: The Ultimate Guide
- Best Budget Shopping Spots in Seoul
- Best K-Beauty Stores in Seoul
- Best 100 Things to Do in Seoul
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