Korea sits comfortably in the mid-range for Asian travel costs. Budget travellers can get by on relatively little, while those who prefer comfort and good restaurants will find excellent value compared to Japan or Western Europe.
Daily Budget by Travel Style
Budget Traveller — ₩90,000–120,000/day (~$65–90 USD)
- Staying in a guesthouse or hostel dorm (₩30,000–50,000)
- Eating at local restaurants and convenience stores
- Using public transport
- Visiting mostly free sights (palaces, parks, markets)
Mid-Range Traveller — ₩200,000–350,000/day (~$150–260 USD)
- Standard hotel or guesthouse private room (₩100,000–160,000)
- Mix of local restaurants and occasional nicer meals
- KTX trips between cities
- Museum entry fees and paid attractions
Comfort Traveller — ₩500,000+/day ($370+ USD)
- 4–5 star hotel in central Seoul or Busan (₩300,000–700,000)
- Korean BBQ dinners, rooftop bars
- Private tours, spa days
Cost Breakdown
Accommodation
- Hostel dorm: ₩30,000–50,000
- Guesthouse private room: ₩70,000–120,000
- Hanok guesthouse: ₩120,000–220,000
- Business hotel (3-star): ₩120,000–180,000
- Luxury hotel (5-star, Seoul): ₩350,000–700,000
Food
- Convenience store meal: ₩4,000–7,000
- Local restaurant meal: ₩9,000–15,000
- Korean BBQ dinner (per person): ₩22,000–35,000
- Coffee at a cafe: ₩5,500–8,000
- Street food snack: ₩2,000–5,000
Transport
- Single subway trip (Seoul): ₩1,500–2,000
- AREX express (Incheon Airport → Seoul): ₩9,500
- KTX Seoul → Busan: ₩59,800 (standard)
- Taxi short trip in Seoul: ₩7,000–15,000
Attractions
- Gyeongbokgung Palace: ₩3,000
- National Museum of Korea: Free
- Lotte World (theme park): ₩72,000
- Nami Island: ₩20,000 (includes ferry)
- Most hiking trails and parks: Free
Money Tips
- Cash is still widely used in Korea, especially at markets, small restaurants, and traditional areas. Always carry some won.
- Withdraw at 7-Eleven or GS25 ATMs — they reliably accept international cards and have English menus.
- Avoid currency exchange at hotels — rates are poor. Airport exchange booths are decent for a small initial amount.
- Duty-free shopping: If you spend over ₩30,000 at a single store, you can claim VAT refund (10%) at the airport on departure.
