Korea in 2026: mid-priced Asia
Korea is cheaper than Japan but more expensive than Thailand or Vietnam. Think urban Asia at upper-mid price tier. Seoul hotels in the Myeongdong, Hongdae and Gangnam areas run 120,000-350,000 KRW/night ($85-250). Sit-down dinner: 15,000-40,000 KRW per person. A decent subway ride: 1,500-1,700 KRW.
The good news: public transport is cheap and excellent, street food is abundant and clean, and cards work everywhere — so you can calibrate your daily spend fairly tightly.
Daily budget by tier
| Category | Budget (KRW/USD) | Mid-range (KRW/USD) | Upscale (KRW/USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | 25-50k / $18-35 | 120-220k / $85-155 | 350k-700k / $250-500 |
| Food (3 meals) | 25-45k / $18-32 | 60-120k / $42-85 | 180k-400k / $130-285 |
| Transport | 5-10k / $3-7 | 15-30k / $10-22 | 40-100k / $28-70 |
| Activities | 10-25k / $7-18 | 30-80k / $22-60 | 150k-400k / $110-285 |
| Daily total | 65-130k / $45-90 | 225-450k / $160-320 | 720k-1.6M / $520-1,150 |
Actual food costs in Seoul
- Street food (tteokbokki, odeng, hotdog): 3,000-6,000 KRW each ($2-4)
- Convenience store meal (kimbap, triangle kimbap + drink): 5,000-9,000 KRW ($3.50-6)
- Kimbap restaurant / jjigae / bibimbap: 7,000-12,000 KRW ($5-9)
- Budget Korean BBQ for 2 (pork belly): 35,000-55,000 KRW ($25-40)
- Mid-range Korean BBQ for 2 (beef): 80,000-140,000 KRW ($57-100)
- Upscale Korean (Han-jung-sik, traditional course): 80,000-200,000 KRW per person
- Specialty coffee: 4,500-6,500 KRW ($3-4.50)
- Beer at a casual bar (500ml): 5,000-8,000 KRW ($3.50-6)
Transport costs
- Subway/bus single ride (T-money): 1,500-1,700 KRW ($1.10-1.20)
- Taxi within central Seoul (3km): 5,000-8,000 KRW ($3.50-6)
- AREX airport express to Seoul Station: 11,000 KRW ($8) — 43 min
- KTX high-speed train Seoul to Busan: 55,000-65,000 KRW one-way ($39-47) — 2h 40min
- Taxi ICN to Myeongdong (app): 60,000-90,000 KRW ($42-64)
Popular activity costs
- Gyeongbokgung Palace entry: 3,000 KRW ($2)
- N Seoul Tower observation: 18,000-22,000 KRW ($13-16)
- DMZ tour (full day): 60,000-120,000 KRW ($42-85)
- Jjimjilbang (bathhouse, 12hrs): 9,000-15,000 KRW ($6-11)
- Everland theme park: 62,000 KRW ($44)
- Lotte World: 64,000 KRW ($46)
- Nami Island ferry + entry: 13,000 KRW ($9)
- Korean BBQ cooking class: 45,000-80,000 KRW ($32-57)
Sample 5-day Seoul budget (mid-range)
- 4 nights mid-range hotel (150k/night): 600,000 KRW ($428)
- 5 days food (80k/day): 400,000 KRW ($285)
- T-money + taxis: 75,000 KRW ($54)
- Activities + DMZ tour: 150,000 KRW ($107)
- Buffer + souvenirs: 100,000 KRW ($71)
- Total: ~1,325,000 KRW (~$945 USD)