South Korea Travel Budget: What I Spent After 5 Trips

I’ve traveled to South Korea five times now since 2022.

It’s become one of my favorite countries, especially as a solo traveler.

All of my Korea trips were on a budget to medium-budget, and lasted anywhere from a week to 3 weeks.

You don’t need a big travel budget to enjoy your trip.

Daily costs like food and transportation are relatively cheap in Korea.

Most popular attractions are also free or inexpensive.

I also go to as many attractions as possible, without doing lots of tours or paid activities.

Here are the average costs of my five trips including tips for those visiting on a budget.

➡️ Read my South Korea guides next:

• Seoul travel tips
• Busan travel tips
• Jeju travel tips

Summary: Average Korea Costs on a Budget

I’ll be going over each of these in detail below.

• Hotel: $35 / night
• Food: $20 / day
• eSIM/SIM: $7 / 7 days
• Subway: $5 / day
• KTX rides: $40, Seoul to Busan
• Buses to other cities: $19, 3-hour ride
• Tours (optional): ~$50 per tour
• Shopping: varies
• Miscellaneous Costs: varies

Summary: Korea Budget Totals

These totals don’t include miscellaneous costs for my personal expenses like albums and concerts.

In July 2022, I spent $1800 + $1100 in international flights for 3 weeks in South Korea, with trips to Busan and Jeju Island.

In May-June 2023, I spent $1600 + $1040 in international flights for 3 weeks in South Korea, with trips to Busan, Gyeongju, Pohang, and Jeju Island.

In September 2023, I spent $365 + $800 in international flights for 6 days just in Seoul (part of bigger Asia trip).

In November 2023, I spent $450 + $175 in international flights for 8 days just in Seoul for autumn.

In November 2024, I spent $1000 + $740 in international flights for 3 weeks in Seoul and Busan, with day trips to Gyeongju and Suwon.

How I Budget My Korea Trips

I don’t track every expense down, but start with a general budget and estimates using a simple spreadsheet.

I try to minimize accommodation and flight costs so I can spend more on guilt-free things like food and concerts.

The expenses you choose to prioritize will look different from me.

If you want to check price estimates and plan out your budget further, use the sites below (but try not to stress over each minute expense if possible):

• LetsKorail.com for KTX train prices.
• txbuse.t-money.co.kr for intercity bus prices.
• Naver Map for bus and subway costs.
• Naver or Google Maps for restaurant menu prices.
• Klook.com for specific attraction ticket fees.

Top Booking Sites I Use for South Korea

• Agoda: This is where I book most of my accommodations in Asia. It’s often the cheapest, and has good cancellation options just in case.
• The second accommodation site I use is Trip.com, where you can also purchase KTX tickets.
• Airbnb: I mostly use Airbnb in Seoul if I’m staying in the city for more than a week. I like the convenience of hotels, but Airbnb helps save money.
• Klook: This is the most popular booking site in Asia for tours, intercity buses, and activities.
• Flights: I use Skyscanner to compare prices by the month to see which day is cheaper, then I either book it directly on the airline site or Trip.com, where flights are sometimes cheaper.

Buying Cheap Flights to South Korea

I’ve flown with United, Air Premia, Korean Air, Hawaiian Airlines, and Asiana so far.

The only airline I didn’t do a direct flight with was Hawaiian Airlines, which had a short layover in Honolulu.

Cheapest Airlines:

• Air Premia, especially from San Francisco. They’re less well-known but have friendly service and the seats are comfortable. From San Francisco, Air Premia flights are usually around $350-400 one way.
• Asiana and Korean Air are usually similarly priced around $400-500 each way.
• United provides direct flights but are often more expensive.

Sometimes you’ll save money if you book roundtrip with the same airline.

When to Book Flights on a Budget

I tend to book last minute, usually a few weeks prior, which is not the best practice.

Try to book your flights at least 2-3 months in advance.

Flight costs in general will increase rather than drop.

Cost of My Korea Flights

From San Francisco to Seoul:

Here are the price of my one-way flights from San Francisco to Seoul, all in USD.

• June, 2022, United: $958 (I purchased this very last minute. I would not pay this much for a one-way flight.)
• September, 2023, Hawaiian Airlines: $650
• November, 2024, Asiana: $381
• November 2024, Seoul to SFO, Air Premia: $360

Seoul to/from Other Asia Countries:

These flights are for trips where I combined South Korea with other countries. Book earlier for cheaper prices.

• Seoul to Manila, September 2022, Cebu Pacific: $184
• Seoul to Singapore, September 2023, Xiamen Airlines: $153
• Manila to Seoul, November 2023: $155
• Seoul to Beijing, November 2023: 9,600 United miles + $20

Cost of Local Flights Within Korea:

You’ll likely only be flying to/from Busan or Jeju Island.

Otherwise, South Korea has a good express bus and KTX train network to get around the country.

The airline doesn’t matter too much; I go for least expensive and decent arrival time.

If you book in advance, you’ll get cheaper prices than I did.

Local flights can cost as low as $18.

Here are some of my flight costs within Korea:

• Busan to Jeju, July 2022: $80
• Jeju to Seoul, July 2022: $82
• Busan to Jeju, May 2023: $55
• Jeju to Seoul, May 2023: $58

Budget Accommodations in Korea

It can get expensive as a solo traveler when you aren’t splitting hotel costs with others.

I don’t mind hostels, especially for times I’m just there to sleep, but I usually just go with hotels or Airbnbs when in Korea.

Average Budget Costs:

• Budget but still decent hotels will be around $30/night.
• For longer stays, I do Airbnb. You can find solo rooms for $25/night and full apartments for around $40/night.
• To save even more money, stay in hostels, which can cost as low as $15/night.

Airbnb

I’ve mostly used Airbnb in Seoul when I’m staying in the city for a week or more.

I like the convenience of hotels, but Airbnb helps save money. Costs will be cheaper during off-seasons.

Here are some example costs from my recent trips:

• September 2023, 4 nights, Myeongdong: $210
• November 2023, 7 nights, Hongdae: $283
• November 2024, 14 nights, Hongdae: $183

Hotels

My hotel costs vary, but I try to stay around the $40/night range.

The hotels I stayed at in 2022 were definitely cheaper in 2022, and has increased since.

Again, I use Agoda.com to book most of my accommodations in Korea.

Hotel Costs in Seoul

The cost of hotels will vary by neighborhood.

In general, areas like downtown, Gangnam, and Itaewon can be more expensive.

Hongdae is often cheaper.

Hotels in Myeongdong has budget to premium hotels.

• July 2022, 5 nights, central Seoul: $235
• July 2022, 4 nights, Hongdae: $148
• August 2022, 9 nights, downtown: $280
• May 2023, 6 nights, Myeongdong: $216
• June 2023, 4 nights, downtown: $237
• Sep 2023, 5 nights, downtown: $244

➡️ Read my full guide on where to stay in Seoul.

Hotel Costs in Busan

The costs of hotels in Busan will vary by season.

They’re more expensive in busy seasons like peak spring, summer, and autumn, and cheaper in colder months.

The most popular areas to say in Busan are near Gwangalli Beach, Haeundae Beach, and Seomyeon district (cheapest).

You’ll find budget and more expensive hotels in each area.

If you’re going to stay longer than a week during peak season for example, there are inexpensive and decent airbnbs near the beaches.

• July 2022, 2 nights, Haeundae: $101
• May 2023, 3 nights, Haeundae: $90
• Nov 2024, 5 nights, Gwangalli: $222

Hotel Costs in Jeju

Hotels are more expensive in Jeju City, but you can find decent ones around $40 USD a night.

In southern Jeju, or Seogwipo City, you’ll get bigger and cheaper options.

• July 2022, 3 nights, Jeju City: $190
• June 2023, 6 nights, Jeju City: $250

➡️ Read my full Jeju Island Guide and where to stay.

Hotel Costs in Gyeongju and Other Cities

The only other city I’ve stayed overnight in is Gyeongju, but other popular cities like Jeonju will have similar prices.

Hotel costs in Gyeongju vary, but hanok stays will be more expensive.

• May 2023, Airbnb, 3 nights: $107

➡️ Read my full guide on where to stay in Gyeongju.

Transportation Costs

Public transportation costs in South Korea are relatively inexpensive.

The most expensive costs will be KTX trains depending on where you’re going, and any taxi rides to/from Incheon Airport.

Here’s examples of some of my costs getting around Korea.

Uber Costs

I’ve taken Kakao Taxi before and it can be a bit cheaper, but I like the convenience of Uber in Korea since my payment card is already on file.

• 33-minute ride within Seoul at 11am: 12,500 won ($9.40).
• 1-hour ride from Myeongdong to airport at 3pm: 64,300 won ($48 USD – increases at night).
• 40-minute ride from Busan Station to Haeundae at 3pm: 18,500 won ($14 USD).
• 8-minute ride to Jeju airport at 10am: 9,000 won ($6.75).

Subway Costs

Besides Ulsan and Sejong, there are rapid train systems in all major metropolitan cities.

Average subway ride: 1,400 won or about $1 each way, including any transfers.

Depending on how many places you go in a day, you can allocate around $5 day for subway rides.

Bus Costs

I take buses when there’s no subway system like in Jeju and Gyeongju, or if a subway stop is too far from my destination.

Buses take longer and cost almost the same as subways, but I enjoy the long bus rides, and you can see more of a city that you wouldn’t see on a subway.

• Airport Bus to downtown Seoul (prebook from Klook): $13
• Local buses within a city: 1,400 won or about $1

Express Buses to Other Cities

South Korea has a great intercity bus system. They’re frequent, comfortable and inexpensive.

You can often take the KTX instead, but sometimes the KTX ride will only save you some time.

I’ll usually take KTX if I’m going north to south. Otherwise, the 3+ hour buses are fine.

You can prebook express buses on Klook.com or at a ticket kiosk at the bus station.

Pre-check prices of buses and seat availability on txbuse.t-money.co.kr if you’re buying in person the day of.

Book early for peak seasons for popular cities like Jeonju.

Here’s examples of what I paid for intercity buses:

• Seoul to Gyeongju, 3.5 hours: 32,000 won ($22)
• Gyeongju to Busan, 1.2 hours: 10,000 won ($7)
• Pohang to Gyeongju, 30 minutes: 4,000 won $(2.75)

Train Costs

I’ve only taken the KTX from Seoul to Busan, and vice versa.

You can prebook on Trip.com and choose your seats, or buy at the train station.

If you’re traveling during a peak season, prebook it online on Korail or Trip.com.

Example costs:

• KTX from Seoul to Busan (2.5-3 hours): $38-45 depending on the time of day
• KTX from Seoul to Jeonju (2 hours): $25

Tours & Activities

Tours are a good way to maximize your time in Korea, especially if your stay is short, or for places that may be harder to get to by public transportation like the DMZ.

Klook is the most popular tour booking site in Asia.

Another one is Viator, which is more well-known in the US. Both have established tours on their websites.

Example Tour Costs:

• DMZ Day Tour: $55
• Nami Island Day Tour: ~$60
• Full Busan Day Tour: $50

If you’re traveling with a group, it could make more sense to book a private driver or tour.

➡️ Mini Korea Travel Planners to Easily Plan Your Trip.

Attractions Costs

Here are example costs for the most popular attractions in Seoul, Busan, and Jeju Island.

Most museums and cultural sites are often free.

Seoul

• Palace cost range from 1,000 won to 3,000 won $1-3 USD.
• Seoul Sky Lotte World Tower Ticket: $16
• N Seoul Tower Observatory: $11
• Hanbok rentals: $10

➡️ Top attractions to visit in Seoul.

Busan

• Busan Tower Observatory: $8
• Blueline Sky Capsule: $28 for 2
• Songdo Cable Car round-trip: $16

➡️ Top attractions to visit in Busan.

Jeju Island

• Waterfall entrance fees: 2,000 won ($1.50)
• Sunrise Peak (left side is free): 5,000 won ($3.50)
• Most nature sites are free

➡️ Top attractions to visit in Jeju Island.

Daily Food Costs

The cost of food will always vary, but it’s still relatively cheaper than that of the US, but more expensive than Taiwan or Vietnam.

On average, I spend $15-25 a day on food. One could definitely spend less or more.

Breakfast: I often skip breakfast or snack on convenience store items or have an early lunch.

Lunch: I usually eat a huge lunch to last a while and fuel my hours of walking.

Dinner: I usually have something small, like ramen from the convenience store as well as snacks (I know, not the healthiest).

If I had a light lunch, I’ll head to a restaurant and have a proper meal, or go to a dessert cafe.

For an easy inexpensive dinner, I get a $5 vegan burger set from the Lotteria restaurant chain.

Here’s examples of my average food costs:

• Korean food: 11,000 won ($7.50)
• Western food: 14,000 won ($10)
• Cakes – desserts: 6-8k won ($4-5)
• Drinks at a restaurant/cafe: 6-8k won ($4-5)
• Street food: 2-5k won ($1-3)

I usually list food prices in my restaurant blog posts.

eSIM Costs

eSIMs or physical SIM cards are a must unless you’re using your provider’s international plan.

I found the eSIMs from Klook to have more reliable connections and speed.

Here’s how much I’ve spent on SIMs with different providers:

• Physical SIM card from Klook (pick up at airport), 1 month, unlimited data: $50
• Klook eSIM, 1 month, unlimited for first 15GB: $35
• Klook eSIM, 7 days, 500MB/Day: $11
• Nomad eSIM, 45 days, 20 GB: $23
• MobiMatter eSIM, 15GB: $10

Miscellaneous Costs

Here are common costs to account for if applicable:

• Laundry at local laundromats: around 5,000 ($3.50) won for the washer, and 5,000 won for the dryer. Your hotel or stay may have a washer/dryer but I found the dryers in laundromats dry more thoroughly.
• Travel insurance: While not mandatory, travel insurance may cover any unexpected medical expenses, trip cancellations, or other emergencies. I use SafetyWing.
• Luggage storage: Costs varies from 3,000 won upwards. You can also ask your hotel to store.
• Water: Just to be safe, I buy a bunch of 2-liter water bottles at convenience stores, plus to refill my day water bottles. They’re around 1,300-2000 won and add up.
• A no-factor-cost: Tipping is not a common practice in South Korea.

Personal Costs

These are personal expenses that are unique to one’s interests.

You should factor your own into your budget i.e. any beauty treatments, big purchases, health procedures, etc.

My biggest miscellaneous costs, for any country, are usually concerts. I factor them in my initial budget spreadsheet.

Here’s what I spent for concerts in Seoul:

• Super Junior: 132,000 won ($93)
• Wonho fanmeeting: 100,000 won ($70)
• Wonho musical: 99,000 won ($69)
• Outdoor music festival: 112,000 won ($78)
• The Show (kpop competition): 141,000 won ($98 – used to be $84)

Shopping Costs

Shopping is another expense unique to you and one you should factor in if you know you’re going to buy things to bring home.

Whenever I visit Seoul, I usually always bring back more kpop albums and snacks with me.

• Albums: $12-15 each
• Skincare: ~$8 per item
• Vegan meats: ~$5 per item

Souvenir Cost Examples:

• Keychains and Magnets: 1-5,000 each
• Socks: 1-3,000 per pair
• Traditional Crafts: 10-30,000 won

Korea Budget Trip Checklist

You can also input this into a spreadsheet, that way you can automate totals and adjust as needed.

These are the main costs to account for:

▢ Flight to/from South Korea

▢ Accommodation x # of nights

▢ Daily meals

▢ Transportation

• Ride to/from airport
• Subway or buses
• KTX or express buses

▢ Any day trips

▢ Tickets for any tour or attractions

▢ eSIM or SIM cards

▢ Miscellaneous Costs

▢ Personal Costs

I hope this post was helpful! After five trips to South Korea (with more coming 😅), I really believe you can fully enjoy a trip to Korea on a budget.

So many attractions are free and getting around is inexpensive.

I’ll be doing a budget overview to Japan next, where I recently spent a month.

Have a great trip to Korea!

🎥 Watch the vlog:

Korea Travel Budget for 5 Trips 💸: hotels, food, flights, transportation, tours + attractions