Daily costs per person in KRW. Seoul is remarkably affordable for a world-class capital — street food and transit keep costs low.
Daily cost breakdown
Currency: KRW (Won) (1 USD ≈ ₩1,350)
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Splurge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | ₩20,000–35,000 | ₩60,000–120,000 | ₩200,000+ | Hostel/guesthouse → hotel → hanok stay/luxury |
| Food | ₩15,000–25,000 | ₩35,000–60,000 | ₩100,000+ | Street food & chains → BBQ & cafes → Hanwoo beef & fine dining |
| Transport | ₩3,000–6,000 | ₩8,000–15,000 | ₩30,000+ | Metro & bus → taxi/ride-share → private driver |
| Activities | ₩5,000–15,000 | ₩20,000–50,000 | ₩100,000+ | Free palaces & parks → museums & DMZ → private tours |
| Drinks | ₩3,000–8,000 | ₩15,000–30,000 | ₩50,000+ | Convenience store soju → chimaek → craft cocktail bars |
| Daily Total | ₩46,000–89,000 | ₩138,000–275,000 | ₩480,000+ | $34–66 → $102–204 → $356+ |
Money-saving tips
T-money card
Get a T-money card (₩2,500) at any convenience store — works on all buses, metro, and even taxis. ₩100 discount per ride vs cash. Refill at any CU or GS25.
Eat Korean
Kimbap Cheonguk and Hansot are Korean fast food chains with full meals from ₩4,000. Gimbap rolls: ₩2,500. University districts (Hongdae, Sinchon) have the cheapest eats.
Free palaces
Wear a hanbok (₩10,000 rental) for free entry to all five grand palaces. Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, and Deoksugung are all included.
Convenience stores
CU and GS25 have surprisingly good ready meals — triangle gimbap (₩1,200), cup ramyeon (₩1,500), and meal kits (₩3,000–5,000). Seating and microwaves available.
Soju economics
Soju is ₩1,800 at a store, ₩4,000–5,000 at a restaurant. Pre-game at convenience stores like locals do. Cass beer: ₩1,800 at CU vs ₩5,000+ at bars.
Airport transit
AREX airport express from Incheon to Seoul Station: ₩9,500 (43 min) vs taxi ₩65,000+. Regular all-stop AREX: ₩4,150 (66 min).
