How Much Does It Cost To Vacation In South Korea

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve asked myself, “How much does it cost to vacation in South Korea?” And I don’t mean as little as possible, I mean really enjoy my time, but not spend a fortune. Seoul has seen a boom in tourism in recent years, with more and more tourists coming to this coastal metropolis. From a child-supporting salary to exorbitant prices, economic problems affect families as well as individuals in South Korea. As such we’ll be taking a look at the cities of Seoul, Busan and Gwangju to see how much it costs to vacation in South Korea.

How much money is enough to travel to South Korea? There is no right or wrong answer to that question. I’ve met travelers who try to make it on just $30 a day and other’s that love spending $500+ a day. The first group gives up when things get tough and the second group never wants for anything. It’s all about flexibility and sacrifices, so in this post we’ll figure out how much it costs to vacation in South Korea based on your comfort level. Currently sitting at number 10 on my Worldwide Cost of Living Index, South Korea is an incredibly intriguing country to visit. The food alone is a great reason to go, but there’s a whole lot more to do. South Korea has some fascinating culture and history, including the countless sites that make up Seoul’s palaces and monuments.

Are you ready to see the most picturesque, historic and cultured destinations in Asia? I’ve compiled a list of the best places to visit in South Korea that are budget friendly. Space on this guest post is limited. If you are interested in purchasing this article and writing on my blog please contact me: info@travel-bloggers.com

South Korea is truly one of a kind.

I haven’t been to many places where I feel a cohesive blend of old and new, but South Korea is one of them. Steeped with 5000 years of culture and history, but integrated with modern music, technology, and infrastructure, it’s a country that will surprise and delight you at every turn.

And Seoul? It’s one of my favourite cities in the world. If you think New York City is the place that never sleeps — just wait until you arrive in Seoul. I landed in the South Korean capital expecting to spend three or four days in town, but ended up leaving after three weeks. Yes, I loved this city so much that I simply couldn’t bring myself to leave.

How Much Does It Cost To Vacation In South Korea

I’d be walking the bustling streets of popular neighbourhood Hongdae in the early hours of the morning and notice that the energy was similar to how it was during the day, except infused with a little bit more entertainment. Street performers are out doing their best routines to the latest K-pop songs, shops are bright and open, and clubs have line-ups out the door. Talk about a sensory overload, but in the best way. 

Beyond Seoul, there’s also plenty to see. From the colourful houses in Busan to the scenic coastal views and tea plantations on Jeju Island. Get ready to be swept in by all this country has to offer, from Korean BBQ, K-pop, karaoke, palaces, temples, and arcades. But most of all, the kindness and hospitality of Korean people themselves is what will grab your heart and pull you in for longer than you intended.

Today, I’m going to be sharing exactly how much you can expect to spend on a trip to South Korea.

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THIS POST 

This budget breakdown covers how much I spent on accommodation, transportation, activities, and food while I travelled around the country.

I’ve not included my flights into and out of South Korea as this is going to vary significantly based on where you’ll be arriving from.

The amounts in this guide are listed in U.S. dollars, simply because the vast majority of my readers are from the U.S. I also included some prices in South Korean won (KRW), as this is the local currency that you will use the most. 

Okay — let’s get started!

THE COST OF ACCOMMODATION IN SOUTH KOREA 

Finding places to stay on a mid-range budget in South Korea is very do-able. You might not get the cheap prices that Southeast Asia offers, but it’s still pretty reasonable. Guesthouses and hostels usually start at around 20,000 KRW ($18) per night, while mid-range hotels will start at around 40,000 KRW ($36) per night. 

With that being said, here’s a list of my favourite accommodation options in South Korea:

Seoul — Zzzip Guesthouse ($22 a night): Zzzip Guesthouse is the perfect base for your time in Seoul. I don’t say this lightly, but it’s probably one of the best hostels I’ve stayed in. When it comes to atmosphere, cleanliness, location, affordability and people—this guesthouse has it all. It’s located in the buzzing neighbourhood of Hongdae, so you have easy access to plenty of nightlife, shops, bars and restaurants. And you’re only a 5 minute walk from a subway station. Because this hostel is family-run, it has such a welcoming and cozy atmosphere. The hosts were present every day and were quick to offer helpful recommendations or make coffee for the guests coming back from a day of exploring. Zzzip also attracted a lot of solo travelers, so it’s a great place to meet and hang out with other people. 

Busan — MAMA Guesthouse Haeundae ($46 a night): When you’re hitting up South Korea’s second largest city, consider staying here. Busan is a bustling city known for its gorgeous mountains and beaches, and this guesthouse is only a hop, skip, and a jump away from Haeundae Beach. Besides the beach, there are also plenty of restaurants, shops and tourist attractions nearby. It’s excellent value for the price, as each room is well equipped with a TV, seating area, air conditioning and even a private bathroom. This guesthouse is also cozy and inviting, predominantly thanks to the kind and helpful owner, Steven, who is always there to help you with everything from directions, ticket printing or just ideas of things to do!

Jeju City — Guest House Brick ($40 a night): This is a great guesthouse in Jeju City for its value. The rooms and common areas are very clean and comfortable and there’s an outdoor terrace for you to enjoy at your leisure. Its proximity to the city centre and bus station is perfect for your explorations around Jeju Island. The host is also very friendly and there to answer any questions you have or to provide recommendations for trips. And, breakfast is included in the price! When you stay here, towels, curling irons, and even hair straighteners are provided if you need them. 

Gyeongju — Doobaki Hostel ($17 a night): If you’re travelling throughout Korea, then you’ll undoubtedly want to make a stop in Gyeongju, an ancient city of what was once the Silla Kingdom. To ensure a fun, hassle-free and comfortable stay, consider Doobaki Hostel, an affordable option for budget travellers and run by hosts that have done their fair share of travelling. They offer both 4-bed dormitory rooms and double rooms, each with their own bathroom and luggage locker storage, free of charge. You’re in close proximity to express bus terminals, Gyeongju intercity and surrounding ruins of the Shilla Dynasty. After a day of exploring, get ready to be welcomed by the host and staff in the evening over food and storytelling. 

Jeonju — Jungdam ($35 a night): If you want to experience the best of Jeonju, made famous for its traditional Hanok Village and being the birthplace of popular dish bibimbap, then there’s no better place to stay than at a guesthouse in the heart of Jeonju Hanok Village. Jungdam is exactly the kind of place that hits every traveller’s standards. It’s a cozy, quaint, and gorgeous property that is a short distance away from popular tourist attractions. The rooms are clean, comfortable and a decent breakfast spread is included in your stay. You’ll also experience Korean hospitality at its finest, thanks to the inviting hosts who make every effort to welcome you and help you with anything you need. They have quite the collection of Hanboks that they are more than willing to lend for free if you really want to have an immersive cultural experience. Because this is a traditional stay, you will be sleeping on the floor. However, the underfloor heating will keep you comfortable and warm, so that you won’t even notice a difference!

Daegu — Daegu Midtown Hostel ($16 a night): This hostel will exceed your expectations. Not only is the price amazing, but the facilities, location, cleanliness and atmosphere are also all top-notch. Each dorm bed is equipped with shades to give you privacy, in addition to a small shelf and power outlet, towels, and earplugs. It’s in the middle of the shopping district in Daegu and nearby one of the major subway stations. The bathrooms are well thought out and maintained, with plenty of space, toilets, mirrors, and showers for guests to use. Though, what really makes this place standout is the rooftop patio which fosters an excellent space for gathering and meeting other travellers while also enjoying some nice city views!

THE COST OF TRANSPORTATION IN SOUTH KOREA 

Getting around in South Korea is convenient, comfortable and reliable thanks to its extensive network of modern railways, highways, bus routes and elaborate subway systems. 

Here are the most common forms of transportation in South Korea: 

Train — Travelling by train is one of the best ways to get around South Korea. It’s slightly higher than taking the bus, but it’s reliable, comfortable and guaranteed to get you to your destination right on time. 

The Korean Train Express is your fastest way of getting around some major points in Korea. There are 5 Major lines in total: 

• KTX Gyeongbu Line: connects Seoul to Busan, Suwan, Daejon, and Daegu 
• KTX Honam Line: connects Seoul to Mokpo in the southwest, making stops along Daejeon, Dugye, Jeolla-do, and Gwangju 
• KTX Gyeongjeon Line: connects Seoul to the southeastern part of Korea to cities like Jinju and Changwon 
• KTX Jeolla Line: connects Seoul to southwestern parts of Korea and cities like Jeonju, Namwon, Suncheon, and Yeosu
• KTX Gangneung Line: runs between Seoul and Gangneung

If you plan on taking the train throughout your travels, I’d recommend buying a Korea Rail Pass (KR Pass), which works similarly to a Eurail Pass. You can choose from either a consecutive pass or a flexible pass. Here are the pass options and their corresponding prices:

	Adults (28+)	Youth (13-17)	Children (6-12)
Flexible 2-day pass	121,000 ($108)	96,000 ($86)	61,000 ($54)
Flexible 4-day pass	193,000 ($173)	154,000 ($138)	97,000 ($87)
Consecutive 3-day pass	138,000 ($124)	110,000 ($99)	69,000 ($62)
Consecutive 5-day pass	210,000 ($188)	168,000 ($151)	105,000 ($94)

Bus — You can take the bus to just about anywhere. Most cities and towns in Korea are accessible by an extensive bus network. There are two types of buses you can take: Express buses and Intercity buses. Express buses pretty much go direct to the destination while only making a toilet pitstop and Intercity buses will make stops in smaller cities along the way.

You can purchase bus tickets either through Kobus, Bustago, or T-money. However, you can only purchase through these sites if you have a Korean bank card. But don’t worry! It’s also really easy to buy bus tickets on the spot at a terminal and the price will depend on the distance, departure time and class (standard or luxury). To give you a sense of ticket prices, here are some average one-way costs for a few routes you might take: