How much does a trip to Korea cost? Use this Korea travel budget calculator to get a realistic budget range for your trip: choose how many people are going, how long you stay, where you go (Seoul, Busan, Jeju or a mix), the kind of place you sleep in, how you eat, how you get around and what you want to do. The estimate updates as you change each answer.
Last checked: October 27, 2026. Prices come from our own Korea guides. Dollar figures use about 1,330 KRW = 1 USD (October 2026). International flights are not included.
Quick answer
- Typical daily budget: about $55–120 per person for backpackers, $90–200 mid-range, $150–300 comfort (excluding flights).
- Biggest costs: accommodation and food, then shopping; transport in Korea is cheap (a subway ride is 1,550 KRW).
- Seoul vs Busan: Busan hotels usually cost a little less than Seoul; holiday weeks can add 30–40% to room prices.
- Not included: flights to Korea, visas/K-ETA fees and big-ticket shopping beyond the level you choose.
Korea trip cost calculator
How much is a trip to Korea per day?
These are rough per-person daily budgets for Seoul in a regular season (light shopping included), with two people sharing a room. They match what the calculator gives for the same choices.
| Style | What it looks like | Per person per day |
|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | Hostel dorm, street food and gimbap, subway | $55–120 |
| Mid-range | 3–4★ hotel shared by two, casual restaurants, subway and a few taxis | $90–200 |
| Comfort | Upscale hotel, Korean BBQ and cafés, taxis | $150–300 |
| Luxury | 5★ hotel, fine dining, taxis or private car | $230–500+ |
A 5-night mid-range trip for a couple therefore lands around $1,200–2,700 in total, before flights. The wide range is honest: hotel prices change a lot by date, and shopping is the line most people underestimate.
How does the calculator estimate costs?
- Accommodation: a nightly price range for each type of stay, multiplied by the rooms you need. Children count as half a person when we work out rooms. Busan, Gyeongju and Jeju are slightly cheaper than Seoul; peak and holiday weeks cost more.
- Food: a daily range per person by eating style, plus cafés if you choose them. Children are counted at about 60%.
- Transport: subway and bus fares per day, taxis by the car, the airport transfer you pick, and KTX trains or a domestic flight for multi-city routes. KTX child fares are roughly half.
- Activities and shopping: a small daily amount for entry fees, more for nightlife or shows, plus theme park days and guided tours you add. Shopping uses the level you choose, per adult.
- Stays and treatments: capsule pods are about 30,000–55,000 KRW a night and a skin booster session about 150,000–400,000 KRW (Seoul Tourism Organization, 2026); ski days use lift and rental prices from our ski guide. Medical treatment is not included.
- Guides for your trip: under the result, we pick guides that match your answers — travelling with children, the airport train, street food, a ski day and so on.
- Extras: eSIM or SIM, a transit card, luggage storage and travel insurance if ticked, and an optional 10% safety margin on the high end.
What do common things cost in Korea?
A few of the prices behind the calculator. The full list, with links to each guide, is on our Korea travel prices page.
| Item | Price (Oct 2026) |
|---|---|
| Subway ride (T-money) | 1,550 KRW |
| Airport train to Seoul Station (all-stop) | 4,750–5,350 KRW |
| Taxi base fare, Seoul | 4,800 KRW |
| KTX Seoul → Busan (one way) | about 54,400 KRW |
| Street food snack, Myeongdong | 2,000–6,000 KRW |
| Café coffee | 5,500–8,000 KRW |
| Gyeongbokgung Palace | 3,000 KRW |
| Mid-range hotel, Myeongdong | about 110,000–270,000 KRW a night |
How can I spend less in Korea?
- Use the subway and buses with a T-money or WOWPASS card instead of taxis: see T-money card guide.
- Eat lunch at markets and casual restaurants; Gwangjang Market fills you up for 15,000–25,000 KRW.
- Many palaces are cheap (1,000–3,000 KRW) and free if you wear hanbok; parks, markets and neighbourhood walks are free.
- Claim the tax refund on purchases of 15,000 KRW or more: Korea tax refund guide.
- Travel outside holiday weeks, and book KTX trains early for weekends.
Nearby on Korea Bestie
- Korea travel prices — the full price list
- Money in Korea — cards, cash and WOWPASS
- Where to stay in Seoul — areas and hotels
- Seoul itinerary — 3 days, day by day
FAQ
Is Korea expensive to visit?
Korea is mid-priced for Asia: transport and casual food are cheap, while hotels in central Seoul and shopping can add up. A mid-range traveller often spends about $90–200 a day, excluding flights.
How much money do I need for 7 days in Seoul?
For one person in a mid-range hotel shared with a partner, roughly $770–1,700 before flights (with moderate shopping). Set “Nights” to 7 in the calculator to see your own range.
Do I need cash in Korea?
Cards work almost everywhere, but carry some cash for markets and street food. Our money guide explains WOWPASS and ATMs.
Does the calculator include flights?
No. Add your international flights separately; domestic flights to Jeju are included when you choose a Jeju route.
Sources: Korea Bestie guides checked October 2026 (subway, airport, taxi, KTX, hotels, food and palace guides linked above) · Korea travel prices