Korea Trip Budget Calculator 여행 경비
A realistic number, not a brochure number. Pick how you like to travel and we build a daily budget from what things actually cost in 2026.
| Where it goes | Per person | Notes |
|---|
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What the numbers are based on
We keep three price profiles and check them against current listings and menus. All figures are per person per day unless noted, in Korean won.
| Backpacker | Comfortable | Treat yourself | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Room per night (shared by two) | ₩45,000 | ₩130,000 | ₩300,000 |
| Food and coffee | ₩32,000 | ₩60,000 | ₩110,000 |
| Getting around | ₩8,000 | ₩13,000 | ₩30,000 |
| Small activities and entry fees | ₩8,000 | ₩20,000 | ₩45,000 |
| One day tour (each) | ₩60,000 | ₩90,000 | ₩150,000 |
Backpacker means hostel dorms or guesthouses, kimbap and convenience-store dinners, the subway everywhere. Comfortable means a clean three-star or a good Airbnb near a station, sit-down Korean meals, a taxi when it rains. Treat yourself means a four-star in Myeongdong or Gangnam, tasting menus and taxis by default.
Where people overspend
Hotels in central Seoul. Prices jump in April, October and around holidays. Book two months out or stay one subway stop away from the famous area. Western food and cocktails. A pasta in Itaewon costs what a full Korean set meal costs three times over. Airport SIM counters. Buy an eSIM before you fly. Taxis from Incheon. The AREX express train is ₩11,000. A taxi is ₩70,000 or more.
Where Korea is cheap
Public transport is excellent and a ride is about ₩1,500. Convenience stores sell real meals. Street food in markets runs ₩3,000 to ₩6,000 a dish. Museums and palaces cost a few thousand won, and Gyeongbokgung is free if you wear a rented hanbok.
Questions people ask
Does this include flights?
No. Flights vary too much by origin and season. Add your fare on top of the total.
Is cash still needed in Korea?
Rarely. Cards work almost everywhere, including street stalls with a terminal. Carry ₩50,000 to ₩100,000 in cash for markets and small shops, and load a T-money card for transit.
What exchange rate do you use?
A planning rate of roughly ₩1,380 per US dollar. Check the live rate before you travel. Your card will use the rate on the day.
Are prices different in Busan or Jeju?
Hotels are usually 10 to 20 percent cheaper than Seoul outside peak season. Jeju needs a rental car, which adds ₩50,000 to ₩80,000 a day.
Prices last checked: September 2026. Estimates only; your trip will differ.