How Much Does a Trip to South Korea Cost in 2026? A Realistic Budget Breakdown
Photo by Pexels
South Korea is having a moment. With a record 18.7 million tourists in 2025 and even more expected in 2026, more people than ever are asking: how much does it actually cost to visit Korea?
The honest answer? Korea can be surprisingly affordable — if you know where to spend and where to save. Here's a realistic, no-fluff budget breakdown for 2026.
Daily Budget Overview
| Travel Style | Daily Budget (per person) | 7-Day Total |
| 🎒 Budget | ₩60,000–₩80,000 ($42–$56 USD) | $300–$400 |
| 🧳 Mid-Range | ₩150,000–₩250,000 ($105–$175 USD) | $750–$1,200 |
| ✨ Luxury | ₩400,000+ ($280+ USD) | $2,000+ |
Note: This excludes international flights. Prices are per person and based on 2026 averages.
Accommodation: Where to Stay on Every Budget
Budget: ₩20,000–₩40,000/night ($14–$28)
- Hostels — dorm beds in Seoul's Hongdae or Myeongdong area run ₩20,000–₩30,000/night. Popular options include Zaza Hostel and Zzzip Hostel.
- Goshiwon (고시원) — tiny private rooms originally designed for students. Basic but private, starting from ₩15,000/night.
- Jjimjilbang overnight — sleep at a Korean bathhouse for ₩10,000–₩15,000. You get a bath, sauna, and sleeping space included.
Mid-Range: ₩80,000–₩150,000/night ($56–$105)
- Business hotels — clean, modern, and well-located. Chains like Tmark or Nine Tree offer excellent value.
- Hanok guesthouses — traditional Korean houses in Bukchon or Jeonju. A unique cultural experience for ₩80,000–₩120,000/night.
Luxury: ₩300,000+/night ($210+)
- Signiel Seoul in Lotte World Tower, Park Hyatt Seoul, or The Shilla — world-class hotels with stunning city views.
Food: The Best Part of Any Korea Budget
Korean food is incredible AND affordable. Here's what to expect:
| Meal Type | Price Range | Examples |
| Street food snack | ₩2,000–₩5,000 ($1.50–$3.50) | Tteokbokki, hotteok, fish cake, kimbap |
| Casual restaurant | ₩8,000–₩15,000 ($5.50–$10.50) | Bibimbap, kimchi jjigae, cold noodles |
| Korean BBQ | ₩15,000–₩25,000 ($10.50–$17.50) | Samgyeopsal, galbi (per person) |
| Convenience store meal | ₩3,000–₩5,000 ($2–$3.50) | Triangle kimbap, cup ramyeon, sandwiches |
| Café coffee | ₩4,500–₩7,000 ($3–$5) | Americano, latte, specialty drinks |
Budget tip: Korean restaurants always serve banchan (반찬) — free side dishes that are refillable. A ₩8,000 meal often feels like a feast because of all the side dishes that come with it.
Budget tip 2: Convenience stores like CU, GS25, and 7-Eleven are lifesavers. Korean convenience store food is actually good — triangle kimbap, instant ramyeon (they have hot water stations), and ready-made meals cost under ₩5,000.
Transportation: Getting Around Korea
| Transport | Cost | Notes |
| Seoul subway (single ride) | ₩1,400–₩2,000 | Cheapest way to get around Seoul |
| Climate Card (7-day) | ₩20,000 | Unlimited Seoul subway + bus — best value |
| KTX (Seoul → Busan) | ₩59,800 | High-speed train, 2.5 hours |
| Express bus (Seoul → Busan) | ₩23,000–₩34,000 | 4–5 hours, much cheaper than KTX |
| Taxi (short ride in Seoul) | ₩5,000–₩15,000 | Affordable for short distances, especially at night |
| Domestic flight (Seoul → Jeju) | ₩50,000–₩120,000 | 1 hour flight, book early for best prices |
Budget tip: Get the Climate Card if you're staying in Seoul for 3+ days. It's unlimited subway and bus rides for a flat fee — much cheaper than paying per ride with T-Money.
Activities and Attractions
Many of Korea's best experiences are free or very cheap:
Free:
- Walking through Bukchon Hanok Village
- Hiking Bukhansan, Namsan, or Inwangsan
- Exploring traditional markets (Mangwon, Tongin, Namdaemun)
- Han River parks
- National Museum of Korea (free admission)
- Watching the changing of the guard at Gyeongbokgung
Affordable:
- Gyeongbokgung Palace entrance — ₩3,000 (free if wearing hanbok!)
- Jjimjilbang visit — ₩10,000–₩15,000
- DMZ tour — ₩50,000–₩76,000
- Lotte World theme park — ₩59,000
- Hanbok rental (2 hours) — ₩15,000–₩25,000
Photo by Pexels
Sample 7-Day Budget Breakdown
Here's what a realistic mid-range 7-day trip to Seoul and Busan might cost per person:
| Category | 7-Day Total |
| Accommodation (business hotel) | ₩700,000 ($490) |
| Food (mix of street food + restaurants) | ₩350,000 ($245) |
| Transportation (Climate Card + KTX) | ₩120,000 ($84) |
| Activities & attractions | ₩150,000 ($105) |
| Shopping & extras | ₩200,000 ($140) |
| TOTAL | ₩1,520,000 (~$1,064 USD) |
Top Money-Saving Tips
- Wear hanbok to palaces — you get free admission to all major palaces when wearing traditional Korean clothing. Rental shops are everywhere near Gyeongbokgung.
- Eat at kimbap shops — Kimbap Cheonguk (김밥천국) and similar chains serve full meals for ₩5,000–₩7,000.
- Use Naver Map for restaurants — sort by rating to find local gems that tourists miss.
- Travel by bus instead of KTX — express buses between cities cost 40–60% less than the train.
- Visit free museums — the National Museum of Korea, War Memorial, and many gallery spaces are completely free.
- Get a SIM card at the airport — eSIMs or prepaid SIMs from KT or SKT cost ₩20,000–₩35,000 for a week of unlimited data.
Final Thoughts
South Korea is more affordable than most people expect. The combination of excellent public transport, amazing cheap food, and free attractions means you can have an incredible trip without spending a fortune.
Whether you're a backpacker sleeping in jjimjilbangs or a mid-range traveler enjoying hanok stays and Korean BBQ, Korea offers fantastic value for your money in 2026.
Useful links:
Korea Tourism Organization
Visit Seoul Official Site
댓글 쓰기