How Much Money Do You Need for a Trip to Korea?

If you are planning your first trip to Korea, you may wonder:

“How much money do I need?”

I used to have the same question when I planned trips to other countries.

But honestly, it is not easy to give one answer.

Your budget can be very different depending on where you stay, what you eat, how you travel, and how much you shop.

So, instead of saying “You need this much money per day,” let’s look at the things you may spend money on in Korea.

Then you can make a budget that works for you.

Let’s leave out the flight ticket

A flight ticket can be one of the biggest costs of your trip.

But the price is very different depending on where you are coming from and when you book your flight.

So, I will leave the flight ticket out of this guide.

Let’s look at the money you may spend after you arrive in Korea.

How much does a hotel cost in Korea?

There are many places to stay in Korea.

You can find guesthouses, small hotels, regular hotels, and luxury hotels.

For example, in Seoul, you may find a place to stay in the 100,000 won range per night.

A five-star hotel can be around 300,000 won or more.

But the price can change a lot.

A hotel can be more expensive on weekends than on weekdays. Prices can also go up during busy travel seasons and holidays.

So, don’t look at the price only.

Check the reviews, too.

Some travelers mention things like:

• cigarette smells
• a damp smell
• uncomfortable beds
• old rooms or bathrooms

This does not mean every old hotel has these problems. But checking recent reviews can help you avoid a place you may not like.

If you are very tall, there is one more thing to check.

Some older Korean buildings have low ceilings or small bathrooms.

It may be fine for most people, but it can be uncomfortable if you are very tall.

So when you choose a place to stay, check the price, location, and reviews together.

How much does a meal cost?

For a normal meal at a Korean restaurant, you can think about 10,000 to 20,000 won per meal.

You can spend less, too.

Kimbap, simple noodles, and other casual foods can be cheaper.

But Korean barbecue, famous restaurants, and nice restaurants can cost much more.

So there is no fixed price for food in Korea.

It really depends on what you want to eat.

What about Korean street food?

Trying street food is one of the fun parts of visiting Korea.

You can find tteokbokki, hotteok, egg bread, fish cakes, chicken skewers, and many other foods.

Some street food can be quite cheap.

But there is something you should know.

Street food in tourist areas can be more expensive.

For example, in Myeongdong, you may see prices like these:

Food	Example price
Egg bread (계란빵)	about 2,000 won
Hotteok (호떡)	about 3,000 won
Sikhye, a Korean sweet drink (식혜)	about 4,000 won
Chicken skewer (닭꼬치)	about 5,000 won
Japchae (잡채)	about 6,000 won

Prices can change, so these are only examples.

If you visit a busy tourist area, don’t be surprised if street food costs more than you expected.

Don’t forget about cafes

Korea has a lot of cafes.

And for many people, visiting a cafe is part of the trip.

Coffee prices can be very different.

An Americano can cost from around 1,000 won to 5,000 won or more.

But your coffee may not be the biggest part of the bill.

If you order bread, cake, or dessert, the price can go up quickly.

Popular cafes with a nice view can also be more expensive.

Koreans sometimes call this “the view price.”

You are not only paying for the coffee.

You are also paying for the view and the atmosphere.

So, if you enjoy visiting cafes, remember to include cafe costs in your travel budget.

How much should you budget for shopping?

Shopping is very different from person to person.

You can buy small things at Daiso for a few thousand won.

You can also find clothes at some traditional markets for around 10,000 to 20,000 won.

But brand stores and department stores can be much more expensive.

One item can easily cost 100,000 won or more.

There are many places to shop in Korea.

For example:

• Daiso
• Olive Young
• traditional markets
• Myeongdong
• Hongdae
• Seongsu
• department stores
• brand stores

So I recommend keeping your shopping money separate from your basic travel budget.

You can decide how much you want to spend after you decide what you want to buy.

What about special experiences?

You may also want to try something special while you are in Korea.

For example:

• personal color analysis
• visiting a hair salon
• beauty treatments
• wearing a hanbok
• concerts
• cooking classes
• traditional experiences
• special tours

These are not necessary costs.

But if you want to try them, remember to add them to your budget.

How much will transportation cost?

If you mainly use buses and subways in Seoul, transportation does not have to cost a lot.

But your costs can go up if you use taxis often or travel outside Seoul.

You should also think about one more trip:

How will you get from the airport to your hotel?

How much does it cost from Incheon Airport to Seoul?

There are several ways to get from Incheon Airport to Seoul.

One popular choice is AREX, the airport train.

If you are going to Seoul Station, the cost and travel time are roughly:

Transportation	Time	Example price
AREX Express Train	about 43 minutes	about 13,000 won
Airport bus	about 60 minutes	about 17,000 won
Taxi	about 50 minutes	around 70,000 won

The actual price and travel time can be different depending on where you are going.

Taxi fares can also be higher depending on the time and traffic. Tolls may be added, too.

The cheapest option may not always be the easiest.

AREX is a good choice if you want to get to Seoul quickly.

An airport bus may be more convenient if your hotel is near a bus stop.

If you have a lot of luggage or are traveling with family, a taxi may also be a good choice.

Do you need a lot of cash in Korea?

Probably not.

Cards are widely used in Korea.

You can use a card for most everyday purchases.

But you may still need some cash at some traditional markets, small food stalls, or small shops.

You may also want some cash when you need to add money to a transportation card.

So you don’t need to carry a lot of cash.

Using a card for most things and keeping some cash with you is usually enough.

So, how much money do you need?

Now, let’s go back to the first question.

“How much money do I need per day in Korea?”

There is no single answer.

If you choose a cheaper place to stay, eat at regular restaurants, and use public transportation, you can keep your costs lower.

If you stay at a nice hotel, eat at famous restaurants, visit cafes, take taxis, shop, and try different experiences, you will spend more.

So I recommend dividing your budget into two parts.

Basic costs

• Accommodation
• Food
• Transportation

Extra costs

• Cafes
• Shopping
• Experiences
• Taxis
• More expensive meals

First, think about what you want to do in Korea.

Then make your budget.

You don’t have to spend the same amount as other travelers.

Maybe you want to try as many Korean foods as possible.

Maybe shopping is more important to you.

Maybe you want to save money and spend more time walking around Seoul.

All of these are good ways to travel.

There is no “right” budget for a trip to Korea.

Make a budget that fits your trip.

And once you know how much you want to spend, you can stop worrying about the money and enjoy your time in Korea.