South Korea presents captivating contrasts where ancient palaces stand beside futuristic skyscrapers, Buddhist temples neighbor K-Pop culture, and Michelin-starred cuisine is sold alongside unforgettable street food. This dynamic fusion makes it uniquely compelling for every traveler type. Costs are remarkably scalable – a frugal backpacker can experience the country for 72 USD daily while luxury connoisseurs begin around 467 USD and rise from there.
Plan the practical part
South Korea Trip Cost 2026: Complete Budget Guide from 72 USD to 467+ USD Daily
Daily budget guide for South Korea (prices in KRW)Updated
- Budget₩68,057–₩115,697 / day
- Mid-range₩115,697–₩245,005 / day
- Luxury₩245,005–₩367,508 / day
What a day in South Korea costs
Budget
₩68,057–₩115,697 / day
≈ $50 USD
Hostels or guesthouses, street food and markets, public transport.
Mid-range
₩115,697–₩245,005 / day
≈ $85 USD
Comfortable hotels, sit-down restaurants, a few paid activities.
Luxury
₩245,005–₩367,508 / day
≈ $180 USD
Boutique or five-star stays, fine dining, private tours and transfers.
Estimates are per person, per day, in KRW. USD equivalents use open.er-api.com exchange rates from 3 Sep 2026.
Make it your trip
What could your trip cost?
Choose your pace and travel style. Start with the published daily estimate, then make room for the things you care about.
Estimated trip budget · KRW
7 days · 1 traveler · Mid-range
- Daily budget per person
- ₩115,697–₩245,005
- Season adjustment
- ×1
An editorial estimate, not a booking quote. Daily budget × days × travelers × season adjustment. Add flights, insurance, and any costs outside the guide separately. Shared rooms and child rates may change your total.
Where the money goes
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stay | ₩45 | ₩105 | ₩245 |
| Eat | ₩9 | ₩22 | ₩58 |
| Do | ₩10 | ₩20 | ₩40 |
| Categories combined | ₩64 | ₩147 | ₩343 |
Category figures are typical daily spends; the tier totals above them include everyday extras, so the two need not match to the unit.
Everyday prices
- Prices
- [{"good_id":3,"item_name":"International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child","category_id":2,"category_name":"Childcare","min":19128640.89,"avg":21254045.43,"max":23379449.98,"usd":{"min":"14373.95","avg":"15971.06","max":"17568.16"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"KRW"},{"good_id":4,"item_name":"Private Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly for 1 Child","category_id":2,"category_name":"Childcare","min":488844.34,"avg":800569.99,"max":1381509.5,"usd":{"min":"367.34","avg":"601.58","max":"1038.12"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"KRW"},{"good_id":5,"item_name":"Pair of Jeans in a Chain Store Like George, H&M, Zara, etc.","category_id":3,"category_name":"Clothing And Shoes","min":26565.46,"avg":85011.83,"max":143458.2,"usd":{"min":"19.96","avg":"63.88","max":"107.80"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"KRW"},{"good_id":6,"item_name":"Pair of Leather Business Shoes","category_id":3,"category_name":"Clothing And Shoes","min":106273.56,"avg":148773.62,"max":191285.39,"usd":{"min":"79.86","avg":"111.79","max":"143.74"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"KRW"},{"good_id":7,"item_name":"Pair of Running Shoes, Mid-Range Price","category_id":3,"category_name":"Clothing And Shoes","min":42511.77,"avg":91661.97,"max":159404.49,"usd":{"min":"31.94","avg":"68.88","max":"119.78"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"KRW"},{"good_id":9,"item_name":"Apples, 1 kg","category_id":4,"category_name":"Markets","min":5315.43,"avg":8148.77,"max":10982.11,"usd":{"min":"3.99","avg":"6.12","max":"8.25"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"KRW"},{"good_id":10,"item_name":"Banana, 1 kg","category_id":4,"category_name":"Markets","min":3184.58,"avg":4519.29,"max":7434.58,"usd":{"min":"2.39","avg":"3.40","max":"5.59"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"KRW"},{"good_id":11,"item_name":"Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat, 1 kg ","category_id":4,"category_name":"Markets","min":15946.3,"avg":21250.03,"max":63761.8,"usd":{"min":"11.98","avg":"15.97","max":"47.91"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"KRW"},{"good_id":12,"item_name":"Bottle of Wine, Mid-Range Price","category_id":4,"category_name":"Markets","min":9567.78,"avg":10630.87,"max":11693.96,"usd":{"min":"7.19","avg":"7.99","max":"8.79"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"KRW"},{"good_id":13,"item_name":"Chicken Breasts, Boneless and Skinless, 1 kg","category_id":4,"category_name":"Markets","min":5315.43,"avg":12363.65,"max":23427.72,"usd":{"min":"3.99","avg":"9.29","max":"17.60"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"KRW"},{"good_id":14,"item_name":"Domestic Beer, 0.5 liter Bottle","category_id":4,"category_name":"Markets","min":1276.17,"avg":2669.43,"max":4250.01,"usd":{"min":"0.96","avg":"2.01","max":"3.19"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"KRW"},{"good_id":15,"item_name":"Eggs, 12 pack","category_id":4,"category_name":"Markets","min":1697.66,"avg":2868.46,"max":4776.87,"usd":{"min":"1.28","avg":"2.16","max":"3.59"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"KRW"},{"good_id":17,"item_name":"Lettuce, 1 head","category_id":4,"category_name":"Markets","min":1917.77,"avg":2130.86,"max":2343.95,"usd":{"min":"1.44","avg":"1.60","max":"1.76"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"KRW"},{"good_id":18,"item_name":"Loaf of Fresh White Bread, 0.5 kg","category_id":4,"category_name":"Markets","min":1917.77,"avg":2130.86,"max":2343.95,"usd":{"min":"1.44","avg":"1.60","max":"1.76"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"KRW"},{"good_id":19,"item_name":"Local Cheese, 1 kg","category_id":4,"category_name":"Markets","min":10630.87,"avg":42511.77,"max":74392.67,"usd":{"min":"7.99","avg":"31.94","max":"55.90"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"KRW"},{"good_id":20,"item_name":"Milk, Regular,1 liter","category_id":4,"category_name":"Markets","min":1908.4,"avg":2423.56,"max":2973.83,"usd":{"min":"1.43","avg":"1.82","max":"2.23"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"KRW"},{"good_id":21,"item_name":"Onion, 1 kg","category_id":4,"category_name":"Markets","min":2657.72,"avg":2973.83,"max":5315.43,"usd":{"min":"2.00","avg":"2.23","max":"3.99"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"KRW"},{"good_id":22,"item_name":"Oranges, 1 kg","category_id":4,"category_name":"Markets","min":1276.17,"avg":5034.44,"max":10630.87,"usd":{"min":"0.96","avg":"3.78","max":"7.99"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"KRW"},{"good_id":23,"item_name":"Pack of Cigarettes","category_id":4,"category_name":"Markets","min":4299.18,"avg":4776.87,"max":5254.56,"usd":{"min":"3.23","avg":"3.59","max":"3.95"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"KRW"},{"good_id":24,"item_name":"Potato, 1 kg","category_id":4,"category_name":"Markets","min":2130.86,"avg":3723.15,"max":5315.44,"usd":{"min":"1.60","avg":"2.80","max":"3.99"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"KRW"},{"good_id":25,"item_name":"White Rice, 1 kg","category_id":4,"category_name":"Markets","min":2130.86,"avg":3582.65,"max":19130.88,"usd":{"min":"1.60","avg":"2.69","max":"14.38"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"KRW"},{"good_id":26,"item_name":"Tomato, 1 kg","category_id":4,"category_name":"Markets","min":3723.15,"avg":7258.96,"max":12750.02,"usd":{"min":"2.80","avg":"5.45","max":"9.58"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"KRW"},{"good_id":27,"item_name":"Water, 1.5 liter Bottle","category_id":4,"category_name":"Markets","min":526.86,"avg":1779.62,"max":3184.58,"usd":{"min":"0.40","avg":"1.34","max":"2.39"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"KRW"},{"good_id":28,"item_name":"One bedroom apartment outside of city centre","category_id":5,"category_name":"Rent Per Month","min":229542.47,"avg":255047.19,"max":280551.91,"usd":{"min":"172.49","avg":"191.65","max":"210.82"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"KRW"},{"good_id":29,"item_name":"One bedroom apartment in city centre","category_id":5,"category_name":"Rent Per Month","min":363449.27,"avg":403832.52,"max":444215.77,"usd":{"min":"273.11","avg":"303.45","max":"333.80"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"KRW"},{"good_id":32,"item_name":"Cappuccino","category_id":6,"category_name":"Restaurants","min":3184.58,"avg":4776.87,"max":6369.16,"usd":{"min":"2.39","avg":"3.59","max":"4.79"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"KRW"},{"good_id":33,"item_name":"Coca-Cola, 0.33 liter Bottle","category_id":6,"category_name":"Restaurants","min":1592.29,"avg":1803.03,"max":3184.58,"usd":{"min":"1.20","avg":"1.35","max":"2.39"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"KRW"},{"good_id":34,"item_name":"Domestic Beer, 0.5 liter Draught","category_id":6,"category_name":"Restaurants","min":2657.72,"avg":3453.86,"max":5315.43,"usd":{"min":"2.00","avg":"2.60","max":"3.99"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"KRW"},{"good_id":35,"item_name":"Imported Beer, 0.33 liter Bottle","category_id":6,"category_name":"Restaurants","min":3184.58,"avg":4250.01,"max":8500.01,"usd":{"min":"2.39","avg":"3.19","max":"6.39"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"KRW"},{"good_id":36,"item_name":"McMeal at McDonalds or Alternative Combo Meal","category_id":6,"category_name":"Restaurants","min":5315.43,"avg":6802.35,"max":8500.01,"usd":{"min":"3.99","avg":"5.11","max":"6.39"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"KRW"},{"good_id":37,"item_name":"Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course","category_id":6,"category_name":"Restaurants","min":21250.03,"avg":34538.62,"max":63761.8,"usd":{"min":"15.97","avg":"25.95","max":"47.91"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"KRW"},{"good_id":38,"item_name":"Meal in Inexpensive Restaurant","category_id":6,"category_name":"Restaurants","min":5315.43,"avg":6380.86,"max":10630.87,"usd":{"min":"3.99","avg":"4.79","max":"7.99"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"KRW"},{"good_id":42,"item_name":"Cinema ticket, 1 Seat","category_id":8,"category_name":"Sports And Leisure","min":9038.58,"avg":12750.02,"max":17000.02,"usd":{"min":"6.79","avg":"9.58","max":"12.77"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"KRW"},{"good_id":45,"item_name":"Gasoline, 1 liter","category_id":9,"category_name":"Transportation","min":1440.08,"avg":1568.87,"max":2013.78,"usd":{"min":"1.08","avg":"1.18","max":"1.51"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"KRW"},{"good_id":47,"item_name":"One-way Ticket, Local Transport","category_id":9,"category_name":"Transportation","min":1243.39,"avg":1381.54,"max":1519.7,"usd":{"min":"0.93","avg":"1.04","max":"1.14"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"KRW"},{"good_id":48,"item_name":"Taxi, price for 1 hour Waiting, Normal Tariff","category_id":9,"category_name":"Transportation","min":11475.02,"avg":12750.02,"max":14025.02,"usd":{"min":"8.62","avg":"9.58","max":"10.54"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"KRW"},{"good_id":49,"item_name":"Taxi, price for 1 km, Normal Tariff","category_id":9,"category_name":"Transportation","min":958.89,"avg":1065.43,"max":1171.97,"usd":{"min":"0.72","avg":"0.80","max":"0.88"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"KRW"},{"good_id":50,"item_name":"Taxi Start, Normal Tariff","category_id":9,"category_name":"Transportation","min":2866.12,"avg":3184.58,"max":3503.04,"usd":{"min":"2.15","avg":"2.39","max":"2.63"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"KRW"},{"good_id":52,"item_name":"Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)","category_id":9,"category_name":"Transportation","min":31881074.01,"avg":37194588.29,"max":42508102.58,"usd":{"min":"23956.59","avg":"27949.35","max":"31942.12"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"KRW"},{"good_id":53,"item_name":"Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local, price per 1 min, No Discounts or Plans","category_id":10,"category_name":"Utilities Per Month","min":94.83,"avg":105.37,"max":115.91,"usd":{"min":"0.07","avg":"0.08","max":"0.09"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"KRW"},{"good_id":54,"item_name":"Basic utilities for 85 square meter Apartment including Electricity, Heating or Cooling, Water and Garbage","category_id":10,"category_name":"Utilities Per Month","min":44340.56,"avg":49267.29,"max":54194.02,"usd":{"min":"33.32","avg":"37.02","max":"40.72"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"KRW"},{"good_id":55,"item_name":"Internet, 60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL","category_id":10,"category_name":"Utilities Per Month","min":15946.3,"avg":23743.83,"max":35065.48,"usd":{"min":"11.98","avg":"17.84","max":"26.35"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"KRW"},{"good_id":58,"item_name":"Water, 0.33 liter Bottle","category_id":4,"category_name":"Markets","min":749.31,"avg":854.68,"max":2130.86,"usd":{"min":"0.56","avg":"0.64","max":"1.60"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"KRW"},{"good_id":64,"item_name":"Summer Dress in a Chain Store Like George, H&M, Zara, etc.","category_id":3,"category_name":"Clothing And Shoes","min":21250.03,"avg":60214.27,"max":127523.59,"usd":{"min":"15.97","avg":"45.25","max":"95.83"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"KRW"},{"good_id":65,"item_name":"Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages for 20 Years Fixed-Rate, Yearly, Fixed-Rate","category_id":7,"category_name":"Salaries And Financing","min":3.6,"avg":4,"max":4.4,"measure":"percent"},{"good_id":68,"item_name":"Imported Beer, 0.33 liter Bottle","category_id":4,"category_name":"Markets","min":3184.58,"avg":3723.15,"max":4261.72,"usd":{"min":"2.39","avg":"2.80","max":"3.20"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"KRW"}]
- Currency
- KRW
- Exchange rate
- ₩1
Typical prices at the time of research, in KRW; expect variation by neighbourhood and season.
Prices through the year
- Low×0.85
- High×1.2
- Shoulder×1
Stretch your budget
Ways to save
- Use hostels, guesthouses, or budget business hotels instead of full-service city-center stays
- Lean on convenience stores, markets, and local restaurants for cheap everyday meals
- Use subways, buses, and rail with a T-money card instead of relying on taxis
- Mix free markets, parks, temple grounds, and city walks between paid attractions
- Travel in spring or autumn for better value than the busiest summer and winter holiday periods
Budget tips
- Stay in guesthouses, hostels, or simple business hotels, eat at casual local restaurants and markets, use a T-money card for public transport, and travel in spring or autumn for the best value-weather balance.
Worth the splurge
- Stay in luxury hanok traditional houses (300-400 USD) for cultural immersion
- Dine at Michelin-starred restaurants – averages 203-357 USD for tasting menus
- Hire private local guides for curated cultural experiences
- Book bespoke itineraries with VIP access and behind-the-scenes tours
- Experience exclusive wellness retreats in Gangwon Province mountains
- Take private K-pop dance classes or one-on-one calligraphy lessons
- Enjoy exclusive tea ceremonies in historic hanok settings
Local discounts
- Hanbok rental for free palace entry to all royal palaces
- Korea Grand Sale (January-February) offers up to 80-90% discounts
- Korea Welcome Week (spring) with massive tourism discounts
- T-money card provides transport discounts and convenience store payments
- Free admission to major museums: National Museum, Folk Museum, War Memorial
- Government tourism festivals with flight and hotel discounts for foreign visitors
Free things to do
- Explore Bukchon Hanok Village – traditional Korean architecture between royal palaces
- Hike Bukhansan National Park trails for stunning mountain scenery and city views
- Visit National Museum of Korea, National Folk Museum, and War Memorial – all free admission
- Walk Cheonggyecheon Stream – revitalized urban oasis through downtown Seoul
- Relax at Haeundae Beach in Busan and watch Gwangan Bridge light show
Frequently asked questions
How much does a trip to South Korea cost per day?
Budget travelers: 72 USD (59,610 KRW), Mid-range: 185 USD (152,490 KRW), Luxury: 467+ USD (385,383+ KRW) per person daily.
When is the cheapest time to visit South Korea?
January-February offers lowest airfares (20-40% savings) despite cold weather. Shoulder seasons (April-May, September-October) balance cost and weather.
Is South Korea expensive compared to other Asian countries?
South Korea is mid-range for Asia – more expensive than Southeast Asia but cheaper than Japan. Street food and public transport offer exceptional value.
How can I save money in South Korea?
Use T-money cards, eat at convenience stores and street stalls, stay in minbak guesthouses, book KTX through overseas partners, and travel during shoulder seasons.
Do I need cash in South Korea?
South Korea is largely cashless, but carry moderate cash (50,000 KRW) for traditional markets, street vendors, and T-money card top-ups. Tipping is not expected.
What are the must-try budget foods in South Korea?
Street food classics: tteokbokki (2-4 USD), gimbap (3-4 USD), convenience store meals (2-5 USD), and local diner stews (5-8 USD) offer authentic flavors cheaply.
Planning the trip? Read the full South Korea guide.
Budget