Korea Trip Budget Calculator
Enter your days, travelers, style and city to get a rough total and a per-person daily budget — with each cost shown as a range. Flights and travel insurance are not included.
Unit costs are our conservative estimates (set 2026-10-04) — check before you go. Rates used: ₩1,400 = $1, ₩1,580 = €1, ₩9.5 = ¥1, ₩45 = NT$1 (set 2026-09-29).
What the ranges are based on
Unit costs below are for Seoul. In the calculator, stays in Busan and Jeju are about 10% lower, Busan food about 5% lower and Jeju food about 5% higher, and Jeju local transport is higher because buses are sparse and many visitors take taxis or rent a car. Rooms are counted for 2 people; the comfort airport transfer is per car (up to 4).
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🏨 StayCheck before you go | ₩45,000–₩80,000 per room per night (2 people) | ₩100,000–₩180,000 per room per night (2 people) | ₩220,000–₩400,000 per room per night (2 people) |
| 🍜 FoodCheck before you go | ₩25,000–₩40,000 per person per day | ₩45,000–₩80,000 per person per day | ₩100,000–₩180,000 per person per day |
| 🚇 Local transportCheck before you go | ₩5,000–₩8,000 per person per day | ₩10,000–₩20,000 per person per day | ₩30,000–₩60,000 per person per day |
| 📶 eSIM / dataCheck before you go | ₩2,000–₩5,000 per person per day | ₩2,000–₩5,000 per person per day | ₩2,000–₩5,000 per person per day |
| 🛬 Airport transferCheck before you go | ₩10,000–₩12,000 per person, round trip | ₩22,000–₩34,000 per person, round trip | ₩120,000–₩200,000 per car (up to 4), round trip |
| 🎟️ ActivitiesCheck before you go | ₩5,000–₩15,000 per person per day | ₩20,000–₩40,000 per person per day | ₩50,000–₩100,000 per person per day |
| 🛍️ ShoppingCheck before you go | ₩10,000–₩30,000 per person per day | ₩30,000–₩70,000 per person per day | ₩80,000–₩200,000 per person per day |
- Budget
- ₩45,000–₩80,000
per room per night (2 people) - Mid-range
- ₩100,000–₩180,000
per room per night (2 people) - Comfort
- ₩220,000–₩400,000
per room per night (2 people)
- Budget
- ₩25,000–₩40,000
per person per day - Mid-range
- ₩45,000–₩80,000
per person per day - Comfort
- ₩100,000–₩180,000
per person per day
- Budget
- ₩5,000–₩8,000
per person per day - Mid-range
- ₩10,000–₩20,000
per person per day - Comfort
- ₩30,000–₩60,000
per person per day
- Budget
- ₩2,000–₩5,000
per person per day - Mid-range
- ₩2,000–₩5,000
per person per day - Comfort
- ₩2,000–₩5,000
per person per day
- Budget
- ₩10,000–₩12,000
per person, round trip - Mid-range
- ₩22,000–₩34,000
per person, round trip - Comfort
- ₩120,000–₩200,000
per car (up to 4), round trip
- Budget
- ₩5,000–₩15,000
per person per day - Mid-range
- ₩20,000–₩40,000
per person per day - Comfort
- ₩50,000–₩100,000
per person per day
- Budget
- ₩10,000–₩30,000
per person per day - Mid-range
- ₩30,000–₩70,000
per person per day - Comfort
- ₩80,000–₩200,000
per person per day
Sources: Seoul Metropolitan Government — public transport fares · Incheon Airport → Seoul fares (our guide, with official sources) · Korea Tourism Data Lab — International Visitor Survey
Ways to keep the budget down
- Airport: the AREX All-stop train is the cheapest way into Seoul — compare it with the Express, the limousine bus and taxis in Incheon Airport to Seoul.
- Data: an eSIM installed at home is usually the least hassle — see eSIM vs SIM vs pocket Wi-Fi.
- Paying: when a card terminal offers your home currency, choose Korean won — see Paying in Korea.
- Shopping: get part of the VAT back with the tax refund calculator.
- Taxis: check what a fair meter fare looks like with the Seoul or Busan taxi calculator.
FAQ
How much money do I need per day in Korea?
It depends mostly on where you stay. Our mid-range estimate for Seoul is about ₩121,000–₩224,000 per person per day for two people sharing a room, without shopping or flights. Use the calculator for your own trip.
Is Busan or Jeju cheaper than Seoul?
Stays are usually a little cheaper. In Jeju, getting around costs more because buses are sparse — many visitors take taxis or rent a car.
Does the budget include flights?
No. International flights and travel insurance are not included — add them separately.
Why is the comfort airport transfer per car?
A taxi or private transfer is priced per vehicle, so it is counted per car (up to 4 people) rather than per person.