October 11, 2023
Last update: August 2025

How much does a trip to South Korea cost

How much does it cost to vacation in Korea in 2025?

In this section we will give you a comprehensive overview of the costs of taking a trip to Korea in 2025. The article is divided into sections dedicated to flights, hotels, food, transportation, internet connection, cultural activities, health insurance, and extras such as souvenirs and shopping.

Obviously, the budget for a trip varies greatly from person to person. What you will spend depends a lot on the type of trip you want to take. That is why, at the end of the article, we will provide a total trip cost by simulating expenses for three different types of travelers: low-cost, comfort, and luxury. These simulations are valid for one person traveling alone. Naturally, if you travel with at least two people, the costs drop significantly.

Korea may initially seem like an expensive country to visit, partly because of its distance. In reality, you will find that it is quite affordable. Restaurants, for example, are much cheaper than in most of Europe, as is public transportation. With careful planning, taking a trip to Korea can be very budget-friendly, without sacrificing comfort.

As you know, on this site we regularly publish offers and discounts on flights, hotels, and tourist attractions. In this article, you will also find many links to help you save money. Prices will be given in euros for what you purchase online and in won for what you buy directly in Korea. At the end, you will find total estimates in euros. Now let’s find out how much a trip to Korea really costs.

How much does a plane ticket to South Korea cost?

The cost of a round-trip ticket from Europe to South Korea in 2025 ranges from as little as €600 up to €1,100 in economy class. The price of the flight to Seoul is usually the biggest expense of the trip. The choice you make about the type of flight and travel dates will have a huge impact on the final cost of your ticket. Let’s now take a closer look at the available options.

Flight with stopover: This is usually the cheapest option. Almost all major airlines offer stopover flights to Seoul Incheon Airport. The lowest fares are often offered by Chinese airlines, but European carriers can also provide good deals. Price: from €600 to €800 (economy class).
Direct flight: Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, and T’Way Air offer direct flights from both Rome and Milan. Prices range from about €650 to €1,100. Of course, business class tickets are considerably more expensive. If you choose the Korean low-cost airline T’Way Air, you can often get the best price, although you will give up some comforts.

I recommend using a flight price comparison tool to find not only the cheapest ticket but also the most convenient option in terms of schedules and stopovers.

How much do hotels cost in Korea?

When it comes to accommodation, you will practically decide the price yourself. You can stay in a hostel in Seoul starting from about €25 per night, choose a 3-star hotel for around €70 per night, or opt for luxury 5-star hotels that can exceed €500 per night. Prices obviously vary depending on the season, but you will literally be the one to decide how much to spend. Below are some hotels recommended for their excellent value for money. The prices mentioned refer to a double room, except for the first example, which is a hostel.

OYO Hostel Myeongdong 5: from 25 euros per night
Grid Inn Hotel, Insadong: from 70 euros per night
Dream House, Hongdae: from 77 euros per night
Acube Hotel Dongdaemun: from 92 euros per night
Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae: from 104 euros per night
Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun: from 125 euros per night
Mercure Ambassador Seoul Hongdae: from 133 euros per night
Nine Tree Premier Hotel Myeongdong 2: from 163 euros per night
Nine Tree Premier Hotel Insadong: from 175 euros per night
RYSE, Autograph Collection Seoul by Marriott: from 195 euros per night

The complete list of the best hotels in Seoul by value for money can be found on the dedicated page: Where to stay in Seoul.

How much does it cost to eat at a restaurant in Korea?

Eating out in South Korea is very affordable compared to many countries. In fact, most Koreans prefer dining out or ordering food through delivery apps, since it is often cheaper than grocery shopping. There is no cover charge in restaurants, and water or tea is usually provided for free. What might surprise international travelers is that you can enjoy quality Korean meals at very low prices—sometimes even cheaper than fast food. For example, at Ssada Gimbab (a popular chain specializing in kimbap and other local dishes), a full meal can cost as little as 5,000 KRW (around €3.50 / $4 USD).

Here is a daily cost estimate for meals in Korea depending on your travel style:

Low budget: 25,000 KRW per day
Comfort: 50,000 KRW per day
Luxury: 100,000+ KRW per day

How much does transportation cost in Korea?

Getting around by public transportation in Korea is inexpensive compared to Italy. If you purchase the T-Money Card with each subway ride you will receive a 100 won discount. But here are the prices in detail regarding travel in Seoul. Keep in mind that outside Seoul these prices go down:

T-Money Card: 3.000 KRW
Subway: 1,500 KRW per ride
Bus: 1,500 KRW per ride. Remember to tap the T-Money card also when exiting the bus to get the transfer discount within 30 minutes.
Standard cab (l’app Kakao Taxi vi permetterà di avere subito un’anteprima del costo della corsa) -Tariffa minima 4.800 KRW (1.6 km inclusi) -100 KRW ogni 131 metri (di notte la tariffa sale a 120 o 140 KRW a seconda dell’orario) -100 KRW ogni 30 secondi da fermo
Cab Deluxe or Jumbo -Tariffa minima 7.000 KRW (3 km inclusi) -200 KRW ogni 151 metri (di notte la tariffa sale a 240 KRW) -200 KRW ogni 36 secondi da fermo

Cost for internet connection

When traveling in Korea, having either a pocket WiFi or a SIM card is essential, especially for navigating and using apps on the go. Prices are very affordable: for example, renting a pocket WiFi for 10 days with our partner Trazy costs about €23 / $27, while a SIM card is around €27 / $32. Both options give you unlimited Internet and make your stay much easier.

Cost of cultural activities and attractions

Cultural activities in Korea are surprisingly inexpensive. Visiting temples is almost always free, while admission to royal palaces usually costs between 1,000 and 3,000 KRW. Private attractions are more expensive: for example, entry to Seoul Sky at Lotte World Tower costs 31,000 KRW. If you purchase tickets online in advance, you can often find discounts, just like the ones we recommend on our Lotte World Tower page.

Travel Insurance

The cost of travel insurance depends a lot on the company and the coverage you choose. I recommend AXA because it offers a very comprehensive package with the "total screen" option and is usually cheaper than its competitors.

Miscellaneous and incidental expenses

Always keep in mind that in Korea you will literally be tempted to spend all your savings. It is difficult to make precise estimates on this. The only suggestion is to stick to your budget when it comes to souvenirs, shopping, and anything else you want to buy.

Total cost of a 10-day, 10-night trip

The cost of your trip to Korea will depend mostly on your preferences and the level of comfort you choose. Below you will find an estimate of the total cost for three different traveler profiles. So, how much does a trip to South Korea cost?

Low-cost travelers: about €1,800 / $1,960. For those whose goal is to save as much money as possible.
-Flight with stopover or direct with T'Way Air: €600 / $655
-Guesthouse/Hostel: €500 / $545
-Dining: €400 / $435
-Any extras (transportation, WiFi pocket, attractions, insurance, souvenirs, etc.): €300 / $325
Comfort travelers: about €2,500 / $2,725. For those who like comfort but with the best value for money. Personal advice: it's worth it!
-Direct flight: €900 / $980
-3/4-star Hotel: €800 / $870
-Dining: €450 / $490
-Various items: €350 / $380
Luxury travelers: from €4,600 / $5,015 (and can easily reach much higher figures). For those who enjoy higher comfort and do not have strict budget constraints.
-Direct flight on the date of your choice: €1,200 / $1,310
-5-star hotel: from €2,000 / $2,180
-Dining: €800 / $870
-Various items: €600 / $655

Tips for saving money and getting discounts

I leave you with a few final tips and considerations that can save you a lot of money during your trip to Korea:

Do extensive research for flights and hotels. Choosing one date over another can save you hundreds of euros/dollars.
Subscribe for free to the Genius program of Booking.com before booking your hotel. It will enable you to get substantial discounts at many accommodations.
Planning and booking everything in advance will allow you to spread out expenses and also save on fees.
Exchanging euros or dollars into won, withdrawing cash, and paying by card in Korea can be expensive. Check out our Korea payment guide before you leave. For example, paying or withdrawing with a Revolut card instead of your bank card can save you a lot in fees.
Purchase the Pocket WiFi or SIM card online in advance. It is much cheaper than renting them directly at the airport.
Using the T-Money Card on public transportation is definitely the most convenient and cheapest way to get around.
Buy everything online: from tickets to the Lotte World Tower to Lotte World and other attractions, purchasing tickets online is always cheaper (except for the royal palaces, where the entrance fee is already symbolic).
If you plan to visit many attractions in a short time, consider purchasing the Discover Seoul Pass. Available in 24-, 48-, and 72-hour versions, it provides free admission or major discounts at many attractions. You can check the full list of attractions included to evaluate if it fits your itinerary. The Discover Seoul Pass is highly recommended and also includes the T-Money Card.
Eat like the locals: traditional Korean restaurants are much cheaper (and often tastier) than international restaurants.
Keep in mind that cafés in Korea are wonderful but often very expensive. A cappuccino and a soufflé pancake may cost you more than your dinner.
Recover taxes at duty-free shops or through the tax refund system. In Korea, it is very easy to claim back taxes paid on your shopping. Major “Duty Free” stores in Seoul such as Lotte, Shilla, and Shinsegae often offer immediate discounts by showing your passport. In other stores where “Tax Refund” is indicated, you can request a refund at the airport upon departure by presenting all your receipts.
What is the cheapest month to go to Korea? Definitely February and November are usually the cheapest months for flights and hotels, although it is not uncommon to find good deals at other times of the year.

One of the best things about Korea is that even though it’s such a distant country, you can enjoy a fairly long vacation without breaking the bank — all for under €2,000 (around $2,300 USD). Now that you know exactly how much a trip to South Korea costs, all that’s left to do is start planning and book your getaway.