Visiting South Korea for the first time and not sure how much you'll spend? Perhaps you're on a tight budget and want to know how to still enjoy this magnificent country?
Then let me take a moment of your time to provide an estimate for a complete travel budget based on my own experience.
I have traveled back and forth to South Korea several times, staying in budget-friendly accommodations while enjoying my trips by discovering local culinary specialties and the country's many incredible landscapes. And this for a 3-week itinerary.
That’s 3 weeks where I spent about €1,700 traveling solo across the peninsula as a backpacker. Is that an expensive trip? It depends on your situation.
If you are already employed, this amount might be affordable. However, if you are young and on a tight budget, you’ve come to the right place!
Because here, I will break down my personal budget in detail and offer further tips for those looking to cut their expenses even more.
Throughout this article, I will base my figures on a 3-week trip. At the end, I will provide an estimate based on the number of days you plan to stay in South Korea.
Traveling to South Korea will be much more accessible if you follow the valuable tips I’m about to share.
Flight tickets to South Korea
Generally speaking, finding a flight can sometimes be a headache. I don’t know about you, but my search criteria are primarily based on value for money.
A price that is too low can mean poor service quality and potential delays.
Advice for those with a healthy budget : When you are employed and taking time off, your time is limited, so you can't afford to waste it on travel.
In that case, it is better to opt for more reliable airlines like Asiana Airlines, Air France, or Korean Air, to name just a few, which offer direct flights for around €900, or even €800 depending on the time of year..
Advice for those on a tight budget : However, if you have time on your hands, especially if you are a young student, you can afford to choose airlines that offer lower-cost services, though you will get what you pay for. You can find tickets for €600..
For my part, I booked a direct round-trip ticket with Asiana Airlines for €783. I left around the end of September 2022, which I believe is the best time to visit South Korea.
Now, with prices soaring due to geopolitical tensions and resource scarcity, the cost of jet fuel has risen sharply, which inevitably leads to higher ticket prices.
All this to say that finding a cheap flight is possible if you are willing to compromise on comfort by opting for flights with multiple layovers, regardless of the type of airline you choose.
Otherwise, you should expect to pay an average of around €900 for a round-trip ticket to South Korea.
Accommodation in South Korea
For me, accommodation is the second most expensive travel expense. This point should not be overlooked, as you can save a significant amount during your stay and put that budget toward other things.
By opting for standard hotels, you will pay at least €30 per night.
As with everything, not all hotels are created equal. At that price point, the quality of service is not always guaranteed. With a bit of luck, you can find some very good ones in Seoul.
Another alternative, if you are not afraid of living within your means and stepping slightly out of your comfort zone, is to opt for guesthouses or hostels. The price of a night in a dormitory is about €15 and can sometimes be even lower. You can find them for less than €10.
Advice for those with a healthy budget If you feel that guesthouses or hostels might not be for you, keep in mind that some of these accommodations offer private rooms at very reasonable prices. You will pay about the same as you would for a budget hotel. You might even be surprised by the quality of service and the amenities provided. It is up to you to decide what suits you best.
Tips for those on a tight budgetYou will need to compromise on your level of comfort if you want to travel in South Korea. In that case, your only option is to stick to guesthouses.
As for me, I spent 3 weeks traveling around the peninsula for a total of €348 for my accommodation budget. Of course, I only stayed in guesthouses, as it has become a habit. Plus, I get to meet new people, which I think is really cool.
Transportation in South Korea
Transportation in South Korea isn't that expensive if you plan it right. That is why I have written a complete article on public transport to give you an overview of the different modes of travel and how to use them.
But very often, the ones you will use most frequently when traveling in South Korea are the train, the subway, and the bus.
This country is well-known for its transport system and convenience, as it allows you to travel across the entire country, even to the most remote areas.
By opting for the high-speed train, or KTX, you can reach major cities in just a few hours. However, you won't be able to reach more inaccessible locations.
The bus, on the other hand, is very comfortable, very inexpensive, and will allow you to go anywhere you want on the peninsula.
Advice for those with a healthy budget You can combine train, subway, and bus travel to optimize your transit time.
Tips for those on a tight budget I recommend taking only buses (express and local) to travel between cities because it is very affordable.
My 3-week itinerary cost me a total of €139 by only using the bus and the subway (especially in Seoul and Busan).
Food in South Korea
When you come to South Korea, you absolutely have to try the food. It is, after all, what has made South Korea popular among young people—not just K-Pop, K-Dramas, or Korean cosmetics.
And believe it or not, there is so much to discover in terms of culinary specialties. In France, we only really know Korean BBQ, bibimbap, or super spicy noodles. But you will see that the reality is quite different.
There are restaurants on almost every street corner, so many coffee shops that you won't know where to grab your morning coffee, and even street food stalls in the most popular neighborhoods.
You will find that your budget disappears very quickly on food, given the constant presence of food all around you.
But with a little discipline, you can easily manage a food budget that fits your means.
Advice for those with a healthy budget For a first trip to South Korea, you can afford to prioritize spending on restaurants and other incidental expenses (coffee, snacks, etc.).
Prices vary depending on whether you want to eat like a local or prefer a more conventional setting. A budget of €500 should be enough for you to enjoy everything this country has to offer.
Tips for those on a tight budget To eat for less, you can turn to convenience stores, commonly known as "pyeonijeon" in Korean.
You can find ready-to-eat meals or snacks. You can mix things up by eating like a local at lesser-known restaurants that offer very affordable dishes.
Note that speaking Korean is often necessary to make yourself understood.
In principle, you can manage to get by with a food budget of €300.
During my trip, I managed to finish with about €300 spent on food. Since I’m not a big eater by nature, I was able to save that money for other things. However, I do occasionally spend more than usual at a restaurant if I feel it’s really worth it to discover new flavors.
Things to do in South Korea
In my opinion, activity expenses are the least costly part of traveling in South Korea. Or at least, it all depends on what kind of outings you plan to do..
Because if I take Seoul as an example, you have access to a wide range of things to do beyond visiting popular tourist spots.
Many will want to try the nightclub experience in South Korea or test out unusual activities. Which is completely normal.
In my experience, it is especially during the evening that expenses are higher. It’s not for nothing that Korea is well-known for being vibrant at night: shops open very late, bars and nightclubs galore, restaurants as far as the eye can see, and so on.
The budget will therefore depend a lot on your ultimate goal: are you more into sightseeing and cultural discovery? Or are you the social type looking to discover Korean nightlife? Or perhaps both?
Advice for those with a healthy budget If you have the means, keep in mind that a minimum of €100 is necessary to really enjoy the things to do, whether in Seoul or other cities.
Tips for those on a tight budget A budget of €100 is perfectly reasonable. Sightseeing costs are relatively low if you avoid the main tourist attractions.
For my part, I had no specific plan in mind when I left for 3 weeks in South Korea. Initially, I thought I would spend more than €100, but in the end, I ended up spending less than I expected. My main expenses were entrance fees for palaces and temples, a spa experience, and one surfing session near the beaches of Busan. And that’s it.
Conclusion
In summary, I spent €1,700 without really depriving myself during my trip. It’s a very reasonable amount considering everything I was able to do there. It’s an amount that leaves me with no regrets about missing out on any opportunities.
On the contrary, these 3 weeks allowed me to see almost every facet of South Korea, meet incredible people in guesthouses, and discover Korean culture from a different perspective.
To wrap up, I’ve put together a handy table to give you a clearer view of the budget to plan for and help you run your own estimates.
