Korea Trip Cost 2026: Daily Budget in Won and USD

A mid-range traveler in Korea can plan on roughly 150,000–250,000 Korean won (about $112–186) per person per day for accommodation, meals, local transport and a few paid sights, not counting international flights. Public transport and palace fees below come from official sources; lodging, food and coffee amounts are approximate planning ranges (October 2026), so check current prices before you book.

Daily budget at a glance

Travel style	Per person per day (won)	Approx. USD	Typical lodging
Budget	60,000–150,000	$45–112	Dorm bed or simple guesthouse
Mid-range	150,000–250,000	$112–186	Business hotel room
Comfort	250,000+	$186+	Upscale or international chain hotel

All ranges are approximate (October 2026) and exclude flights. Lodging is per person: a 100,000-won hotel night assumes you stay alone; couples sharing a room pay less each.

USD conversion: $1 ≈ 1,341 won, using the European Central Bank reference rate for 13 October 2026 (via Frankfurter). Rates move daily.

Key takeaways

• Accommodation and eating style drive most of your daily cost; public transport stays cheap.
• Seoul’s base subway fare with a transit card is 1,550 won (Seoul Metropolitan Government), and adult entry to Gyeongbokgung is currently 3,000 won.
• A palace fee increase has been discussed, but its timing is undecided as of October 2026; check the official page before you go.

How much is accommodation in Seoul per night?

Approximate ranges (October 2026) are about 25,000–60,000 won for a dorm bed or simple guesthouse room and about 80,000–150,000 won for a private business-hotel room. Prices rise on Fridays, Saturdays, public holidays and in the most central districts.

• Hostel dorm bed or simple guesthouse room: about 25,000–60,000 won ($19–45).
• Private room in a business hotel: about 80,000–150,000 won per room ($60–112).
• Upscale or international chain hotel: usually well above that.

Room rates are per room, so divide by two if you share. For neighborhoods, see Best location to stay in Seoul.

How much does food cost in Korea per day?

Many visitors spend roughly 20,000–50,000 won ($15–37) a day on food (approximate, October 2026). Casual restaurant meals are commonly about 8,000–15,000 won, and cafe coffee about 4,000–6,000 won.

• Convenience store meals and street snacks: often a few thousand won each.
• A casual restaurant meal, such as a noodle soup or a rice dish: about 8,000–15,000 won.
• Korean barbecue or a sit-down dinner: more, especially because many barbecue restaurants require at least two portions.
• Coffee at a cafe: about 4,000–6,000 won.

For what to order, see Korean foods to try on your first trip.

How much is public transport in Seoul?

The adult base subway fare is 1,550 won with a transit card and 1,650 won for a single-journey ticket, for trips up to 10 km, with 100 won added per extra distance band. Transfers between subway and bus within the time limit are discounted.

• Transit card. A T-money card is sold at convenience stores and subway stations.
• Subway and bus. Fares: Seoul Metropolitan Government and Seoul Metro (fares effective 28 June 2025).
• Intercity trains. KTX tickets cost much more than city transit; check current fares on Korail and see our KTX and SRT booking guide.
• Taxis. Late-night surcharges apply.

For card, cash and T-money tips, see Money in Korea: cards, cash exchange and T-money.

How much do palaces and sights cost?

The Royal Palaces and Tombs Center currently lists adult fees of 3,000 won for Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung and 1,000 won for Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung and Jongmyo. Many other experiences, such as walking historic neighborhoods and riverside parks, are free.

• Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung: 3,000 won each.
• Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung and Jongmyo: 1,000 won each.
• Changdeokgung’s Secret Garden: an extra charge on top of the palace ticket.

Free entry applies to some groups, including visitors wearing hanbok and foreign visitors aged 18 or under or 65 and over. A fee increase has been discussed, but its timing is undecided as of October 2026: on 8 October the Korea Heritage Service listed both the announcement and start date as undecided (Yonhap, in Korean). Check the official page before you go.

What does a mid-range day in Seoul cost?

A sample mid-range day for one person comes to about 149,000 won ($111), or about 186,000 won ($139) with a 25% buffer. Lodging, meals and coffee are approximate (October 2026); transport and palace fees are official.

Item	Approximate cost (won)
Business hotel room (one person staying alone)	100,000
Three meals	35,000
Four subway or bus rides (1,550 won base fare, plus distance add-ons)	6,000
One palace ticket	3,000
One coffee	5,000
Total	149,000

Calculation: 100,000 + 35,000 + 6,000 + 3,000 + 5,000 = 149,000 won; with a 25% buffer, 149,000 × 1.25 ≈ 186,000 won.

What are common budgeting mistakes?

The most common mistakes are budgeting only for lodging and underestimating weekend rates and small daily costs. Check fees that may change before you travel.

• Budgeting only for accommodation and underestimating food and transport over several days.
• Assuming attraction fees never change: a palace fee increase has been discussed, though its timing is undecided as of October 2026.
• Paying single-ride fares instead of using a transit card and missing transfer discounts.
• Forgetting that weekend and holiday hotel rates can be much higher.

FAQ

How much money do I need per day in Korea?

As a rough guide (October 2026), about 60,000–150,000 won ($45–112) for a budget style, 150,000–250,000 won ($112–186) for mid-range and 250,000 won or more for comfort, excluding flights. Your choice of accommodation makes the biggest difference.

Is public transport cheap in Seoul?

Yes. With a transit card, the adult base fare is 1,550 won for up to 10 km, and transfers are discounted.

Do I need cash in Korea?

Cards are accepted almost everywhere, but a little cash is useful for market stalls, small eateries and topping up transit cards.

How much does it cost to visit Seoul’s palaces?

Adult tickets are currently 3,000 won for Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung and 1,000 won for several other palaces. Visitors in hanbok enter free. A fee increase has been discussed, but its timing is undecided as of October 2026.

Sources

• Royal Palaces and Tombs Center (Korea Heritage Service), admission fees: https://royal.khs.go.kr/ROYAL/contents/R703000000.do
• Seoul Metropolitan Government, subway fares (as of 28 June 2025): https://english.seoul.go.kr/policy/transportation/modes-of-transport/subway/
• Seoul Metro, fares: https://www.seoulmetro.co.kr/en/page.do?menuIdx=348
• Yonhap News (8 Oct 2026), palace fee increase timing undecided: https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20261008126300005
• European Central Bank reference rate via Frankfurter, USD/KRW on 13 Oct 2026: https://api.frankfurter.app/2026-10-13?from=USD&to=KRW
• Korail, intercity train fares: https://www.letskorail.com/

Last checked: 2026-10-14