💡 Quick Summary (Key Takeaways)
Everyone told me Korea was expensive. Here is my unfiltered, real-world budget breakdown for 7 days in Seoul and Busan, tracking every single dollar.
Before I flew to Seoul, my friends warned me that Korea would absolutely drain my bank account. They told me to expect Tokyo-level prices. Because I was terrified of going broke, I obsessively tracked every single expense on my 7-day trip.
The reality? Korea is shockingly affordable if you know what you’re doing. Here is exactly what I spent, no sugar-coating, for a solid “mid-range” trip where I didn’t stay in hostels but didn’t eat at Michelin star restaurants either.
Accommodation: The Airbnb Sweet Spot
I stayed in a private Airbnb right near Hongdae station. It cost me roughly $85 USD per night. I could have gone cheaper with a guesthouse (around $30), but having my own bathroom and being steps away from the subway was worth it. Hotels in Myeongdong were easily double this price.
Food: Where I Saved and Where I Splurged
This is where Korea shines.
- Breakfast: I became obsessed with Korean convenience stores (CU and GS25). A triangle kimbap, a banana milk, and a coffee cost me about $4.
- Lunch: I mostly ate at local mom-and-pop shops or markets (like Gwangjang). A huge bowl of noodles or a plate of dumplings was always around $6 to $8.
- Dinner: This was my splurge. Korean BBQ with beers ran me about $25-$30 per person.
My daily food budget averaged out to about $45 USD a day, and I ate very well.
Transportation: Cheap but Sneaky
The subway is dirt cheap. A single ride is barely over a dollar. But what hit my wallet was the KTX bullet train to Busan. A round-trip standard class ticket was about $90 USD. Worth it? Absolutely. But it’s a chunk of change you need to budget for. Total transport for the week (subways, airport express, KTX): $130 USD.
The “Hidden” Costs
Attractions are incredibly cheap. Gyeongbokgung Palace is like $3 to enter (and free if you rent a Hanbok!). The national museums are free. Where I bled money was shopping. Olive Young beauty products, random cute socks from street vendors, and snacks to bring home. I budgeted $0 for shopping and spent $150.
My Final 7-Day Total
For 7 days, excluding my international flight, I spent just under $850 USD.
You can do this trip for way less if you stay in hostels and skip the bullet train to Busan. But for a comfortable, stress-free vacation where I didn’t have to count pennies every time I wanted a coffee, I found Korea to be an incredible value.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is a realistic daily travel budget for Seoul (excluding accommodation)? A: For budget travelers, ₩40,000–₩60,000 ($30–$45 USD) per day easily covers subway transit, convenience store breakfasts, and local diner meals. For standard sightseeing including Korean BBQ, trendy cafes, and observatory tickets, budget around ₩80,000–₩120,000 ($60–$90 USD) per day.
Q: Do I need to tip taxi drivers or restaurant servers in South Korea? A: No tipping is required or expected anywhere in South Korea. All displayed prices legally include 10% VAT and service charges. Leaving extra cash on a table can cause confusion as staff will run after you to return forgotten money.
