Seoul travel cost guide
Must-see spots, local tips, admission prices and foods to try in Seoul. Price data as of 2026-10-16.
Estimate my Seoul trip budget
Don't miss in Seoul
- Gyeongbokgung Palace The main Joseon palace; entry is free if you wear hanbok.
- Bukchon Hanok Village Hillside lanes of traditional houses where people live, so keep quiet.
- Gwangjang Market An old market famous for mung-bean pancakes, mini gimbap and yukhoe.
Seoul travel tips
- Transfers between subway and bus are discounted with a T-money card.
- Parts of Bukchon have set visiting hours; avoid early mornings and late evenings.
Good to know in South Korea
- Transfers between subway and bus are discounted with one transit card.
- KTX trains and popular stays sell out on weekends and holidays; book ahead.
Watch out for in South Korea
- Monsoon and typhoon weather can close island ferries and mountain trails.
- Local festivals push up room prices and traffic; check dates first.
General advice for the whole country. Check official government travel advice for entry rules and safety before you go.
Real menu prices in Seoul
Per-person meal prices from restaurants’ official menus (where tax and tips are extra, the calculator adds them).
- Hansot Chicken Mayo Rice Bowl: ₩3,900
- Hansot Spicy Pork Bibimbap: ₩6,500
- Cheongdonok Boiled Pork Bibim Noodles: ₩8,000
- Hwangsaengga Kalguksu Sagol Kalguksu: ₩13,000
- Olbareun Sushi Assorted Sushi (10 pcs): ₩15,000
- Goldtuna Lunch Course B: ₩35,000
Is a transit pass worth it?
Based on a typical (median) single fare of ₩1,500. Actual fares vary by line and distance, so treat this as a guide.
- Climate Card Tourist Pass 1-Day ₩5,000 → worth it from 4 rides a day
- Climate Card Tourist Pass 2-Day ₩8,000 (2 days) → worth it from 3 rides a day over 2 days
- Climate Card Tourist Pass 3-Day ₩10,000 (3 days) → worth it from 3 rides a day over 3 days
- Climate Card Tourist Pass 5-Day ₩15,000 (5 days) → worth it from 2 rides a day over 5 days
- Climate Card Tourist Pass 7-Day ₩20,000 (7 days) → worth it from 2 rides a day over 7 days
Seoul attraction & theme park tickets
Official sellers’ prices for one adult admission. Select attractions in the calculator to add them to your budget.
- N Seoul Tower Observatory (Adult): ₩29,000 · child ₩23,000
- Lotte World 1-Day Ticket (Adult): ₩67,000 · child ₩50,000
- Gyeongbokgung Palace Admission (Adult): ₩3,000 · child ₩0
- Changdeokgung Palace Admission (Adult): ₩3,000 · child ₩0
- Deoksugung Palace Admission (Adult): ₩1,000 · child ₩0
- Seoul Sky Admission Ticket (Adult): ₩31,000 · child ₩27,000
- National Museum of Korea Permanent Exhibition: Free · child ₩0
- Changgyeonggung Palace Admission (Foreign Adult): ₩1,000 · child ₩0
- Jongmyo Shrine Admission (Foreign Adult): ₩1,000 · child ₩0
- Seolleung and Jeongneung Royal Tombs (Foreign Adult): ₩1,000 · child ₩0
- Heolleung and Illeung Royal Tombs (Foreign Adult): ₩1,000 · child ₩0
- Seodaemun Prison History Hall Admission (Adult): ₩3,000 · child ₩1,000
- Everland Full-Day Ticket (Adult / Youth): ₩71,000 · child ₩61,000
What to eat in Seoul
- Seolleongtang — Milky beef bone soup simmered for hours, eaten with rice
- Seoul-style Chueotang — Seoul-style spicy loach soup with the fish left whole
- Mung Bean Pancake — Ground mung bean pancake with pork and bean sprouts, fried crisp
- Sindang-dong Tteokbokki — Rice cakes, fish cakes and noodles cooked at the table in spicy gochujang sauce
Good to know in Seoul
Tips, taxes and entry fees that are not part of the estimate but worth knowing in advance.
- Climate Card physical card: KRW 3,000 (pass and top-up not included)
Estimate my Seoul trip budget