How much does a day in Seoul cost in 2026?
₩80,000 to ₩120,000 a day, about $60 to $90. Palaces are $2 and the subway is a dollar.
Prices checked 2026-09-27. Dollar figures are rounded conversions.
Seoul is one of the cheapest big cities in Asia to move around and eat in. The subway is ₩1,400 a ride with a T-money card, a palace ticket is ₩3,000 and the city's most famous noodle house charges about ₩11,000 a bowl. What costs money is a nice hotel and the nightlife.
Here is a budget day line by line with 2026 prices and sources.
A budget day in Seoul
| Item | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hostel dorm bed | ₩20,000–40,000 ($15–30) | |
| Street food item | ₩2,000–5,000 ($1.50–4) | Tteokbokki, hotteok, gimbap |
| Sit-down lunch | ₩10,000–15,000 ($7–11) | Myeongdong Kyoja kalguksu is in this range |
| Subway ride | ₩1,400 ($1.05) | T-money card from any convenience store |
| Gyeongbokgung Palace | ₩3,000 ($2.25) | Free in a rented hanbok |
| Bukchon, Insadong, Gwangjang Market, DDP | Free | |
| Budget day total | ₩80,000–120,000 ($60–90) |
What things cost
- Changdeokgung ₩3,000, plus ₩5,000 for the Secret Garden tour.
- Namsan cable car, round trip, about $10; the walk up is free.
- A Korean barbecue dinner for two with drinks: $30 to $50.
- Seoul's 30-day Climate Card transit pass ended on 1 September 2026; pay per ride with T-money.
Four days, roughly
| Style | Per day | Four days |
|---|---|---|
| Budget (dorm, markets, subway) | $60–90 | $240–360 |
| Mid-range (Myeongdong hotel, barbecue nights) | $150–200 | $600–800 |
| Comfortable (Gangnam hotel, fine dining) | $300+ | $1,200+ |
Frequently asked questions
Is Seoul cheaper than Tokyo?
On most lines, yes. The subway is ₩1,400 (about $1) against ¥180 to ¥340 in Tokyo, a palace is ₩3,000 ($2.25) against ¥1,800 for the Skytree deck, and dorm beds are $15 to $30 against $27 to $47. Daily totals overlap because Seoul nights out cost more.
How much is the Seoul subway?
₩1,400 per ride with a T-money card, which you buy and top up at any convenience store. It also works on buses and in taxis.
Are Seoul palaces free?
Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung are ₩3,000 each. Both are free if you enter wearing a hanbok, which rental shops by the gates offer by the hour.
How do I plan a trip with these prices?
Say the trip to Travileer, for example "five days in Tokyo on a budget", and it plans the days with times, estimated costs and checked venues. Your first trip is free, no card needed.
Sources
- Seoul Tourism, how much does a Seoul trip cost (2026-09-25)
- Seoul Metropolitan Government, Climate Card (2026-09-27)
Plan a Seoul trip with these prices, free · Seoul itineraries · All guides