Is Seoul Expensive? I Tracked Every Dollar as a Solo Traveller

About the author Sarah Si

Solo traveller, flight attendant, and tourism grad. Sarah has visited 75+ countries. She writes for women who are ready to stop putting their lives on hold and start showing up for themselves. Real experiences, honest opinions, and the reminder that going alone is always worth it.

If you’re planning a solo trip to Seoul, you’re probably wondering if Seoul is a great destination for your budget. Especially where you’re not splitting costs, this is one of the biggest things to figure out before booking your trip.

So, is Seoul expensive? No, Seoul is not expensive.

As a solo traveller and flight attendant who has visited Seoul multiple times and spent 10 days travelling solo around South Korea, I found it to be budget friendly.

I’m not a budget backpacker, but I’m also not a luxury traveller. I like to call myself “bougie on a budget”. I have a budget, but I will spend on things that matter to me, like a safe, central place to stay or a really good meal.

And even with that mindset, Seoul felt very reasonable.

It’s definitely more expensive than places like Thailand or Vietnam, but still more affordable than cities like Singapore.

Food is where you can save a lot. If you stick to local places, you can easily get a full meal like dumplings or bibimbap for around $10 in a proper sit down restaurant. Public transport is cheap and efficient, and most attractions won’t cost much either.

The main expense is accommodation, especially as a solo traveller. That’s where your budget can increase quickly if you’re not careful. I’ll break my Seoul budget down for you, so you’ll know exactly what to expect.

If you’re planning a full trip, don’t forget to explore all my South Korea travel guides, where I’ve put together detailed itineraries, Seoul tips, and everything you need to plan your trip from start to finish.

Accommodation costs in Seoul

For me, location is everything. I always look for a place that’s central, close to public transport, and within walking distance of things to do. It just makes your entire trip easier.

On my first solo trip to Seoul, I stayed in Myeongdong, and I would recommend it to anyone visiting for the first time. If you’re not sure where to stay, I’ve shared a full breakdown of the best neighbourhoods to stay in Seoul, including what each area is like.

I personally stayed in simple, mid-range hotels. Nothing luxurious, but clean, safe, and comfortable, with a 24-hour reception. I don’t stay in hostels. If you’re looking for something with a bit more character, I’ve also rounded up my favourite boutique hotels in Seoul that balance style, comfort, and location really well.

At the time, I paid around $100 per night. These days, prices have gone up, and I think it’s more realistic to budget around $150 per night for a simple, double room with a private bathroom, outside of peak seasons.

If you’re looking for more luxury, prices can easily start at $250 a night and up. For me, accommodation is not where I cut corners. It’s your home base, and especially as a solo traveller, feeling safe and comfortable is non-negotiable.

If I had to give one piece of advice: don’t sacrifice location and safety just to save money.

Food costs in Seoul: what I spent as a foodie

Food in Seoul is one of the easiest areas to manage your budget, especially as a solo traveller.

If you stick to local places, you can eat really well without spending a lot. Most of my meals, like dumplings, noodles, or bibimbap, were around 10,000 to 15,000 won, which is roughly $8 to $12.

Street food is another great option. It’s slightly more expensive in tourist areas like Myeongdong, but it’s still affordable and perfect if you want to try a bit of everything without committing to a full sit-down meal.

I also ended up relying on convenience stores for a quick breakfast or snack. Places like 7-Eleven are genuinely good in South Korea, and it’s completely normal to grab something quick like onigiri.

And something I personally always do in Asia is occasionally go for well-known chains like Shake Shack. I normally wouldn’t do that elsewhere, but in places like South Korea or Singapore, the quality is so much better (than the US for example). I’ll happily grab a guilty pleasure burger there.

One thing to keep in mind, especially as a solo traveller, is that solo dining in Seoul isn’t as easy as other Asian destinations (it might be the most difficult one of all the countries I’ve been to). I’ve gone into this in much more detail in my guide to solo dining in Seoul.

Of course, if you want to, you can spend more. I love a good wine bar or rooftop bar, and those are definitely more expensive, but that’s more of a choice than a necessity.

Overall, I never felt like food was expensive in Seoul. If anything, it’s one of the easiest parts of your trip to keep affordable without feeling like you’re missing out.

Transport costs in Seoul

Getting around Seoul is easy, efficient, and very affordable, which makes a big difference when you’re travelling solo.

I mainly used public transport, including the subway, buses, and trains when travelling between cities or going to and from the airport. It’s all very well connected and straightforward to use.

The easiest way to pay is with a T-money card, which you can buy and top up at any convenience store. It just makes everything smoother, and you don’t have to worry about buying individual tickets every time.

Most rides are very affordable. On average, you can expect to pay around $1 to $2 per trip, depending on the distance. So even if you’re moving around the city a lot, transport won’t take up a big part of your budget.

I did occasionally take taxis or Uber, mainly for convenience. During peak times, the subway can get very crowded, and sometimes it’s just worth paying a bit extra to sit comfortably in an air-conditioned car and save time.

Cost of activities and things to do in Seoul

Many of the main attractions cost very little or are even free. For example, Gyeongbokgung Palace only costs a few dollars to enter, and if you rent a hanbok, which is traditional Korean clothing, you can even get in for free.

There are also plenty of completely free things to do. The Korean War Memorial Museum, for example, has free admission, and places like Bukchon Hanok Village are simply open neighbourhoods that you can explore at your own pace without paying anything.

So if you’re mainly interested in culture, history, and exploring the city itself, you really don’t need a big budget for activities. If you’re looking for more ideas, I’ve put together a full guide on the best things to do in Seoul for solo travellers, including a mix of cultural sights, local experiences, and easy activities you can do on your own.

Where costs can add up a bit more is when you start booking tours or experiences. Day trips, like visiting the DMZ, usually cost around $50, and things like cooking classes can range anywhere from $50 to $100 depending on the experience.

So overall, it’s a good balance. Most of the core experiences in Seoul are very affordable or even free.

This was my total expenses for 10 days in Seoul

From my experience, as a solo traveller with a mid-range budget, I spent roughly around $150 per day. Some days were a bit higher, especially if I went out for drinks or did something extra.

This daily budget included accommodation, food, transport, and activities.

For my 10-day trip in South Korea, I ended up spending around $1,800 in total. One thing to keep in mind is that this included a last-minute bullet train (KTX) retour ticket between Seoul and Busan, which alone cost me around $200. This is definitely something that can impact your budget if you plan to travel between cities.

If you book trains or flights in advance, you can usually do this much cheaper, but in my case, it was a last-minute decision and I wanted to experience the bullet train.

If I had to break it down, here’s a realistic expectation depending on your travel style:

• Budget traveller: around $80 to $120 per day
• Mid-range traveller (like me): around $150 to $200 per day
• Luxury traveller: $250+ per day

FAQ: Everything else about costs in Seoul

Do you think Seoul is expensive?

It’s not the cheapest destination in Asia, but it’s far from expensive, especially when you compare it to cities like Tokyo or Singapore. What makes it stand out is the balance.

You can eat well for very little, get around easily, and enjoy a lot of the city without spending much at all. I remember one day spending less than $50 just eating local food, grabbing an iced americano and walking around…

Are you ready to explore more about Seoul and South Korea? I think you will love these next guides:

• Steal My Perfect 5-Day Itinerary To Seoul (Without Rushing Everything)
• Is Seoul Safe For Solo Female Travellers? My Honest Opinion
• The Ultimate Long-Haul Flight Essentials 2026: How to Get Comfortable

If you’re planning your trip, I’d recommend starting with my solo female travel guide to Seoul, where I cover everything from safety and where to stay to what to do and how to plan your itinerary.

And if you’re still exploring your options, you can also browse all my South Korea travel guides, where I’ve put together detailed itineraries, travel tips, and destination guides to help you plan your trip with confidence.

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