How much does a trip to South Korea cost?
🎤 Love K-pop and dreaming of visiting South Korea? 🇰🇷 But not sure how much money you actually need for a trip like this?
I’m here to help you figure it out! 😎 I’m breaking down the budget for a 10-day trip (5 days in Seoul + 5 days in Busan).
If you skip the luxury hotels and don't eat at fancy restaurants every single day, Korea is actually quite affordable. Plus, here's a nice bonus: Busan is noticeably cheaper than Seoul when it comes to accommodations, especially if you want to stay by the sea 🌊
🍂 When to go to save money?
Peak season is cherry blossom time, major public holidays, and dates of massive events (mostly BTS, lol 😁 So if you're planning for a concert—put your phone down and get to work to save up! 😂✊🏼 The same goes for high-end skincare and clothes).
During these times, prices for flights and hotels can skyrocket.
Instead, consider late spring (after the blossoms) and fall (during the red maples/foliage)—these are great options for the best balance of weather, price, and tourist crowds.
It's freezing in winter and rainy/hot in summer.
✈️ Flights
If you buy tickets in advance and watch for sales, you can save a lot!
Once you've bought your tickets, consider the trip officially started! 💕😭
There are two main options:
1. Moscow → Seoul → Moscow
Usually with layovers in China or Uzbekistan. Don't be afraid of layovers—they’re pretty chill. I’d recommend at least 3 hours if you’re nervous about making the connection.
I’ve done a 1:50 layover myself and made it, but I’ve got experience! 😂✊🏼
2. Moscow → Seoul / Busan → Moscow
You can fly back directly from Busan. Similarly, you’ll have layovers in China—look for Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, or Guangzhou. This option can save you the time it takes to travel back to Seoul.
Cost-wise, both options usually end up being about the same.
💰 Total per person: $540–$720 (≈ 45,000–60,000 ₽).
If you’re not flying from the capital, don't forget to add the cost of getting to Moscow.
🏨 Accommodations
This is where you'll see a real difference between cities.
Seoul is more expensive.
A decent place with a private bathroom usually costs around:
$48–$72/night (4,000–6,000 ₽).
If you go for a hostel or a very basic guesthouse, you can find spots starting at $22/night (1,800 ₽).
Stay in central areas near the subway. Don't fall for the "far and cheap" trap. You’ll thank me later 😂 because distances in this city are huge!
Check out Myeongdong, Seongsu, Dongdaemun, Hongdae (a bit far out), and Gangnam.
Busan is cheaper!
You can find places starting from:
$18–$48/night (1,500–4,000 ₽).
And yes—in Busan, I’d definitely recommend staying by the ocean.
For the same price as a basic room in Seoul, you can find a nice spot with a view or within walking distance of the beach 🌊
I suggest Haeundae Beach—it’s far from the city center, but you won’t regret it! 💕
If you’re not picky and enjoy socializing (and snoring 🤣), you can stay in shared hostel dorms! They are very cute and modern, often with kitchens and clean bathrooms.
Prices — from $8/night (700 ₽).
For 10 days:
Seoul: 5 nights × $48–$72 = $240–$360
Busan: 5 nights × $18–$48 = $90–$240
💰 Total accommodation for two: roughly $330–$600 (27,500–50,000 ₽).
🍜 Food
There is almost no price difference between Seoul and Busan here.
If you eat on a budget—CU, GS25, 7-Eleven (convenience stores), McDonald's, pre-made meals, and simple Korean diners:
roughly $18–$24 per day per person (1,500–2,000 ₽).
But if you want to properly experience Korean cuisine and go to restaurants, or if you have a bottomless stomach—expect to pay:
from $18 per meal (1,500 ₽).
For a comfortable food budget, I’d suggest:
$36–$60 per day per person (3,000–5,000 ₽).
💰 For 10 days:
Economy: $180–$240 per person (15,000–20,000 ₽).
Comfort: $360–$600 per person (30,000–50,000 ₽).
🚇 Transportation
Transportation within Seoul and Busan is relatively cheap. Buy a T-money card, top it up at any convenience store, and you're good to go.
Subway and buses:
roughly $8–$12 per day per person if you travel a lot (700–1,000 ₽).
If you walk more and only use the subway for long distances, you can spend less.
💰 For 10 days: about $84–$120 per person (7,000–10,000 ₽).
🚌 Seoul → Busan
You can save a lot here too.
Bus (if booked in advance):
about $24 (2,000 ₽) one way.
🚄 Train (KTX):
about $42 (3,500 ₽) one way.
If you're on a budget, the bus is a perfectly fine option.
💰 Seoul → Busan → Seoul:
By bus — about $48 (4,000 ₽);
By train — about $84 (7,000 ₽).
Additionally, if you add day trips to other cities (like Seoul → Sokcho to see Seoraksan Mountain, or Busan → Gyeongju—there are so many places to go from Busan, but I'll post about that next time 😂✊🏼), budget another $48 for the bus.
📱 Connection
eSIMs in Korea are inexpensive. Buy one in advance on Trip.com.
If you're flying through China, pick a plan that covers both countries (e.g., from 2GB per day).
💰 For 10 days, budget about $6 per person (500 ₽).
🛂 Visa and K-ETA
Russian citizens don't need a visa.
However, you do need a K-ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization).
The official fee is 10,000 ₩ (≈ $7.50 / 600 ₽).
I’d just budget about $12 (1,000 ₽) per person to cover exchange rates and fees.
💰 Total: ~$12 (1,000 ₽).
🎟️ Attractions and Entertainment
There are many places in Korea you can visit for free or almost free: neighborhoods, markets, parks, waterfronts, temples, and beautiful streets.
But museums, palaces, observation decks, and theme parks can cost:
$6–$30 per visit (500–2,500 ₽).
💰 For 10 days, I’d budget from $60 per person (5,000 ₽).
🛍️ Shopping—the most unpredictable part of any trip 🐒
I don't even know how to guide you here.
Listen to your inner shopaholic 🤣
Personally, I take at least $600 (50,000 ₽) just for clothes and random stuff.
If there's change left—great! If not—we’ll plan better next time 😂
If you want to at least roughly budget for this:
from $120 per person (10,000 ₽).
💰 TOTAL FOR 10 DAYS
For two people, excluding shopping:
✈️ Flights: $1,080–$1,440 (90,000–120,000 ₽)
🏨 Lodging: $330–$600 (27,500–50,000 ₽)
🍜 Food: $360–$600 (30,000–50,000 ₽)
🚇 City Transport: $168–$240 (14,000–20,000 ₽)
🚌 Seoul ↔ Busan: $48 by bus or ~$84 by train
📱 Connection: $12
🛂 K-ETA: about $24
🎟️ Entertainment: from $120 for two
💰 Base budget for two: from $2,120 (176,500 ₽).
Warning: this is an economy version and depends on flights, hotels, and your luck in finding deals!
A more comfortable version comes out to about:
up to $3,240 for two (300,000 ₽).
➕ Additional city trips and shopping.
If you're traveling solo, just divide everything except lodging by two 🦧
See you in Korea! 🇰🇷