Seoul’s food and subway are cheap, but long-haul airfare, central hotels, a KTX ride to Busan and the K-ETA (needed again from 2027 unless extended) add up fast. Tipping isn’t one of the extras – Korea doesn’t expect it.
Starts with a sample trip. Change any number to match yours. Set up your travel profile to fill these in for you.
Compare hotels in central Seoul →Tick what you plan to do and we’ll price it for your group. Your picks set “Palaces, towers and attraction tickets”, “Hanbok rental”, “KTX side trip to Busan” and “Shows, tours and extras you picked” in your budget.
The sample is 2 travelers for 8 nights. Your plan ($4,580) covers the main costs most people budget for, the ones you enter on the left. Costs people forget ($814, about 18% more for this trip) are the fees, taxes, tips and extras listed in the calculator. Prices were last checked on October 17, 2026.
Share of the $5,394 real cost. Nights and travelers multiply most of these costs, so changing either one moves the total the most.
10 of this trip's numbers link to a published price or rate. The rest are our estimates, and each one says what it is based on. You can also read how we calculate every trip.
| Cost | Default | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Airfare per person | $1,200 per traveler | KAYAK shows an average round trip from the US to Incheon of about $1,187 (cheapest in January, highest in December). Source |
| Hotel per night | $160 a night | KAYAK shows Myeong-dong hotels averaging about $175–188 a night (from $131 in January to $289 in July); our figure is a good mid-range double. Source |
| Food per person, per day | $50 per traveler, per day | A sample mid-range day of meals, coffee and a shared Korean BBQ dinner comes to about KRW 67,000 (about $48) per person. Source |
| Cost | Default | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Checked bag fees Off by default | $90 per traveler | Our estimate: Korean Air, Asiana and main-cabin fares on US carriers include checked bags to Korea; basic economy and extra bags cost about $45 each way. Our estimate |
| Passports Off by default | $165 per traveler | The State Department lists $130 for the book plus a $35 acceptance fee for a first adult passport. Source |
| K-ETA travel authorization | $7 per traveler | Korea’s consulate says US citizens are K-ETA exempt until December 31, 2026; the K-ETA fee is KRW 10,000 plus a card charge, valid three years. Source |
| Airport train (AREX) round trip | $14 per traveler | The AREX express to Seoul Station costs KRW 9,500 per adult (43 minutes); the all-stop train is KRW 4,950. Source |
| Subway and buses (T-money) | $5 per traveler, per day | Seoul’s basic subway fare rose to KRW 1,550 with a transit card on June 28, 2025; about three rides a day plus the card is about $5. Source |
| KTX side trip to Busan Off by default | $85 per traveler | A standard KTX seat between Seoul and Busan costs about KRW 59,800 each way and takes about 2.5 hours. Source |
| Palaces, towers and attraction tickets | $40 per traveler | Gyeongbokgung costs KRW 3,000 (new fees from January 2027 are pending); N Seoul Tower (KRW 21,000) and Seoul Sky (KRW 29,000) prices are from mileasia.com. Source |
| Hanbok rental Off by default | $15 per traveler | Our estimate based on typical Seoul rental shops near Gyeongbokgung charging about KRW 15,000–30,000 for two to four hours; hanbok wearers enter palaces free. Our estimate |
| Phone data | $15 per traveler | Korea eSIMs run from a few dollars for 1 GB to about $9 for 3 GB a week; larger or unlimited plans cost about $10–20. Source |
| Card fees | 3% of your plan | Typical foreign transaction fee on US credit and debit cards that charge one; many travel cards charge none. Our estimate |
| K-beauty, souvenirs and treats | $50 per traveler | Our estimate for skincare, snacks and small gifts per traveler. Our estimate |
| Shows, tours and extras you picked Off by default | $0 for the trip | Starts at $0. Filled in from what you pick in the things-to-do planner; each one links to its own price source. Our estimate |
| Travel insurance | 6% of your plan | Squaremouth says a comprehensive plan averages about 6% of the trip cost, usually 4% to 10%. Source |
| Pre-trip shopping | $60 for the trip | Our estimate for travel-size toiletries, sunscreen and small things bought before a trip. Our estimate |
| Pet boarding or sitter | $50 a day, if you check Pets | Dogster puts regular kennel boarding at about $35 to $85 a night. Overnight sitters at home cost more. Source |
For 8 nights with flights, a hotel and food, plan on about $4,600 for two people. Once you add the costs most visitors forget, like the K-ETA, the airport train, subway rides and attraction tickets, it's closer to $5,400. Use the calculator above to change any number to match your trip.
Not for trips through December 31, 2026 – US citizens are exempt and just fill in an arrival card. Unless Korea extends the exemption, trips from January 1, 2027 need a K-ETA, which costs KRW 10,000 (about $7) and is valid for three years. Source
The AREX express train runs nonstop to Seoul Station in about 43 minutes for KRW 9,500 (about $7); the all-stop train costs KRW 4,950. A taxi costs about KRW 60,000–80,000. Source
No. Tipping isn’t expected at restaurants, cafes, hotels or in taxis; the only exception is an optional tip for an excellent private tour guide. Source
A standard KTX seat costs about KRW 59,800 (about $43) each way and takes around 2.5 hours, so a Busan side trip adds about $85 per person in train fare. Source