Three honest tiers — shoestring, comfortable, splurge — broken down day-by-day with real items and prices. Plus eight money-savers we actually use.
Backpackers, gap-year, exchange students, solo traveler comfortable with guesthouses.
Couples, mid-career solos, K-Pop fans on a multi-event trip.
Anniversary, business / medical-tourism guests, high-rollers.
| Item | Shoestring | Comfortable | Splurge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inbound flight (US west coast) | $800 round-trip | $1,100 | $3,500 business |
| Inbound flight (Europe) | €650 round-trip | €900 | €3,000+ business |
| Pre-trip — eSIM 7 days | ₩14k Airalo | ₩50k KT real number | ₩80k unlimited prepaid |
| Airport → hotel | ₩4.5k AREX all-stop | ₩11k AREX express | ₩90k private van |
| Nightly hotel | ₩22–40k (hostel) | ₩90–180k (3–4★) | ₩400k+ (5★) |
| Daily food | ₩25k | ₩63k | ₩430k+ |
| Daily transit | ₩6k (subway) | ₩15k (subway + 1 cab) | ₩150k (chauffeur) |
| Major attractions | ₩30k for 3 | ₩60k | ₩300k (private tours) |
| Souvenirs | ₩40k snacks + K-Beauty samples | ₩200k mid-grade | ₩2M+ luxury duty-free |
Show passport at most chain stores — instant refund OR claim at airport. See /tax-refund.
Hansik places often offer ₩12–18k jeongsik sets at lunch that cost ₩28k+ at dinner.
A full Korean lunchbox heated in 2 min. See /convenience.
Rent hanbok ₩15–35k for 2 hours, walk all 4 royal palaces free. See /culture or /photo-spots.
A ₩12k taxi ride = 8 subway rides. Korea's subway is fast and clean.
Sometimes cheaper than booking each separately.
June and February are cheap. Cherry-blossom April + foliage October are 30–60% more expensive.
Mukbang dinners are ordered family-style — 4 people share 2 entrees, saving ~₩15k pp.
Approximate exchange rates (mid-market): $1 = ₩1,360 · €1 = ₩1,470 · £1 = ₩1,720 · ¥100 = ₩900 · CN¥1 = ₩190. Check /exchange for live rates.