South Korea Travel Costs in 2026: A-Z Detailed Breakdown and How to Save Effectively
How much does a trip to South Korea cost? This article will help you understand each expense in detail, including visa, airfare, hotel, meals, transportation, and eSIM. It also includes a detailed budget estimate table and simple money-saving tips to help you plan easily and stay on budget.
Latest South Korea travel cost summary table
In reality, travel costs in South Korea vary depending on each traveler’s needs and travel style. You can refer to the table below to estimate the most suitable budget.
| Cost item | Budget level (VND) | Comfort level (VND) | Notes |
| Visa | 600.000 – 1.200.000 | 1.500.000 – 2.500.000 | Do it yourself or through an agency |
| Passport | 200.000 – 500.000 | Renewal or reissue (chip-enabled passport) | |
| Airfare (Round trip) | 4.500.000 – 6.000.000 | 7.000.000 – 12.000.000 | Depends on whether you choose a low-cost or traditional airline |
| Accommodation | 800.000 – 1.000.000 | 1.500.000 – 3.000.000 | Hostel/Homestay or 3-4-star hotel (price for 1 nights/room) |
| Food | 3.500.000 – 5.000.000 | 7.000.000 – 10.000.000 | Budget eateries or restaurants/BBQ |
| Getting around in Korea | 1.000.000 – 1.500.000 | 2.000.000 – 3.000.000 | Subway, bus (T-money), or taxi/KTX |
| Travel SIM/eSIM | 110.000 – 275.000 | 355.000 – 496.000 | You should use SimPM to save more than buying at the airport |
| Sightseeing/Entertainment tickets | 1.500.000 – 2.500.000 | 3.000.000 – 5.000.000 | Palaces, Namsan, amusement parks |
| Gift shopping costs | 1.000.000 – 2.000.000 | 5.000.000 – 10.000.000 | Cosmetics, ginseng, sweets, souvenirs |
| Incidental expenses | 1.000.000 – 2.000.000 | 3.000.000 – 5.000.000 | Backup for unexpected situations |
See also: What is the best month to travel to South Korea? Detailed suggestions by month
Detailed breakdown of self-guided South Korea travel costs
Below are the detailed self-guided South Korea travel costs you need to know to plan appropriately and manage your budget effectively:
South Korea travel visa costs
In the total South Korea travel cost, the visa is a mandatory expense for entry. The process is quite simple now: you only need to prepare your passport, financial documents, employment documents, and itinerary, then submit them at the visa center (KVAC) and pay the fee. Typically, the cost of applying for a South Korea travel visa is about 20 – 80 USD (about 500.000 – 2.000.000 VND), depending on the visa type.
| Visa type | Validity | Fee (USD) | Estimated (VND) |
| Visa 1 times | 3 months | 20 USD | ~ 510.000 |
| Short-term tourist visa | 3 months | 30 USD | ~ 765.000 |
| Long-term tourist visa | 3 months | 50 USD | ~ 1.275.000 |
| Visa 2 times | 6 months | 60 USD | ~ 1.530.000 |
| Multiple-entry visa | 5 – 10 years | 80 USD | ~ 2.040.000 |
Passport costs for going to Korea
A passport is the first important document you need when traveling to Korea. If you do not have one yet or your passport has expired, you will not be able to apply for a visa or book airfare. At present, the cost of obtaining a passport in Vietnam is quite affordable and transparent:
- New passport issuance: about 200.000 VND (valid for 10 years).
- Reissue due to loss/damage: about 400.000 VND.
- Expedited processing (if urgently needed): an additional 200.000 – 500.000 VND may apply.
- Passport delivery to your home: about 20.000 – 30.000 VND.
Flight costs to Korea (round trip)
Airfare is the biggest expense in the total South Korea travel cost. Ticket prices will vary depending on when you book and which airline you choose.
- Low-cost airlines (Vietjet Air, T’Way, Air Seoul): about 4.500.000 – 6.500.000 VND.
- Traditional airlines (Vietnam Airlines, Korean Air, Asiana Airlines): about 7.000.000 – 12.000.000 VND.
Accommodation costs in South Korea
In the total South Korea travel cost, accommodation is quite flexible depending on your needs. You can choose from many types of lodging in central areas such as Myeongdong, Hongdae, or Gangnam.
- Hostel/Homestay/Dorm: about 800.000 – 1.000.000 VND/night, suitable for solo travelers or groups of friends.
- 3-4-star hotel: about 1.500.000 – 3.000.000 VND/night/room.
Food costs in Korea
In the total South Korea travel cost, food is quite flexible depending on your needs. Korean cuisine is very diverse, from street food stalls to upscale restaurants.
- Budget eateries: about 150.000 – 250.000 VND/person/meal.
- Restaurants, BBQ, or specialty dishes: about 500.000 – 800.000 VND/person/meal.
Transportation costs in South Korea
In the total South Korea travel cost, getting around is fairly economical thanks to the modern and punctual transport system. Depending on your itinerary, you can choose the following transportation options:
- Subway: about 25.000 VND/ride, the most popular means of transport in Seoul and Busan.
- Xe bus: about 25.000 – 60.000 VND/ride, convenient for places not served by the subway.
- Taxi: starting fare about 90.000 VND, with each trip usually 200.000 – 500.000 VND.
- High-speed train (KTX/SRT): about 600.000 – 1.200.000 VND/ride (for intercity travel such as Seoul – Busan).
- Regular train (Mugunghwa): cheaper, about 120.000 – 420.000 VND/ride.
Travel SIM/eSIM costs
In the total South Korea travel cost, buying a Sim/eSIM for Korea is a relatively small but very necessary expense, helping you access the internet to check maps, translate languages, book rides, and stay connected throughout your trip. SIM/eSIM costs depend on the number of days used and the data allowance:
- Basic package (3 – 5 days): about 110.000 – 250.000 VND, suitable for a short trip.
- Large-data package (7 – 30 days): about 300.000 – 496.000 VND, suitable if you use the internet a lot.
You should prioritize buy eSIM for your trip SimPM because you can order it online quickly on website or download the app (App Store/Google Play). The product supports 24/7 if any issue occurs, is easy to activate, and does not require removing or inserting a physical SIM. As a result, you save time, can use it immediately upon arrival in Korea, and reduce the risk of losing your SIM.
Sightseeing/entertainment ticket costs
In the total South Korea travel cost, sightseeing and entertainment tickets will depend on your itinerary. South Korea has both low-cost attractions and modern amusement venues with many different price ranges:
- Palaces, temples: about 20.000 – 60.000 VND/ticket (wearing Hanbok may be free).
- Namsan Tower (N Seoul Tower): about 200.000 – 400.000 VND/ticket.
- Amusement parks (Everland, Lotte World): about 800.000 – 1.200.000 VND/ticket.
- Free places: Bukchon Hanok Village, Cheonggyecheon Stream, night markets, Hongdae area.
Gift costs
In the total South Korea travel cost, gift shopping depends on each person’s needs and spending level. Korea is considered a “shopping paradise” with many options:
- Cosmetics: priced from a few hundred thousand to several million VND (popular brands such as Innisfree, The Face Shop, Olive Young).
- Functional foods (ginseng, reishi mushroom): from about 2.000.000 VND to several tens of millions of VND.
- Sweets, seaweed: about 500.000 – 1.000.000 VND is enough to buy gifts.
Additional incidental costs
In the total South Korea travel cost, you should prepare an extra contingency budget to handle unplanned situations.
- Excess baggage: about 500.000 – 1.500.000 VND if you shop a lot.
- Health and medical: buying medicine or paying for medical treatment when needed.
- Unplanned shopping: items not included in the plan.
Tips to optimize costs when traveling to South Korea for first-time visitors
To save on South Korea travel costs while still having a complete experience, you can apply the following useful tips:
- Look for cheap flights: Keep an eye on promotions from airlines to get the best tickets.
- Travel in the low season: Avoids crowds and saves on airfare and hotel costs.
- Book services in advance: You should book flights and hotel rooms 1 – 2 months in advance to get promotional prices.
- Prioritize free attractions: Combine free and paid spots to optimize your budget.
- Choose homestays/hostels: Save money and gain a more local experience.
- Use public transportation: Subway and buses save much more than taxis.
- Travel in groups: Going with friends helps share accommodation and transportation costs.
- Prepare your SIM/eSIM in advance: Helps you stay connected, look up directions, and avoid extra costs.
- Eat at local eateries: Cheaper than restaurants and gives you a chance to experience local cuisine.
- Consider taking a tour: Suitable if you want to save planning time and control costs better.
Overall, South Korea travel costs vary depending on each person’s needs and travel style, from budget to comfortable. If you plan well and prepare in advance for everything from airfare, accommodation, and itinerary to SIM/eSIM, you can fully manage your budget effectively and minimize unexpected expenses. In particular, buying a travel eSIM right from Vietnam will help you connect to the internet easily, save time, and optimize your experience when arriving in Korea.
