How Much Does a Trip to South Korea Cost? Latest 2026 Prices

How much does a trip to South Korea cost? This is a question many people ask when they start planning. In reality, the cost of the trip can be high or low depending on how you choose your flight, accommodation, food, and shopping. In this article, you’ll get a detailed update on South Korea travel costs 2026 from A to Z, including visa, flights, hotels, food, transportation, and Internet. In addition, the article also shares simple tips to help you save money while still enjoying a complete and comfortable trip.

What is the average total cost of an independent trip to South Korea?

How much does a trip to South Korea cost?According to the latest update in 2026, the total cost of an independent trip to South Korea (usually lasting 5 days 4 nights or 6 days 5 nights) is as follows:

• Budget option: around 15.000.000 – 18.000.000 VND/person.
• Mid-range budget: around 20.000.000 – 25.000.000 VND/person.
• Premium budget: from 35.000.000 VND/person and up.

This cost level will vary depending on the travel time (peak or off-peak season), accommodation type, dining and shopping needs, and how well you optimize costs such as flights, transportation, or Internet access.

See also: What is the best month to travel to South Korea? Detailed suggestions by month

What costs are included in an independent trip to South Korea?

To know exactly how much a trip to South Korea costs, you need to understand the main expenses in the journey. Typically, costs include: procedures (visa, passport), transportation (flights and local transport such as trains and buses), accommodation (hotel, homestay, or hostel), food and sightseeing (meals and attraction tickets), as well as Internet access (SIM or eSIM). Among these, Internet is a very important expense because it helps you check maps, find your way, and stay connected easily throughout the trip.

South Korea tourist visa costs

To set foot in the Land of the Morning Calm, a visa is a mandatory “travel document.” Depending on the visa type (single-entry or multiple-entry), the fee will differ. Below is a reference fee table updated for 2026:

• Single-entry visa under 90 days: 20 USD (~500.000 VND), popular for independent travel.
• Single-entry visa over 90 days: 50 USD (~1.250.000 VND).
• Visa for 2 entries within 6 months (Double entry): 60 USD (~1.500.000 VND).
• Multiple-entry visa: 80 USD (~2.000.000 VND), suitable if you plan to return many times.

In addition to the fee paid to the Embassy, you are required to submit your application through the Korea Visa Application Center (KVAC), with a service fee of around 390.000 VND/application (non-refundable). If you want to save time and increase your visa approval chances, you can choose a full-service visa package costing around 2.500.000 – 4.000.000 VND, which includes most of the necessary fees.

Passport fee

If you do not have a passport yet or your passport has expired, this is the first expense you need to prepare before planning a trip to South Korea. You should apply for your passport early, at least 1 months before applying for a visa, to ensure you stay on schedule and avoid affecting your travel itinerary.

• New/renewal fee: around 200.000 VND.
• Reissue due to loss or damage: around 400.000 VND.
• Photo fee (if taken on site): around 30.000 – 50.000 VND.
• Door-to-door express delivery fee: around 30.000 VND.

Flight costs to South Korea

Airfare is the biggest expense, usually accounting for about 30 – 40% of the total trip cost. Ticket prices will vary depending on when you book and which airline you choose.

• Low-cost airlines (Vietjet Air, T’way Air, Air Busan): around 5.500.000 – 8.500.000 VND.
• Full-service airlines (Vietnam Airlines, Korean Air, Asiana Airlines): around 11.000.000 – 16.000.000 VND.

Internet connection costs when traveling in South Korea

This is a small but very important expense that helps you check maps, find your way, and stay connected throughout the trip. Instead of using international roaming with high costs, you can choose one of the following options:

• Renting a travel Wi‑Fi hotspot: around 150.000 VND/day, but it is a bit inconvenient because you have to carry the device and charge it.
• Buying a SIM card at the airport in South Korea: around 600.000 – 900.000 VND, with time spent lining up and handling procedures.
• Buy eSIM travel: from just 150.000 – 350.000 VND for the entire trip.

Accommodation costs in South Korea

Accommodation costs in South Korea in 2026 will vary depending on the area you choose, such as Myeongdong, Hongdae, or Gangnam. In general, you can refer to the following prices:

• Hostel/Dorm (bunk bed): around 450.000 – 650.000 VND/night.
• Hotel 3 stars or Airbnb: around 1.200.000 – 2.000.000 VND/night.
• Luxury hotel (4-5 stars): from 3.500.000 VND/night and up.

Food costs when traveling in South Korea

Korean cuisine is very diverse, suitable for many different budgets. On average, you should prepare about 800.000 – 1.000.000 VND/day for food. Specifically:

• Quick breakfast: around 80.000 – 120.000 VND, usually eaten at convenience stores such as GS25, CU (rice balls, cup noodles, banana milk).
• Affordable lunch/dinner: around 200.000 – 350.000 VND/meal for popular dishes such as cold noodles, bibimbap, or beef rib soup.
• BBQ or hot pot meal: around 500.000 – 800.000 VND/person for a full meal.
• Street food: around 50.000 – 100.000 VND/item such as tteokbokki and odeng fish cakes.

Local transportation costs in South Korea

South Korea’s public transportation system is very modern and easy to use, helping you save on travel costs. For greater convenience, you should buy a T-money (about 75.000 VND) card and top it up to use for most transport options. Reference prices for 2026:

• Trains, express trains (KTX, ITX): around 100.000 – 400.000 VND/trip, suitable for traveling between cities such as Seoul and Busan.
• Xe bus: around 28.000 VND/ride.
• Subway: around 19.000 VND/ride, this is the cheapest and fastest option within the city.
• Taxi: around 300.000 – 500.000 VND/trip, recommended for group travel or nighttime rides.

Sightseeing and shopping costs in major cities

Sightseeing and shopping costs in South Korea will depend on each person’s itinerary and preferences. Specifically:

• Attraction tickets: Places such as Gyeongbokgung Palace are quite cheap, around 60.000 VND. Meanwhile, major entertainment venues such as Lotte World, Everland, or the N Seoul Tower observatory cost from 300.000 – 1.200.000 VND.
• Shopping: South Korea is famous for cosmetics and fashion, so you should budget around 3.000.000 – 7.000.000 VND if you plan to shop in areas such as Myeongdong, Hongdae, or duty-free stores.

Contingency costs when traveling to South Korea

For any overseas trip, a contingency fund is essential to handle unexpected situations. You should prepare about 10 – 15% of your total budget (equivalent to 2.000.000 – 4.000.000 VND) for situations such as excess baggage fees, medication costs, or sudden itinerary changes.

Tips for traveling to South Korea and saving money effectively

If you are wondering how much a trip to South Korea should reasonably cost, the tips below will help you optimize your expenses more effectively. To make your journey to the Land of the Morning Calm both enjoyable and budget-friendly, don’t miss these “insider tips”:

Prioritize using a travel eSIM

South Korea eSIM is the most cost-effective and convenient solution when traveling. You can buy an eSIM online on SimPM’s website or app (Google Play/App Store) before departure without having to line up at the airport. With prices starting from just 150.000 VND, you already have high-speed data to check maps, book rides, and stay in touch 24/7. In particular, the eSIM SimPM can be activated quickly with a QR code, giving you internet as soon as you land.

Wear Hanbok to get free admission

When you wear the traditional Hanbok outfit, you can enter many famous palaces for free. Participating sites include Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, and Deoksugung. This is a way to save money while also getting beautiful photos full of Korean character.

Eat at traditional markets

Instead of eating at expensive restaurants, you should visit local markets. Places like Gwangjang, Namdaemun, or Mangwon have many delicious dishes at affordable prices. You can enjoy authentic local cuisine while significantly saving on food costs.

Take advantage of tax refunds (Tax Refund)

When you spend from 30.000 Won at stores with the “Tax Free” logo, you can receive a tax refund. You may get the money right at the store or complete the procedure at the airport before leaving the country. This is a way to significantly reduce shopping costs when traveling to South Korea.

Use the right map app

In South Korea, Google Maps does not work as accurately as it does in many other countries. You should use Naver Map or KakaoTalk to find directions and view public transportation. To use these apps effectively, make sure you always have stable Internet such as.

As you can see, how much a trip to South Korea costs depends on how you plan and spend throughout the journey. If you know how to optimize expenses such as flights, accommodation, food, and especially Internet access, you can absolutely experience South Korea at a reasonable cost. We hope the information above helps you prepare your budget with confidence and enjoy a complete, affordable, and memorable trip.