🇺🇸 From the US › Seoul
Seoul trip cost from the US — prices in $
Updated October 2026For everyday spending, Seoul is about 60% cheaper than New York. Here's what things cost in USD, what a day really costs, and the price where "tourist price" turns into a rip-off.
Daily budget per person (no flights)
Prices in Seoul vs New York
| Item | Local | In USD | vs New York |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | ₩10,000 | $7.25 | 64% less |
| Street food1 item | ₩4,000 | $2.9 | 71% less |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | ₩30,000 | $22 | 60% less |
| Coffeeone cup | ₩5,500 | $3.99 | 34% less |
| Beerone bottle | ₩5,500 | $3.99 | 56% less |
| Bottled water | ₩1,000 | $0.72 | 64% less |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | ₩2,000 | $1.45 | 52% less |
| Taxi5 km in town | ₩8,500 | $6.16 | 73% less |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | ₩5,500 | $3.99 | 72% less |
| Transitone ride | ₩1,550 | $1.12 | 63% less |
| Hotel night3-star | ₩110,000 | $80 | 70% less |
| SIM card1 week data | ₩30,000 | $22 | 28% less |
| Laundry | ₩9,000 | $6.52 | 45% more |
| Massage1 hour | ₩70,000 | $51 | 49% less |
| Half-day tourper person | ₩70,000 | $51 | 37% less |
| Entry ticketTourist town | ₩3,000 | $2.17 | 93% less |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveller reports switch to the median of real reports.
What $100 gets you in Seoul
Rip-off check: fair price vs "too much"
| Item | Fair range | Rip-off above |
|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | ₩7,000–₩16,000$5.07–$12 | ₩19,200+$14+ |
| Coffeeone cup | ₩3,300–₩8,800$2.39–$6.38 | ₩10,600+$7.65+ |
| Beerone bottle | ₩3,300–₩9,350$2.39–$6.78 | ₩11,200+$8.13+ |
| Taxi5 km in town | ₩6,800–₩13,600$4.93–$9.86 | ₩16,300+$12+ |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | ₩3,850–₩9,900$2.79–$7.17 | ₩11,900+$8.61+ |
| Massage1 hour | ₩49,000–₩112,000$36–$81 | ₩134,000+$97+ |
| Bottled water | ₩700–₩2,000$0.51–$1.45 | ₩2,400+$1.74+ |
| Half-day tourper person | ₩49,000–₩112,000$36–$81 | ₩134,000+$97+ |
- Ask the price before you order or get in — and say it back.
- Use a ride-hailing app instead of street taxis when you can; the fare is fixed upfront.
- Pay in local currency. If a card machine offers to charge you in USD, say no — the conversion rate is usually worse.
Compare Seoul with your city
FAQ
How much does a trip to Seoul cost from the US?
Not counting flights, a mid-range day in Seoul is about $150 per person (3-star hotel, local meals plus a dinner out, two taxi rides). On a shoestring it's about $47 a day; comfortable travel is about $331. A 7-day mid-range trip comes to roughly $1,050.
Is Seoul cheaper than New York?
For everyday things Seoul is about 60% cheaper than New York. Compare item by item in the table above, or open the app to see it against your own city and income.
How much is a meal in Seoul in USD?
A simple local meal is around ₩10,000 (about $7.25); a sit-down restaurant dinner is around ₩30,000 (about $22).
What price is a rip-off in Seoul?
As a rule of thumb, paying about double the usual local price is a warning sign. For a taxi that means anything above ₩16,300 ($12) for about 5 km. Check any price in 3 seconds in the app.