Seoul on a Budget
A palace with properly affordable admission and a hanok village that costs nothing to wander, here’s how to keep the rest of the costs down too.
Seoul is one of the more affordable major cities in Asia to visit, admission to its palaces runs a few dollars at most, and Bukchon’s atmosphere costs nothing at all. Here’s how to keep the rest of the costs down without cutting the trip short.
Gyeongbokgung admission is properly cheap
Palace admission runs around 3,000 won, a couple of dollars, and wearing a hanbok grants free entry entirely. Wandering Bukchon Hanok Village and Insadong is free too, only individual purchases and specific museum entries cost money.
Visit outside cherry blossom and autumn foliage season
Spring’s cherry blossoms and autumn’s foliage bring Seoul’s highest hotel prices and heaviest crowds, both properly spectacular but considerably more expensive to see. Summer or winter instead offer noticeably lower rates.
Use the T-money card over taxis
Seoul’s subway is genuinely efficient and considerably cheaper than taxis for nearly every journey. A T-money card covers the whole system and most convenience stores too, worth picking up on arrival.
A street food cart beats a Myeongdong tourist restaurant
Tteokbokki, kimbap and Korean fried chicken from a proper street cart are widely cheap Seoul staples, considerably cheaper than a sit-down restaurant right in Myeongdong. A gimbap shop remains one of the better cheap eats options too.
Consider Hongdae over central Myeongdong
Hotels right in Myeongdong sit at the top of the price range given the location. Hongdae, a short metro ride away, runs noticeably cheaper while offering a genuinely strong, more local food and nightlife scene of its own.
That’s everything I’ve got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government’s latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
