Traveling to South Korea can be done in two ways: independent travel or packaged tours. Depending on your budget and economic conditions, you can choose the most suitable travel option. Let's delve into the detailed costs of each option!

South Korea is an amazing destination
Exploring South Korea Independently
Cost of Transportation to South Korea
The airfare to South Korea is reasonably priced. However, plan ahead and hunt for tickets 1-2 months in advance. Keep an eye on promotions from airlines or reputable ticket agents to snag the best deals and maximize savings.
Consider checking round-trip fares during promotional periods, with prices around 4,000,000 VND per leg. On average, the standard round-trip fare from Vietnam to South Korea is approximately 7,000,000 VND per adult.

Transportation Costs in South Korea
Upon landing in South Korea, you'll need to travel from the airport to your pre-booked hotel. Opting for a taxi is the quickest and most convenient, costing around 200,000 VND – 500,000 VND per trip. If you're in a large group, this cost can be more economical.
Once in the city, getting around becomes easier with various transportation options like buses, subways, taxis, and bicycles.
Buses and subways are popular choices due to their convenience and affordability. Bus fare is approximately 1,500 won per trip (around 28,000 VND), and subway fare is 1,000 won per trip (around 19,000 VND). Alternatively, you can also choose taxis for city exploration.

Subway System in South Korea
>>> Explore more: How to travel from the airport to downtown Seoul, South Korea
Hotel/Homestay Expenses
Similar to airfare, plan ahead and book accommodation 2-3 weeks in advance for more choices and affordable prices. It's recommended to choose reputable accommodations near the city center for convenient exploration and dining.
Ensure thorough research on your hotel details, including address, phone number, and location, as these will be required for airport immigration. Here are some budget-friendly hotels in central Seoul for your reference:
- Bestt Western New Seoul Hotel: 16, Sejong-daero 22-gil, Jung-gu, Myeong-dong, Seoul, with room rates around 1,400,000 VND/night.
- Icon Hotel at 20, Samil-daero 32ga-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, offers rooms starting from 1,300,000 VND/night.
- Daehanjang Hotel, located at 210-27, Toegyo-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, has rates starting from 900,000 VND/night.
- WS Hotel at 15-6, Sinchon-ro 19-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, provides rooms from 800,000 VND/night.
Additionally, South Korea offers alternative accommodation services such as hostels and guesthouses for more cost-saving options. Specifically:
- Bunk Guesthouse Hostel, located in Hongdae, provides essential amenities for travelers at an affordable price, starting from 300,000 VND/night.
- Mama Guest House (Myeong-dong, Seoul) is one of the renowned budget hotels with full facilities and cost-effective services.

Hotels in South Korea
Visa Expenses
When opting for independent travel to South Korea, obtaining a visa is a mandatory requirement for entry. Plan in advance and prepare all necessary documents for the visa application process. The cost for a single-entry visa for stays under 90 days is approximately 20 USD per person.
>>> Explore more: Latest procedures for obtaining a South Korean visa
Sightseeing and Entertainment Costs
In South Korea, outdoor activities are often free to participate in, requiring no additional fees. However, some attractions have admission fees, including:
- Museum Admission: 5,000 Won ~ 95,000 VND
- Palace and Temple Admission: 2,000 Won ~ 38,000 VND
- Entry to clubs or bars for drinks: 10,000 Won ~ 185,000 VND
Dining Expenses
As you're aware, South Korea is renowned for its diverse and enticing culinary scene, especially its street food, attracting the curiosity of travelers. With approximately 200,000 VND – 500,000 VND, you can indulge in specialties such as black bean noodles, kimchi, tteokbokki, gimbap, cold Korean noodles, hot fish cakes, and more.

South Korea with its diverse culinary scene
Summing up the expenses, it's around 14 million VND for a 5-day, 4-night independent trip to South Korea, excluding additional personal shopping expenses. This includes:
- Visa Fee: 450,000 VND
- Round-trip Airfare: Average price from 4,000,000 VND per leg.
- 3-4 star Hotel: Prices starting from 840,000 VND per room per night, totaling around 3,400,000 VND per person for 4 nights.
- Food expenses: Approximately 2,500,000 VND per person for 5 days.
- Transportation expenses: Around 2,000,000 VND for 5 days.
- Entertainment and sightseeing expenses: Estimated between 2,000,000 VND – 3,000,000 VND for 5 days.
The estimated expenses mentioned above may differ if you manage to secure better deals on airfare and hotel bookings or opt for a more budget-friendly trip. In such cases, a budget of only around 10 – 12 million VND is sufficient for an affordable trip to South Korea.
Traveling to South Korea with a Tour
Choosing a guided tour to South Korea makes everything more convenient, given the abundance of travel companies offering diverse tour programs, durations, and quality options for easy selection.
Typically, South Korea tours range from 4N3D, 5N4D, 6N5D, to deluxe or budget options. The specific tour prices for different durations are as follows:
The prices above may vary depending on the chosen peak or off-peak season. For less-experienced travelers to South Korea, opting for a package tour is advisable to eliminate concerns.
Travel agencies will arrange services including visa fees, round-trip airfare, accommodation, meals, entrance fees, and provide a tour guide according to the available itinerary. Going on a package tour incurs only personal expenses beyond the program, such as shopping, laundry, phone usage, etc.

Tips for Saving Money When Traveling to South Korea
- Regularly check for promotions from airlines or ticket agents to get the best deals on airfares.
- In South Korea, opt for public transportation such as buses or trains to maximize travel cost savings. Additionally, choosing homestays or guesthouses is a good option for budget-friendly accommodation.
- If you're traveling to South Korea with a tour, select a reputable travel company to ensure quality tours at reasonable prices. With Mytour, you can trust the 10 years of experience in the travel industry. Check out Mytour's affordable South Korea tours with fantastic deals!

We hope that the valuable information shared by Mytour has provided you with detailed insights, allowing you to set aside worries about the costs of traveling to South Korea. Wishing you a complete and joyful journey with your loved ones and friends!
Hai Yen
Photo source: Internet