How Much To Bring To Korea For 7 Days | Money & Packing Guide (2024)

Are you visiting Korea for 7 days and are not sure how much to pack and how much money to bring? Well you came to the right place! This blog post covers everything there is to know about bringing the right amount of money and clothes on your trip to South Korea. Read on to find out more!

What To Know About Visiting Korea For 7 Days

Listed below are some of the main things you need to know about coming to Korea for 7 days.

• Itinerary: Use our 7 day Seoul itinerary or 7 day Korea itinerary to help plan your trip.
• Tipping: Do you need to tip when coming to South Korea? Read this article to find out!
• 24 Hours Seoul Day Pass: If you want to make the most of your time in Seoul, consider purchasing a 24/48/72 hour tourist pass. This gives you instant access to more than 35 different touristic sights in Seoul.Check more info here.
• Power Travel Adapter: South Korea uses mainland European style plugs, make sure to bring a travel power adapter if you require one. Find more info about Koreatravel convertershere.
• Korea Transportation Card– The best way to get any city in South Korea is by using public transportationlike the bus or subway. Buy yourpublic transportation cardin advance and pick up at Incheon International Airport.

How Much To Bring To Korea For 7 Days

Previously we have written a full guide on what to pack when coming to Korea which covers all you need to know about what to wear each season in Korea. You can also download a free printable packing check list by clicking on the picture below.

How Much Money To Bring To Korea For 7 Days

Planning how much money to bring is always difficult, but we will try to break it down for you as much as possible. Listed below are your main expenses you will have during your trip to Korea.

If you are traveling on a budget you can probably get around with 80 000 krw a day but you might not be staying in the nicest hotels or have the best food. For those on a mid range budget, 120 000 krw should be enough and for those on a luxury budget, a minimum of 200 000 krw should be ok.

It is recommended to bring at least around 200$ in cash. You can use this in places that don’t accept cash or in emergencies. Most shops accept card but small market or street vendors will only accept cash payments.

1. Flight Ticket – How Much To Budget?

The price of flight tickets to South Korea can vary depending on a number of factors such as the time of year, airline, departure location, and demand. Generally speaking, flights to South Korea tend to be more expensive during peak travel seasons, such as during the summer months and major holidays.

However, by planning ahead and being flexible with travel dates, it is often possible to find good deals on flights to South Korea. Additionally, some airlines may offer special promotions or discounts for specific routes or destinations, so it’s always a good idea to check multiple options before making a purchase.

Overall, the price of flight tickets to South Korea can range from affordable to quite expensive, but with a little research and flexibility, travelers can often find a good deal.

2. Accommodations – Where to Stay & How Much To Budget?

It is highly recommended to book all your accommodations in advance and pay them in advance as well. This will reduce the money you’ll have to bring massively. The best platforms to find accommodation in Korea are:

• Booking.com: They have a wide selection of accommodations all around Korea and with the Genius Membership you can save up to 20%. Find more info about how to get Genius Membership here.

Accommodation in Korea ranges from as low as 20 000 krw up to 250 000 krw or even more. The following budgets should be enough for cheap/budget 40 000 krw/night – mid range 70 000 krw/night – luxury +120 000 krw/night.

3. Public Transport – How To Get Around & Prices

Public transport in Korea is extremely cheap. One bus ride or subway ride costs about 1200 krw. If you are traveling around Seoul using public transport you’ll probably spend around 10 000 krw a day. To save money you can use a T Money card on public transport. This card can be bought online and topped up in advance. Buy a T Money Card here.

Intercity/Express buses or trains are more expensive. A bus ride from Seoul to Busan costs around 30 000 krw and a train ticket around 56 000 krw. Buying tickets online is quite hard as many foreigners have problems with the Korean payment system. If you are planning to travel around the country you need to make your budget bigger as you’ll have to pay for your bus/train tickets by cash or card. It is highly recommended to buy bus or train tickets in advance as they tend to sell out quickly. Bus tickets can be purchased in the station or on Kobus (only PC version for international cards). Buy your train tickets on Korail or in any train station. Save money buy purchasing a train pass!

4. Food & Drinks – How Much To Budget

When it comes to food and drinks it again depends on what kind of restaurants you’ll visit. In Korea you can get a meal for as little as 8000 krw so if you want you can really travel on a low budget. Prepare at least the following for budget restaurant 10000 krw a meal – mid range 20 000 krw a meal – luxury +40 000 krw a meal. The price for a cup of coffee is around 5000 krw.

It is possible to pay for certain restaurants online in advance if you reserve them using the booking platform Klook.

5. Sightseeing – How Much To Budget

This part is really tricky. The price of entrance tickets really depends on where you’ll be visiting. National Museums are most of the time free and entrance fees for National Monuments costs no more than 5000 krw.

The entrance fees for private attractions and touristic sites are generally more pricey than national sites but tickets can all be booked in advance online.

Klook and Trazy are the best booking platforms to use for entrance tickets, performance tickets or even day trips. Booking entrance tickets online is often cheaper and you can pay in advance.

6. Other Expenses

When traveling to Korea, it’s important to budget for souvenirs and shopping, as there are plenty of unique and interesting items to take home. One great way to save money is to prioritize what souvenirs you want to buy ahead of time, and set a budget for each item. It’s also a good idea to research prices and compare them between different stores or markets.

If you’re planning to shop for clothing or accessories, be sure to try them on and check the quality before making a purchase. Some popular souvenirs in Korea include traditional crafts, beauty products, and K-pop merchandise. By planning ahead and being mindful of your spending, you can enjoy the shopping experience in Korea without breaking the bank.

7. How To Pay With Card & Cash In Korea

In South Korea 95% of all payments can be made with card. It is recommended to bring a minimum amount of cash with you. $200 USD should be enough to pay for small items and in case your card doesn’t work. All of your other expenses should be paid with your card.

Bring at least 2 cards and inform your bank you will be traveling to South Korea. With your cards you can pay in most shops and even withdraw money. KEB Hana Bank is a good bank to withdraw money from.

Consider getting a travel card like Revolut. Travel cards can be topped up from your regular account and can be used around the world to pay or withdraw cash. No commission is charged when using a travel card. Find more info about getting a travel card here.

8. Where To Exchange Money

The best area in Seoul to exchange money is in Myeongdong. Try to avoid having to exchange money at the airport as they tend to take a lot of commission.

Frequently Asked Questions

Listed below are a series of frequently asked questions.

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Do you have any questions about how much to bring to Korea for a week trip? Are you struggling to define your budget? Have you been to Korea for 7 days? Let us know in the comment section below.

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