Seoul from the UK: what a trip really costs
What a day costs in Seoul, when to go, the visa for British travellers and the sights not to miss. Every figure comes from Trip720's checked data, with its source. Updated 21 Oct 2026.
Plan my Seoul tripDay to day in Seoul, per person
| Style | Food | With transport |
|---|---|---|
| Street food and markets | £13 | £17 |
| A balanced mix | £30 | £34 |
| Mostly restaurants | £43 | £47 |
- Local transport: about £5 a day. Taxi: £3 to start, then £0.43 a km.
- Cooking for yourself: about £13 a day for food.
Your stay, flights and activities come on top: the planner prices them for your dates. Sources: blog.namanecard.com, livingcost.org, koreatimes.co.kr; in GBP at today's rate.
When to go
1°F
3°M
9°A
15°M
21°J
25°J
27°A
28°S
24°O
18°N
11°D
3°
The most pleasant months are April, May and October. January is the driest month (20 mm of rain) and July the wettest (361 mm).
Bars: rain each month; green: the most pleasant months. Numbers: average daytime high. Source: NASA POWER climatology.
Best time to visit South Korea, place by placeVisa for British travellers
No visa needed for a holiday
Official source: gov.uk, checked 2026-10-01. Rules change: your plan checks your own passport when you build it.
Not to miss in Seoul
National Museum of Koreamuseum · half a dayFree entry; closed Mondays
- Changdeokgung Palace and Secret Gardenpalace · half a day
The Huwon (Secret Garden) is by guided tour only; book the English slot ahead
Bukchon Hanok Villageneighbourhood · a couple of hoursResidential: keep quiet in the lanes; mornings are least crowded
Insadongstreet · a couple of hoursTea houses, craft shops and galleries along Insadong-gil
N Seoul Tower on Namsantower · a couple of hoursTake the Namsan cable car or walk up through the park; best at dusk
Jongmyo Shrineshrine · a couple of hoursUNESCO site; closed Tuesdays
Myeongdongneighbourhood · a couple of hoursStreet-food stalls set up in the evening
Gwangjang Marketmarket · a couple of hours
Namdaemun Marketmarket · a couple of hours
Myeong-dongneighbourhood · a couple of hours
From our research of travel guides; ticket prices from Tiqets when we found them. Photos: Wikimedia Commons, free licences.
Questions travellers ask
How much does a day in Seoul cost?
Food and getting around come to about £17 a person a day eating street food, £34 with a balanced mix and £47 eating mostly in restaurants, before your stay and activities.
When is the best time to visit Seoul?
The most pleasant months are April, May and October. January is the driest month (20 mm of rain) and July the wettest (361 mm); daytime highs run from 1 to 28 °C over the year.
Do British travellers need a visa for South Korea?
No visa needed for a holiday. Checked on gov.uk on 2026-10-01; rules change, so check again before you book.
What should I not miss in Seoul?
National Museum of Korea, Changdeokgung Palace and Secret Garden, Bukchon Hanok Village, Insadong, N Seoul Tower on Namsan.
Your whole Seoul trip, priced from your door
Trip720 adds the flights from the UK, the stays, transfers, food, activities and the visa for your dates and budget, home to home.
Plan my Seoul trip