How much does a trip to South Korea cost?

A tailor-made South Korea trip with travoHolidays starts from US$2,607.60 per person for 9 nights, two sharing, with international flights excluded. Official extras are modest: a K-ETA costs KRW 10,000 if you need one, and a small departure charge is built into air fares. The rest of your budget depends on season, hotel class and how much you eat, shop and explore.

Our South Korea package prices

The figures below are travoHolidays package prices, November 2026. Prices are per person, two sharing, land only, and vary by date and hotel choice.

Both itineraries are starting points. You could add a night in Gyeongju to see Bulguksa and Seokguram at a slower pace, or extend on Jeju Island. Each change moves the price, and your specialist will confirm it in a written quote. More ideas are on our South Korea destination page.

Official entry and departure costs

K-ETA (electronic travel authorisation)

Visa-free visitors normally need a K-ETA before travel. The official K-ETA portal sets the fee at KRW 10,000, and Korean government notices state that authorisations applied for from July 2023 are valid for three years. However, the Ministry of Justice has extended a temporary exemption for nationals of eligible countries until 31 December 2026 (Korea time). Exempt travellers can still apply voluntarily, which lets them skip the arrival card. Use only the official site, www.k-eta.go.kr, as third-party sites charge more.

e-Arrival Card

Since 24 February 2025, visitors without a K-ETA submit an electronic arrival card online, up to three days before arrival. Korea.net and the UK Foreign Office confirm it is free.

Departure charge

Korea levies a departure charge on people leaving by air, collected through the ticket. It was cut from KRW 10,000 to KRW 7,000 in 2024, and Korean media reported in September 2026 that the government is planning an increase in the 2027 budget. Because the amount may change, check your ticket breakdown.

Visas

If your nationality is not visa-exempt, you will need a visa in advance. Fees and processing depend on your nationality and where you apply, so check with the Korean embassy in your country.

Typical cost components

South Korea's currency is the South Korean won (KRW). Cards are widely accepted in cities, but keep some cash for markets such as Myeongdong and Namdaemun and Jagalchi in Busan.

What drives the price

• Season: April, May, October and early November are the most popular months, and lunar holidays such as Chuseok and Seollal push up domestic demand; see our month-by-month guide.
• Hotel class: upgrading from comfortable four-star hotels to luxury or design properties in Seoul and Busan is the biggest single variable.
• Jeju: adding the island means a domestic flight and, for families, often a rental car or private driver.
• Guiding: private guides in Seoul's palaces or Gyeongju add cost but bring the history to life.
• Special stays: a night in a traditional hanok guesthouse, for example near Jeonju Hanok Village, can cost more than a standard hotel.

Which itinerary fits your budget?

If you want the most sightseeing for the money, the 9-night Seoul, Gyeongju and Busan route covers the country's three classic bases with fast train links and no internal flights. Families who want beach time and outdoor activities usually find the 11-night Jeju itinerary better value per day, because the island's beaches, lava tubes such as Manjanggul and coastal walks cost little once you are there. Couples on a special trip often spend the extra on one or two standout hotels rather than adding nights.

Ways to save

• Travel in March, late November or winter outside Lunar New Year, when demand is lower.
• Use the fast KTX rail network rather than domestic flights on the Seoul–Gyeongju–Busan corridor.
• Stay longer in fewer bases and use day trips, for example Suwon from Seoul.
• Mix one special hanok night with simpler city hotels.
• Check whether you are K-ETA-exempt before paying for an authorisation you may not need.

Our first-timer's travel guide covers entry and transport in more detail. When you are ready, request a tailor-made quote and we will price your trip for your dates.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

1. K-ETA — Official portal
2. Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the Netherlands — Extension of the K-ETA temporary exemption
3. Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Ireland — K-ETA information
4. Korea.net — Korea e-Arrival Card launched
5. GOV.UK — South Korea travel advice: entry requirements
6. Financial News — Departure tax increase plan for 2027