Which place is cheaper, Seoul or Dalian?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Dalian or Seoul?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Dalian or Seoul? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Dalian or Seoul?
Dalian
Dalian, China is a very large peninsula city located in the southernmost part of the Liaoning Province in northeast China. The area has a wealth of history, with roots in Russian and Japanese rule, resulting in unique architecture and many universities that attract foreign students and teachers. Dalian is also known for their beautiful green spaces and relaxing beaches which juxtapose a lot of the more industrial cities found throughout other areas of northern China.
Seoul
With a population of more than 11 million, Seoul is easily the largest city in South Korea. It is also the financial, political, and cultural capital of the country and has much to offer open minded travelers. It is often overlooked by travelers who instead head to Tokyo or Shanghai, but Seoul has a wide range of cultural experiences, food options, and historical sights. Seoul is a city of contrasts with ancient traditions, flashy technology, religious temples and a modern youth culture. It is also more affordable than many of the other Asian metropolis' to which it is often compared. If you're looking for an interesting and different experience that is a little off the tourist trail, Seoul can definitely offer that opportunity.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to South Korea, and The Best Adventure Tours to South Korea.
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Dalian Prices
China PricesSeoul Prices
South Korea Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDalian $124Seoul $128
The average daily cost (per person) in Dalian is $124, while the average daily cost in Seoul is $128. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Dalian and Seoul in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDalian $55Seoul $54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDalian $110Seoul $108
Compare Hotels in Dalian and Seoul
Looking for a hotel in Dalian or Seoul? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Seoul Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dalian $41Seoul $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dalian
Also for Dalian, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dalian Transfer: $27
- Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dalian Transfer: $40
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Seoul
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Seoul:
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Subway Card$3.58
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Short Taxi Ride$5.01
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Metro Ride$0.97
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Seoul City Pass Plus$7.16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Seoul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Seoul:
- Private Airport Transfer: Seoul City to Incheon Airport 1-12 pax: $204
- Private Transfer from Seoul to Incheon Cruise Terminal(12 pax): $190
- Private Airport Transfer From Incheon Airport To Seoul(up to 12): $190
- Private Airport Transfer: Gimpo Airport to Seoul City (1-12 pax): $167
- Private Transfer To/From Incheon Airport (1-12pax): $164
- Seoul Incheon Airport ICN to Seoul - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $160
- Private transfer from Seoul hotel to Seoul Station and so on: $132
- Private Airport Transfer - Incheon Airport ⇔ Seoul (Up to 7 or 11 people): $130
- Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN) to Seoul- Round-Trip Private Transfer: $129
- Incheon Airport transfer directly to Seoul city: $113
- Premium Seoul Airport Transfer: Affordable & Convenience: $105
- [Cherry blossom]Gyeongju Tour from SEOUL transfer to BUSAN: $101
Is it cheaper to fly into Dalian or Seoul?
Prices for flights to both Seoul and Dalian change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayDalian $48Seoul $51
Typical Food Prices in Seoul
Some typical examples of dining costs in Seoul are as follows:
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Rice with Kimchi & Bacon$4.30
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Waffle$0.72
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Dippin' Dots$1.43
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Chicken Fried Rice$3.94
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Chicken Stick$1.43
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Drinking Yoghurt & Mi Chew$1.36
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Lunch Buffet$4.30
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Donut$0.72
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Mushroom Burger$3.72
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Green Tea Ice Cream$2.36
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Udon & Sushi$5.01
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Fresh Burger$3.44
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Soba Noodles Lunch$3.22
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Bibimbap Lunch$3.58
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Fried Rice$3.94
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Vietnamese Dinner$6.80
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Breakfast and Coffee for 2$6.80
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Donut$1.79
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Seoul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Seoul.
- Guided Street Food Tour at Namdaemun Market: $45
- Seoul Night Run for Local-Favorite Korean BBQ Dinner: $50
- [Wine & K-BBQ] A Perfect Pairing Dinner in Sinchon: $51
- Wine & K-BBQ: A Perfect Pairing Dinner: $53
- Mangwon Market Food tour By Locals; Cheap Eats to Fancy Feast: $53
- Mangwon Market Food tour By Locals;Cheap Eats to Fancy Feast: $57
- Kimchi Dishes Cooking Class with Wine Pairing: $61
- Gwangjang Market Netflix Food Tour: $64
- Namdaemun Market Food Tour: $65
- Seoul by Night: Palaces, Market & Street Food Tour (Vegan Option): $65
- Guided City Wall Sunset Hike with Korean Dinner: $67
- Cooking Class in Seoul with Korean Grandma: $68
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dalian $4.86Seoul $26
Tours and Activities in Dalian
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dalian.
- Seaside and Skyline A Scenic Walking Tour of Dalian: $150
- Waves & Wharfs: Dalian's Chill Soul 1-Day Tour: $215
- Dalian City Private Day Tour in Your Way: $250
Typical Entertainment Prices in Seoul
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Seoul are as follows:
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Palace Tickets$5.73
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Movie Ticket$5.73
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Kimchi Museum$2.15
Tours and Activities in Seoul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Seoul are as follows:
- DMZ, Eunpyeong village and Jinkwansa Temple Private Tour : $212
- Private Garden of Morning Calm Experience: $267
- Private Tour Nami Island & Morning Calm Garden: $256
- Seoul National Museum Walking Tour Experience: $35
- (Closed) Korea’s White House Walking Tour Blue House: $148
- (Small Group) Art and Architecture tour of Seoul: $121
- 1 Day Private Full DMZ Tour in Seoul with Crystal Gondola: $220
- 2 Hours Seoul Private Walking Tour Including Pick up: $59
- 2025 Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best: DMZ Tour from Seoul: $29
- 2D 1N Phoenix Pyeongchang Reseot Stay + Trout Ice-Fishing Festival Tour: $144
- 3-Hour Self-guided Sokcho Tour with Private Transportation: $30
- Aegibong DMZ and Eunpyeong Hanok Village One Day Tour from Seoul: $51
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDalian $6.41Seoul $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Seoul
Also in Seoul, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl: $25
- The Seoul Pub Crawl [official]: $26
- LGBTQ+ Pub Crawl and Drag Show with Local Drag Queen: $28
- Rice Wine Tasting with Sommelier - Finest Makgeolli (& Soju): $42
- Rice Wine Tasting with Sommelier - Finest Makgeolli (& Soju): $46
- Soju Tasting at Distillery: $51
- Premium Pub Crawl with Open Bottles: $57
- Chunpoong Makgeolli Brewery Tour: $59
- Korean Craft Makgeolli Brewery Tour & Tasting Experience: $60
- Craft Makgeolli Brewery Tour & Tasting Experience: $67
- Itaewon Premium Pub Crawl with Open Bottles: $73
- Learn and Craft Makgeolli in a Traditional Brewery: $78
When comparing the travel costs between Dalian and Seoul, we can see that Seoul is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dalian Expensive? and Is Seoul Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dalian or Seoul?
Seoul has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Dalian. When comparing the sizes of Dalian and Seoul, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Dalian or Seoul?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Dalian or Seoul in the Summer?
Both Seoul and Dalian during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Seoul for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Dalian is generally around the same temperature as Seoul. Daily temperatures in Dalian average around 24°C (75°F), and Seoul fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
Seoul gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Dalian. Dalian usually gets less rain in July than Seoul. Dalian gets 202 mm (8 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 369 mm (14.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDalian 24°C (75°F)Seoul 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Dalian or Seoul in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dalian and Seoul. Also, many visitors come to Seoul in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
Dalian is around the same temperature as Seoul in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dalian averages around 15°C (58°F) in October, and Seoul fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
In October, Dalian usually receives less rain than Seoul. Dalian gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDalian 15°C (58°F)Seoul 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Dalian or Seoul in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Dalian as well as Seoul. Also, most visitors come to Seoul for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Seoul can be very cold during winter. Dalian can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Dalian is cooler than Seoul. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dalian in January average around -4°C (25°F), and Seoul averages at about -3°C (27°F).
Dalian usually gets less rain in January than Seoul. Dalian gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDalian -4°C (25°F)Seoul -3°C (27°F)
Should I visit Dalian or Seoul in the Spring?
Both Seoul and Dalian are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Seoul because of the activities around the city.
In April, Dalian is generally cooler than Seoul. Daily temperatures in Dalian average around 11°C (51°F), and Seoul fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In April, Dalian usually receives less rain than Seoul. Dalian gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDalian 11°C (51°F)Seoul 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Seoul and Dalian
| Dalian | Seoul | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -4°C (25°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | -3°C (27°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Feb | -2°C (28°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Mar | 4°C (38°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (51°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 202 mm (8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 369 mm (14.5 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 294 mm (11.6 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (58°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (44°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | -0°C (32°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 0°C (33°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.