Which place is cheaper, Seoul or Jakarta?
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 Jakarta or Seoul?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Jakarta and Seoul. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Jakarta
Jakarta is a friendly, diverse, and genuine city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping. See Jakarta travel costs.
Seoul
Seoul is a high energy, colorful, and cultural city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Other reasons to visit include live music, food, and shopping. See Seoul travel costs.
Jakarta and Seoul: Pros and Cons
Jakarta
Pros- Popular museums and historical sights
- Active nightlife
- Family-friendly
- Good for couples and romance
- Good for backpackers and budget travelers
- Big city activities
- Public transit not as usable
- Less walkable
Seoul
Pros- Popular museums and historical sights
- Active nightlife
- Good music scene
- Family-friendly
- Good for couples and romance
- Good for backpackers and budget travelers
- Good for students
- Good public transit
- Very walkable
- Big city activities
Is there more to do in Jakarta or Seoul?
Tourists will generally find more to do in Seoul than Jakarta. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Seoul is more touristy than Jakarta and is popular for its shopping malls, colorful street markets, beautiful parks, and vibrant energy. It is also well known for Gyeongbokgung Palace. Jakarta is famous for its diversity, culture, cuisine, and mega-malls.
How is Jakarta different from Seoul?
Which is Better for a Holiday?
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Seoul and Jakarta. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Jakarta or Seoul?
Jakarta
Seoul
Spend time exploring the high quality sights and museums in either Jakarta or Seoul.
Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Jakarta. There's a huge number of museums around town like the National Museum, Museum Layang-Layang, and Museum MACAN. There's also Merdeka Square, which is one of the world's biggest public squares and Istiqlal Mosque, which is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia.
Seoul offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The museums and landmarks are diverse, with notable sights including N Seoul Tower, the Bukchon Hanok Traditional Village, and the National Museum of Korea.
Is the Food Better in Jakarta or Seoul? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?
Jakarta
Seoul
Seoul is terrific for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Jakarta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.
Eat your way through Seoul, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Food is a cultural obsession here, and you'll find everything from world class street food to award winning restaurants. The dishes are so much more diverse than Korean barbecue and kimchi. Many dishes are very spicy, with popular local foods including gamjatang (pork and potato soup) and jeon (savory pancakes).
Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Jakarta. There are so many different cultures represented in Indonesian cuisine, and you'll find them all in Jakarta. The food stalls, restaurants, and casual eateries all have their own flavor and style, which makes dining in this mega-city a true adventure.
Is Jakarta or Seoul Better for Nightlife?
Jakarta
Seoul
Seoul is a great city for nightlife. Also, Jakarta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.
The nightlife in Seoul has something for everybody. This is definitely a work hard/play hard city, with locals working long hours during the day and then partying hard late into the night. The nightlife scene is strong both during the week and on weekends. There are bars, clubs, and lounges that are frequented by locals and tourists alike.
There's a variety of activities in the evening in Jakarta. It's a huge city, so there's a very active nightlife scene, but it's mostly focused on locals and not tourists like you'll find elsewhere in Indonesia. For the best nightlife district, head to Kemang, which has many bars and clubs.
Is Jakarta or Seoul Better for Music?
Jakarta
Seoul
Seoul is terrific for live music. However, Jakarta is not a live music destination.
Seoul is known as a music capital around the world. K-pop has put the city on the map for music, but you'll actually find a wide range of genres here including rock music and electronic dance music.
Jakarta is not a live music destination.
Is the Shopping Better in Jakarta or Seoul?
Jakarta
Seoul
Seoul is terrific for shopping. Also, Jakarta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping opportunities.
People travel from around the world to go shopping in Seoul. This bustling city offers traditional local items as well as Korean cosmetics and trendy fashion. Although shopping malls are spread throughout the city, some of the most popular shopping areas are found around Myeong-dong and Dongdaemun.
Jakarta is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city is filled with high end luxury malls where you can buy the latest fashions and many international brands. Around town you'll also find everything from local handicrafts to chic boutiques and grand international chains.
Is Jakarta or Seoul Better for Families?
Jakarta
Seoul
Seoul is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Jakarta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.
Seoul is a very family-friendly destination. The city has a wide range of kid-friendly activities, ranging from the easy choices like amusement parks and children's museums, to the less obvious like kid-friendly cafes and markets. There are many entertainment options packed into a small space, so kids and adults alike will stay entertained.
Jakarta is a family-friendly place to visit. Most visitors skip out on this huge city, and it's definitely not the first place that comes to mind when you think about family-friendly destinations, but there's actually a very fascinating culture that kids and adults alike can enjoy. There's the Kota area, which has colonial architecture. There's also a puppet museum and several history museums. But for most kids, the highlight is a visit to the Taman Impian Jaya Ancol area, which has amusement parks and even SeaWorld.
Is Jakarta or Seoul Better for Couples?
Jakarta
Seoul
Seoul is a great city for romance. Also, Jakarta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.
Seoul is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Couples enjoy the beautiful viewpoints, outdoor parks, and diverse restaurants. There are also many beautiful luxury hotels where couples can enjoy a romantic getaway.
Jakarta makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Most travelers looking for a romantic destination will head to the many famous honeymoon spots in Indonesia. But for those who make their way to Jakarta, there is sure to be a lot of adventure and culture. The city has many great museums as well as nature parks and amusement parks.
Is Jakarta or Seoul Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?
Jakarta
Seoul
For backpackers, both Jakarta and Seoul are nice places to visit.
Plenty of backpackers visit Jakarta. Visitors often have strong feelings about this city, whether they love it or hate it. For those backpackers who spend some time here, they're sure to be treated to a look at true Indonesian culture, which is hard to find in the more touristy areas.
Plenty of budget travelers visit Seoul. The city isn't the most popular among backpackers, but those who visit will enjoy exploring a fascinating culture and delicious cuisine. Because it's a large city, you'll find a diversity of accommodation options including some budget-friendly hostels and hotels.
Is Jakarta or Seoul Better for Students?
Jakarta
Seoul
Seoul is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Jakarta is not popular with students.
Many students visit Seoul. Many international students head to Seoul National University, which has an excellent academic reputation. The city is also fun and energetic, so everyone will be entertained.
Jakarta is not popular with students.
Is Jakarta or Seoul Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?
Jakarta
Seoul
Seoul is terrific for times when you don't have a car. However, Jakarta is not known for its public transit.
The thorough and effecient public transit system of Seoul can take you anywhere. The modern and clean transportation system includes both a subway and buses.
Public transit is generally limited in Jakarta. Public transportation has improved a lot recently. There's a commuter line as well as buses. The system can be a bit overwhelming and slow though, so tourists often avoid it.
Is Jakarta or Seoul a more walkable city?
Jakarta
Seoul
Seoul is a great city for its walkability. However, Jakarta is not known for its high level of walkability.
Seoul is very walkable. Many neighborhoods are fun to explore on foot but do take note that parts of the city are very hilly and the weather can be bitter cold during the winter months.
Jakarta is generally not very walkable. Central Jakarta is more walkable than most of the city but, in general, the city has a lot of traffic and isn't the best for exploring on foot.
For even more information, also check out Is Jakarta Worth Visiting? and Is Seoul Worth Visiting?.
Should I spend more time in Seoul or Jakarta?
How long in Jakarta or Seoul?
Both Jakarta and Seoul have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Seoul than in Jakarta. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Jakarta, and 3-7 days is enough time in Seoul.
Families should spend more time in Seoul than Jakarta. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Seoul, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Seoul than Jakarta. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Seoul that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Seoul than Jakarta if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Seoul.
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How many days in Jakarta or Seoul? Ideal Length of StayJakarta 1-3Seoul 3-7
One day in Jakarta or Seoul?
Each neighborhood in Jakarta has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.
In Seoul, you'll find shopping and museums. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.
A weekend in Jakarta or Seoul?
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Jakarta. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.
In Seoul, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.
Five days in Jakarta or Seoul?
Jakarta is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the big city destination of Jakarta. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.
Seoul is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Seoul has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.
A week in Jakarta or Seoul?
You'll find food and shopping around the sprawling big city of Jakarta. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Seoul. In Seoul, you'll find live music and food. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Indonesia, The Best Adventure Tours to Indonesia, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to South Korea, and The Best Adventure Tours to South Korea.
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Jakarta Prices
Indonesia PricesSeoul Prices
South Korea Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJakarta $73Seoul $128
The average daily cost (per person) in Jakarta is $73, 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 Jakarta and Seoul in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJakarta $32Seoul $54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJakarta $64Seoul $108
Compare Hotels in Jakarta and Seoul
Looking for a hotel in Jakarta 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: Jakarta Hotel Prices and Seoul Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Jakarta $20Seoul $15
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Jakarta
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Jakarta are as follows:
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Taxi to Station$1.04
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jakarta
Also for Jakarta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Soekarno Hatta (CGK) Airport to Jakarta City: $11
- Private Transfer Airport Soekarno Hatta (CGK) to All City Destination: $13
- Airport Jakarta Soekarno - Hatta ( Private Transfer ): $18
- Airport Private Transfer Jakarta, Best Price: $19
- All-inclusive Private Jakarta Airport Transfer : $20
- Private Transfer from Soekarno Hatta Airport to Jakarta Hotels: $22
- Private Car : Airport Transfer Jakarta Minibus 20 Pax : $27
- Airport Transfer Jakarta - Bogor: $27
- Jakarta Private Airport Transfer: $27
- Jakarta Airport Transfer for Small/Big Group: $28
- Airport Transfer Jakarta ( Private Car ): $30
- Airport Transfer: $30
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 Jakarta or Seoul?
Prices for flights to both Seoul and Jakarta 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 dayJakarta $28Seoul $51
Typical Food Prices in Jakarta
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Jakarta:
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Dinner$2.62
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Dinner$0.72
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jakarta
For Jakarta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Mangga Besar Food Tour: $49
- Jakarta Night Tour with Dinner at Café or Food street: $55
- Kota Tua Food Tour: $64
- Melawai Night Street Food Tour: $67
- Halfday Batavia by Night with dinner at Cafe Batavia & souvenir: $120
- Jakarta Private Cooking Class and Experience Tour: $120
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.Jakarta $12Seoul $26
Tours and Activities in Jakarta
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Jakarta.
- Jakarta City Center: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.20
- Watercolor & Wellness : A Healing Art Therapy Experience: $29
- Jakarta Culture and History Walking Tour: $33
- Jakarta Private Custom Walking Tour with A Guide : $37
- Jakarta Walking Tour with Public Transportation Visiting Sites: $45
- Jakarta Half Day Visit The Monument with Highlight City Tour: $45
- Jakarta Half Day Shared Guided Tour Visit Monument and Old Town: $49
- Pasar Baru Foodie Tour: $49
- Experience Jakarta Street Food Scene with MRT Transportation: $50
- Jakarta Half-Day Highlights Tour: $50
- Half Day Jakarta Private Tour in two highlight place: $50
- 4 Hours Jakarta Private City Tour - (Most Tourist Attractions): $55
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 dayJakarta $4.06Seoul $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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jakarta and Seoul, we can see that Seoul is more expensive. And not only is Jakarta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Jakarta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Jakarta and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Seoul would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Seoul than you might in Jakarta.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Jakarta Expensive? and Is Seoul Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Jakarta or Seoul?
Seoul has a larger population, and is about 21% larger than the population of Jakarta. When comparing the sizes of Jakarta 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.
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.