Which place is cheaper, Seoul or Malang?
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 Malang or Seoul?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Malang 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.
Malang
Malang is a authentic, cultural, and under-rated city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Malang travel costs.
Seoul
Seoul is a colorful, cultural, and bustling city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums. See Seoul travel costs.
Malang and Seoul: Pros and Cons
Malang
Pros- Popular museums and historical sights
- Active nightlife
- Good for hiking
- Family-friendly
- Good for couples and romance
- Good for backpackers and budget travelers
- Less popular for shopping
- Public transit not as usable
Seoul
Pros- Popular museums and historical sights
- Active nightlife
- Good music scene
- Fun shopping
- Family-friendly
- Good for couples and romance
- Good for backpackers and budget travelers
- Good public transit
- Big city activities
Is there more to do in Malang or Seoul?
Tourists will generally find more to do in Seoul than Malang. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Seoul is very popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Malang attracts visitors for its hiking. Malang is famous for its many nearby natural attractions. Seoul is famous for its shopping malls, colorful street markets, beautiful parks, and vibrant energy. It is also well known for Gyeongbokgung Palace.
How is Malang different from Seoul?
Which is Better for a Holiday?
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Seoul and Malang. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Malang or Seoul?
Malang
Seoul
Seoul is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Malang is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.
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.
Malang offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are a handful of museums around town that provide information on the city's culture and history. There are also mosques, temples, and the famous Rainbow Village.
Is the Food Better in Malang or Seoul? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?
Malang
Seoul
Both Malang and Seoul offer a number of world-class restaurants to choose from.
For foodies, Malang is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. This is a top foodie destination and you'll find plenty of amazing street food. It's also the credited with being the birthplace of bakso (meatballs). Many of the dishes around town are sweet, spicy, and served with peanut sauce. It's been influenced by many different cuisines such as Chinese, Javanese, Madurese, Arabic, Dutch, and Indian.
Seoul has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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).
Is Malang or Seoul Better for Nightlife?
Malang
Seoul
Seoul is well known for nightlife. Also, Malang is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.
Seoul is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.
If you're looking for night time activities Malang has a few options to choose from. The universities around town mean that there's a youthful vibe to the nightlife scene. You'll also find a mix of cultural activities as well as modern and trendy venues. There are dance clubs, upscale lounges, and everything in between.
Is Malang or Seoul Better for Music?
Malang
Seoul
Seoul is a must-visit destination for live music. However, Malang is not a live music destination.
Seoul is a world class music destination. 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.
Malang is not a live music destination.
Is Malang or Seoul Better for Hiking?
Malang
Seoul
Malang is very good for the nearby hiking options. However, Seoul is not a hiking destination.
Many people include a hike when visiting Malang. Many visitors use this city as a base for hiking Mount Bromo. It's popular to hire a jeep tour from town, or you can hire a private driver or motorbike. Near town you'll also find one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Indonesia - Tumpak Sewu Waterfall. It's possible to hike to the base of the waterfall, but it's a very challenging route.
Seoul is not a hiking destination.
Is the Shopping Better in Malang or Seoul?
Malang
Seoul
Seoul is a must-visit destination for shopping. Also, Malang is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.
Seoul is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.
Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Malang. You'll find places to pick up many local items. The region is known for its ceramics, wood, and rattan (palms).
Is Malang or Seoul Better for Families?
Malang
Seoul
Seoul is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Malang is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.
Seoul is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.
Malang offers lots of family activities. If you're willing to head just outside of town, you'll find theme parks and waterparks. Some of the favorites are Batu Secret Zoo, Jatim Park, Selecta Park, and Batu Night Spectacular.
Is Malang or Seoul Better for Couples?
Malang
Seoul
Seoul is well known for romance. Also, Malang is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.
Couples visit Seoul frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples enjoy the beautiful viewpoints, outdoor parks, and diverse restaurants. There are also many beautiful luxury hotels where couples can enjoy a romantic getaway.
Malang makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy culture, museums, temples, and great food will have a good time visiting this city. It is also a bit cooler than much of Indonesia, which can make a nice escape from the heat.
Is Malang or Seoul Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?
Malang
Seoul
Malang and Seoul are nice places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.
Plenty of budget travelers visit Malang. Most backpackers pass through town when they're headed to climb Mount Bromo. There are plenty of hostels and cheap places to stay as well as some sights that are worth checking out.
Seoul is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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 Malang or Seoul Better for Students?
Malang
Seoul
Seoul is well known for students. Also, Malang is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.
Seoul is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. 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.
It's common for students to visit Malang. The university means that there's a large student population in town.
Is Malang or Seoul Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?
Malang
Seoul
Seoul is a must-visit destination for its public transit. However, Malang is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.
Seoul has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. The modern and clean transportation system includes both a subway and buses.
Public transit is mostly limited in Malang. Angkot or mikrolet are small buses or modified cars that carry passengers around town. Many visitors also hire a motor scooter or driver to get around.
Is Malang or Seoul a more walkable city?
Malang
Seoul
Seoul is well known for its walkability. Also, Malang is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.
Malang is a somewhat walkable place. The city center is relatively walkable.
For even more information, also check out Is Malang Worth Visiting? and Is Seoul Worth Visiting?.
Should I spend more time in Seoul or Malang?
How long in Malang or Seoul?
Both Malang 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 Malang. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Malang, and 3-7 days is enough time in Seoul.
Families should spend more time in Seoul than Malang. 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 Malang. 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 Malang 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 Malang or Seoul? Ideal Length of StayMalang 1-3Seoul 3-7
One day in Malang or Seoul?
In Malang, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this under-rated destination offers. Lots of people come for the food. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.
Seoul is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
A weekend in Malang or Seoul?
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Malang. 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.
Seoul is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
Five days in Malang or Seoul?
Malang is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Malang. Lots of people come for the food. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Seoul. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
A week in Malang or Seoul?
You'll find food and shopping around the cultural destination of Malang. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the food. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
Seoul is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to South Korea, and The Best Adventure Tours to South Korea.
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Malang Prices
Indonesia PricesSeoul Prices
South Korea Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMalang $76Seoul $128
The average daily cost (per person) in Malang is $76, 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 Malang and Seoul in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMalang $43Seoul $54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMalang $86Seoul $108
Compare Hotels in Malang and Seoul
Looking for a hotel in Malang 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: Malang Hotel Prices and Seoul Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Malang $1.36Seoul $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malang
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Malang:
- Private Transfer - Malang To Surabaya International Airport: $38
- FROM YOGYAKARTA TRANSFER TO BROMO/SURABAYA/MALANG CITY.: $50
- Yogyakarta ;Transfer Service From Yogyakarta to Bromo/Malang: $109
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:
- From Round-Trip Transfer to Dae Jang Geum Park: $50
- Incheon Airport (ICN) Transfer to Seoul/Suwon/Seongnam/Yongin: $68
- Incheon Airport transfer directly to Seoul city: $113
- Incheon International Airport (ICN): Private Seoul Transfer: $95
- Premium Seoul Airport Transfer: Affordable & Convenience: $105
- Private Airport Transfer * Incheon Airport <-> Seoul (1-5 people): $99
- Private Airport Transfer - Incheon Airport ⇔ Seoul (Up to 7 or 11 people): $130
- Private Airport Transfer : Gimpo airport to/from Seoul (1~7pax): $89
- Private Airport Transfer : Incheon to/from Seoul (up to 7 pax): $98
- Private Airport Transfer From Incheon Airport To Seoul(up to 12): $190
- Private Airport Transfer Gimpo Intl Airport (GMP) to Seoul City: $83
- Private Airport Transfer: Gimpo Airport to Seoul City (1-12 pax): $167
Is it cheaper to fly into Malang or Seoul?
Prices for flights to both Seoul and Malang 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 dayMalang $29Seoul $51
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Malang
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Malang.
- Malang Cooking Class by Mam Warti: $20
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.Malang $8.53Seoul $26
Tours and Activities in Malang
Here are a few actual costs in Malang for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- From Bromo Sunrise Guided Group Tour: $32
- 1 Day Mount Bromo Sharing Tour Package from Malang: $34
- 1Day - Bromo Sunrise Tour via Malang (Sharing or Private Jeep): $39
- Waterfalls Tour: $40
- 1 Day Amazing Bromo Sunrise tour from Malang Surabaya 7 spots: $41
- Bromo Adventure: $50
- 1 Day - ULTIMATE TOUR Tumpak Sewu Waterfall and Goa Tetes cave // 07:30 - 17:30: $52
- 1Day - Malang Cycling Village Tour: $60
- Private Tour in Tumpak Sewu Waterfalls from Malang or Surabaya: $64
- East Java Dirt Bike Tours: $65
- 1 Day - Tumpak Sewu, Kapas Biru Waterfall, Goa Tetes cave* Tour // 07:30 - 17:00: $75
- 1Day - Bromo Non Sunrise Tour via Malang (to avoid crowd): $79
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:
- K-Culture Adventure in Seoul Self-Guided Walking Tour : $3.58
- Gyeongbokgung Palace Hanbok Rental Experience in Seoul: $7.00
- Seoul Changdeokgung Palace Hanbok Experience Hanboknam (내국인불가): $7.10
- Alternative A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Gwanghwamun Tour l 120 Minutes to Understand South Korea: $10
- [Seoul] Football Faentasium Admission Ticket (내국인 불가): $10
- Gwanghwamun Tour about Korean Society and Local Mindset: $11
- Street Hustle Adventure in Seoul: $11
- SPAREX Jjimjilbang Sauna Dongmyo branch Admission Ticket(내국인불가): $11
- Skip the Line: Figure Museum W Ticket (내국인 불가): $11
- Dynamic Maze Discount Ticket Insa-dong(내국인불가): $12
- Seoul Job Experience Theme Park Ticket for Kid (내국인 불가): $13
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMalang -Seoul $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 Malang and Seoul, we can see that Seoul is more expensive. And not only is Malang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Malang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Malang 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 Malang.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Malang Expensive? and Is Seoul Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Malang or Seoul?
Seoul has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Malang. When comparing the sizes of Malang 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.