Which place is cheaper, Karlovy Vary or Seoul?
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 Seoul or Karlovy Vary?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Seoul and Karlovy Vary can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Seoul or Karlovy Vary?
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.
Karlovy Vary
Founded in 1370, Karlovy Vary translates to "Charles' Bath" for its founder Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor, as well as its famous hot springs. It is located in Bohemia in the western Czech Republic and is also known as Karlsbad (German) or Carlsbad (English). Another highlight is the International Film Festival in July with draws celebrities and other film enthusiasts worldwide.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to South Korea, The Best Adventure Tours to South Korea, The Best Cultural Tours in Czech Republic, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Czech Republic.
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Seoul Prices
South Korea PricesKarlovy Vary Prices
Czech Republic Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySeoul $128Karlovy Vary $115
The average daily cost (per person) in Seoul is $128, while the average daily cost in Karlovy Vary is $115. 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 Seoul and Karlovy Vary in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSeoul $54Karlovy Vary $45
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSeoul $108Karlovy Vary $90
Compare Hotels in Seoul and Karlovy Vary
Looking for a hotel in Seoul or Karlovy Vary? 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 and Karlovy Vary Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Seoul $15Karlovy Vary $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:
- Lotte World Theme Park Private Transfer: $234
- Private Everland Theme Park Transfer: $234
- Private Transfer from Seoul to Incheon Cruise Terminal(12 pax): $190
- Private Airport Transfer: Seoul City to Gimpo Airport (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
- Private Transfer Incheon Cruise Terminal from and to Seoul: $125
- Incheon Airport transfer directly to Seoul city: $113
- Private Transfer Incheon Airport <-> Seoul Korea: $110
- Premium Seoul Airport Transfer: Affordable & Convenience: $105
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Karlovy Vary
Also for Karlovy Vary, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague, English-speaking driver: $131
- Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague: Private daytrip with 2h for sightseeing: $141
- Karlovy Vary to Prague Airport (PRG) - Departure Private Transfer: $167
Is it cheaper to fly into Seoul or Karlovy Vary?
Prices for flights to both Karlovy Vary and Seoul 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 daySeoul $51Karlovy Vary $52
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
- Korean Grandma Cooking Class l Gimbap & Kimchi Pancake l Seoul: $52
- Mangwon Market Food tour By Locals; Cheap Eats to Fancy Feast: $53
- Wine & K-BBQ: A Perfect Pairing Dinner: $53
- Mangwon Market Food tour By Locals;Cheap Eats to Fancy Feast: $57
- Street Food Tour in Jongno, Heart of Seoul: $58
- Kimchi Dishes Cooking Class with Wine Pairing: $61
- Gwangjang Market Netflix Food Tour: $64
- Seoul by Night: Palaces, Market & Street Food Tour (Vegan Option): $65
- Dinner at a Local's Hanok & Seoul's Night Life: $66
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Seoul $26Karlovy Vary $13
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
- Danyang Tour of Guinsa Temple, Bobaljae and Cheongpung Cable Car: $99
- Gyeongbokgung Palace & Bukchon Village Walking Tour : $66
- Private DMZ tour and Mt Gamagak Suspension Bridge: $250
- Private Tour Nami Island & Morning Calm Garden: $256
- Seoul National Museum Walking Tour Experience: $35
- (Private tour) Nami Island + Railbike + Garden of morning calm: $260
- (Small Group) Art and Architecture tour of Seoul: $121
- 1Day Seoul Heritage Bike Tour: From Gyeongbokgung to HistoricGems: $150
- 2 Hours Seoul Private Walking Tour Including Pick up: $59
- 2025 Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best: DMZ Tour from Seoul: $29
- 3-Hour Self-guided Sokcho Tour with Private Transportation: $30
Tours and Activities in Karlovy Vary
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Karlovy Vary.
- Karlovy Vary Hot Springs Tasting Tour: $42
- Touristic highlights of Karlovy Vary on a Private half day tour with a local: $184
- A day in the life of Karlovy Vary - Private tour with a local: $245
- Karlovy Vary Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $273
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySeoul $12Karlovy Vary $7.53
Sample the Local Flavors in Seoul
Also in Seoul, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Seoul Pub Crawl by Absolute: $20
- The Seoul Pub Crawl Official: $22
- Pub Crawl: $25
- The Seoul Pub Crawl [official]: $26
- LGBTQ+ Pub Crawl and Drag Show with Local Drag Queen: $28
- Soju Tasting at Distillery - story of 3 pigs: $41
- 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
- Craft Makgeolli Brewery Tour & Tasting Experience: $67
- Learn and Craft Makgeolli in a Traditional Brewery: $78
When comparing the travel costs between Seoul and Karlovy Vary, 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. Even though Seoul is in Asia and Karlovy Vary is in Europe, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Seoul Expensive? and Is Karlovy Vary Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Seoul or Karlovy Vary?
Seoul has a larger population, and is about 200 times larger than the population of Karlovy Vary. When comparing the sizes of Seoul and Karlovy Vary, 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 Seoul or Karlovy Vary?
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 Seoul or Karlovy Vary in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Seoul as well as Karlovy Vary. The summer months attract visitors to Seoul because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Seoul is generally a little warmer than Karlovy Vary. Daily temperatures in Seoul average around 26°C (78°F), and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Karlovy Vary. In the summer, Seoul often gets less sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Seoul gets 121 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 217 hours of full sun.
Seoul receives a lot of rain in the summer. Seoul usually gets more rain in July than Karlovy Vary. Seoul gets 369 mm (14.5 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySeoul 26°C (78°F)Karlovy Vary 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Seoul or Karlovy Vary in the Autumn?
Both Karlovy Vary and Seoul are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Seoul this time of year.
Seoul is a little warmer than Karlovy Vary in the autumn. The daily temperature in Seoul averages around 15°C (59°F) in October, and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Seoul. Seoul usually receives more sunshine than Karlovy Vary during autumn. Seoul gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Seoul usually receives around the same amount of rain as Karlovy Vary. Seoul gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSeoul 15°C (59°F)Karlovy Vary 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Seoul or Karlovy Vary in the Winter?
Both Karlovy Vary and Seoul during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Seoul for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Karlovy Vary can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Seoul. In the winter, Seoul is much colder than Karlovy Vary. Typically, the winter temperatures in Seoul in January average around -3°C (27°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 1°C (33°F).
In the winter, Seoul often gets more sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Seoul gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 58 hours of full sun.
Seoul usually gets less rain in January than Karlovy Vary. Seoul gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySeoul -3°C (27°F)Karlovy Vary 1°C (33°F)
Should I visit Seoul or Karlovy Vary in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Seoul and Karlovy Vary. Many visitors come to Seoul in the spring for the activities around the city.
In April, Seoul is generally a little warmer than Karlovy Vary. Daily temperatures in Seoul average around 13°C (55°F), and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
In Seoul, it's very sunny this time of the year. Seoul usually receives more sunshine than Karlovy Vary during spring. Seoul gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 151 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Seoul usually receives more rain than Karlovy Vary. Seoul gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSeoul 13°C (55°F)Karlovy Vary 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Karlovy Vary and Seoul
| Seoul | Karlovy Vary | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -3°C (27°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | -0°C (32°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (42°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| May | 18°C (65°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (78°F) | 369 mm (14.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (80°F) | 294 mm (11.6 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (71°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (59°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 8°C (46°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Dec | 0°C (33°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 46 mm (1.8 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.