Which place is cheaper, Seoul or Yichang?
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 Yichang or Seoul?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Yichang or Seoul, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Yichang or Seoul?
Yichang
Yichang, China is an ancient city situated on the northern bank of the Yangtze River in central China. The city is located just below the famed Three Gorges Dam and is a popular ending point for many Yangtze River cruises. Yichang offers beautiful natural scenery and ancient relics from the Three Kingdom Period.
Yichang experiences cool, rainy, winters and hot, humid, summers. Temperatures tend to stay in the 40's Fahrenheit during winter and the 80's in the summer. Spring, Summer, and Autumn are fantastic times to visit, although if you prefer to beat the heat, stay away during late summer!
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Beijing, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lhasa, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to South Korea, and The Best Adventure Tours to South Korea.
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Yichang Prices
China PricesSeoul Prices
South Korea Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayYichang $74Seoul $128
The average daily cost (per person) in Yichang is $74, 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 Yichang and Seoul in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personYichang $25Seoul $54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomYichang $50Seoul $108
Compare Hotels in Yichang and Seoul
Looking for a hotel in Yichang 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.Yichang $14Seoul $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yichang
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Yichang:
- Yichang Airport Transfer Service, Yichang train station Pick up: $20
- Private transfer from Yichang to Zhangjiajie: $290
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:
- Night Views Tour with Guide and Transfers: $41
- From Round-Trip Transfer to Dae Jang Geum Park: $55
- Transfer Service from Gimpo Airport to Hotel City: $57
- Seoul Gimpo Airport (GMP) Transfer to Seoul/Suwon/Seongnam/Yongin: $60
- Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN) to Seoul - Arrival Private Transfer: $65
- Incheon Airport (ICN) Transfer to Seoul/Suwon/Seongnam/Yongin: $68
- Private Transfer from Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN) to Seoul hotels: $80
- Seoul to Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN) - Departure Private Transfer: $80
- Private Airport Transfer Gimpo Intl Airport (GMP) to Seoul City: $83
- Private Airport Transfer : Gimpo airport to/from Seoul (1~7pax): $89
- Private Gimpo Airport Transfer to/from Seoul(1~7pax): $94
- Incheon International Airport (ICN): Private Seoul Transfer: $95
Is it cheaper to fly into Yichang or Seoul?
Prices for flights to both Seoul and Yichang 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 dayYichang $38Seoul $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: $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
- Gwangjang Market Netflix Food Tour: $58
- Kimchi Dishes Cooking Class with Wine Pairing: $61
- Seoul by Night: Palaces, Market & Street Food Tour (Vegan Option): $65
- Namdaemun Market Food Tour: $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.Yichang $18Seoul $26
Tours and Activities in Yichang
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Yichang are as follows:
- Yichang Tourist Center to Yichang Sanxia Airport (YIH): $53
- Private Day Tour in Yichang to Sanyou Cave and Sanxia Waterfall : $239
- From 5-Day Yangtze River Cruise to Chongqing: $679
- Yichang - Chongqing Yangtze Miracle Luxury 5D4N Cruise: $720
- From Yichang to Chongqing: 5-Day Cruise with Meals: $994
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
- Korean Society and Local Mindset Gwanghwamun Tour: $8.00
- [Seoul] Football Faentasium Admission Ticket (내국인 불가): $10
- Street Hustle Adventure in Seoul: $11
- Gwanghwamun Tour about Korean Society and Local Mindset: $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 dayYichang $14Seoul $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: $29
- Rice Wine Tasting with Sommelier - Finest Makgeolli (& Soju): $42
- Rice Wine Tasting with Sommelier - Finest Makgeolli (& Soju): $47
- 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: $79
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yichang and Seoul, we can see that Seoul is more expensive. And not only is Yichang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Yichang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Yichang 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 Yichang.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Yichang Expensive? and Is Seoul Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Yichang or Seoul?
Seoul has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Yichang. When comparing the sizes of Yichang 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 Yichang or Seoul?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Yichang or Seoul in the Summer?
Both Seoul and Yichang are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Seoul because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Yichang is a little warmer than Seoul. Typically, the summer temperatures in Yichang in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Seoul averages at about 26°C (78°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Yichang. Yichang usually receives more sunshine than Seoul during summer. Yichang gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Seoul receives 121 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Seoul. It's quite rainy in Yichang. In July, Yichang usually receives less rain than Seoul. Yichang gets 229 mm (9 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 369 mm (14.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyYichang 29°C (85°F)Seoul 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Yichang or Seoul in the Autumn?
Both Seoul and Yichang during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Seoul this time of year.
In October, Yichang is generally a little warmer than Seoul. Daily temperatures in Yichang average around 20°C (67°F), and Seoul fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
In Seoul, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Yichang often gets less sunshine than Seoul. Yichang gets 134 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seoul receives 204 hours of full sun.
Yichang usually gets more rain in October than Seoul. Yichang gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberYichang 20°C (67°F)Seoul 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Yichang or Seoul in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Yichang and Seoul. Furthermore, many travelers come to Seoul for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Seoul. Yichang is much warmer than Seoul in the winter. The daily temperature in Yichang averages around 6°C (43°F) in January, and Seoul fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).
Yichang usually receives less sunshine than Seoul during winter. Yichang gets 92 hours of sunny skies, while Seoul receives 163 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Yichang usually receives less rain than Seoul. Yichang gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryYichang 6°C (43°F)Seoul -3°C (27°F)
Should I visit Yichang or Seoul in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Yichang as well as Seoul. Additionally, many visitors come to Seoul in the spring for the activities around the city.
In the spring, Yichang is a little warmer than Seoul. Typically, the spring temperatures in Yichang in April average around 18°C (65°F), and Seoul averages at about 13°C (55°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Seoul. In the spring, Yichang often gets less sunshine than Seoul. Yichang gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seoul receives 205 hours of full sun.
Yichang usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Seoul. Yichang gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilYichang 18°C (65°F)Seoul 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Seoul and Yichang
| Yichang | Seoul | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 6°C (43°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | -3°C (27°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Feb | 8°C (46°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 18°C (65°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (80°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 229 mm (9 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 369 mm (14.5 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 294 mm (11.6 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) |
| Oct | 20°C (67°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (57°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 8°C (47°F) | 22 mm (0.9 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.