Tokyo vs Seoul trip cost
Tokyo and Seoul are both excellent first East Asia trips, but Seoul usually stretches a midrange budget further while Tokyo costs more for lodging and sit-down meals.
Ground costs for 2 travelers, 7 days
- Tokyo: $110/day baseline · ~$1,206 USD for 7 days
- Seoul: $90/day baseline · ~$986 USD for 7 days
When to pick each city
Choose Tokyo: Pick Tokyo if you want unmatched transit convenience, iconic neighborhoods, and are comfortable with a higher daily spend.
Choose Seoul: Pick Seoul if you want dense food scenes, palace-and-neighborhood days, and a lower on-the-ground daily baseline.
Verdict
Choose Seoul for value; choose Tokyo when the experience premium is worth the extra daily budget.