Save money in Seoul: Transport, food, coffee, and healthcare tips for students

Life in Seoul comes at a price. 

A single person in South Korea typically spends between 750,000 to 1,000,000 Korean won  (approximately US$523 to US$697 at the time of writing) per month; Seoul pushes those numbers higher than anywhere else in the country. 

Housing is the biggest expense, with rent averaging from 500,000 to 700,000 KRW (US$348 to US$488). In comparison, smaller cities and rural regions are 30 to 40% cheaper. 

South Korea’s high cost of living shows up in global rankings too. 

A TimeOut survey ranked Seoul as the most expensive city on its list. Only 30% of respondents felt that eating out at a restaurant was affordable, while even fewer (21%) felt the same about going out at night. 

The capital is also ranked #16 as the most expensive city for international employees in 2024, while its quality of life ranked #81 among 241 cities. 

And that’s for people with full-time jobs. Now imagine trying to balance that high cost of living on a much smaller, much tighter student budget. 

One major cost of living for students is food. For Hanyang University students, there are many affordable options nearby, including corn dogs, Korean BBQ and small octopus. Source: Emily Mar

How much do public and private Korean unis charge international students? 

For most students, tuition fees are the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about the cost of living. 

At public universities, undergraduate programmes cost between 2,000,000 and 6,000,000 KRW (US$1,395 to US$4,184) per semester, while postgraduate programmes range from 2,800,000 to 12,000,000 KRW (US$1,952 to US$8,369). 

Private universities come with higher fees, with undergraduate tuition averaging at 4,000,000 to 11,000,000 KRW (US$2,791 to US$7,676) per semester. 

But tuition is only part of the picture. University life comes with many additional expenses, including accommodation, textbooks, study materials, and even parking. 

On top of that, everyday living expenses quickly add up. A restaurant meal costs around 12,000 KRW (US$8.38), while a combo meal at McDonald’s is 9,450 KRW (US$6.60). 

Meanwhile, students can expect to pay 65,000 KRW (US$45) for a monthly public transport pass and 47,454 KRW (US$33) for a phone plan with calls and over 10GB of data. 

To summarise, these are the expenses when you study in South Korea: 

• Tuition: US$1,395 to US$4,184 (public bachelor’s), US$1,952 to US$8,369 (public master’s), US$2,791 to US$7,676 (private bachelor’s) 

• Accommodation: Varies by housing type and location 

• Books and study materials: Additional cost, varies by course 

• Meals: About US$8.38 per restaurant meal; US$6.60 for a fast-food combo 

• Transport: About US$45 per month for a public transport pass 

• Phone plan: About US$33 per month for calls with 10GB+ data 

If you spend all your time stressing about your cost of living, you’ll forget to enjoy yourself. The good news is that you can eat well without overspending, like this abalone meal set for just 15,000 KRW (US$10). Source: Emily Mar

How to make Seoul work on a student budget 

Despite the numbers, Seoul can be budget-friendly for international students. You just need to know where to look.

1. Food

One of the biggest concerns for international students with regards to their cost of living when studying abroad is food. 

Unless you enjoy cooking, most meals will come from restaurants. 

Luckily, university areas in South Korea are famous for their food streets that are packed with affordable, delicious options. 

Right in front of Dongguk University’s Seoul campus, for example, you’ll find Haus Coffee & Dessert, a cosy hanok-style café perfect for a quick break. The café serves traditional Korean teas and pastries start at just 3,500 KRW (US$2.44). 

A short 10-minute walk away is Jina-ne Tteokbokki, a popular snack spot known for being both filling and affordable. 

Its menu includes gimbap, ramen, and tteokbokki that isn’t overly spicy — great for those who prefer milder flavours. 

If you’re eating alone, you can get a generous plate of tteokbokki and a cup of hot fish cake broth for only 4,000 KRW (US$2.79). 

The shop is so well-loved that even mukbang YouTuber Tzuyang has visited. 

Coffee lovers won’t be disappointed either. Budget-friendly chains like Compose Coffee and Mammoth Coffee are available all over the city. 

“Compose Coffee probably has the best Americano,” says Purani Sevalingam, an international student from Malaysia. “And it’s cheap too. One cup only costs 2,500 KRW (US$1.74).” 

Moving around is easy, and intercity travel is convenient with options like the ITX-Chuncheon line, helping keep transportation costs manageable despite the high cost of living. Source: Emily Mar

2. Transport

Getting around South Korea is surprisingly easy, thanks to its efficient and affordable public transport system. 

For international students, this is great news; travelling around the city won’t drain your budget. 

Subways and buses are clean, reliable, and easy to use, especially in major cities. One quick tip: use Naver Map instead of Google Maps for more accurate routes. 

To make commuting even smoother, you’ll want a rechargeable transit card like T-money. These cards are easy to buy and top up at convenience stores such as 7-Eleven, CU, and GS25, or at subway station kiosks. 

Using a T-money card not only saves time but also gives you small discounts and free transfers within 30 minutes. A single ride usually costs between 1,300 to 1,500 KRW (US$0.91 to US$1.05). 

That said, if you really want to cut costs, walking is your best friend. For example, walking from Euljiro 1-ga station to Myeongdong station saves you 100 KRW (US$0.07) per trip. 

It will spare you the hassle of station transfers, crowded platforms, and rushing to catch your next train. 

Plus, you’ll get daily exercise and can hit 10,000 steps without even trying. 

Just remember: Seoul’s streets are full of hills and stairs. To stay comfortable and avoid sore feet, comfortable walking shoes are a must. 

No matter how high the cost of living feels, your health should always come first. Luckily, there are plenty of pharmacies around that students can easily visit. Source: Emily Mar

3. Healthcare

International students in South Korea don’t need to worry too much about healthcare. 

Once you apply for your residence card (previously called the ARC), you’re automatically enrolled in the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS). 

This national insurance helps reduce medical expenses by covering a wide range of services, including hospital visits and selected prescription medications. 

To make healthcare even more accessible, many universities offer on-campus clinics. 

For example, Korea University runs a Health Centre that focuses on both medical treatment and disease prevention, helping students maintain a healthy campus life. 

Services include basic health check-ups, minor surgical procedures, and access to non-prescription medicines. 

Students who choose to pay the optional Health Centre fee along with their tuition are eligible to receive these treatments free of charge. 

That said, your health should always come first. If you need to go to a hospital, don’t let the costs stop you. 

However, don’t go alone. Navigating hospital visits can be challenging, particularly when it comes to paperwork and communication. 

“Even though I’ve learned how to speak Korean, it’s difficult because what you study for language exams doesn’t prepare you for medical terms,” says Yamini Sarkar an Indian student studying at Busan University of Foreign Studies. 

“Filling out registration forms can be especially hard, which is why it’s best to bring a Korean friend with you when visiting a hospital.” 

How international students can save up to 85,000 KRW a month in Seoul

We estimate you can save as much as 57,000 KRW to 85,000 KRW (US$40 to US$60) a month by making smarter purchases: 

• Transport

Using a T-money card for 30 rides costs about 38,000 KRW (US$26), saving roughly 7,000 KRW (US$5) compared with single-ride tickets — and even more if you walk shorter routes instead.  

• Food

Students who choose university-area eateries over mid-range restaurants can cut food costs by as much as 214,000 KRW (US$150) per month. 

• Coffee

Daily coffee habits add up but switching to budget chains like Compose Coffee can save over 85,000 KRW (US$60) a month.  

• Healthcare

Sticking to NHIS and campus health centres, rather than uninsured private clinics, can lead to savings of hundreds of dollars in medical visits.