Both Tokyo and Seoul have efficient airport connections and public transport, supporting smooth travel while offering distinct cultural and culinary highlights.

Travelling to East Asia for the first time is an experience filled with excitement, curiosity and discovery. Both Tokyo and Seoul draw visitors from around the world with their culture, food and lively cityscapes. Yet one question sits at the heart of most planning: which of these two capitals is kinder to the wallet? The answer depends on daily expenses, hotel prices, food costs, transportation ease and the value each city offers in return. Understanding these differences can help first-time travellers choose a destination that matches both their budget and expectations. Here is everything you need to know before making that choice.

Here Are 5 Key Things To Know Before Choosing Between Tokyo And Seoul

1. Daily Travel Budget

Tokyo:

Travelling in Tokyo generally costs more, with visitors spending about $181 per day. This includes meals, transport and accommodation, making it the pricier choice for first-timers. Despite the higher cost, travellers often find the city’s cleanliness, efficiency and range of attractions worth the spend.

Seoul:

In Seoul, the average daily spend is about $123 per day, which is much easier on the pocket for newcomers. The city offers excellent public spaces, affordable markets and budget-friendly eateries, meaning your money stretches further. For those planning a week-long trip, this difference can amount to considerable savings without missing out on experiences.

Winner: Seoul

2. Accommodation

Tokyo:

Accommodation is one of the biggest contributors to Tokyo’s overall expense. Travellers spend around $151 per day on hotels on average. Budget options like capsule hotels exist, but prices rise sharply in peak seasons such as cherry blossom time. Tokyo offers a wide range of lodging styles, but first-time travellers should prepare for higher costs, especially in central neighbourhoods.

Seoul:

In Seoul, the average cost of accommodation sits at around $103 per day, making it noticeably more affordable. The city has excellent mid-range hotels, guesthouses and hostels that provide comfort at lower prices. Even in popular areas like Myeongdong or Hongdae, you can find clean, well-located stays without overspending.

Winner: Seoul

3. Food And Dining Costs

Tokyo:

Food in Tokyo is diverse and exceptional, but it comes at a cost. Travellers spend roughly $63 per day on meals. You can save by choosing convenience-store meals or ramen shops, but proper sit-down dining tends to be more expensive. Even so, many travellers feel Tokyo’s culinary scene is worth the investment for its quality and variety.

Seoul:

Seoul offers deeply flavourful food at lower prices, with visitors spending around $49 per day on average. Street food stalls, local markets and small eateries serve hearty dishes without straining your budget. This makes Seoul an ideal choice for food lovers who want to try multiple dishes without worrying about cost.

Winner: Seoul

4. Transportation

Tokyo:

Transport in Tokyo is reliable and extensive, costing travellers about $17 per day. The metro network covers almost every corner of the city, though navigating it can be confusing for first-timers. Despite being more expensive than Seoul, Tokyo’s public transport is exceptionally punctual and well-maintained.

Seoul:

Seoul’s transportation system is not only efficient but also more economical, averaging $15 per day. The subway is user-friendly, well-signposted and offers excellent connectivity at lower fares. For budget-focused travellers, this small daily saving adds up during a longer stay.

Winner: Seoul

5. Attractions And Value For Money

Tokyo:

Tokyo is packed with major attractions including temples, parks, shopping districts and themed experiences. Many iconic sites such as Senso-ji and the Imperial Palace grounds are free to enter, helping offset some costs. However, paid attractions, cafes and experiences can add up quickly. Tokyo offers immense value for travellers who appreciate cultural contrasts and high-end dining.

Seoul:

Seoul provides excellent value through its cultural heritage, shopping markets and low-cost attractions. Visitors can explore palaces, local markets and street performances without heavy spending. The city’s mix of tradition and modernity means you can enjoy a rich experience even on a smaller budget.

Winner: Depends on preference. Tokyo for iconic experiences; Seoul for value and affordability.

So, Which Is Better For First-Time Budget Travellers?

If managing expenses is your top priority, Seoul clearly emerges as the more budget-friendly choice across daily spending, hotels, food and transport. If you are open to spending a little more for refined dining, exceptional order, and world-class attractions, Tokyo offers unforgettable value.

How To Reach

How To Reach Tokyo

Tokyo is served by Narita International Airport and Haneda Airport, both well-connected to the city. Narita handles most international flights, while Haneda is closer to central Tokyo. Travellers can reach the city by express trains like the Narita Express, Keisei Skyliner, airport buses or taxis. The extensive rail options make arriving in Tokyo smooth and efficient.

How To Reach Seoul

Seoul’s main international gateway is Incheon International Airport, located about an hour from the city. Travellers can use the AREX Express or All-Stop trains, airport buses or taxis to reach central districts. The transport network is straightforward, well-signposted and ideal for first-timers.

Either way, both cities provide remarkable cultural depth, memorable food experiences and warm hospitality, ensuring a rewarding trip no matter which one you choose.

For most travellers, tourism is built around freedom, choosing where to go, how long to stay, and what to explore. In many parts of the world, independent travel is taken for granted. However, a small number of countries operate very differently. In these destinations, tourism is tightly regulated by the state, visas are closely controlled, and visitors are often required to follow pre-approved itineraries, travel with authorised guides, or avoid entire regions altogether.

While travel to these countries is not impossible, it comes with limitations that can feel unusual, and sometimes challenging, for international visitors. Here are five countries where tourist travel is extremely restricted, and why.

North Korea

North Korea remains the most tightly controlled tourist destination in the world. All foreign tourists must travel on state-organised tours operated by approved agencies. Visitors are accompanied by official government guides at all times, and itineraries are fixed in advance. Independent movement, unplanned interactions, or deviation from the schedule is strictly prohibited. Photography is heavily regulated, especially around military sites, construction areas, or anything perceived as politically sensitive. Interaction with local citizens is limited and supervised.

Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan allows foreign tourists but under strict administrative control. Most visitors require a government-approved guide and must submit a detailed travel itinerary in advance. Independent backpacking, spontaneous travel, or freely moving between cities is extremely difficult. Photography of government buildings, police, and infrastructure is prohibited, sometimes without clear signage. Regulations can change with little notice, making travel dependent on official guidance throughout the visit.

Eritrea

Tourism in Eritrea is limited and closely monitored. While Asmara is accessible to visitors, special travel permits are typically required to move beyond the capital. These permits must be arranged in advance and approved by authorities. Photography restrictions are common, especially around government buildings, ports, and security installations. Transport infrastructure outside Asmara is limited, and accommodation options are few.

Bhutan

Bhutan represents a different kind of restriction. Rather than political control, the country follows a high-value, low-volume tourism policy designed to protect its environment and cultural heritage. Most international tourists must book their trip through licensed Bhutanese tour operators, and pay a mandatory daily Sustainable Development Fee. Even though travellers can now move independently with a guide, most nationalities must still book their trip through a licensed operator for visa approval, with India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives exempt from this requirement.

Saudi Arabia (Restricted zones)

Saudi Arabia has opened up to international tourism in recent years, but significant restrictions remain. It’s true when it comes to Mecca. Access to the holy city of Mecca, and certain parts of Medina, is strictly limited to Muslims, with enforcement at entry points. Beyond religious restrictions, some border regions and sensitive areas require special permits. Photography of government facilities, military sites, and security infrastructure is restricted. Social behaviour and dress codes are more closely regulated than in most tourist destinations, and visitors are expected to respect local laws and customs at all times.

While many well-known hotspots buckle under the pressure of overtourism, overcrowded holiday destinations are not inevitable. Other countries remain largely untouched and openly welcome visitors. Travelnews presents five destinations that promise lasting memories—far from the crowds.

Travel has become easier than ever, yet increasingly contradictory. While cities such as Barcelona, the Canary Islands, and Amsterdam struggle with growing crowds, awareness of tourism’s negative impacts is on the rise.

According to the «Travel and Sustainability Report 2025» by the booking platform Booking, 84 percent of travelers say that sustainability plays an important role in their vacation planning. Furthermore, 73 percent want their money to benefit local communities.

Those who travel off the beaten track not only relieve pressure on overcrowded destinations but also support regions that desperately need visitors. Five countries serve as examples of where conscious tourism can unleash significant potential.

1. Moldova

For a long time, Moldova was considered the least visited country in Europe. Although it recorded a noticeable increase in visitor numbers in 2025, according to «Time Out magazine» , tourism remains a key growth opportunity. After the devastation of the World Wars, infrastructure was rebuilt slowly over decades. Today, Moldova focuses on sustainable cultural tourism, wine experiences, and exploration in the capital, Chișinău. Tourism revenue helps preserve historical sites and create jobs—especially outside the capital

2. Gambia

Tourism has long been more than just a supplementary business for Gambia. Climate change and declining agricultural yields have forced the country to pursue new economic avenues. Today, community-based tourism is the focus. Travelers stay in lodges or homestays, hike through mangrove forests, or visit village communities along the Gambia River. The revenue flows directly into local businesses and secures livelihoods in regions without industrial alternatives.

3. Jordan

The geopolitical situation in the Middle East has hit Jordan’s tourism hard. Visitor numbers have plummeted, even though the country itself is considered safe. For many communities, especially along the Jordan Trail or around Petra, travelers are an essential source of income. Jordan consciously focuses on local providers, family-run accommodations, and hiking tours. Every visitor contributes to securing jobs and preserving cultural heritage.

4. Tajikistan

Tajikistan is one of the poorest countries in Central Asia, yet it possesses enormous natural potential. Trekking tours in the mountains or encounters with Pamir communities bring income to remote mountain regions. Tourism here is small but effective: Guided tours create opportunities for local guides, cooks, and host families – in areas that otherwise have few economic opportunities.

5. Paraguay

Paraguay is often overshadowed by its larger neighbors. Yet the country is culturally rich and ecologically diverse. The sparsely populated Chaco region, in particular, offers opportunities for sustainable tourism. Revenue from birdwatching, cultural tours, and visits to the capital, Asunción, helps to create alternative sources of income and finance the preservation of nature and traditions.

The era of one-dimensional travel is quietly ending. Modern travellers no longer like to pick a vibe and commit to it. Why choose one when you can have it all? Destinations that allow fluidity and offer meaningful immersions are clear winners. Here are top five of them.

Ras Al Khaimah, UAE

For Nature Lovers & Adventure Enthusiasts

Ras Al Khaimah lets travellers move between intensity and slowcation without changing postcode. Mornings begin high on Jebel Jais, home to the world’s longest zipline and ends in a slow brunch at 1484 by Puro, the UAE’s highest restaurant, before the descent. Afternoons can be spent taking a bird-eye view on a gyrocopter at Jazirah Aviation Club or kayaking through the Al Rams Mangroves, spotting flamingos and herons. Evenings settle along the beaches of Al Marjan Island, where resorts such as Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island invite long swims, spa wind-downs and open-air dining at Ula and sundowners at Neo Sky Bar with stunning view of the Arabian Gulf.

Krabi, Thailand

For Wellness Seekers & and Luxury Connoisseurs

Krabi welcomes every kind of traveller with open arms and Phulay Bay can hold its own masterclass with ease when it comes to letting guests enjoy at their ow pace. Mornings unfold with a private sunrise yoga session at the world’s first Ritz-Carlton Reserve property overlooking the Andaman Sea, followed by a long Thai herbal compress ritual at the spa, and a made-to-measure breakfast timed exactly to your internal clock, all orchestrated by a dedicated butler who anticipates rather than interrupts. Then comes the retreat inward. Villa doors close. Private pools replace agendas. Hours dissolve into reading, floating and doing nothing at all, Phulay Bay compresses opposing desires into a single address.

Doha, Qatar

For Big-Moment Lovers and Calm Collectors

Doha is perfect for modern day travellers and Hilton Salwa Beach Resort let them thrive on extremes. One half of the resort is pure kinetic energy, the Desert Falls Water & Adventure Park with its roller coasters, surf rider, wave pools and multi-slide towers, where motion never really stops. It’s built for travellers who need their daylight hours stimulated. Cross the property and the atmosphere flips completely. Standalone beachfront villas, adults-only pools, private cabanas and long, uncrowded shoreline stretches create near-total sensory withdrawal. For travellers navigating shifting internal rhythms, social one hour, solitary the next, Hilton Salwa Doha gives permission to follow the mood, not fight it.

Bali, Indonesia

For High-Energy Seekers and Slow-Travel Purists

Arrival in Bali is designed to impress. Cliff-top lawns spill toward the Indian Ocean, elevators carve through rock to reach the beach, and the scale immediately pulls your gaze outward. At Ritz Carlton Bali, sunrise walks along Sawangan Beach, open-air breakfasts overlooking surf breaks, and wide public spaces keep energy circulating. Then the tempo drops. Villas fold inward with shaded courtyards and plunge pools. The spa leans into long Balinese therapies rather than fast treatments. Dinners stretch unhurried, often barefoot, often candlelit. It’s an escape that lets momentum burn off first, then invites you to soften only when you are ready.

Colombo, Sri Lanka

For Outward Explorers and Inward Resetters

Just outside Colombo, The Wallawwa serves slow breakfasts on the beautiful veranda inside the restored manor house, surrounded by clipped lawns, frangipani shade, and an almost ceremonial quiet. Step beyond the gates and Sri Lanka arrives in full volume — tuk-tuks, temple bells, coastal drives, and air thick with spices. Day trips spill toward Negombo’s fish markets, lagoon boat rides, or heritage quarters humming with everyday life. The reset comes at dusk. You return to silence, chilled pools, garden dinners and a sense of containment that restores equilibrium. For travellers who crave immersion without surrendering serenity, The Wallawwa delivers both without dilution.

The best trips today don’t demand consistency. Because great travel isn’t about choosing a side. It’s about enjoying the contrast.