Seoul Student Budget Guide: How Much Can You Actually Save Traveling with a Friend?

The Bottom Line: Real Savings at a Glance

Let's start with the headline numbers for a typical 3-month stay in Seoul:

Translation: Traveling with a friend saves you approximately ₩860,000 per month or ₩2,580,000 over 3 months (roughly $1,917 USD).

That's essentially one month of expenses completely free—or enough money for a week-long trip to Japan, a new laptop, or serious savings in your bank account.

Breaking Down the Budget: Category by Category

💰 Accommodation: Your Biggest Savings Opportunity

The Single Reality

• Single room (goshiwon or small officetel): ₩1,300,000/month

• 3 months: ₩3,900,000 ($2,900)

The Friend Advantage

• 2-person room: ₩1,500,000/month total

• Split between two: ₩750,000/month per person

• 3 months: ₩2,250,000 ($1,675) per person

Monthly Savings: ₩550,000 ($410) per person

Why this matters: Accommodation is typically 40-50% of your total budget. This is where splitting costs makes the most dramatic impact. A 2-person room costs only slightly more than a single room, but split two ways, each person pays almost half.

Real student perspective: "I initially planned to get my own goshiwon to have 'my own space,' but my friend convinced me to share a 2-person room. Best decision ever. We saved enough in 3 months to travel to Jeju Island for a week, and honestly, having a roommate made the experience way more fun." — Sarah, UCLA exchange student

🍳 Groceries: Cook Together, Save Together

The Single Reality

• Shopping for one is expensive per serving

• Food often goes bad before you finish it

• Less motivation to cook elaborate meals

• Average: ₩450,000/month

The Friend Advantage

• Buy in bulk and split costs

• Share ingredients (that ₩8,000 bottle of sesame oil lasts forever)

• Take turns cooking = less daily effort

• Less food waste

• Average: ₩300,000/month per person

Monthly Savings: ₩150,000 ($112) per person

Smart shopping strategies for friends:

• Visit Costco together: Split membership (₩38,500/year) and buy in bulk

• Meal prep on weekends: Cook 2-3 dishes together, portion them out

• Share staples: Rice, oil, sauces, spices—buy once, use for weeks

• Alternate grocery runs: One person shops this week, the other next week

Sample shared grocery list (weekly for 2 people):

• Rice (5kg bag, lasts 3-4 weeks): ₩15,000 ÷ 2 = ₩7,500 each

• Vegetables (for multiple meals): ₩30,000 ÷ 2 = ₩15,000 each

• Protein (chicken, pork, eggs): ₩35,000 ÷ 2 = ₩17,500 each

• Snacks and fruits: ₩20,000 ÷ 2 = ₩10,000 each

• Total per person: ₩50,000/week or ₩200,000/month

Compare to solo shopping where you can't buy in bulk and waste more = ₩300,000-400,000/month.

🚇 Transportation: One Area Where Costs Stay the Same

Reality Check: Whether solo or with a friend, you'll each pay for your own subway/bus rides.

Monthly budget per person: ₩90,000 ($67)

However, there are small savings opportunities:

• Taxis: Split the fare on late nights (₩15,000 ride = ₩7,500 each)

• Weekend trips: Split rental car costs (₩80,000/day = ₩40,000 each)

• Bike rentals: Some offer discounts for multiple rentals

Monthly indirect savings: ₩30,000-50,000 ($22-37)

Pro tip: Get a T-money card (₩2,500) on arrival. Reload at any convenience store. Subway rides are ₩1,400 each, buses ₩1,300, with free transfers within 30 minutes.

🍜 Eating Out: Small Savings, Big Enjoyment

The Single Reality

• Many restaurants have minimum orders per person

• Harder to try multiple dishes

• Eating alone can feel isolating

• Average: ₩450,000/month (₩15,000/day)

The Friend Advantage

• Share dishes and try more variety

• Split bigger, better-value meals

• Dining out is more enjoyable socially

• Some restaurants offer "set menus for 2"

• Average: ₩375,000/month per person (₩12,500/day)

Monthly Savings: ₩75,000 ($56) per person

Where friends save the most:

Korean BBQ:

• Solo: Must order minimum ₩18,000 per person

• Friends: Order ₩30,000 combo for two = ₩15,000 each (+ more variety)

Hot pot/Jjigae:

• Solo: Individual portion ₩12,000

• Friends: Large pot to share ₩18,000 = ₩9,000 each

Fried chicken:

• Solo: Half chicken ₩15,000 (often too much)

• Friends: Whole chicken ₩18,000 = ₩9,000 each (+ better value)

Group discounts:

• Many restaurants offer "2-person sets" (세트 메뉴)

• Buffets often have pair discounts

• Cafes sometimes do "1+1" deals you can split

🎭 Entertainment & Activities: Experience More, Spend Less

The Single Reality

• Full price for everything

• Some activities are awkward solo (karaoke, jjimjilbang)

• Transportation to attractions costs more

• Average: ₩225,000/month

The Friend Advantage

• Split attraction tickets when possible

• Share transportation to activities

• 2-for-1 deals and group discounts

• More fun = better value for money

• Average: ₩180,000/month per person

Monthly Savings: ₩45,000 ($33) per person

Real examples of shared entertainment:

Noraebang (Karaoke):

• Solo: ₩15,000/hour (singing alone is sad)

• Friends: ₩15,000/hour ÷ 2 = ₩7,500 each (way more fun)

Jjimjilbang (Korean spa):

• Solo: ₩12,000 entry + feels awkward alone

• Friends: ₩12,000 each but shared experience = priceless

DMZ Tour:

• Solo: ₩110,000 (lonely 8-hour tour)

• Friends: ₩110,000 each but split lunch/snacks = ₩100,000 each

Theme parks (Lotte World, Everland):

• Solo: ₩56,000 day pass

• Friends: Sometimes group booking = ₩50,000 each + shared food/locker

Weekend trips (Busan, Jeju, Gangneung):

• Accommodation split in half

• Rental car split in half

• Can be 40-50% cheaper per person

Sample Monthly Budgets: Three Spending Styles

The Budget Traveler

Goal: Spend as little as possible while still enjoying Seoul

Solo: ₩1,850,000/month ($1,375)

• Accommodation: ₩650,000 (budget goshiwon)

• Food: ₩450,000 (cook most meals)

• Transport: ₩90,000

• Entertainment: ₩150,000 (free activities, occasional splurge)

• Other: ₩110,000

With a Friend: ₩1,200,000/month ($892)

• Accommodation: ₩375,000 (shared 2-person room)

• Food: ₩300,000 (cook together + occasional eating out)

• Transport: ₩90,000

• Entertainment: ₩120,000

• Other: ₩80,000

Monthly Savings: ₩650,000 ($483)

The Comfortable Student

Goal: Balance saving money with enjoying the experience

Solo: ₩2,650,000/month ($1,970)

• Accommodation: ₩1,300,000 (nice single room)

• Food: ₩600,000 (mix of cooking and eating out)

• Transport: ₩90,000

• Entertainment: ₩225,000

• Other: ₩135,000

With a Friend: ₩1,800,000/month ($1,338)

• Accommodation: ₩750,000 (comfortable 2-person room)

• Food: ₩400,000 (shared cooking + regular dining out)

• Transport: ₩90,000

• Entertainment: ₩180,000

• Other: ₩90,000

Monthly Savings: ₩850,000 ($632)

The Experience Maximizer

Goal: Study abroad is once in a lifetime—do everything!

Solo: ₩3,500,000/month ($2,603)

• Accommodation: ₩1,500,000 (premium location)

• Food: ₩800,000 (eat out frequently)

• Transport: ₩150,000 (includes taxis)

• Entertainment: ₩350,000 (concerts, trips, activities)

• Other: ₩200,000

With a Friend: ₩2,400,000/month ($1,785)

• Accommodation: ₩900,000 (premium 2-person room)

• Food: ₩550,000 (shared meals + nice restaurants)

• Transport: ₩120,000 (split taxis)

• Entertainment: ₩280,000 (group activities)

• Other: ₩150,000

Monthly Savings: ₩1,100,000 ($818)

Hidden Costs You Might Forget

One-Time Expenses (per person)

• Alien Registration Card: ₩30,000 (if staying 90+ days)

• Bedding/towels: ₩50,000-100,000 (if not provided)

• Kitchen basics: ₩50,000 (pots, dishes, utensils)

• Winter clothes: ₩100,000-200,000 (if arriving in winter)

Friend advantage: Share kitchen supplies, cleaning products, maybe even winter coats if you're the same size!

Unexpected Expenses

• Doctor visits: ₩20,000-50,000 (before insurance reimbursement)

• Medicine: ₩10,000-30,000

• Laundry: ₩3,000-5,000/load

• Haircut: ₩15,000-40,000

• Emergency travel: Variable

Budget buffer: Keep ₩300,000-500,000 ($223-372) as emergency fund

Smart Saving Strategies for Student Friends in Seoul

1. The 50/30/20 Rule (Modified for Seoul)

• 50% on necessities (accommodation, food, transport)

• 30% on wants (eating out, shopping, entertainment)

• 20% on savings/emergency fund

For comfortable living, aim for ₩2,000,000-2,500,000/month budget.

2. Take Advantage of Student Discounts

• Museums: Free or 50% off with student ID

• Palaces: ₩3,000 instead of ₩5,000

• Movies: ₩8,000 instead of ₩14,000

• Gyms: Student memberships 20-30% cheaper

• Restaurants near universities: Student specials

3. Free Activities Friends Can Enjoy

• Hiking Seoul's mountains (Bukhansan, Inwangsan)

• Han River picnics

• Free walking tours (tip-based)

• University festivals

• Temple stays (minimal cost)

• Street performances in Hongdae

• Public libraries with study spaces

4. Shared Memberships & Subscriptions

• Gym membership: ₩60,000/month ÷ 2 (if allowed)

• Costco: ₩38,500/year ÷ 2

• Netflix: ₩17,000/month ÷ 2

• Spotify: ₩10,900/month ÷ 2

• Amazon Prime: ₩4,900/month ÷ 2

Combined monthly savings: ₩30,000-40,000 ($22-30)

5. Meal Planning Together

• Sunday meal prep: Cook 2-3 dishes, portion for the week

• Breakfast strategy: Buy bulk oats, eggs, bread = ₩3,000/day for both

• Lunch: Pack meals = ₩5,000/day vs buying = ₩10,000/day

• Dinner: Cook together 4-5x/week, eat out 2-3x

Monthly food budget for two: ₩600,000-800,000 total (₩300,000-400,000 each)

6. Shopping Smart as a Team

• GMarket/Coupang: Free shipping for orders over ₩19,800—combine orders

• Traditional markets: Buy fresh produce together, cheaper than supermarkets

• Convenience stores: 1+1 deals—buy one, split with friend

• Daiso: ₩5,000 items—buy once, share forever

Real Student Testimonials: The Friend Advantage

Emily & Jessica, Canadian exchange students (3 months) "We budgeted ₩2,000,000 each per month and ended up spending only ₩1,600,000 thanks to sharing. We used the extra ₩400,000/month to take weekend trips. Totally worth rooming together."

Marcus, German language student (6 months) "I came to Seoul solo and got a goshiwon. My budget was tight—₩1,800,000/month and I was always worried about money. My friend joined me for the last 3 months and we got a 2-person room. Suddenly I was spending ₩1,300,000/month instead and actually enjoying myself."

Priya & Anna, studying at Yonsei (1 semester) "The biggest surprise was how much we saved on food. We'd cook together 3-4 times a week and split everything. Our grocery bills were like ₩250,000/month each instead of the ₩400,000 we'd budgeted. That's a free trip to Busan every month!"

When Does Traveling Solo Actually Make Sense?

Let's be balanced—traveling with a friend isn't always the best choice:

Consider solo if:

• You have very different lifestyles (night owl vs. early bird)

• You need absolute privacy for remote work/study

• You've never lived together and aren't sure about compatibility

• You want maximum flexibility in your schedule

• You're okay spending more for independence

The compromise: Get separate goshiwons in the same building. You maintain independence but can still hang out, share meals sometimes, and travel together on weekends.

Preparing Your Budget: Pre-Departure Checklist

3 Months Before

• Open a no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card

• Notify your bank of travel dates

• Research student bank accounts in Korea

• Start a shared budget spreadsheet with your friend

• Agree on cost-splitting methods (50/50, alternating, tracking apps)

1 Month Before

• Book accommodation (remember: 28+ nights = 40% off)

• Set up international money transfer method (Wise, Western Union)

• Download Korean payment apps (KakaoPay, Naver Pay)

• Create shared shopping lists for initial purchases

• Agree on financial boundaries and rules

Upon Arrival

• Open a Korean bank account (if staying 6+ months)

• Get T-money cards

• Do initial big shopping trip together (bedding, kitchen, toiletries)

• Set up bill-splitting app (Splitwise, Settle Up)

• Have the "money talk"—agree on how to split everything

The Final Word: Is It Worth It?

Let's return to those headline numbers:

3-month Seoul study stay:

• Solo: ₩8,015,000 ($5,950)

• With a friend: ₩5,435,000 ($4,042)

• You save: ₩2,580,000 ($1,917)

That's 32% off your total expenses just by having a roommate.

But beyond the numbers, friends traveling together:

• Reduce homesickness and culture shock

• Share the adventure (and the funny/scary moments)

• Motivate each other to explore

• Create shared memories that last forever

• Have someone to split the last dumpling with

The real question isn't "Can I afford to bring a friend?"

It's "Can I afford NOT to?"

Ready to Start Planning Your Budget-Friendly Seoul Adventure?

Mangrove offers thoughtfully designed 2-person rooms perfect for students looking to maximize their experience while minimizing costs. Located in vibrant neighborhoods near universities and language schools, our rooms feature:

✨ Thoughtfully designed spaces with optimal bed placement for privacy
🪑 Two of everything - separate desks, storage units, and personal space
💰 All-inclusive pricing - Wi-Fi, utilities, and cleaning service included
🏢 Prime locations in Hongdae, Sinchon, and other student-friendly areas
🤝 Flexible booking - Perfect for semester stays and language programs
🌐 English support - Easy communication from booking to check-out

Special offer: Book 28 nights or more and get 40% off!