When you think of a dream vacation to South Korea, the idea often comes with a hefty price tag. But travel creator Ishita Negi just proved otherwise. In a recent social media post, she shared how she completed an extensive 12-day solo trip across South Korea, covering major cities like Seoul and Busan, and all for just ₹85,000. Her journey is not just inspiring for budget travellers but also provides a practical template for anyone hoping to explore the Land of Morning Calm without burning a hole in their pocket.
South Korea has gained massive popularity among Indian travellers, thanks to K-dramas, K-pop, and Korean skincare culture making waves globally. Yet despite its increasing popularity, many still assume it is an expensive destination. Ishita’s breakdown reveals that careful planning and smart choices can make it surprisingly affordable.
She began with her return flight from Delhi to Seoul, booked via Vietnam Airlines, which cost her just ₹25,000. This early booking helped set the tone for the rest of the budget-conscious itinerary. Once in Korea, she used a combination of buses and bullet trains for intercity travel, spending ₹10,000 in total to move between places like Seoul and Busan.
For accommodation, she chose Airbnbs that were budget-friendly yet comfortable. Over 11 nights, she spent ₹18,000 on stays that included amenities like attached washrooms and easy access to city transport. To get around daily within the cities, she mostly used public transport systems such as metros and buses. This kept her commute costs at just ₹5,000, and even though she took a taxi three times, the total only increased by ₹3,000.
When it came to food, Ishita embraced everything from traditional Korean barbeque meals to budget bites from convenience stores like 7-Eleven. Her total spend on food over 12 days came to ₹18,000.
No travel story is complete without exploring local culture and attractions. Ishita set aside ₹5,000 for experiences like wearing traditional hanbok, visiting the Namsan Seoul Tower, and riding the scenic Busan sky capsule. These activities helped her immerse herself in the country’s heritage without overspending.
To stay connected throughout her trip, she purchased an eSIM through Mobimatter for ₹1,000, giving her around 10 GB of data for easy access to maps, translations, and updates on the go.
All of these expenses combined to ₹84,000, well under the ₹1 lakh mark that most travellers expect for an international trip of this length. According to Ishita, the experience was both fulfilling and affordable. Her itinerary covered a wide range of destinations and cultural activities while maintaining a strong focus on budget efficiency.
For those dreaming of a trip to South Korea, this is living proof that it can be done on a budget with a bit of research and flexibility. Ishita’s journey serves as a helpful guide for solo travellers, especially women, who are seeking rich experiences without the luxury price tag. Her trip was not just a vacation, but a smart travel strategy that showed how to make the most of every rupee.
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