What a Korean bathhouse costs, and what you get

A bathhouse is one of the cheapest things you can do in Seoul, and the price covers far more than a wash. The figures below are typical 2024โ€“2025 ranges โ€” they vary by venue, time of day and season, so always confirm the current price on the map before you go.

What you'll pay to get in

Entry is priced by how much the venue offers, from a bare wash-and-soak to a full spa resort:

  • Basic ๋ชฉ์š•ํƒ• (mokyoktang) โ€” a no-frills bathhouse: roughly โ‚ฉ5,000โ€“8,000.
  • Mid-range ์ฐœ์งˆ๋ฐฉ (jjimjilbang) โ€” bathhouse plus the co-ed sauna lounge: โ‚ฉ10,000โ€“15,000 (for example, Sparex Dongdaemun is about โ‚ฉ13,000).
  • Premium spa โ€” a larger, more polished complex: โ‚ฉ23,000โ€“55,000.
  • Children โ€” usually about half price.

What's provided, what to bring

Provided

  • At a jjimjilbang, a uniform (loose T-shirt and shorts); a locker and one or more small towels; and usually free soap.
  • Many also stock shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, lotion and hair dryers.
  • Single-use toiletry packets are sold on site or at a nearby convenience store if something isn't stocked.

Worth bringing (all optional)

  • A large towel โ€” the Korean ones are thin and small, so bring your own if you want to dry off properly.
  • Your own face wash, skincare and hair products, and a hair tie.
  • A scrub mitt, and a little cash for the body scrub and snacks.
  • Leave valuables at your accommodation โ€” you won't need them inside.

Opening hours

Hours depend on the type of place. Many jjimjilbang are open 24 hours; a plain mokyoktang usually is not; and premium spas often cap a single visit at 4โ€“6 hours.

Food & drink inside

You don't carry cash around inside. Anything you order is charged to your wristband and settled when you leave. Typical prices:

  • ์‹ํ˜œ (sikhye), a sweet rice drink โ€” about โ‚ฉ3,000.
  • ๋งฅ๋ฐ˜์„ ๊ณ„๋ž€ (maekbanseok gyeran), sauna-baked eggs โ€” about โ‚ฉ1,000โ€“2,000 a pair.
  • ๋ผ๋ฉด (ramyeon) โ€” about โ‚ฉ4,000โ€“6,000.
  • Full meals (bibimbap and the like) โ€” โ‚ฉ8,000โ€“15,000.

Sleeping over

Because many jjimjilbang are 24-hour, they double as Korea's cheapest accommodation. You sleep on the heated ondol floor on a thin mat for roughly โ‚ฉ12,000โ€“15,000 for the night.

Prices change โ€” always confirm on the map

Every figure here is a typical 2024โ€“2025 range and varies by venue, time and season. Check the current entry price and hours on Naver Map or KakaoMap before you go.

FAQ

How much does it cost to get in?
A plain mokyoktang (bathhouse) is usually โ‚ฉ5,000โ€“8,000; a mid-range jjimjilbang runs โ‚ฉ10,000โ€“15,000 (Sparex Dongdaemun is about โ‚ฉ13,000); a premium spa is โ‚ฉ23,000โ€“55,000. Children are usually about half price. These are 2024โ€“2025 ranges and change, so check the current price on Naver Map or KakaoMap.
Can I sleep overnight?
At a 24-hour jjimjilbang, yes โ€” they double as Korea's cheapest accommodation. You sleep on the heated ondol floor on a thin mat for roughly โ‚ฉ12,000โ€“15,000 for the night. A plain mokyoktang usually is not 24-hour, so you cannot stay over there.
Do I need to bring my own towel?
No โ€” a locker and small towel(s) are provided, along with free soap and usually shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, lotion and hair dryers. The provided towels are thin and small, so if you want something to actually dry off with, bring your own large towel. Your own face wash, skincare and hair products are also worth packing.

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