How much is plastic surgery in Korea?
Plastic surgery in Korea costs $600 to $12,000 depending on the procedure. A nose job runs $3,000–$9,000, double eyelid surgery $1,000–$2,500, and jaw surgery $8,000–$20,000.
Below is every common procedure with its Seoul price range, what a realistic total trip costs once flights and stay are counted, and which procedures are worth flying for at all. Some are not — a single botox session does not justify a plane ticket, and we say so.
- Verified
- 2026-08-24
- Medically reviewed
- Pending
Prices in Seoul
| Option | Price (USD) | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double eyelid surgery | $1,000–$2,500 | per procedure | Incisional lasts, non-incisional is faster to heal |
| Ptosis correction | $1,800–$3,500 | per procedure | Often combined with double eyelid |
| Rhinoplasty (primary) | $3,000–$9,000 | per procedure | Technique drives the range |
| Revision rhinoplasty | $6,500–$12,000 | per procedure | Rises with prior surgeries |
| Facial contouring (V-line, zygoma) | $6,000–$14,000 | per procedure | Major surgery. Two weeks minimum |
| Double jaw surgery | $8,000–$20,000 | per procedure | Functional and cosmetic. Longest recovery |
| Facelift | $5,000–$13,000 | per procedure | — |
| Thread lift | $400–$1,200 | per session | Non-surgical alternative |
| Breast augmentation | $4,000–$8,000 | per procedure | — |
| Liposuction (per area) | $1,200–$3,500 | per area | — |
| Fat grafting (face) | $1,500–$4,000 | per procedure | — |
| Hair transplant (2,000 grafts) | $3,000–$5,500 | per procedure | — |
| Botox (three areas) | $110–$260 | per session | Not worth a flight on its own |
| Lip filler | $180–$320 | per 1cc | Not worth a flight on its own |
Ranges observed across Seoul clinics in August 2026. Surgical figures include surgeon fee, anaesthesia, and standard follow-up during your stay.
Clinic-by-clinic prices are being collected. Clinics that decline to publish a price are not listed with one. Until then the table above is the market range we observed.
What the price does and does not cover
| Included | Not included |
|---|---|
|
|
Compared with what you would pay at home
| Country | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Rhinoplasty — US | $8,000–$15,000 |
| Rhinoplasty — Korea | $3,000–$9,000 |
| Double eyelid — US | $3,000–$6,000 |
| Double eyelid — Korea | $1,000–$2,500 |
| Facelift — US | $12,000–$25,000 |
| Facelift — Korea | $5,000–$13,000 |
The saving is real. It does not cover a flight on its own — people combine treatments to make the trip worthwhile.
What the trip actually costs
The surgery price is not the trip price. For a two-week stay covering rhinoplasty, add roughly $1,200–$2,000 for flights from North America or Europe, $700–$1,400 for fourteen nights in a Gangnam or Sinsa serviced apartment, and $400–$700 for food and transport.
That puts a $5,000 nose job at $7,300–$9,100 all in. Against $8,000–$15,000 for the surgery alone at home, the saving is real but narrower than the headline price suggests.
Where it stops making sense: a $200 botox session becomes a $2,500 botox session once you add the trip. Injectables are something you add to a trip you were taking anyway, not a reason to take one.
Why the same procedure varies so much
Technique. A nose job with an implant alone and one built from rib cartilage are different operations at different prices. Compare technique, not headline numbers.
Surgeon, not clinic. Large clinics run several surgeons at different fee levels. The advertised price is usually the junior one. Ask who operates and what their fee is.
What is bundled. Some quotes include anaesthesia, aftercare and medication; others price each separately. Ask for the itemised total in writing before you pay a deposit.
Revision risk. Almost no clinic includes revision. Ask what happens if you are unhappy at month six and you are back in your own country.
When to walk away
- You are flying in only for injectables. Botox and filler do not justify the trip cost on their own.
- You have under eight days. Anything surgical needs a suture or splint removal and at least one review before you fly.
- You are choosing by price alone. The cheapest quote in Gangnam usually means a junior surgeon and a shorter operation.
- You want several major procedures in one trip because it seems efficient. Recovery stacks; two operations do not share one recovery.
- You have no one at home who knows you are having surgery abroad. For anything under general anaesthesia, tell someone.
Questions people actually ask
How much is plastic surgery in Korea?
$600–$12,000 depending on the procedure. Double eyelid surgery $1,000–$2,500, rhinoplasty $3,000–$9,000, facial contouring $6,000–$14,000, double jaw surgery $8,000–$20,000.
Is plastic surgery cheap in Korea?
Cheaper than the US, UK, or Australia for the same procedure — usually 40–60% less. Not cheap in absolute terms, and once flights and a two-week stay are counted the gap narrows.
What does the total trip cost?
For rhinoplasty with a two-week stay, roughly $7,300–$9,100 including flights, accommodation and living costs. See the breakdown above.
Why is it cheaper than at home?
Volume and competition. Seoul has an unusual density of clinics performing the same procedures daily, which lowers per-case cost. Surgeon training and facility standards are not the variable.
How long do I need in Korea?
Injectables one day. Eyelid surgery seven to ten days. Rhinoplasty ten to fourteen. Facial contouring or jaw surgery two to three weeks minimum.
Are prices the same for foreigners?
Some clinics price the same, some do not. Clinics that publish prices are the ones you can check. Ask directly whether the quote matches what a Korean walk-in would pay.
Is the quoted price final?
Usually it covers surgeon fee, anaesthesia and standard follow-up. It rarely covers revision, extended stay, or medication beyond the first course. Get the itemised quote in writing.
What if something goes wrong after I fly home?
This is the real risk of treatment abroad and the question to ask before booking. Find out what the clinic covers, who you contact, and whether they have any arrangement for follow-up in your country. Most do not.