A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Doha vs. Busan (Pusan) for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Doha or Busan (Pusan)?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Doha and Busan (Pusan) can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Doha or Busan (Pusan)?

Doha

Doha is the capital city of Qatar, modern and rapidly developing with much construction underway. It is home to Doha International Airport, the main point of entry for Qatar, as well as many of the country's best museums and examples of cultural heritage.

Busan (Pusan)

An important port city in South Korea, Busan is known for its beaches, mountains, and temples. With a thriving harbor, the city's main revenue comes from international shipping, although the area is quite popular with tourists from all over the globe, too. The place is bustling with sailors from around the world as well as tourists who come to enjoy the culture of this modern and dynamic city.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to South Korea, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Seoul.


Which place is cheaper, Busan (Pusan) or Doha?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Doha is $245, while the average daily cost in Busan (Pusan) is $104. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Doha and Busan (Pusan) in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Doha $119
    Busan (Pusan) $39
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Doha $238
    Busan (Pusan) $78
Compare Hotels in Doha and Busan (Pusan)

Looking for a hotel in Doha or Busan (Pusan)? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Doha


Hotels in Busan (Pusan)


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Doha Hotel Prices and Busan (Pusan) Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Doha $23
    Busan (Pusan) $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Doha

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Doha:

  • Sharing Arrival Transfer - West Bay: $20
  • Sharing Arrival Transfer - Pearl Qatar: $27
  • Doha : City Tour To All Main Attractions Including Transfers: $30
  • Doha Airport (DOH) Private Transfer to Doha City Centre/Hotels: $32
  • Transfer from Hamad Airport to Doha City - Stress-Free Tranafer: $40
  • Doha to Qatar Doha Hamad Airport (DOH) Departure Private Transfer: $41
  • Qatar Doha Hamad Airport (DOH) to Doha - Arrival Private Transfer: $41
  • Private transfer from Qatar Doha Hamad Airport (DOH) to Doha city: $42
  • Doha Private Airport and City Transfers: $48
  • Doha Airport Transfer Services with Pickup and Drop Off : $49
  • Private Transfer from Doha Port to Doha Hamad Airport (DOH): $53
  • Private Transfer from Doha Cruise Port to Doha City Hotels : $61

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Busan (Pusan)

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Busan (Pusan):

  • Busan Airport to Busan Hotels Round-Trip Private Transfer: $125
  • Busan Gimhae Airport (PUS) to Busan - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $137
  • Private Transfer Gaimhae Airport to Busan City: $85
  • Private Transfer from Busan Cruise Port to Busan Hotels: $66
  • Private Transfer from Busan Cruise Port to Busan Int Airport(PUS): $66
  • Private Transfer from Busan Gimhae Int Airport(PUS) to Busan Port: $66
  • Private Transfer from Busan Int Airport(PUS) to Busan Cruise Port: $66
  • Private Transfer from Busan Port to Busan Gimhae Int Airport(PUS): $66

Is it cheaper to fly into Doha or Busan (Pusan)?

Prices for flights to both Busan (Pusan) and Doha change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Doha $106
    Busan (Pusan) $44

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Doha

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Doha.

  • Private Souk Waqif with Lunch or Dinner Tour: $96
  • Half Day Doha City Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $143
  • Qatar Island District Sightseeing, Boat & Food Tour – 7 Tastings: $144
  • Private Desert Safari with BBQ Lunch or Dinner: $160
  • Overnight Desert Safari Adventure:BBQ Dinner & Breakfast Included: $220
  • Doha Overnight Camp Desert Safari Tour with Dinner and Breakfast : $230
  • Desert Safari 7 Hours Tour with Dinner and Camp: $270
  • Overnight Private Desert Safari with Buffet Dinner and Camel Ride: $299

Typical Food Prices in Busan (Pusan)

Some typical examples of dining costs in Busan (Pusan) are as follows:


  • McDonald's
    $4.43
  • Carp Bread
    $0.72

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Busan (Pusan)

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Busan (Pusan).

  • Busan history and market food tour with local chef: $53
  • Busan Tailored Korean cooking class (Vegan OK)with market tour: $95
  • Busan seafood tour : Cod Auction and Clam Auction in Winter: $99
  • Korean cooking class in Haeundae, Busan : $100
  • Busan Local Food Cooking Class with Market Tour: $114

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Doha $18
    Busan (Pusan) $20

Tours and Activities in Doha

Here are a few actual costs in Doha for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 3-2-1 Olympic and Sports Museum ticket | Qatar: $20
  • Explore Heart of Qatar Doha City Tour with Professional Guide: $22
  • Transit Exclusive Discover Doha Tour: $34
  • Picture-Perfect Tour of the City Most Instagrammable Spots: $39
  • Moonlight on The Gulf A Doha Dhow Cruise Adventure: $39
  • Qatar: Magical Sunset & Skyline View With Traditional Dhow Cruise: $40
  • Private City Tour in Doha: $42
  • Doha City Tour to Souq Waqif, Katara, Doha Port & Pearl Island: $42
  • Doha Guided City Tour : $43
  • Doha City Tour: Guided Tour to Souq Waqif, Katara, Pearl Island : $45
  • Traditional Dhow Cruise With Sunset & Skyline View: $45
  • Private Doha Guided City Tour To All Main Attractions : $45

Tours and Activities in Busan (Pusan)

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Busan (Pusan) are as follows:

  • Busan Dynamic Maze Discount Ticket Foreigner Only: $12
  • Museum 1 Exhibition Ticket in Busan (내국인 불가): $12
  • Busan CLUBD OASIS Spa and Water Park Ticket: $15
  • Busan Yacht Tour with Music: $26
  • Japanese Occupation and Korean War Historical Tour in Busan: $29
  • Full-Day Tour Unmissable things to do in Busan: $38
  • Busan 9 Highlights Tour: $40
  • Eden Valley Ski and Snowboard Tour from Busan : $41
  • Jinhae Cherry Blossom Day trip from Busan - A Spring Adventure!: $47
  • Naejangsan Fall Foliage Tour from Busan with Seoul Drop-off: $47
  • Authentic Busan Full-Day City Highlights Tour: $48
  • Busan Full-Day City Tour with Gamcheon Village, Sea Temple & more: $49

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Doha $15
    Busan (Pusan) $12


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Doha and Busan (Pusan), we can see that Doha is more expensive. And not only is Busan (Pusan) much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Doha is in Middle East and Busan (Pusan) is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Busan (Pusan) would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Busan (Pusan) and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Doha would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Doha than you might in Busan (Pusan).

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Doha Expensive? and Is Busan (Pusan) Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Doha or Busan (Pusan)?

Busan (Pusan) has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Doha. When comparing the sizes of Doha and Busan (Pusan), keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.