Which place is cheaper, Busan (Pusan) or Koh Chang?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Koh Chang or Busan (Pusan)?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Chang or Busan (Pusan), this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Koh Chang or Busan (Pusan)?
Koh Chang
Most people pick Thailand for their destination because they're anxious to collapse on a breathtaking beach. If that is you, Ko Chang does not disappoint. As one the country's most beautiful islands, Ko Chang is full of white beaches and incredible wildlife. Beware, though, you're not the only one with Ko Chang in mind. During the high season, the island can become quite crowded with tourists.
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 Adventure Tours to Thailand, The Best Eco Tours in Thailand, The Best Tours for Seniors to South Korea, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Seoul.
-
Koh Chang Prices
Thailand PricesBusan (Pusan) Prices
South Korea Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Chang $70Busan (Pusan) $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Chang is $70, 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 Koh Chang and Busan (Pusan) in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Chang $28Busan (Pusan) $39
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Chang $56Busan (Pusan) $78
Compare Hotels in Koh Chang and Busan (Pusan)
Looking for a hotel in Koh Chang 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.
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: Koh Chang Hotel Prices and Busan (Pusan) Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Chang $15Busan (Pusan) $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Chang
Also for Koh Chang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Trat Airport: Shared Transfers to/from Koh Chang with Ferry: $30
- Koh Chang to BKK or DMK Airport Private Transfers : $161
- Private Transfer from Trat to Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Airport: $229
- Private Transfer from Trat to Don Mueang (DMK) Airport: $236
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Busan (Pusan)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Busan (Pusan):
- Private Transfer from Busan Port to Busan Gimhae Int Airport(PUS): $66
- Private Transfer from Busan Int Airport(PUS) to Busan Cruise Port: $66
- Private Transfer from Busan Gimhae Int Airport(PUS) to Busan Port: $66
- Private Transfer from Busan Cruise Port to Busan Int Airport(PUS): $66
- Private Transfer from Busan Cruise Port to Busan Hotels: $66
- Private Transfer Gaimhae Airport to Busan City: $85
- Busan Gimhae Airport (PUS) to Busan - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $137
- Busan Airport to Busan Hotels Round-Trip Private Transfer: $125
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Chang or Busan (Pusan)?
Prices for flights to both Busan (Pusan) and Koh Chang 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 dayKoh Chang $33Busan (Pusan) $44
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.Koh Chang $6.28Busan (Pusan) $20
Tours and Activities in Koh Chang
For Koh Chang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Kayak Experience in Bang Bao Bay with Lunch: $25
- Snorkeling Adventure at Koh Chang – Departing from Koh Chang: $32
- PADI Discover Scuba Dive Experience: $175
Tours and Activities in Busan (Pusan)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Busan (Pusan) are as follows:
- "Walking Tour: Busan Foodie Experience + Live Like a Local": $73
- 1-DAY Busan and INCLUDED night tour: $220
- A well-rounded small group Busan tour with a certified guide: $58
- Authentic Busan Full-Day City Highlights Tour: $48
- Busan 4hr Private Walking Tour with Certified Guide: $228
- Busan 9 Highlights Tour: $40
- Busan CLUBD OASIS Spa and Water Park Ticket: $15
- Busan City Tour - Haedong Yonggung Temple And Shopping in Lotte Premium Outlet: $289
- Busan City Tour Including Gamcheon Culture village and Haedong Yonggungsa Temple: $282
- Busan City Tour Including Haedong Yonggungsa Temple And APEC House: $290
- Busan Comfortable Private Tour For 4hours: $196
- Busan Comfortable Private Tour For 8hours: $251
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Chang $5.38Busan (Pusan) $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Chang and Busan (Pusan), we can see that Busan (Pusan) is more expensive. And not only is Koh Chang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koh Chang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Chang 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 Busan (Pusan) would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Busan (Pusan) than you might in Koh Chang.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Koh Chang Expensive? and Is Busan (Pusan) Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Koh Chang or Busan (Pusan)?
Busan (Pusan) has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Koh Chang experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Koh Chang or Busan (Pusan) in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Koh Chang as well as Busan (Pusan). Koh Chang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Koh Chang is around the same temperature as Busan (Pusan). Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Chang in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Busan (Pusan) averages at about 25°C (77°F).
In the summer, Koh Chang often gets less sunshine than Busan (Pusan). Koh Chang gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Busan (Pusan) receives 166 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Busan (Pusan). Koh Chang receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Chang usually gets more rain in July than Busan (Pusan). Koh Chang gets 440 mm (17.3 in) of rain, while Busan (Pusan) receives 257 mm (10.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Chang 28°C (82°F)Busan (Pusan) 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Koh Chang or Busan (Pusan) in the Autumn?
Both Busan (Pusan) and Koh Chang are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Chang throughout the year.
In October, Koh Chang is generally much warmer than Busan (Pusan). Daily temperatures in Koh Chang average around 27°C (81°F), and Busan (Pusan) fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).
It's quite sunny in Busan (Pusan). Koh Chang usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Busan (Pusan) during autumn. Koh Chang gets 193 hours of sunny skies, while Busan (Pusan) receives 202 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Koh Chang. In October, Koh Chang usually receives more rain than Busan (Pusan). Koh Chang gets 280 mm (11 in) of rain, while Busan (Pusan) receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Koh Chang is November to February. The rainy season in Koh Chang is June to October.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Chang 27°C (81°F)Busan (Pusan) 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Koh Chang or Busan (Pusan) in the Winter?
Both Busan (Pusan) and Koh Chang during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Chang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Busan (Pusan) can get quite cold in the winter. Koh Chang is much warmer than Busan (Pusan) in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Chang averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Busan (Pusan) fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
In Busan (Pusan), it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Koh Chang. In the winter, Koh Chang often gets more sunshine than Busan (Pusan). Koh Chang gets 282 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Busan (Pusan) receives 200 hours of full sun.
Koh Chang usually gets less rain in January than Busan (Pusan). Koh Chang gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Busan (Pusan) receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year. November to February is the dry season in Koh Chang.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Chang 26°C (79°F)Busan (Pusan) 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Koh Chang or Busan (Pusan) in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Chang and Busan (Pusan). Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Chang year-round.
In the spring, Koh Chang is much warmer than Busan (Pusan). Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Chang in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Busan (Pusan) averages at about 14°C (57°F).
In Koh Chang, it's very sunny this time of the year. Koh Chang usually receives more sunshine than Busan (Pusan) during spring. Koh Chang gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Busan (Pusan) receives 196 hours of full sun in the spring.
Busan (Pusan) receives a lot of rain in the spring. Koh Chang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Koh Chang usually receives less rain than Busan (Pusan). Koh Chang gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Busan (Pusan) receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the spring. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Koh Chang.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Chang 29°C (84°F)Busan (Pusan) 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Busan (Pusan) and Koh Chang
| Koh Chang | Busan (Pusan) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 356 mm (14 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 513 mm (20.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 440 mm (17.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 257 mm (10.1 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 514 mm (20.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 204 mm (8 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 476 mm (18.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 280 mm (11 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.