Which place is cheaper, Busan (Pusan) or Pai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Pai or Busan (Pusan)?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Pai and Busan (Pusan). We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Pai or Busan (Pusan)?
Pai
As the lush green mountains adorn the blue horizon amidst its creamy clouds, Pai, in northern Thailand, works as one of the many hubs for some of the world's most exciting cultural adventures and natural wonders. Within this small town just north of the Mae Hong Son Province, near the Myanmar border, Pai lays on the Pai River and holds a population of no more than 2,500. Despite its geographical insignificance, this town attracts a wide array of tourists. From breathtaking waterfalls to relaxing hot springs, you will find yourself astonished at how much this little city holds within its borders.
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 G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best Tours for Seniors to South Korea, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Seoul.
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Pai Prices
Thailand PricesBusan (Pusan) Prices
South Korea Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPai $91Busan (Pusan) $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Pai is $91, 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 Pai and Busan (Pusan) in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPai $16Busan (Pusan) $39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPai $32Busan (Pusan) $78
Compare Hotels in Pai and Busan (Pusan)
Looking for a hotel in Pai 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: Pai Hotel Prices and Busan (Pusan) Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pai $42Busan (Pusan) $20
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 Pai or Busan (Pusan)?
Prices for flights to both Busan (Pusan) and Pai 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
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Food Meals for one dayPai $42Busan (Pusan) $44
Typical Food Prices in Busan (Pusan)
Some typical examples of dining costs in Busan (Pusan) are as follows:
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McDonald's$4.43
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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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pai $46Busan (Pusan) $20
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPai $15Busan (Pusan) $12
When comparing the travel costs between Pai and Busan (Pusan), we can see that Busan (Pusan) is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pai Expensive? and Is Busan (Pusan) Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Pai or Busan (Pusan)?
Busan (Pusan) has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Pai experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Pai or Busan (Pusan) in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Pai as well as Busan (Pusan). Pai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Pai is a little warmer than Busan (Pusan). Typically, the summer temperatures in Pai in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Busan (Pusan) averages at about 25°C (77°F).
In the summer, Pai often gets less sunshine than Busan (Pusan). Pai gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Busan (Pusan) receives 166 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Busan (Pusan). Pai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Pai usually gets less rain in July than Busan (Pusan). Pai gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Busan (Pusan) receives 257 mm (10.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPai 29°C (85°F)Busan (Pusan) 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Pai or Busan (Pusan) in the Autumn?
Both Busan (Pusan) and Pai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pai throughout the year.
In October, Pai is generally much warmer than Busan (Pusan). Daily temperatures in Pai average around 29°C (84°F), and Busan (Pusan) fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).
It's quite sunny in Busan (Pusan). The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pai. Pai usually receives more sunshine than Busan (Pusan) during autumn. Pai gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Busan (Pusan) receives 202 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Pai. In October, Pai usually receives more rain than Busan (Pusan). Pai gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Busan (Pusan) receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPai 29°C (84°F)Busan (Pusan) 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Pai or Busan (Pusan) in the Winter?
Both Busan (Pusan) and Pai during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Pai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite cold in Busan (Pusan) in the winter. Pai is much warmer than Busan (Pusan) in the winter. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 24°C (74°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 Pai. In the winter, Pai often gets more sunshine than Busan (Pusan). Pai gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Busan (Pusan) receives 200 hours of full sun.
Pai usually gets less rain in January than Busan (Pusan). Pai gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Busan (Pusan) receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPai 24°C (74°F)Busan (Pusan) 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Pai or Busan (Pusan) in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Pai and Busan (Pusan). Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pai year-round.
The heat can be very extreme in Pai. In the spring, Pai is much warmer than Busan (Pusan). Typically, the spring temperatures in Pai in April average around 32°C (89°F), and Busan (Pusan) averages at about 14°C (57°F).
In Pai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pai usually receives more sunshine than Busan (Pusan) during spring. Pai gets 275 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. In April, Pai usually receives less rain than Busan (Pusan). Pai gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Busan (Pusan) receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPai 32°C (89°F)Busan (Pusan) 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Busan (Pusan) and Pai
| Pai | Busan (Pusan) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Apr | 32°C (89°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 257 mm (10.1 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 256 mm (10.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 204 mm (8 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°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.