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

Should you visit Bagan or Busan (Pusan)?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Bagan and Busan (Pusan) can help you decide which place is right for you.

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

Bagan

Located in central Myanmar (formerly Burma), Bagan is an ancient city best known as the home to the largest and densest concentration of Buddhist temples, pagodas, stupas, and ruins in the world with many dating from the 11th and 12th centuries.

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 Bagan?

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 Bagan is $34, while the average daily cost in Busan (Pusan) is $95. 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 Bagan and Busan (Pusan) in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bagan $7.36
    Busan (Pusan) $36
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bagan $15
    Busan (Pusan) $72
Compare Hotels in Bagan and Busan (Pusan)

Looking for a hotel in Bagan 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 Bagan


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: Busan (Pusan) Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bagan $3.57
    Busan (Pusan) $18

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bagan

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bagan:

  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Bagan Nyaung-U Airport (NYU): $14
  • From Bagan City To Mandalay Private Transfer: $180

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Busan (Pusan)

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

  • Busan Airport and KTX Station Transfer Service: $79
  • Busan Airport to Busan Hotels Round-Trip Private Transfer: $121
  • Busan Gimhae Airport (PUS) to Busan - Arrival Private Transfer: $66
  • Busan Private Transfer: Airport & KTX Stn. to/from Hotel in Busan: $79
  • Private Transfer From Busan to Incheon or Seoul or GyeongJu city: $100
  • Private Transfer Gaimhae Airport to Busan City: $85
  • Private Transfer from Busan City Hotels to Busan Cruise Port: $64
  • Private Transfer from Busan Cruise Port to Busan Hotels: $64
  • Private Transfer from Busan Cruise Port to Busan Int Airport(PUS): $64
  • Private Transfer from Busan Cruise Port to Busan city hotels: $64
  • Private Transfer from Busan Gimhae Int Airport(PUS) to Busan Port: $64
  • Private Transfer from Busan hotels to Busan Cruise Port: $64

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

Prices for flights to both Busan (Pusan) and Bagan 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
    Bagan $10
    Busan (Pusan) $40

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bagan

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

  • Romantic Sunset Dinner At Bagan Viewing Tower: $91

Typical Food Prices in Busan (Pusan)

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


  • McDonald's
    $4.05
  • Carp Bread
    $0.66

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Busan (Pusan)

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

  • Kimchi Kitchens Busan Food Tour with 10+ Tastings: $88
  • Busan Local Food Cooking Class with Market Tour: $103
  • Korean cooking class in Haeundae, Busan: $104
  • Busan Tailored Korean cooking class (Vegan OK)with market tour: $120

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bagan $57
    Busan (Pusan) $18

Tours and Activities in Bagan

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

  • Day Cruise Bagan to Mandalay: $31
  • Old Bagan Sightseeing Tour: $43
  • Old Bagan Biking Tour - Half Day (Guide included): $45
  • Private Bagan Cultural Tour: $46
  • Best Bagan One Day Tour With Tour Guide: $48
  • Private Day Tour to Mt Popa: $48
  • Visiting Mount Popa from Bagan - Private Tour: $48
  • Full Day tour In Bagan UNESCO World Heritage: $50
  • BAGAN TEMPLES FULL DAY GUIDED BY ELECTRIC BIKE ( Private Tour ): $64
  • Tuk Tuk tour to Mt. Popa: $67
  • Full day Adventure Trip in Bagan with Tuk Tuk: $72
  • Excellent Private Guided Tour Around Bagan With Lunch: $88

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 Running Man Themed Activity Experience Ticket (내국인불가): $12
  • Busan Vaunce Trampoline Yongho W Center Discount Ticket(내국인불가): $21
  • Night View Experience in Busan in Small Group Tour: $25
  • South Korea: Skyline Luge Busan Entry Ticket: $30
  • Authentic Busan Full-Day City Highlights Tour: $31
  • Korean Serenity Incense Tea and Meditation Experience: $33
  • Busan Tour: Sky Capsule, Gamcheon, Haeundae Blueline Park & more: $38
  • Gyeongju UNESCO World Heritage Guided Day Tour from Busan: $39
  • Busan 9 Highlights Tour: $40
  • Busan to Gyeongju UNESCO Legacy Tour: $40

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bagan -
    Busan (Pusan) $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Busan (Pusan)

Also in Busan (Pusan), these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Busan Pub Crawl with Traditional Korean Pub Experience: $22


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bagan and Busan (Pusan), we can see that Busan (Pusan) is more expensive. And not only is Bagan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bagan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bagan 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 Bagan.

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


Which is Bigger, Bagan or Busan (Pusan)?

Busan (Pusan) has a larger population, and is about 12260 times larger than the population of Bagan. When comparing the sizes of Bagan 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.