Which place is cheaper, Cairns or Busan (Pusan)?
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 Busan (Pusan) or Cairns?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Busan (Pusan) or Cairns, 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: Busan (Pusan) or Cairns?
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.
Cairns
Most travelers go to Cairns specifically to visit Great Barrier Reef. The city itself is surprisingly large and cosmopolitan with a population of approximately 140,000. The city's economy is almost exclusively based on tourism, although you will find some jobs centered around agriculture, or more specifically sugar cane, bananas, coffee, tea, wine, and some tropical fruits. The city itself is surrounded by rainforest and makes a great base for exploring Kuranda, with the Barron Gorge National Park and the Daintree offering a quieter tropical getaway than Cairns.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to South Korea, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Seoul, The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in Australia, and The Best Budget Tours to Australia.
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Busan (Pusan) Prices
South Korea PricesCairns Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBusan (Pusan) $104Cairns $116
The average daily cost (per person) in Busan (Pusan) is $104, while the average daily cost in Cairns is $116. 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 Busan (Pusan) and Cairns in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBusan (Pusan) $39Cairns $43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBusan (Pusan) $78Cairns $86
Compare Hotels in Busan (Pusan) and Cairns
Looking for a hotel in Busan (Pusan) or Cairns? 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: Busan (Pusan) Hotel Prices and Cairns Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Busan (Pusan) $20Cairns $12
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairns
Also for Cairns, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared Airport Transfer to/from City and Beaches: $15
- Cairns Airport: Shared Transfer: $15
- Airport Transfers between Cairns Airport and Cairns City: $15
- Cairns Airport Shared Transfer to Cairns: $15
- Shuttle Bus Transfer - Kuranda to Cairns City: $20
- Airport Transfers between Cairns Airport and Palm Cove: $25
- AIRPORT TRANSFER between Cairns Airport & Port Douglas (6am-5pm): $40
- Cairns airport to cairns city private Transfers ( one way ): $40
- CNS Airport to Cairns City Centre Private Transfer: $47
- Cairns Airport (CNS) to Cairns hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $52
- Cairns hotels to Cairns Airport(CNS) - Departure Private Transfer: $52
- Australian Armour & Artillery Museum with Transfers: $69
Is it cheaper to fly into Busan (Pusan) or Cairns?
Prices for flights to both Cairns and Busan (Pusan) 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 dayBusan (Pusan) $44Cairns $49
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairns
For Cairns, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Ancient Egypt Sunset Tour with optional 3 Course Dinner : $66
- Ancient Egypt Night Tour with optional 2 Course Dinner: $66
- Dinner Cruise Experience: $92
- Cairns Catamaran Harbour and Dinner Cruise: $93
- Night at the Aquarium Guided Tour & 2 Course Dinner: $96
- Aquarium Guided Twilight Tour with 3-Course Dinner: $118
- Ancient Egypt Sunset Tour with 3 Course Dinner: $124
- Ancient Egypt Night Tour with 2 Course Dinner: $124
- City Sights Tour with Evening Dinner Cruise: $171
- Small-Group Afternoon Cairns City Tour with Harbour Dinner Cruise: $174
- Paronella Park Rainforest Full-Day Tour with Dinner: $65,930
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Busan (Pusan) $20Cairns $37
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cairns
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Cairns's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Scuba Diving$36
Tours and Activities in Cairns
For Cairns, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Skip the Line: Cairns Museum Admission Ticket: $10
- Skip the Line: Cairns Museum Single Admission Ticket: $10
- Koalas and Creatures Entry Ticket: $13
- Kuranda Koala Gardens General Entry Ticket: $15
- Kuranda: Riverboat Tour: $20
- Kuranda Koala Gardens and Birdworld Admission Tickets: $26
- Hipster and Street Art Walking Tour: $29
- Tomb of the Pharaohs Entry Ticket: $32
- Cairns Tomb Of The Pharaohs General Admission Ticket: $32
- Cairns Pub & Club Tour: $34
- Cairns Koalas and Creatures Entry Ticket with Koala Photo: $37
- Cairns Aquarium General Admission Ticket: $38
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBusan (Pusan) $12Cairns $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Cairns
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cairns:
- Cairns Party Bus Pub Crawl Night Out Experience: $44
- From Atherton Tablelands Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $168
When comparing the travel costs between Busan (Pusan) and Cairns, we can see that Cairns 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. Even though Busan (Pusan) is in Asia and Cairns is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Busan (Pusan) Expensive? and Is Cairns Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Busan (Pusan) or Cairns?
Busan (Pusan) has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Cairns. When comparing the sizes of Busan (Pusan) and Cairns, 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.
When is the best time to visit Busan (Pusan) or Cairns?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Cairns is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Busan (Pusan) has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Busan (Pusan) or Cairns in the Summer?
Both Cairns and Busan (Pusan) during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Cairns for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Busan (Pusan) is cooler than Cairns. Typically, the summer temperatures in Busan (Pusan) in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Cairns averages at about 29°C (84°F)in January.
Cairns gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Busan (Pusan). Busan (Pusan) usually gets less rain in July than Cairnsin January. Busan (Pusan) gets 257 mm (10.1 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 429 mm (16.9 in) of rain this time of the year. November to March is the rainy season in Cairns.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryBusan (Pusan) 25°C (77°F)Cairns 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Busan (Pusan) or Cairns in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Busan (Pusan) and Cairns. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Cairns because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In October, Busan (Pusan) is generally cooler than Cairnsin April. Daily temperatures in Busan (Pusan) average around 18°C (65°F), and Cairns fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
Cairns receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Busan (Pusan) usually receives less rain than Cairnsin April. Busan (Pusan) gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 273 mm (10.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn. April to October in Cairns is the dry season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilBusan (Pusan) 18°C (65°F)Cairns 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Busan (Pusan) or Cairns in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Busan (Pusan) as well as Cairns. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Cairns this time of year.
The weather in Busan (Pusan) can be very cold. Busan (Pusan) is much colder than Cairns in the winter. The daily temperature in Busan (Pusan) averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Cairns fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in July.
Busan (Pusan) usually gets less rain in January than Cairnsin July. Busan (Pusan) gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyBusan (Pusan) 3°C (38°F)Cairns 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Busan (Pusan) or Cairns in the Spring?
Both Cairns and Busan (Pusan) are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Cairns for the beaches.
In the spring, Busan (Pusan) is much colder than Cairns. Typically, the spring temperatures in Busan (Pusan) in April average around 14°C (57°F), and Cairns averages at about 27°C (80°F)in October.
It's quite rainy in Busan (Pusan). In April, Busan (Pusan) usually receives more rain than Cairnsin October. Busan (Pusan) gets 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Cairns is April to October. The rainy season in Cairns is November to March.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberBusan (Pusan) 14°C (57°F)Cairns 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Cairns and Busan (Pusan)
| Busan (Pusan) | Cairns | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 429 mm (16.9 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (40°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 469 mm (18.5 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 471 mm (18.5 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (57°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 273 mm (10.8 in) |
| May | 18°C (65°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 62 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 257 mm (10.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (80°F) | 204 mm (8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (65°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Dec | 6°C (43°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 211 mm (8.3 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.