Which place is cheaper, Kaikoura or Busan (Pusan)?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Busan (Pusan) or Kaikoura?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Busan (Pusan) or Kaikoura, 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 Kaikoura?
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.
Kaikoura
Kaikoura is a town on the east coast of the South Island, situated between Christchurch and Belnheim. It has a permanent resident population of 1,971. The Seaward Kaikoura Mountains that surround this town collide with the Pacific Ocean, and the continental shelf edge is just offshore. The ocean in Kaikoura is very rich in marine life, especially seals and whales.
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 Budget Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to New Zealand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBusan (Pusan) $91Kaikoura $144
The average daily cost (per person) in Busan (Pusan) is $91, while the average daily cost in Kaikoura is $144. 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 Kaikoura in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBusan (Pusan) $41Kaikoura $51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBusan (Pusan) $82Kaikoura $102
Compare Hotels in Busan (Pusan) and Kaikoura
Looking for a hotel in Busan (Pusan) or Kaikoura? 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 Kaikoura Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Busan (Pusan) $21Kaikoura $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Busan (Pusan)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Busan (Pusan):
- Private Transfer from Busan Int Airport(PUS) to Busan Cruise Port: $74
- Private Transfer from Busan Cruise Port to Busan city hotels: $80
- Private Transfer from Busan City Hotels to Busan Cruise Port: $80
- Private Transfer from Busan Port to Busan Gimhae Int Airport(PUS): $82
- Private Transfer Gaimhae Airport to Busan City: $85
- Private Transfer from Busan hotels to Busan Cruise Port: $88
- Busan Airport (PUS) to Busan Hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $124
- Busan Gimhae Int Airport(PUS) to Busan - Arrival Private Transfer: $124
- Busan hotels to Busan Airport (PUS) - Departure Private Transfer: $124
- Busan Airport to Busan Hotels Round-Trip Private Transfer: $248
Is it cheaper to fly into Busan (Pusan) or Kaikoura?
Prices for flights to both Kaikoura 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) $27Kaikoura $40
Typical Food Prices in Busan (Pusan)
Some typical examples of dining costs in Busan (Pusan) are as follows:
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McDonald's$4.72
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Carp Bread$0.76
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Busan (Pusan)
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Busan (Pusan).
- Busan Jagalchi market Seafood Tour & Dinner : $50
- Busan history and market food tour with local chef: $51
- Busan Tailored Korean cooking class (Vegan OK)with market tour: $65
- Korean cooking class in Haeundae, Busan : $95
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Busan (Pusan) $21Kaikoura $162
Tours and Activities in Busan (Pusan)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Busan (Pusan) are as follows:
- Haeundae Busan Walking Day Tour: $25
- The Way of Tea - Experience: $40
- Eden Valley Winter Ski Resort Day Tour from Busan+SPA LAND option: $41
- A well-rounded small group Busan tour with a certified guide: $46
- Busan: Jagalchi Market & Gamcheon Village Walking Tour With Guide: $51
- Full-Day Busan City Tour: $52
- Full-Day Tour Unmissable things to do in Busan: $56
- Historic and Natural Beauty- Gyeongju Autumn Foliage Day Tour: $62
- Jinhae Gunhangje Night Tour : $62
- Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival with Gamcheon Culture Village Tour: $63
- Ulsan Taehwa River National Garden Autumn Foliage One Day Tour: $64
- Gyeongju UNESCO World Heritage Guided Day Tour From Busan: $65
Tours and Activities in Kaikoura
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kaikoura are as follows:
- Seal-Watching Pedal Kayak Tour: $86
- Seal Kayak Kaikoura Sunset tour: $86
- Llama Trek (Taster) - Kowhai River Valley and Native Woodland Tour: $87
- Sunset Kayak tour in Kaikoura: $88
- Private Seal Kayaking and Wildlife Tour in Kaikoura: $88
- Seal Kayaking Adventure in Kaikoura: $88
- Guided Family Kayaking Adventure: $95
- Half-Day Wildlife Kayaking Tour: $95
- Wildlife Kayaking Tour at Sunset: $95
- Sunset Evening Kayaking Tour - Kaikoura: $98
- Wildlife Sea Kayaking Tour - Kaikoura: $98
- KaikÅura: Zipline and Native Forest Adventure Trip: $101
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBusan (Pusan) $12Kaikoura -
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: $20
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Busan (Pusan) and Kaikoura, we can see that Kaikoura is more expensive. And not only is Busan (Pusan) much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Busan (Pusan) is in Asia and Kaikoura is in Pacific, 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 Kaikoura would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kaikoura 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 Busan (Pusan) Expensive? and Is Kaikoura Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Busan (Pusan) or Kaikoura?
Busan (Pusan) has a larger population, and is about 5370 times larger than the population of Kaikoura. When comparing the sizes of Busan (Pusan) and Kaikoura, 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.
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.