Which place is cheaper, Katoomba or Busan (Pusan)?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Busan (Pusan) or Katoomba?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Busan (Pusan) or Katoomba, 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 Katoomba?
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.
Katoomba
Designated an UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000, the Blue Mountains are located just west of Sydney in the highlands of New South Wales, Australia.
This area can be generally expensive, but is on par with other destinations in Australia and around Sydney. Plenty of luxury places can be found here that cost more than average, but plenty of cheaper places to stay can be found here, too. Expect to pay for various activities such as tours and entrance fees, too.
The landscape is sprawling with majestic scenery over a rugged terrain of steep cliffs, forests, waterfalls, and villages. Whether you come to hike, climb, bike, or drive to the scenic viewpoints, a curtain of tranquility falls upon the mountains in a blue haze from which they get their name.
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Australia, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBusan (Pusan) $86Katoomba $134
The average daily cost (per person) in Busan (Pusan) is $86, while the average daily cost in Katoomba is $134. 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 Katoomba in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBusan (Pusan) $39Katoomba $77
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBusan (Pusan) $78Katoomba $154
Compare Hotels in Busan (Pusan) and Katoomba
Looking for a hotel in Busan (Pusan) or Katoomba? 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 Katoomba Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Busan (Pusan) $20Katoomba $50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Busan (Pusan)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Busan (Pusan):
- Private Transfer from Busan Gimhae Int Airport(PUS) to Busan Port: $79
- Private Transfer from Busan hotels to Busan Cruise Port: $84
- Private Transfer from Busan Cruise Port to Busan Hotels: $84
- Busan Gimhae Int Airport(PUS) to Busan - Arrival Private Transfer: $119
- Busan to Busan Gimhae Airport (PUS) - Departure Private Transfer: $119
- Busan Airport to Busan Hotels Round-Trip Private Transfer: $120
Is it cheaper to fly into Busan (Pusan) or Katoomba?
Prices for flights to both Katoomba 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) $26Katoomba $17
Typical Food Prices in Busan (Pusan)
Some typical examples of dining costs in Busan (Pusan) are as follows:
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McDonald's$4.48
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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: $49
- Korean cooking class in Haeundae, Busan : $95
- Busan Seafood Tour & Dinner with Busan Oppa: $105
- Kkakdugi(Korean radish Kimchi) Cooking class at Busan : $110
- Enjoy tailored Korean cooking class with Ocean view at Busan: $110
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Busan (Pusan) $20Katoomba $53
Tours and Activities in Busan (Pusan)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Busan (Pusan) are as follows:
- Busan Running Man Themed Activity Experience Ticket (내국인불가): $8.00
- Fun & Informative Busan in Korea Virtual Tour : $12
- Museum 1 Exhibition Ticket in Busan (내국인 불가): $13
- The Way of Tea - Experience: $38
- Full-Day Tour Unmissable things to do in Busan: $41
- Full-Day Busan City Tour: $51
- Full day Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Tour from Busan: $60
- Romantic Jinhae Cherry Blossom Night Tour - Depart from Busan: $65
- Tour to Busan Highlights Hydrangea, Songdo and Gamcheon : $67
- Old Korea Thousand History Tour of Gyeongju from Busan: $67
- West Busan Small Group Photo Tour (Max 7): $68
- Busan Night Small Group Photo Tour (Max 7): $68
Tours and Activities in Katoomba
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Katoomba are as follows:
- Blue Mountains Hop On Hop Off Tour: $32
- Blue Mountains BarNSW Local Produce Tasting Experience: $37
- Blue Mountains 90 Minute Army Truck Adventures: $65
- Army Truck Adventures - 90 Minute Guided Tour: $66
- Half-Day Abseiling Adventure in Blue Mountains National Park: $83
- Blue Mountains 3 Hour Army Truck Adventures: $97
- Army Truck Adventures - 3 Hour Guided Tour: $98
- Blue Mountains 1-Hour Trike Tour of Three Sisters: $107
- Small-Group Blue Mountains Tour with Bush Walks and Featherdale Wildlife Park: $116
- 4Hrs at Wolgan Valley Birdwatching Experience: $129
- Truffle Hunt and Taste Experience in Oberon, NSW Australia: $146
- Private Blue Mountains Rainforest and Waterfalls SUV Tour: $165
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBusan (Pusan) $12Katoomba -
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 Katoomba, we can see that Katoomba 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 Katoomba 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 Katoomba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Katoomba 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 Katoomba Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Busan (Pusan) or Katoomba?
Busan (Pusan) has a larger population, and is about 200 times larger than the population of Katoomba. When comparing the sizes of Busan (Pusan) and Katoomba, 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 Katoomba?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Katoomba 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 Katoomba in the Summer?
Both Katoomba and Busan (Pusan) are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Katoomba in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Busan (Pusan) is generally around the same temperature as Katoombain January. Daily temperatures in Busan (Pusan) average around 25°C (77°F), and Katoomba fluctuates around 24°C (74°F).
It's quite sunny in Katoomba. Busan (Pusan) usually receives less sunshine than Katoomba during summer. Busan (Pusan) gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Katoomba receives 236 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Katoomba. It's quite rainy in Busan (Pusan). In July, Busan (Pusan) usually receives more rain than Katoombain January. Busan (Pusan) gets 257 mm (10.1 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryBusan (Pusan) 25°C (77°F)Katoomba 24°C (74°F)
Should I visit Busan (Pusan) or Katoomba in the Autumn?
Both Katoomba and Busan (Pusan) during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Katoomba for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Busan (Pusan) is around the same temperature as Katoomba in the autumn. The daily temperature in Busan (Pusan) averages around 18°C (65°F) in October, and Katoomba fluctuates around 18°C (65°F)in April.
It's quite sunny in Busan (Pusan). In the autumn, Busan (Pusan) often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Katoombain April. Busan (Pusan) gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Katoomba receives 195 hours of full sun.
Busan (Pusan) usually gets less rain in October than Katoombain April. Busan (Pusan) gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilBusan (Pusan) 18°C (65°F)Katoomba 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Busan (Pusan) or Katoomba in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Busan (Pusan) and Katoomba. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Katoomba because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Busan (Pusan) can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Busan (Pusan) is much colder than Katoomba. Typically, the winter temperatures in Busan (Pusan) in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Katoomba averages at about 11°C (51°F)in July.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Katoomba this time of the year. In Busan (Pusan), it's very sunny this time of the year. Busan (Pusan) usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Katoomba during winter. Busan (Pusan) gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Katoomba receives 208 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Busan (Pusan) usually receives around the same amount of rain as Katoombain July. Busan (Pusan) gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyBusan (Pusan) 3°C (38°F)Katoomba 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Busan (Pusan) or Katoomba in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Busan (Pusan) as well as Katoomba. Additionally, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Katoomba this time of year.
In April, Busan (Pusan) is generally cooler than Katoombain October. Daily temperatures in Busan (Pusan) average around 14°C (57°F), and Katoomba fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Katoomba. In the spring, Busan (Pusan) often gets less sunshine than Katoombain October. Busan (Pusan) gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Katoomba receives 240 hours of full sun.
Busan (Pusan) receives a lot of rain in the spring. Busan (Pusan) usually gets more rain in April than Katoombain October. Busan (Pusan) gets 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberBusan (Pusan) 14°C (57°F)Katoomba 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Katoomba and Busan (Pusan)
| Busan (Pusan) | Katoomba | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (40°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (57°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 18°C (65°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 257 mm (10.1 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (80°F) | 204 mm (8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 42 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (65°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Dec | 6°C (43°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 70 mm (2.8 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.