Which place is cheaper, Paihia or Busan (Pusan)?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Busan (Pusan) or Paihia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Busan (Pusan) or Paihia, 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 Paihia?
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.
Paihia
Paihia is a town on the North Island of New Zealand in the Bay of Islands region. It is about a three hours north of Auckland by car. For those visiting the Bay of Islands, it is the main town in the area and is located near the town of Russell and Kerikeri. There is a wharf in town where most ships depart from if you are planning on going out to explore the Bay of Islands. Paihia is a very small town with a population of about 1800 people. There is a fair climate all year round with temperatures ranging from sixty to seventy degrees Fahrenheit.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to South Korea, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Seoul, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBusan (Pusan) $91Paihia $85
The average daily cost (per person) in Busan (Pusan) is $91, while the average daily cost in Paihia is $85. 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 Paihia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBusan (Pusan) $41Paihia $36
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBusan (Pusan) $82Paihia $72
Compare Hotels in Busan (Pusan) and Paihia
Looking for a hotel in Busan (Pusan) or Paihia? 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 Paihia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Busan (Pusan) $21Paihia $13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Busan (Pusan)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Busan (Pusan):
- Private Transfer from Busan hotels to Busan Cruise Port: $86
- Private Transfer from Busan Port to Busan Gimhae Int Airport(PUS): $81
- Private Transfer from Busan Gimhae Int Airport(PUS) to Busan Port: $81
- Private Transfer from Busan Cruise Port to Busan city hotels: $78
- Private Transfer from Busan Cruise Port to Busan Hotels: $86
- Private Transfer from Busan City Hotels to Busan Cruise Port: $78
- Private Transfer Gaimhae Airport to Busan City: $85
- Busan hotels to Busan Airport (PUS) - Departure Private Transfer: $122
- Busan Gimhae Int Airport(PUS) to Busan - Arrival Private Transfer: $122
- Busan Airport (PUS) to Busan Hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $122
Is it cheaper to fly into Busan (Pusan) or Paihia?
Prices for flights to both Paihia 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) $27Paihia $29
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 history and market food tour with local chef: $50
- Busan Jagalchi market Seafood Tour & Dinner : $50
- Busan Tailored Korean cooking class (Vegan OK)with market tour: $65
- Korean cooking class in Haeundae, Busan : $95
- Busan Local Food Cooking Class with Market Tour: $116
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Busan (Pusan) $21Paihia $37
Tours and Activities in Busan (Pusan)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Busan (Pusan) are as follows:
- Full Day Private Guided Tour in Hidden Spot, Daegu: $180
- 1 Day Private Busan Guided Tour: $300
- A well-rounded small group Busan tour with a certified guide: $46
- Busan City Tour Including Gamcheon Culture village and Haedong Yonggungsa Temple: $282
- Busan Hidden Gems Private Tour with a Certified Guide: $89
- Busan Market Tour after dialect class or Samgwangsa temple: $100
- Busan Night Small Group Photo Tour (Max 7): $68
- Busan Night Tour Including a Cruise w/ Fireworks: $110
- Busan Night Tour includes Snapshots: $57
- Busan Pick up & Drop off (Anywhere) or Night View Tour: $65
- Busan Private Tour with Korean Speaking Driver : $259
- Busan Private Tour with a licensed tour guide: $220
Tours and Activities in Paihia
For Paihia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Bay of Islands 2-Hour Sundowner Evening Sailing Cruise: $49
- Sundowner Evening Cruise - 2 hour evening sailing cruise with swim stop: $51
- Bay of Islands 30-minute Adventure Jet Boat Trip: $55
- Bay of Islands Trike Tour Experience: $55
- Bay of Islands: Late Afternoon Sailing Cruise: $61
- Bay of islands Waterfall Cruise Kayaking Tour: $62
- Thriller Tour - Bay of Islands, 30 mins (min 2): $63
- Scenic Tour - Bay of Islands, 30 mins (min2): $63
- Bay of Islands Scenic Tour : $69
- Glass Bottom Boat Tour to the Hole in the Rock: $71
- Parasailing Adventure Over the Bay of Islands: $73
- Hole in the Rock Fast Boat Ocean Adventure: $74
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBusan (Pusan) $12Paihia $24
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Paihia
Also in Paihia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Bay of Islands Wine Tour with Lunch: $118
When comparing the travel costs between Busan (Pusan) and Paihia, 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. Even though Busan (Pusan) is in Asia and Paihia 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 Paihia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Busan (Pusan) or Paihia?
Busan (Pusan) has a larger population, and is about 1890 times larger than the population of Paihia. When comparing the sizes of Busan (Pusan) and Paihia, 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.