Which place is cheaper, Quito 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.
Jump to 
Should you visit Busan (Pusan) or Quito?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Busan (Pusan) or Quito, 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 Quito?
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.
Quito
Nestled between two mountain ranges lies the world's highest capital city, Quito, Ecuador. For history lovers, Quito is a very desirable destination as it's home to the Quito Historic Center – one of the largest and best-preserved historic centers in the Americas.
Even though Quito is full of people – in fact, it's the second most populous city in the country – very few of its inhabitants speak English. Luckily, however, the citizens of Quito tend to speak a slower and more clear Spanish than surrounding areas. This is the perfect place to practice what you read in your Intro to Spanish book.
Before visiting Quito, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, give yourself a few days to grow accustomed to the elevation. Staying 9,350 feet above sea level takes some getting used to. Second, don't be fooled into thinking that just because you're visiting a town on the equator that you'll need all your summer clothes. Because of the city's elevation, the area keeps a relatively cool climate year round.
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 Adventure Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador.
-
Busan (Pusan) Prices
South Korea PricesQuito Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBusan (Pusan) $108Quito $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Busan (Pusan) is $108, while the average daily cost in Quito is $66. 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 Quito in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBusan (Pusan) $40Quito $22
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBusan (Pusan) $80Quito $44
Compare Hotels in Busan (Pusan) and Quito
Looking for a hotel in Busan (Pusan) or Quito? 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 Quito Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Busan (Pusan) $21Quito $6.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Busan (Pusan)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Busan (Pusan):
- Busan Airport (PUS) to Busan Hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $59
- Busan Airport to Busan Hotels Round-Trip Private Transfer: $119
- Busan Gimhae Airport (PUS) to Busan - Arrival Private Transfer: $65
- Busan Private Transfer: Airport & KTX Stn. to/from Hotel in Busan: $79
- Busan hotels to Busan Airport (PUS) - Departure Private Transfer: $59
- Busan to Busan Gimhae Airport (PUS) - Departure Private Transfer: $65
- Private Airport, Train Station & Hotel Transfer Service in Busan: $80
- Private Transfer From Busan to Incheon or Seoul or GyeongJu city: $100
- Private Transfer Gaimhae Airport to Busan City: $85
- Private Transfer from Busan Cruise Port to Busan Hotels: $63
- Private Transfer from Busan Cruise Port to Busan Int Airport(PUS): $63
- Private Transfer from Busan Cruise Port to Busan city hotels: $63
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Quito
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Quito:
-
Taxi from Bus Terminal to Hotel$10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Quito
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Quito:
- Private Departure Transfer from Quito to the Airport - One Way: $20
- Quito hotels to Mariscal Sucre Quito Airport (UIO) - Departure Private Transfer: $21
- Private Transfer from or to Quito Airport (one way): $21
- Transfer from or to UIO Airport to any Hotel in Quito: $25
- Quito Airport ↔ Quito Hotels Private Transfer Service: $27
- Quito PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotels: $28
- Quito PRIVATE Departure Transfer from Hotels to the Airport: $28
- Quito PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotels: $28
- Custom Transfers Across Ecuador (quote required): $30
- Transfer Out from Quito to the Airport: $30
- Private Transfer from the Airport to the city: $32
- Transfers To and From the Airport in Quito Ecuador: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Busan (Pusan) or Quito?
Prices for flights to both Quito 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
-
Food Meals for one dayBusan (Pusan) $46Quito $34
Typical Food Prices in Busan (Pusan)
Some typical examples of dining costs in Busan (Pusan) are as follows:
-
McDonald's$4.60
-
Carp Bread$0.74
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Busan (Pusan)
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Busan (Pusan).
- Busan Bites Food Tour with 10+ Tastings: $88
- Busan Seafood Tour : Jagalchi market Seafood Tour & Dinner: $110
- Korean cooking class in Haeundae, Busan: $110
- Busan Tailored Korean cooking class (Vegan OK)with market tour: $120
- Private Busan Culture and Food Tour with a Local Guide: $143
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Quito
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Quito.
- Ecuadorian Gastronomy Tasting and Cooking Class in Quito: $15
- 3 Hours Local Food Tour in Quito: $38
- Quito Eats Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $55
- Quito Kitchens Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $55
- From Cayambe Traditional Cooking Class with Transfers: $60
- The Delicious Side of Quito Food Tour: $70
- Food Tour in quaint old town with tastings and lunch: $71
- 3-hour Andean Cooking Class in Quito with a Local Host: $75
- Street Food Tour with Private Transport: $79
- Homemade Local Food Tour in Guayaquil: $80
- Hidden Gems Food Tour with Cacao Tasting and Culture: $87
- Cooking Class in Quito with Chef, Market Tour and Transportation: $88
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Busan (Pusan) $20Quito $16
Tours and Activities in Busan (Pusan)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Busan (Pusan) are as follows:
- Podcast Tour Survival and Sorrow in Wartime Busan: $6.85
- Busan Tower Admission Ticket: $9.49
- Busan Tower Ticket: $10
- Busan Running Man Themed Activity Experience Ticket (내국인불가): $12
- Busan Blueline Park Sky Capsule or Beach Train Ticket: $14
- Busan Job Experience Theme Park Ticket for Kid: $15
- Busan Sky Tower Admission Ticket: $20
- Busan Vaunce Trampoline Yongho W Center Discount Ticket(내국인불가): $21
- Busan Yacht Tour – Gwangan Bridge & Marine City Cruise: $23
- Night View Experience in Busan in Small Group Tour: $25
- Jinju Lantern Festival Sacheon Day Tour From Busan: $26
- Busan Skyline Luge E Ticket: $28
Typical Entertainment Prices in Quito
Here are a few typical costs in Quito for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Entrance to Guyasimine Museum for Two$8.00
Tours and Activities in Quito
Here are a few actual costs in Quito for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Quito Old Town Walking tour small groups Chocolate taste included: $5.00
- Quito Old Town tip based walking tour small groups Cacao Taste: $5.00
- Old Town Basilica of National Vow Towers/ Exclusive Night tour!: $5.00
- Quito Audio Guided Walking Tour 2h10 and 19 audio reviews: $6.75
- Night Tour in Quito with free time at Old Town: $15
- 2.5-Hour City Bus Tour: $15
- Discover the heart of the Historic Center - Walking tour: $25
- Instagram walking tour in Quito's Historic Center: $26
- Quito's Cultural Tour & Indigenous Perspectives of Old Town: $27
- Quito Old Town Tour: History, Market Visit & Ice Cream Tasting: $29
- Old Town Walking Tour with Basilica Church Visit: $30
- Gastronomic and Cultural Walking Tour of Quito with Tastings: $30
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayBusan (Pusan) $12Quito $17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Quito
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Quito from other travelers:
-
Beers for Two$9.00
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Busan (Pusan) and Quito, we can see that Busan (Pusan) is more expensive. And not only is Quito much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Busan (Pusan) is in Asia and Quito is in South America, 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 Quito would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Quito 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 Quito.
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 Quito Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Busan (Pusan) or Quito?
Busan (Pusan) has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Quito. When comparing the sizes of Busan (Pusan) and Quito, 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.