A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Busan (Pusan) vs. Reykjavik for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Busan (Pusan) or Reykjavik?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Busan (Pusan) or Reykjavik, 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 Reykjavik?

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.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is the capital and largest city in the country of Iceland. The city is where the vast majority of the country's population resides and the urban area has about 200,000 residents. The city is sprawling, with a large area covered in suburbs. The the city center is quite compact, with many interesting and colorful houses. There are a lot of things that attract tourists to this city, including an interesting culture and history as well as plenty of shopping and dining opportunities.

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 Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.


Which place is cheaper, Reykjavik 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.

The average daily cost (per person) in Busan (Pusan) is $104, while the average daily cost in Reykjavik is $307. 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 Reykjavik in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Busan (Pusan) $39
    Reykjavik $160
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Busan (Pusan) $78
    Reykjavik $320
Compare Hotels in Busan (Pusan) and Reykjavik

Looking for a hotel in Busan (Pusan) or Reykjavik? 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.

Hotels in Busan (Pusan)


Hotels in Reykjavik


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 Reykjavik Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Busan (Pusan) $20
    Reykjavik $52

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 Reykjavik

Also for Reykjavik, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Iceland: Airport Transfers between Keflavík and Reykjavik Center: $31
  • Airport Transfer in Iceland from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik City one way: $31
  • Airport Express Shared Departure transfer from Reykjavik City to Keflavik Airport: $31
  • Iceland: Airport Transfers between Keflavik and Reykjavik Hotels: $40
  • Airport Transfer in Iceland from Reykjavik City to Keflavik Airport with Hotel Pick Up: $42
  • Private Transfers in Iceland: $45
  • Private Transfer to Sky Lagoon from Reykjavik Keflavik: $49
  • Blue Lagoon Return Bus Transfer from Reykjavik: $51
  • Blue Lagoon Transfer from/to Keflavik International Airport: $58
  • Reykjavik Airport (RKV) to Skálafell - Arrival Private Transfer: $62
  • Skálafell to Reykjavik Airport (RKV) - Departure Private Transfer: $62
  • Reykjavík/Keflavík–Blue Lagoon, Silica & Retreat Transfer: $67

Is it cheaper to fly into Busan (Pusan) or Reykjavik?

Prices for flights to both Reykjavik 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 day
    Busan (Pusan) $44
    Reykjavik $60
Typical Food Prices in Busan (Pusan)

Some typical examples of dining costs in Busan (Pusan) are as follows:


  • McDonald's
    $4.43
  • 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

Typical Food Prices in Reykjavik

For Reykjavik, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Dinner (Fish Market)
    $204

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Reykjavik

For Reykjavik, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Weekend Reykjavik Food Tour with a stop at the Reykjavik Flea Market: $143
  • The Reykjavik Harbor Food Tour: $145
  • 3 Hour Shared Christmas Food Tour with Guide in Reykjavik: $149
  • Private Vegetarian Reykjavik Food Tour: $195
  • Private Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour: $215

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Busan (Pusan) $20
    Reykjavik $83

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 Reykjavik

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Reykjavik's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Art Museum
    $12
  • Wine and Spa
    $34

Tours and Activities in Reykjavik

For Reykjavik, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Reykjavik Viking Roots to Modern Marvels Self Guided Walking Tour: $9.75
  • Settlement and Egils Saga Exhibition Ticket: $30
  • Northern Lights: Aurora Basecamp Observatory Guided Experience: $30
  • Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula: $32
  • Saga Museum - Entrance ticket: $32
  • Reykjanes Peninsula and Blue Lagoon Self-Guided Driving Tour: $34
  • Reykjavik Escape Game Experience - Prison Break 1: $45
  • Reykjavík Shared Tuk Tuk Tour: $50
  • Walking tour of Reykjavik city: $51
  • Lava Show Reykjavik Admission Ticket - Optional Premium Upgrade : $55
  • Reykjavik Folklore Walking Tour: Meet the Elves, Trolls & Ghosts of Iceland: $55
  • Classic Puffin Watching Cruise from Downtown Reykjavík: $60

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Busan (Pusan) $12
    Reykjavik $32

Typical Alcohol Prices in Reykjavik

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Reykjavik are as follows:


  • Beer
    $10

Sample the Local Flavors in Reykjavik

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Reykjavik:

  • Gin Distillery tour and tasting with Master Distiller: $35
  • Flóki Whisky Distillery Tour & Tasting in Reykjavík: $49


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Busan (Pusan) and Reykjavik, we can see that Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik is in Europe, 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 Reykjavik would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Busan (Pusan) or Reykjavik?

Busan (Pusan) has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Busan (Pusan) and Reykjavik, 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 Reykjavik?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Busan (Pusan) or Reykjavik in the Summer?

Both Reykjavik and Busan (Pusan) during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year.

In July, Busan (Pusan) is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Busan (Pusan) average around 25°C (77°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the summer, Busan (Pusan) often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Reykjavik. Busan (Pusan) gets 166 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 171 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Busan (Pusan). Busan (Pusan) usually gets more rain in July than Reykjavik. Busan (Pusan) gets 257 mm (10.1 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Busan (Pusan) 25°C (77°F) 
    Reykjavik 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Busan (Pusan) or Reykjavik in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Busan (Pusan) and Reykjavik. Also, many travelers come to Reykjavik for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Reykjavik. Busan (Pusan) is much warmer than Reykjavik in the autumn. The daily temperature in Busan (Pusan) averages around 18°C (65°F) in October, and Reykjavik fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In Busan (Pusan), it's very sunny this time of the year. Busan (Pusan) usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during autumn. Busan (Pusan) gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 83 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Busan (Pusan) usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. Busan (Pusan) gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Busan (Pusan) 18°C (65°F) 
    Reykjavik 5°C (41°F)

Should I visit Busan (Pusan) or Reykjavik in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Busan (Pusan) as well as Reykjavik. Also, many visitors come to Reykjavik in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Reykjavik can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Busan (Pusan). In the winter, Busan (Pusan) is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the winter temperatures in Busan (Pusan) in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Reykjavik averages at about -0°C (32°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Busan (Pusan) this time of the year. In the winter, Busan (Pusan) often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Busan (Pusan) gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 27 hours of full sun.

Busan (Pusan) usually gets less rain in January than Reykjavik. Busan (Pusan) gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Busan (Pusan) 3°C (38°F) 
    Reykjavik -0°C (32°F)

Should I visit Busan (Pusan) or Reykjavik in the Spring?

Both Reykjavik and Busan (Pusan) are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Reykjavik for the natural beauty during these months.

Reykjavik can be very cold during spring. In April, Busan (Pusan) is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Busan (Pusan) average around 14°C (57°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Busan (Pusan) usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during spring. Busan (Pusan) gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 140 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Busan (Pusan). In April, Busan (Pusan) usually receives more rain than Reykjavik. Busan (Pusan) gets 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Busan (Pusan) 14°C (57°F) 
    Reykjavik 3°C (38°F)

Typical Weather for Reykjavik and Busan (Pusan)

Busan (Pusan) Reykjavik
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (38°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) -0°C (32°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Feb 5°C (40°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 1°C (33°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Mar 9°C (48°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 1°C (34°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Apr 14°C (57°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 3°C (38°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
May 18°C (65°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 7°C (44°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Jun 21°C (70°F) 224 mm (8.8 in) 10°C (49°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 257 mm (10.1 in) 11°C (52°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Aug 27°C (80°F) 204 mm (8 in) 11°C (52°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Sep 23°C (73°F) 187 mm (7.4 in) 8°C (46°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Oct 18°C (65°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 5°C (41°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Nov 12°C (54°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 1°C (35°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Dec 6°C (43°F) 24 mm (0.9 in) 0°C (32°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)