Which place is cheaper, Taupo or Busan (Pusan)?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Busan (Pusan) or Taupo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Busan (Pusan) or Taupo, 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 Taupo?
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.
Taupo
Taupo is a town located in the center of the North Island, situated on the shores of Lake Taupo, which is New Zealand's largest lake. It is also the caldera of the Taupo Volcano. It has a population of 23,700 people and is visited by many people interested in fishing, boating, and other water activities. There are many hiking and biking trails that take you around the water as well.
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 Tours for Seniors to New Zealand, and The Best Contiki Tours to New Zealand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBusan (Pusan) $91Taupo $118
The average daily cost (per person) in Busan (Pusan) is $91, while the average daily cost in Taupo is $118. 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 Taupo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBusan (Pusan) $41Taupo $66
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBusan (Pusan) $82Taupo $132
Compare Hotels in Busan (Pusan) and Taupo
Looking for a hotel in Busan (Pusan) or Taupo? 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 Taupo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Busan (Pusan) $21Taupo $27
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: $122
- Busan Gimhae Int Airport(PUS) to Busan - Arrival Private Transfer: $122
- Busan hotels to Busan Airport (PUS) - Departure Private Transfer: $122
- Private Transfer Gaimhae Airport to Busan City: $85
- Private Transfer from Busan City Hotels to Busan Cruise Port: $78
- Private Transfer from Busan Cruise Port to Busan Hotels: $86
- Private Transfer from Busan Cruise Port to Busan city hotels: $78
- Private Transfer from Busan Gimhae Int Airport(PUS) to Busan Port: $81
- Private Transfer from Busan Port to Busan Gimhae Int Airport(PUS): $81
- Private Transfer from Busan hotels to Busan Cruise Port: $86
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Taupo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Taupo:
- From Shuttle Transfer for Tongariro Alpine Crossing: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Busan (Pusan) or Taupo?
Prices for flights to both Taupo 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) $27Taupo $25
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) $21Taupo $37
Tours and Activities in Busan (Pusan)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Busan (Pusan) are as follows:
- Busan Trick Eye Museum Discount Ticket (내국인불가): $6.00
- Fun & Informative Busan in Korea Virtual Tour : $12
- Night View Experience in Busan in Small Group Tour: $22
- 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: $50
- Full-Day Busan City Tour: $52
- Full-Day Tour Unmissable things to do in Busan: $54
- Busan Night Tour includes Snapshots: $57
- Jinhae Gunhangje Night Tour : $61
- Scenic Jiri Mountain Autumn Foliage One Day Tour: $62
- Historic and Natural Beauty- Gyeongju Autumn Foliage Day Tour: $62
Typical Entertainment Prices in Taupo
Here are a few typical costs in Taupo for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Bungy Jumping$162
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Jet Boating$60
Tours and Activities in Taupo
Here are a few actual costs in Taupo for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Taupo Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Escape Room Experience Taupo - The Marvelous Circus: $23
- Escape Room Experience Taupo - The Candy Cottage: $23
- Escape Room Experience Taupo - Cabin in the Woods: $23
- Escape Room Experience Taupo - The Hunting Lodge: $23
- Maori Rock Carvings Scenic Cruise: $28
- Orakei Korako Geothermal Park and Cave Entry Ticket: $30
- Lake Maori Rock Carvings 8.30 AM 1.5-Hour Cruise: $30
- Self-Guided Geothermal Tour in Orakei Korako: $31
- Maori Rock Carvings - Taupo Sailing Adventures - Sail Fearless: $31
- Taupō: Lake Taupo Maori Rock Carving 2.5-Hour Sailing Cruise: $34
- Lake 1.5-Hour Maori Rock Carvings 5:00 PM Cruise: $36
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBusan (Pusan) $12Taupo $14
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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Taupo
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Taupo from other travelers:
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Wine$5.39
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Busan (Pusan) and Taupo, we can see that Taupo 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 Taupo 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 Taupo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Taupo 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 Taupo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Busan (Pusan) or Taupo?
Busan (Pusan) has a larger population, and is about 160 times larger than the population of Taupo. When comparing the sizes of Busan (Pusan) and Taupo, 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.