Which place is cheaper, Tauranga or Busan (Pusan)?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Busan (Pusan) or Tauranga?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Busan (Pusan) or Tauranga, 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 Tauranga?
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.
Tauranga
Tauranga is a city on the North Island of New Zealand. It is situated on the western side of the Bay of Plenty, which is on the east coast of the island. Its population of 130,000 makes it the fifth largest city in the country. Tauranga is a Maori word translated roughly to 'a sheltered anchorage'. This makes sense as the town is located near a very large harbor and protected by Matakana Island. Mount Maunganui is at the headland of the town and regarded as a suburb of Tauranga. The beach at Mt Maunganui is a surfing hot spot. The climate is mostly warm and dry because of the town's sheltered position.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBusan (Pusan) $91Tauranga $110
The average daily cost (per person) in Busan (Pusan) is $91, while the average daily cost in Tauranga is $110. 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 Tauranga in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBusan (Pusan) $41Tauranga $79
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBusan (Pusan) $82Tauranga $158
Compare Hotels in Busan (Pusan) and Tauranga
Looking for a hotel in Busan (Pusan) or Tauranga? 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 Tauranga Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Busan (Pusan) $21Tauranga $7.23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Busan (Pusan)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Busan (Pusan):
- Private Transfer from Busan Cruise Port to Busan city hotels: $78
- Private Transfer from Busan City Hotels to Busan Cruise Port: $78
- Private Transfer from Busan Port to Busan Gimhae Int Airport(PUS): $80
- Private Transfer Gaimhae Airport to Busan City: $85
- Private Transfer from Busan hotels to Busan Cruise Port: $86
- Busan Gimhae Int Airport(PUS) to Busan - Arrival Private Transfer: $121
- Busan hotels to Busan Airport (PUS) - Departure Private Transfer: $121
- Busan Gimhae Airport (PUS) to Busan Round-Trip Private Transfer: $243
Is it cheaper to fly into Busan (Pusan) or Tauranga?
Prices for flights to both Tauranga 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) $27Tauranga $23
Typical Food Prices in Busan (Pusan)
Some typical examples of dining costs in Busan (Pusan) are as follows:
-
McDonald's$4.72
-
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 Jagalchi market Seafood Tour & Dinner : $50
- Busan Tailored Korean cooking class (Vegan OK)with market tour: $65
- Vegan Friendly Korean Food Cooking Class: $70
- Korean cooking class in Haeundae, Busan : $95
- Busan Local Food Cooking Class with Market Tour: $116
- Busan big Barbecue dinner at the garden : $150
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Busan (Pusan) $21Tauranga $11
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
- Night View Experience in Busan in Small Group Tour: $25
- Eden Valley Winter Ski Resort Day Tour from Busan+SPA LAND option: $41
- Jinhae Pink Cherry Blossom One Day Tour From Busan: $42
- Jagalchi Sunset Cruise and Night Market Tour in Busan: $44
- 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
- Jinhae Gunhangje Night Tour : $61
- Historic and Natural Beauty- Gyeongju Autumn Foliage Day Tour: $62
- Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival with Gamcheon Culture Village Tour: $63
Tours and Activities in Tauranga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tauranga are as follows:
- Tauranga Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Mount Maunganui Harbour Sightseeing Cruise: $24
- Tauranga Harbour Scenic One Hour Historical Boat Cruise : $25
- Waimarino Adventure Park Supreme Pass Entry Ticket: $30
- Waimarino Adventure Park: $31
- 2hr Tauranga City Scenic History Tour: $34
- Tauranga Harbour Cruise: $46
- 2-Hour Tauranga & Mount Maunganui City & Scenic Local Tour: $49
- 4hr Shore Excursion - History and Tasting Tour FREE Kiwifruit Tasting: $59
- 4hr Tauranga Scenic History and Tasting Tour FREE Kiwifruit Tasting: $59
- Tauranga Shore Excursion: Small-Group Bay of Plenty and Tauranga Tour: $61
- New Zealand Tauranga Tour with Transportation and Snacks: $67
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayBusan (Pusan) $12Tauranga $11
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 Tauranga, we can see that Tauranga 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 Tauranga 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 Tauranga would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tauranga 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 Tauranga Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Busan (Pusan) or Tauranga?
Busan (Pusan) has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Tauranga. When comparing the sizes of Busan (Pusan) and Tauranga, 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.