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

Should you visit Dali or Busan (Pusan)?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dali and Busan (Pusan) can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Dali or Busan (Pusan)?

Dali

Dali is a city in southern China with a long and glorious history dating back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The Xiaguan neighborhood of the city is the modern industrial center where most public transportation arrives; however, the Old Town of Dali is the place that draws the most visitors. Being one of China's ancient cities, Dali is said to have been a gateway to the Silk Road, and still attracts attention with its traditional architecture, beautiful scenery, ethnic cultures, and nightlife.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best Tours for Seniors to South Korea, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Seoul.


Which place is cheaper, Busan (Pusan) or Dali?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Dali is $49, while the average daily cost in Busan (Pusan) is $91. 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 Dali and Busan (Pusan) in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dali $17
    Busan (Pusan) $41
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dali $34
    Busan (Pusan) $82
Compare Hotels in Dali and Busan (Pusan)

Looking for a hotel in Dali or Busan (Pusan)? 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 Dali


Hotels in Busan (Pusan)


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dali $9.45
    Busan (Pusan) $21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dali

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dali:


  • Local Bus
    $0.43

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dali

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

  • Dali Airport Chauffeur Service,Dali Airport Transfer: $40
  • Private Transfer from Dali to Lijiang/Shuhe hotel: $149
  • Private Transfer from Dali to Lijiang/Shuhe hotel and Stops at Shaxi Old Town: $160

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 Dali or Busan (Pusan)?

Prices for flights to both Busan (Pusan) and Dali 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
    Dali $18
    Busan (Pusan) $27
Typical Food Prices in Dali

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


  • Lunch
    $4.54
  • Breakfast
    $3.55

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 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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dali $18
    Busan (Pusan) $21

Tours and Activities in Dali

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

  • 1-Day Erhai Sightseeing in Dali: $129
  • 1-Day Tie Dye Experience Tour in Dali: $160
  • Private hiking tour to Cangshan Mountain from Dali: $175
  • Private tour to Xizhou old town local market Erhai lake three Pagodas from Dali: $184
  • Dali Private Tour to Xizhou Ancient Town and Erhai Lake : $186
  • 1-Day Dali tour with the Daili old town, Xizhou Village and Three Pagodas: $195
  • 2-Days Self-Guided tour from Dali to Lijiang and overnight in Shaxi old town: $205
  • All inclusive Dali Erhai cruise three pagoda xizhou market: $210
  • Private Customized Tour: Dali City Highlights in One Day: $213
  • All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Shaxi Ancient Town from Dali: $213
  • Private Day Tour: Erhai Lake, Three Pagodas, Dali Ancient Town: $217
  • Dali Yunnan Local Market + Pottery Making Eco Tour: $220

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dali $11
    Busan (Pusan) $12

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 Dali and Busan (Pusan), we can see that Busan (Pusan) is more expensive. And not only is Dali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dali 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 Dali.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dali Expensive? and Is Busan (Pusan) Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Dali or Busan (Pusan)?

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