Which place is cheaper, Busan (Pusan) or Darjiling?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Darjiling or Busan (Pusan)?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Darjiling or Busan (Pusan)? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Darjiling or Busan (Pusan)?
Darjiling
What began as a cluster of villages grew to prominence in the 19th Century when the British first established a hill station here and eventually realized that the climate was well-suited for tea plantations. Darjeeling (or Darjiling) has since become known for its teas in addition to cultural diversity, stunning views, and trekking opportunities.
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 The Best Adventure Tours to India, The Best Sightseeing Tours in India, The Best Tours for Seniors to South Korea, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Seoul.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDarjiling $35Busan (Pusan) $86
The average daily cost (per person) in Darjiling is $35, while the average daily cost in Busan (Pusan) is $86. 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 Darjiling and Busan (Pusan) in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDarjiling $13Busan (Pusan) $39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDarjiling $26Busan (Pusan) $78
Compare Hotels in Darjiling and Busan (Pusan)
Looking for a hotel in Darjiling 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.
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: Darjiling Hotel Prices and Busan (Pusan) Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Darjiling $7.48Busan (Pusan) $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Darjiling
Also for Darjiling, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Darjeeling Hotels To Bagdogra Airport IXB Drop: $49
- Private Transfers Darjeeling - Gangtok Drop: $98
- Rafting Journey at the Down on Teesta River's White Water with Private Transfer: $197
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Busan (Pusan)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Busan (Pusan):
- Busan to Busan Gimhae Airport (PUS) - Departure Private Transfer: $119
- Busan Gimhae Int Airport(PUS) to Busan - Arrival Private Transfer: $119
- Private Transfer Gaimhae Airport to Busan City: $85
- Private Transfer from Busan Cruise Port to Busan Hotels: $84
- Private Transfer from Busan Port to Busan Gimhae Int Airport(PUS): $79
- Private Transfer from Busan Cruise Port to Busan Int Airport(PUS): $71
- Busan Airport (PUS) to Busan Hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $60
Is it cheaper to fly into Darjiling or Busan (Pusan)?
Prices for flights to both Busan (Pusan) and Darjiling 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 dayDarjiling $14Busan (Pusan) $26
Typical Food Prices in Busan (Pusan)
Some typical examples of dining costs in Busan (Pusan) are as follows:
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McDonald's$4.48
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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: $49
- Busan Seafood Tour & Dinner with Busan Oppa: $90
- Korean cooking class in Haeundae, Busan : $95
- Kkakdugi(Korean radish Kimchi) Cooking class at Busan : $99
- Enjoy tailored Korean cooking class with Ocean view at Busan: $99
- Busan big Barbecue dinner at the garden : $150
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Darjiling $12Busan (Pusan) $20
Tours and Activities in Darjiling
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Darjiling.
- Discover the Spiritual Trails of Gangtok (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $12
- Discover the Spiritual Trails of Darjeeling (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Heritage & Cultural Walk of Darjeeling (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Gangtok Food Crawl (2 Hours Guided Local Food Tasting Tour): $25
- Tiger Hill Darjeeling Nature Walk (3 Hours Guided Trekking Experience): $25
- Colonial Heritage Walking Tour in Darjeeling: $31
- Darjeeling Tea Garden Tour : $31
- Mirik Lake Day tour From Darjeeling: $37
- Private Morning Excursion Tour To Tiger Hill (3 Points) With Pickup and Drop: $61
- Excursion to Tea Estate Tour With Tea Processing Tour with Transportation: $62
- Gangtok Monastery Tour (Guided Halfday Sightseeing Tour by Car): $82
- Best of Darjeeling (Guided Halfday Sightseeing Tour by Car): $82
Tours and Activities in Busan (Pusan)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Busan (Pusan) are as follows:
- 4Hour Tour From Seokbulsa Temple To Geumjeongsan Fortress: $90
- Busan Essential Private Tour with Heaedong Yonggungsa and Gamcheon Village: $240
- Busan Glowing Panorama Private Night Tour for Max 6 Guests: $300
- Busan Guided Small Group Tour for Up to 6 Cruise Guests.: $99
- Busan Hidden Gems Private Guided Tour: $89
- Busan Night Small Group Photo Tour (Max 7): $68
- Busan Night Tour Including a Cruise w/ Fireworks: $110
- Busan ONE-DAY Highlights for PRIVATE CRUISE PASSENGER'S: $250
- Busan Private Tour: $216
- Busan Private Tour : Tailored Experiences for your Group Only: $80
- Busan Private Tour with licensed tour guide + private vehicle: $80
- Busan Running Man Themed Activity Experience Ticket (내국인불가): $8.00
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDarjiling $8.77Busan (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 Darjiling and Busan (Pusan), we can see that Busan (Pusan) is more expensive. And not only is Darjiling much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Darjiling would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Darjiling 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 Darjiling.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Darjiling Expensive? and Is Busan (Pusan) Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Darjiling or Busan (Pusan)?
Busan (Pusan) has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Darjiling. When comparing the sizes of Darjiling 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.
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.