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

Should you visit Doha or Busan (Pusan)?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Doha and Busan (Pusan) can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

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

Doha

Doha is the capital city of Qatar, modern and rapidly developing with much construction underway. It is home to Doha International Airport, the main point of entry for Qatar, as well as many of the country's best museums and examples of cultural heritage.

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 Tours for Seniors to South Korea, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Seoul.


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

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Doha is $200, 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 Doha and Busan (Pusan) in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Doha $119
    Busan (Pusan) $39
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Doha $238
    Busan (Pusan) $78
Compare Hotels in Doha and Busan (Pusan)

Looking for a hotel in Doha 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 Doha


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: Doha Hotel Prices and Busan (Pusan) Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Doha $23
    Busan (Pusan) $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Doha

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Doha:

  • Sharing Arrival Transfer - Doha city: $14
  • Shared Arrival Transfer - Doha City: $14
  • Shared Departure Transfer from Doha: $14
  • Sharing Arrival Transfer - West Bay: $20
  • Sharing Arrival Transfer - West bay: $20
  • Shared Departure Transfer in West Bay: $20
  • Sharing Arrival Transfer - Pearl Qatar: $27
  • Shared Departure Transfer - Pearl Qatar: $27
  • Easy Airport Transfers (Airport to Hotel): $30
  • Airport Transfer-Hamad International Airport, Doha-Qatar: $34
  • Airport Transfer (To and From Doha City): $35
  • Private Arrival Transfer - Doha: $50

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: $60
  • Busan Gimhae Int Airport(PUS) to Busan - Arrival Private Transfer: $119
  • Busan to Busan Gimhae Airport (PUS) - Departure 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 Cruise Port to Busan Int Airport(PUS): $71
  • Private Transfer from Busan Port to Busan Gimhae Int Airport(PUS): $79

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

Prices for flights to both Busan (Pusan) and Doha 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
    Doha $61
    Busan (Pusan) $26

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Doha

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Doha.

  • Private Dinner on Al Safliya Island: $76
  • Private Souk Waqif with Lunch or Dinner Tour: $96
  • Half Day Doha City Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $143
  • BBQ Dinner in the desert resort; Dune bashing & camel ride: $165
  • Doha Private Full Day Desert Safari Lunch | Dinner Included: $190
  • Full Day Desert Safari with Camp Access, Buffet Dinner,Camel Ride: $195
  • Doha : Full Day Desert Safari | BBQ Dinner | Inland sea: $197
  • Private Desert Safari with BBQ Lunch/Dinner at Souk Al Wakra: $202
  • Full Day Desert Private Safari with Lunch or Dinner: $214
  • Private Overnight Desert Safari, Dune bashing, dinner & Breakfast: $220
  • Full Day Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner: $234
  • From Overnight Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner: $240

Typical Food Prices in Busan (Pusan)

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


  • McDonald's
    $4.48
  • 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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Doha $18
    Busan (Pusan) $20

Tours and Activities in Doha

Here are a few actual costs in Doha for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Doha International Airpor: Qatar eSIM Data Plan for Tourists: $8.02
  • Qatar eSIM Data Plan for Tourists: $8.02
  • Al Safliya Island Boat Tour: $25
  • Guided Walking Tour of Souq Waqif: $30
  • City Highlights Layover Tour: $32
  • From Doha Cruise Terminal: Doha City Tour (Private Tour): $35
  • Doha Geocaching & City Tour Combo: $35
  • Sharing City Tour From MSC Virtuosa/Mein Schiff2: $35
  • From Doha Cruise Terminal: Doha Private or Group City Tour: $35
  • 4-hour Downtown City Tour: $40
  • Doha : Private Custom Walking Tour with A Guide (Private Tou: $43
  • Walking tour SOUQ WAKIF & MSHEIREB: $45

Tours and Activities in Busan (Pusan)

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Busan (Pusan) are as follows:

  • Busan Running Man Themed Activity Experience Ticket (내국인불가): $8.00
  • Fun & Informative Busan in Korea Virtual Tour : $12
  • Museum 1 Exhibition Ticket in Busan (내국인 불가): $13
  • The Way of Tea - Experience: $38
  • Full-Day Tour Unmissable things to do in Busan: $41
  • Full-Day Busan City Tour: $51
  • Jinhae Gunhangje Night Tour : $60
  • Full day Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Tour from Busan: $60
  • Romantic Jinhae Cherry Blossom Night Tour - Depart from Busan: $65
  • From Busan: Chasing Cherry Blossom & Spring Flowers Day Tour: $65
  • Gyeongju Maple Tour from Busan : $66
  • Old Korea Thousand History Tour of Gyeongju from Busan: $67

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Doha $15
    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 Doha and Busan (Pusan), we can see that Doha is more expensive. And not only is Busan (Pusan) much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Doha is in Middle East and Busan (Pusan) is in Asia, 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 Doha would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Doha 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 Doha Expensive? and Is Busan (Pusan) Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Doha or Busan (Pusan)?

Busan (Pusan) has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Doha. When comparing the sizes of Doha 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.