Which place is cheaper, Busan (Pusan) or El Nido?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit El Nido or Busan (Pusan)?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit El Nido 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: El Nido or Busan (Pusan)?
El Nido
El Nido is a coastal destination on the Philippine island of Palawan. It consists of about 45 islands and islets all with beautiful beachfront scenery and plenty of opportunities for experiencing nature above and below the water. Some of the island's best features include limestone karst cliffs, coral reefs, lagoons, coves, and waterfalls.
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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Philippines, The Best Tours for Seniors to South Korea, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Seoul.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEl Nido $39Busan (Pusan) $86
The average daily cost (per person) in El Nido is $39, 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 El Nido and Busan (Pusan) in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEl Nido $14Busan (Pusan) $39
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEl Nido $28Busan (Pusan) $78
Compare Hotels in El Nido and Busan (Pusan)
Looking for a hotel in El Nido 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: El Nido Hotel Prices and Busan (Pusan) Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.El Nido $19Busan (Pusan) $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in El Nido
Also for El Nido, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- El Nido Town: Transfers to/from Nacpan Beach: $11
- Private Transfer From El Nido Lio Airport To El Nido Hotels: $20
- Lio Airport to/from Hotel Transfers: $36
- El Nido (Lio) Airport Transfers: $50
- Private Van Transfer : From El Nido to Puerto Princesa Palawan: $150
- Private Transfer from El Nido to Port Barton Palawan: $150
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: $84
- Private Transfer from Busan Gimhae Int Airport(PUS) to Busan Port: $79
- Private Transfer from Busan Cruise Port to Busan Hotels: $84
- Busan to Busan Gimhae Airport (PUS) - Departure Private Transfer: $119
- Busan Gimhae Int Airport(PUS) to Busan - Arrival Private Transfer: $119
- Busan Airport to Busan Hotels Round-Trip Private Transfer: $120
Is it cheaper to fly into El Nido or Busan (Pusan)?
Prices for flights to both Busan (Pusan) and El Nido 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 dayEl Nido $12Busan (Pusan) $26
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
- Korean cooking class in Haeundae, Busan : $95
- Busan Seafood Tour & Dinner with Busan Oppa: $105
- Kkakdugi(Korean radish Kimchi) Cooking class at Busan : $110
- Enjoy tailored Korean cooking class with Ocean view at Busan: $110
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.El Nido $5.38Busan (Pusan) $20
Tours and Activities in El Nido
For El Nido, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Island Hopping Tour A with lunch BEST PRICE!: $22
- Island Hopping Tour A Lagoons and Beaches: $23
- Shared El Nido Tour A: $23
- Big Lagoon and Shimizu Island Tour with Kayaking: $23
- Hidden Beaches and Lagoons Boat Hopping Tour D: $23
- Island Hopping Tour B Cudognong Cave & More: $25
- El Nido Tour A: $27
- El Nido Island Hopping Tour A: $27
- El Nido Tour D Full Day w/ Beach Lunch: $28
- El Nido Island Tour B w/ Fees included (No Hidden Charges): $28
- Island Hopping Tour C (Shared tour) BEST PRICE!: $28
- El Nido Island Hopping Tour C: Hidden Beaches & Shrine: $29
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
- 2-Day Busan East and South Private Tour: $300
- 4Hour Tour From Seokbulsa Temple To Geumjeongsan Fortress: $90
- Adventures in Blossoms: Daegu E-World Cherry Blossoms Tour: $77
- Beomeosa Temple and Hongbeopsa Temple Tour and local market tour: $81
- Busan City Tour - Haedong Yonggung Temple And Shopping in Lotte Premium Outlet: $289
- Busan City Tour Including Haedong Yonggungsa Temple And APEC House: $290
- Busan Custom-made Car Tour （Private Tour）: $187
- 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
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayEl Nido $8.36Busan (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 El Nido and Busan (Pusan), we can see that Busan (Pusan) is more expensive. And not only is El Nido much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to El Nido would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in El Nido 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 El Nido.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is El Nido Expensive? and Is Busan (Pusan) Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, El Nido or Busan (Pusan)?
Busan (Pusan) has a larger population, and is about 470 times larger than the population of El Nido. When comparing the sizes of El Nido 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.