Which place is cheaper, Busan (Pusan) or Halong Bay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Halong Bay 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 Halong Bay 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: Halong Bay or Busan (Pusan)?
Halong Bay
Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the north of Vietnam, near the Chinese border. Known for its thousands of beautiful limestone karsts and stalactite-filled caves, it is one of the most visited destinations in Vietnam. If you appreciate natural scenery and want an adventure at sea, you'll love cruising among more than 1,900 islands in Ha Long Bay.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ho Chi Minh City, The Best 10-Day Tours from Hanoi, The Best Tours for Seniors to South Korea, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Seoul.
-
Halong Bay Prices
Vietnam PricesBusan (Pusan) Prices
South Korea Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHalong Bay $67Busan (Pusan) $108
The average daily cost (per person) in Halong Bay is $67, while the average daily cost in Busan (Pusan) is $108. 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 Halong Bay and Busan (Pusan) in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHalong Bay $27Busan (Pusan) $40
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHalong Bay $54Busan (Pusan) $80
Compare Hotels in Halong Bay and Busan (Pusan)
Looking for a hotel in Halong Bay 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: Busan (Pusan) Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Halong Bay $14Busan (Pusan) $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Halong Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Halong Bay:
- Bus Transfer From Cat Ba Island To Ninh Binh/Ninh binh To Cat Ba: $19
- Transfer Ha Long and Ninh Binh by Limousine Bus: $23
- Transfer Ha Long to Ha Noi Super Limousine Morning Bus: $33
- Halong Bay Full Day Cruise from Hanoi by Transfer Expressway: $42
- Full-Day Halong Bay Islands and Cave Tour by Transfer Expressway: $48
- Halong Bay Full Day With Cave, Kayaking,Swimming,Highway Transfer: $49
- Alova Premium Cruise to Halong Bay 1 Day Trip by Highway Transfer: $50
- Private Transfer from Ha Long to Haiphong (HPH) Airport: $56
- Private Transfer from Tuan Chau to Haiphong (HPH) Airport: $56
- Private Transfer from Halong Bay Cruise Port to Haiphong Hotels: $63
- Private Transfer from Halong Bay Port to Haiphong Airport (HPH): $63
- Amethyst Luxury 5 Star Cruise From Halong Bay with Transfer: $68
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: $61
- Busan Gimhae Airport (PUS) to Busan - Arrival Private Transfer: $67
- Busan Gimhae Airport (PUS) to Busan - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $135
- Busan Private Transfer: Airport & KTX Stn. to/from Hotel in Busan: $79
- Busan hotels to Busan Airport (PUS) - Departure Private Transfer: $61
- Busan to Busan Gimhae Airport (PUS) - Departure Private Transfer: $67
- Private Airport, Train Station & Hotel Transfer Service in Busan: $80
- Private Transfer – Anywhere in Busan, including Airport & Station: $73
- Private Transfer From Busan to Incheon or Seoul or GyeongJu city: $100
- Private Transfer from Busan Cruise Port to Busan Hotels: $65
- Private Transfer from Busan Cruise Port to Busan Int Airport(PUS): $65
- Private Transfer from Busan Cruise Port to Busan city hotels: $65
Is it cheaper to fly into Halong Bay or Busan (Pusan)?
Prices for flights to both Busan (Pusan) and Halong Bay 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 dayHalong Bay $27Busan (Pusan) $46
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Halong Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Halong Bay.
- Halong Bay Luxury Dinner Cruise - Ambassador: $37
- Sunset and Bioluminescent Kayaking Tour in Lan Ha Bay with Dinner: $37
- From Halong Harbor: Luxury Dinner Yacht Cruise, Halong City Views: $70
- From Halong Port: Luxury Dinner Yacht & Spectacular Night Views: $75
- Cooking class on floating village: $100
- Best 2D1N Lan Ha Bay Cruise: BBQ dinner, Viet Hai Ancient Village: $210
Typical Food Prices in Busan (Pusan)
Some typical examples of dining costs in Busan (Pusan) are as follows:
-
McDonald's$4.61
-
Carp Bread$0.75
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Busan (Pusan)
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Busan (Pusan).
- Autumn Special: 2 Activities + Dinner Only 4 Exclusive Dates: $50
- Busan Traditional Market Food Tour: $53
- Vegan Friendly Korean Food Cooking Class: $100
- Busan Seafood Tour : Jagalchi market Seafood Tour & Dinner: $110
- Korean cooking class in Haeundae, Busan: $110
- Busan Local Food Cooking Class with Market Tour: $118
- Busan Tailored Korean cooking class (Vegan OK)with market tour: $120
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Halong Bay $16Busan (Pusan) $20
Tours and Activities in Halong Bay
Here are a few actual costs in Halong Bay for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- From Cat Ba: Small Group, Lan Ha, Ha Long Bay- Kayaking Tours: $19
- Shared 6 Hours boat Tour With Cave Kayak Beach From Halong City: $20
- From Cat Ba – Lan Ha, Ha Long Bay – Viet Hai Village Bike Tours: $22
- Ha Long Bay Cruise Day Tour - best selling: Kayaking, Swimming, hiking & Lunch: $23
- Cat Ba Kayak Tour in Mangrove Forests and Explore Thien Long Cave: $24
- The Best 5 Star Halong Bay Cruise with Buffet,pool, Sunset Party: $25
- Hanoi: Ha Long Bay Day Cruise with Lunch, Cave & Kayaking: $26
- Majestic Sunset Boat Tour Explore Lan Ha Bay from Cat Ba Island: $26
- From Ha Noi/Cat Ba: Full-Day Cruise to Lan Ha bay - Ha Long Bay: $26
- Hanoi: Ha Long Bay Day Cruise: Cave Exploration - Swim and Kayak: $27
- Lan Ha Bay Sunset Tour with Scenic Cruise from Cat Ba Island: $28
- Breathtaking Sunset Boat Tours to Lan Ha Bay from Cat Ba Island: $28
Tours and Activities in Busan (Pusan)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Busan (Pusan) are as follows:
- Busan Tower Ticket: $10
- Busan Running Man Themed Activity Experience Ticket (내국인불가): $12
- Museum 1 Exhibition Ticket in Busan (내국인 불가): $12
- Busan Job Experience Theme Park Ticket for Kid: $15
- Busan Sky Tower Admission Ticket: $20
- Busan Vaunce Trampoline Yongho W Center Discount Ticket(내국인불가): $21
- Busan Yacht Tour – Gwangan Bridge & Marine City Cruise: $23
- Night View Experience in Busan in Small Group Tour: $25
- Busan Tour: Haeundae Blueline Park, Yonggungsa, Gamcheon & more: $30
- South Korea: Skyline Luge Busan Entry Ticket: $32
- Busan City Top Attractions Tour with Haeundae Blueline Park: $35
- Authentic Busan Full-Day City Highlights Tour: $35
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayHalong Bay $12Busan (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 Social Pub Crawl(Seomyeon&Gwangalli Beach): $24
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Halong Bay and Busan (Pusan), we can see that Busan (Pusan) is more expensive. And not only is Halong Bay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Halong Bay would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Halong Bay 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 Halong Bay.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Halong Bay Expensive? and Is Busan (Pusan) Expensive?.
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.