Which place is cheaper, Busan (Pusan) or Hoi An?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hoi An or Busan (Pusan)?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Hoi An and Busan (Pusan). We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Hoi An or Busan (Pusan)?
Hoi An
Located just south of the city of Da Nang, Hoi An is famous for it's beautiful old town. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unfortunately, since its designation as a World Heritage Site in 1999, mass tourism has grown and the city has felt the growing pains. Most of the homes and shops in the old town are now used for commercial purposes. The city is still quaint, but the old town is lined with tailor shops, souvenir stores, and restaurants. Foreigners are required to purchase a ticket to enter the old town of Hoi An (120,000 VND, about $5).
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 Food and Culinary Tours in Vietnam, The Best Tours Under $1000 in Vietnam, 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 dayHoi An $46Busan (Pusan) $86
The average daily cost (per person) in Hoi An is $46, 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 Hoi An and Busan (Pusan) in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHoi An $21Busan (Pusan) $39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHoi An $42Busan (Pusan) $78
Compare Hotels in Hoi An and Busan (Pusan)
Looking for a hotel in Hoi An 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: Hoi An Hotel Prices and Busan (Pusan) Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hoi An $19Busan (Pusan) $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hoi An
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Hoi An are as follows:
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Taxi From Danang to Hoi An$8.79
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Bus From Hoi An Bus Station to Town$0.60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hoi An
Also for Hoi An, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private transfer to Da Nang Hotels or to Hoi An City: $4.10
- Hoi An and Da Nang Airport/City Shuttle Transfer Service: $6.00
- Da Nang Airport : transfer to Da Nang center / to Hoi An: $7.06
- Da Nang Airport : transfer to Da Nang center / to Hoi An: $7.06
- From One-Way Shared Bus Transfer to Da Nang: $8.82
- From Hoi An/Da Nang: Shuttle Bus Transfer to My Son: $9.00
- Hue: Transfer to/from Airport, Hoi An, Danang by Private Car: $10
- Basket Boat Ticket & Transfer in Cam Thanh Village: $14
- Hoi An : Cam Thanh Basket Boat Riding W Two-way Transfers: $14
- Hoi An Bamboo Basket Boat Tour with Two-way Transfers: $14
- Hoi An : Cam Thanh Basket Boat Riding W Two-way Transfers: $14
- Hoi An Basket Boat Ride Includes Two-way Transfers: $14
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 Hoi An or Busan (Pusan)?
Prices for flights to both Busan (Pusan) and Hoi An 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 dayHoi An $9.95Busan (Pusan) $26
Typical Food Prices in Hoi An
For Hoi An, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner at Bamboo Village (for Two)$14
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$3.99
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Casual Dinner (for Two)$7.99
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hoi An
For Hoi An, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Bamboo Basket Boat Tour with Optional Lunch/Dinner: $14
- Hoi An:Traditional Cooking Class with Cam Thanh Local Family: $21
- Traditional Cooking Class & meal w Cam Thanh Family: $21
- Hoi An/Da Nang: Vietnamese Cooking Class with Transportation: $22
- From Cooking Class at Organic Farm: $22
- Mad Monkey Hoi An Cooking Class & Bamboo Boats: $23
- Traditional Vietnamese Cooking Class in Leina Cookery: $23
- Evening Tra Que Cooking Class with Locals in Herb Village: $24
- Hoi An : Basket Boat Ride & Cooking Class with Market Tour: $24
- Vietnamese Cooking Class with Local Family in Hoi An: $24
- Cooking Class with Traditional Vietnamese Meals: $24
- Hoi An : Cooking Class W Optional Basket Boat & Market Tour: $25
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
- 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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hoi An $13Busan (Pusan) $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hoi An
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Hoi An's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Golf (for Two)$148
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Short Boat Ride$1.60
Tours and Activities in Hoi An
For Hoi An, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Hoi An Ancient Town - Free Walking Tour: $2.05
- Hoi An Ancient Town- Free Walking Tour with Local Guide: $2.05
- Experience Kim Bong Carpentry with Local Artisans: $6.57
- Experience Bamboo Basket Boat on Coconut village w Locals: $6.89
- Da Nang/Hoi An:Experience Basket Boat ride in Coconut Forest: $7.18
- Hoi An Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.65
- Bus to My Son Sanctuary with Entrance ticket: $8.00
- Experience the Art of Vietnamese Coffee Making: $11
- Mad Monkey Hoi An Bicycle Tour: $12
- Cam Thanh Tour with Bamboo Basket Boat: $12
- Hoi An : Bamboo Basket Boat Tour: $12
- Basket Boat Experience: $13
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHoi An $9.06Busan (Pusan) $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Hoi An
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Hoi An are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$9.59
Sample the Local Flavors in Hoi An
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Hoi An:
- Pub Crawl by Bus with Shots at Each Bar: $8.21
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 Hoi An and Busan (Pusan), we can see that Busan (Pusan) is more expensive. And not only is Hoi An much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hoi An would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hoi An 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 Hoi An.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hoi An Expensive? and Is Busan (Pusan) Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hoi An or Busan (Pusan)?
Busan (Pusan) has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Hoi An. When comparing the sizes of Hoi An 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.
When is the best time to visit Hoi An or Busan (Pusan)?
Busan (Pusan) has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Hoi An experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Hoi An or Busan (Pusan) in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Hoi An as well as Busan (Pusan). Hoi An attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Hoi An is a little warmer than Busan (Pusan). Typically, the summer temperatures in Hoi An in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Busan (Pusan) averages at about 25°C (77°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hoi An this time of the year. In the summer, Hoi An often gets more sunshine than Busan (Pusan). Hoi An gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Busan (Pusan) receives 166 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Busan (Pusan). Hoi An usually gets less rain in July than Busan (Pusan). Hoi An gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Busan (Pusan) receives 257 mm (10.1 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, February to July in Hoi An is the dry season. September to January in Hoi An is the rainy season.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHoi An 29°C (85°F)Busan (Pusan) 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Hoi An or Busan (Pusan) in the Autumn?
Both Busan (Pusan) and Hoi An are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hoi An throughout the year.
In October, Hoi An is generally a little warmer than Busan (Pusan). Daily temperatures in Hoi An average around 25°C (78°F), and Busan (Pusan) fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).
It's quite sunny in Busan (Pusan). Hoi An usually receives less sunshine than Busan (Pusan) during autumn. Hoi An gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Busan (Pusan) receives 202 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Hoi An. In October, Hoi An usually receives more rain than Busan (Pusan). Hoi An gets 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain, while Busan (Pusan) receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHoi An 25°C (78°F)Busan (Pusan) 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Hoi An or Busan (Pusan) in the Winter?
Both Busan (Pusan) and Hoi An during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hoi An because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite cold in Busan (Pusan) in the winter. Hoi An is much warmer than Busan (Pusan) in the winter. The daily temperature in Hoi An averages around 22°C (71°F) in January, and Busan (Pusan) fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
In Busan (Pusan), it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Hoi An often gets less sunshine than Busan (Pusan). Hoi An gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Busan (Pusan) receives 200 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Hoi An. Hoi An usually gets more rain in January than Busan (Pusan). Hoi An gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Busan (Pusan) receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year. February to July is the dry season in Hoi An. September to January is the rainy season in Hoi An.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHoi An 22°C (71°F)Busan (Pusan) 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Hoi An or Busan (Pusan) in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hoi An and Busan (Pusan). Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hoi An year-round.
In the spring, Hoi An is much warmer than Busan (Pusan). Typically, the spring temperatures in Hoi An in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Busan (Pusan) averages at about 14°C (57°F).
In Hoi An, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hoi An usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Busan (Pusan) during spring. Hoi An gets 210 hours of sunny skies, while Busan (Pusan) receives 196 hours of full sun in the spring.
Busan (Pusan) receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Hoi An usually receives less rain than Busan (Pusan). Hoi An gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Busan (Pusan) receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHoi An 26°C (80°F)Busan (Pusan) 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Busan (Pusan) and Hoi An
| Hoi An | Busan (Pusan) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 22°C (71°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (85°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 257 mm (10.1 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 204 mm (8 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 331 mm (13 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 613 mm (24.1 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (76°F) | 376 mm (14.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 223 mm (8.8 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
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.