Which place is cheaper, Busan (Pusan) or Koh Lipe?
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 Koh Lipe or Busan (Pusan)?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Koh Lipe and Busan (Pusan) can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Koh Lipe or Busan (Pusan)?
Koh Lipe
Ko Lipe used to be one of Thailand's most gorgeous hidden treasures. While it's still breathtaking, it's certainly not hidden anymore. With a small community of approximately 700 chow lair, or sea gypsies, this region is doing its best to maintain the beauty of its culture and beaches despite the influx of tourism. The rapid development has seen additions of concrete cafes and travel agencies. There are still rich, cultural gems to find in Ko Lipe - you just have to be willing to wander.
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 Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, The Best Tours for Seniors to South Korea, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Seoul.
-
Koh Lipe Prices
Thailand PricesBusan (Pusan) Prices
South Korea Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Lipe $117Busan (Pusan) $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Lipe is $117, while the average daily cost in Busan (Pusan) is $96. 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 Koh Lipe and Busan (Pusan) in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Lipe $49Busan (Pusan) $36
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Lipe $98Busan (Pusan) $72
Compare Hotels in Koh Lipe and Busan (Pusan)
Looking for a hotel in Koh Lipe 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: Koh Lipe Hotel Prices and Busan (Pusan) Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Lipe $20Busan (Pusan) $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Lipe
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Koh Lipe:
- Koh Lipe to Hatyai Speedboat and Van Transfer: $39
- Fast and Convenient Koh Lipe to Koh Lanta Speedboat Transfer: $72
- Island Transfer from Koh Lipe to Koh Lanta by Speedboat: $75
- Koh Lipe to Koh Phi Phi Comfortable Transfer by Speedboat: $81
- Private Transfer Pak Bara Pier to Hatyai Airport by Van: $94
- Direct Transfer from Koh Lipe to Phuket by Speedboat: $105
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Busan (Pusan)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Busan (Pusan):
- Busan Private Transfer: Airport & KTX Stn. to/from Hotel in Busan: $79
- Private Airport, Train Station & Hotel Transfer Service in Busan: $80
- Private Transfer Gaimhae Airport to Busan City: $85
- Private Transfer from Busan Cruise Port to Busan Hotels: $65
- Private Transfer from Busan Cruise Port to Busan city hotels: $65
- Private Transfer from Busan Int Airport(PUS) to Busan Cruise Port: $65
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Lipe or Busan (Pusan)?
Prices for flights to both Busan (Pusan) and Koh Lipe 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 dayKoh Lipe $51Busan (Pusan) $41
Typical Food Prices in Busan (Pusan)
Some typical examples of dining costs in Busan (Pusan) are as follows:
-
McDonald's$4.10
-
Carp Bread$0.66
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Busan (Pusan)
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Busan (Pusan).
- Busan Traditional Market Food Tour: $47
- Busan history and market food tour with local chef: $48
- Kimchi Kitchens Busan Food Tour with 10+ Tastings: $88
- Busan Tailored Korean cooking class (Vegan OK)with market tour: $100
- Korean cooking class in Haeundae, Busan: $104
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Lipe $26Busan (Pusan) $18
Tours and Activities in Koh Lipe
Here are a few actual costs in Koh Lipe for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Experience the Koh Lipe Backyard including 5 Mysterious Islands: $24
- 7 Islands 8 Spots Far Away Longtail Boat Snorkeling Tour: $25
- Experience the Koh Lipe Frontier in the Eastern Adang Archipelago: $28
- Full-Day Koh Lipe 7 Islands Snorkeling Experience with Lunch: $30
- Koh Lipe 5 Stunning Island Snorkeling Tour by Longtail Boat: $32
- Koh Lipe Highlight 5 Islands Snorkeling Adventure Day Trip: $34
- Private Experience with Fishing, Barbeque, Sashimi and Snorkeling: $77
- Koh Lipe Beginner Scuba Diving Half Day Tour with Lunch: $116
- Private Koh Lipe Inner Zone Snorkeling Tour by Longtail Boat: $116
- Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) 1 day Experience: $125
- Koh Lipe Unseen 7 Islands Day Tour by Private Longtail Boat: $137
- Koh Lipe Inside Outside Snorkel Tour by Private Longtail Boat: $165
Tours and Activities in Busan (Pusan)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Busan (Pusan) are as follows:
- Busan Dynamic Maze Discount Ticket Foreigner Only: $12
- Museum 1 Exhibition Ticket in Busan (내국인 불가): $12
- Busan Running Man Themed Activity Experience Ticket (내국인불가): $12
- Busan Job Experience Theme Park Ticket for Kid: $14
- Busan Vaunce Trampoline Yongho W Center Discount Ticket(내국인불가): $21
- Busan City Top Attractions Tour with Haeundae Blueline Park: $31
- Authentic Busan Full-Day City Highlights Tour: $31
- Busan Coastal Views or Bamboo Forest with Local Markets Day Tour: $36
- The Essential Busan: Coastal Views, Local Markets & Culture Tour: $36
- Busan Tour: Sky Capsule, Gamcheon, Haeundae Blueline Park & more: $38
- Busan 9 Highlights Tour: $40
- From Busan to Gyeongju UNESCO Authentic Tour: $40
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Lipe $9.21Busan (Pusan) $11
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 with Traditional Korean Pub Experience: $23
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Lipe and Busan (Pusan), we can see that Koh Lipe is more expensive. And not only is Busan (Pusan) much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Koh Lipe would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Lipe 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 Koh Lipe Expensive? and Is Busan (Pusan) Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Koh Lipe or Busan (Pusan)?
Busan (Pusan) has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Koh Lipe experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Koh Lipe or Busan (Pusan) in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Lipe and Busan (Pusan). Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Lipe year-round.
In the summer, Koh Lipe is around the same temperature as Busan (Pusan). Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Lipe in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Busan (Pusan) averages at about 25°C (77°F).
Busan (Pusan) receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Lipe gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Koh Lipe usually receives around the same amount of rain as Busan (Pusan). Koh Lipe gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Busan (Pusan) receives 257 mm (10.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Lipe 27°C (81°F)Busan (Pusan) 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Koh Lipe or Busan (Pusan) in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Koh Lipe as well as Busan (Pusan). Koh Lipe attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Koh Lipe is generally much warmer than Busan (Pusan). Daily temperatures in Koh Lipe average around 27°C (81°F), and Busan (Pusan) fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).
Koh Lipe receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Lipe usually gets more rain in October than Busan (Pusan). Koh Lipe gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Busan (Pusan) receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to April in Koh Lipe is the dry season. May to October in Koh Lipe is the rainy season.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Lipe 27°C (81°F)Busan (Pusan) 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Koh Lipe or Busan (Pusan) in the Winter?
Both Busan (Pusan) and Koh Lipe are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Lipe throughout the year.
Busan (Pusan) can be very cold during winter. Koh Lipe is much warmer than Busan (Pusan) in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Lipe averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Busan (Pusan) fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
In January, Koh Lipe usually receives more rain than Busan (Pusan). Koh Lipe gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Busan (Pusan) receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Lipe 27°C (80°F)Busan (Pusan) 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Koh Lipe or Busan (Pusan) in the Spring?
Both Busan (Pusan) and Koh Lipe during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Lipe because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the spring, Koh Lipe is much warmer than Busan (Pusan). Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Lipe in April average around 29°C (85°F), and Busan (Pusan) averages at about 14°C (57°F).
Busan (Pusan) gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Lipe. Koh Lipe usually gets less rain in April than Busan (Pusan). Koh Lipe gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Busan (Pusan) receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain this time of the year. December to April is the dry season in Koh Lipe. May to October is the rainy season in Koh Lipe.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Lipe 29°C (85°F)Busan (Pusan) 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Busan (Pusan) and Koh Lipe
| Koh Lipe | Busan (Pusan) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 257 mm (10.1 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 204 mm (8 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 355 mm (14 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 204 mm (8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 116 mm (4.6 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.