Which place is cheaper, Busan (Pusan) or Koh Samet?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Koh Samet or Busan (Pusan)?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Samet or Busan (Pusan), this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Koh Samet or Busan (Pusan)?
Koh Samet
The country of Thailand is full of some of the world's most stunning beauty and peaceful settings. So it begs the question, where the Thai people go to get away from it all? They go to Ko Samet on the eastern gulf coast. Located just outside of Bangkok, Ko Samet provides visitors an easily accessible and desirable weekend getaway spot. With white beaches and coral of every other color, this island has steadily developed over the last few years without an intense construction increase like many other Thai beaches. Once thought to be the home of pirates, this island provides plenty to wonder about including, are there hidden treasures under that gorgeous white sand?
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 in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand, The Best Tours for Seniors to South Korea, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Seoul.
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Koh Samet Prices
Thailand PricesBusan (Pusan) Prices
South Korea Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Samet $133Busan (Pusan) $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samet is $133, while the average daily cost in Busan (Pusan) is $104. 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 Samet and Busan (Pusan) in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Samet $37Busan (Pusan) $39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Samet $74Busan (Pusan) $78
Compare Hotels in Koh Samet and Busan (Pusan)
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samet 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 Samet Hotel Prices and Busan (Pusan) Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Samet $79Busan (Pusan) $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Busan (Pusan)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Busan (Pusan):
- Private Transfer from Busan Cruise Port to Busan Hotels: $66
- Private Transfer from Busan Gimhae Int Airport(PUS) to Busan Port: $66
- Private Transfer from Busan Port to Busan Gimhae Int Airport(PUS): $66
- Private Transfer from Busan Cruise Port to Busan Int Airport(PUS): $66
- Private Transfer from Busan Int Airport(PUS) to Busan Cruise Port: $66
- Private Transfer Gaimhae Airport to Busan City: $85
- Busan Airport to Busan Hotels Round-Trip Private Transfer: $125
- Busan Gimhae Airport (PUS) to Busan - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $137
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samet or Busan (Pusan)?
Prices for flights to both Busan (Pusan) and Koh Samet 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 dayKoh Samet $54Busan (Pusan) $44
Typical Food Prices in Busan (Pusan)
Some typical examples of dining costs in Busan (Pusan) are as follows:
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McDonald's$4.43
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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: $53
- Busan Tailored Korean cooking class (Vegan OK)with market tour: $95
- Busan seafood tour : Cod Auction and Clam Auction in Winter: $99
- Korean cooking class in Haeundae, Busan : $100
- Busan Local Food Cooking Class with Market Tour: $114
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Samet $10Busan (Pusan) $20
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 CLUBD OASIS Spa and Water Park Ticket: $15
- Busan Yacht Tour with Music: $26
- Japanese Occupation and Korean War Historical Tour in Busan: $29
- Full-Day Tour Unmissable things to do in Busan: $38
- Busan 9 Highlights Tour: $40
- Eden Valley Ski and Snowboard Tour from Busan : $41
- Jinhae Cherry Blossom Day trip from Busan - A Spring Adventure!: $47
- Naejangsan Fall Foliage Tour from Busan with Seoul Drop-off: $47
- Authentic Busan Full-Day City Highlights Tour: $48
- Busan Full-Day City Tour with Gamcheon Village, Sea Temple & more: $49
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Samet $5.38Busan (Pusan) $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Samet and Busan (Pusan), we can see that Koh Samet 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 Samet would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Samet 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 Samet Expensive? and Is Busan (Pusan) Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Koh Samet or Busan (Pusan)?
Busan (Pusan) has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Koh Samet experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Koh Samet or Busan (Pusan) in the Summer?
Both Busan (Pusan) and Koh Samet are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samet throughout the year.
Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Busan (Pusan) in the summer. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Busan (Pusan) fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
Koh Samet usually receives more sunshine than Busan (Pusan) during summer. Koh Samet gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Busan (Pusan) receives 166 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Busan (Pusan). It's quite rainy in Koh Samet. In July, Koh Samet usually receives less rain than Busan (Pusan). Koh Samet gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Busan (Pusan) receives 257 mm (10.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Samet 28°C (82°F)Busan (Pusan) 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Busan (Pusan) in the Autumn?
Both Busan (Pusan) and Koh Samet during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Samet because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, Koh Samet is a little warmer than Busan (Pusan). Typically, the autumn temperatures in Koh Samet in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Busan (Pusan) averages at about 18°C (65°F).
In Busan (Pusan), it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Koh Samet often gets less sunshine than Busan (Pusan). Koh Samet gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Busan (Pusan) receives 202 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Samet. Koh Samet usually gets more rain in October than Busan (Pusan). Koh Samet gets 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain, while Busan (Pusan) receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Samet 27°C (81°F)Busan (Pusan) 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Busan (Pusan) in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samet and Busan (Pusan). Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samet year-round.
Busan (Pusan) can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Koh Samet is generally much warmer than Busan (Pusan). Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 25°C (77°F), and Busan (Pusan) fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Busan (Pusan) this time of the year. In Koh Samet, it's very sunny this time of the year. Koh Samet usually receives more sunshine than Busan (Pusan) during winter. Koh Samet gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Busan (Pusan) receives 200 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Koh Samet usually receives more rain than Busan (Pusan). Koh Samet gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Busan (Pusan) receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Samet 25°C (77°F)Busan (Pusan) 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Busan (Pusan) in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Koh Samet as well as Busan (Pusan). Koh Samet attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Koh Samet is much warmer than Busan (Pusan) in the spring. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Busan (Pusan) fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Koh Samet this time of the year. In the spring, Koh Samet often gets more sunshine than Busan (Pusan). Koh Samet gets 239 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Busan (Pusan) receives 196 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Busan (Pusan). Koh Samet usually gets less rain in April than Busan (Pusan). Koh Samet gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Busan (Pusan) receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Samet 29°C (84°F)Busan (Pusan) 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Busan (Pusan) and Koh Samet
| Koh Samet | Busan (Pusan) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 257 mm (10.1 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 204 mm (8 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 380 mm (15 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 118 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.