Which place is cheaper, Busan (Pusan) or Krabi?
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 Krabi 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 Krabi and Busan (Pusan) can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Krabi or Busan (Pusan)?
Krabi
Krabi is both a large town and region in southern Thailand. While the region is covered in beaches, if you're more interested in immersion in Thai culture than the salty ocean, consider a trip to "Krabi Town". Pronounced "Grabee," this small, but bustling city is just up the river from the coast, and is the gateway to the beaches in the surrounding Province of Krabi (where you'll find famous places such as Railay, Ao Nang, Haad Yao, and plenty of others). Krabi Town is full of hotels, agencies, and western restaurants, but if you look hard enough, you'll easily see the energy and life of Thailand. While there are no beaches in the town itself, there is plenty of Thai culture to experience. There's a good chance you'll be passing through on your way to one of the famous beaches, so take advantage of your brief time here.
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 10-Day Tours in Thailand, The Best One Week (7-Day) 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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Krabi Prices
Thailand PricesBusan (Pusan) Prices
South Korea Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKrabi $71Busan (Pusan) $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Krabi is $71, 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 Krabi and Busan (Pusan) in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKrabi $40Busan (Pusan) $39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKrabi $80Busan (Pusan) $78
Compare Hotels in Krabi and Busan (Pusan)
Looking for a hotel in Krabi 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: Krabi Hotel Prices and Busan (Pusan) Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Krabi $4.21Busan (Pusan) $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Krabi
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Krabi are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$9.08
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Short Tuk-Tuk Ride$3.03
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2 Bottles of Gasoline$2.42
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Longboat Taxi from Town$6.05
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Krabi
Also for Krabi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Krabi One-Way Transfer from Ao Nang or Ao Nam Mao: $10
- Private One-Way Van Transfer from Ao Nang or Ao Nam Mao in Krabi: $11
- Krabi International Airport Arrival Shared Transfer To Ao Nang: $12
- Krabi Airport (KBV) Private Transfer: $13
- Ferry Transfer to/from Phi Phi Tonsai or Laem Tong: $15
- Ferry Transfer To or From Phi Phi Don Island: $15
- Krabi International Airport(KBV) Private Transfers: $16
- Private Transfer Krabi Airport and Ao Nang Area: $16
- Ao Nang to Railay Transfer By Long-Tail Boat: $18
- Krabi Airport Private Transfer with Meet & Greet: $18
- One-Way Ferry Transfer to/from Koh Phi Phi: $19
- Shared Van Transfer from Krabi to Koh Lanta with Hotel Drop Off: $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Busan (Pusan)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Busan (Pusan):
- Private VIP Airport or Hotel Transfers in Busan: $300
- Private Transfer from Busan hotels to Busan Cruise Port: $66
- Private Transfer from Busan Int Airport(PUS) to Busan Cruise Port: $66
- Private Transfer from Busan Gimhae Int Airport(PUS) to Busan Port: $66
- Private Transfer from Busan Cruise Port to Busan city hotels: $66
- Private Transfer from Busan Cruise Port to Busan Int Airport(PUS): $66
- Busan to Busan Gimhae Airport (PUS) - Departure Private Transfer: $68
- Busan hotels to Busan Airport (PUS) - Departure Private Transfer: $62
- Busan Private Transfer: Airport & KTX Stn. to/from Hotel in Busan: $79
- Busan Gimhae Airport (PUS) to Busan - Arrival Private Transfer: $68
- Busan Airport to Busan Hotels Round-Trip Private Transfer: $124
Is it cheaper to fly into Krabi or Busan (Pusan)?
Prices for flights to both Busan (Pusan) and Krabi 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 dayKrabi $24Busan (Pusan) $44
Typical Food Prices in Krabi
For Krabi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$7.57
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Drinks on the Beach$7.26
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Sit Down Dinner (for Two)$19
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Nice Dinner (for Two)$34
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Mango Shake$1.51
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Pad Thai$3.03
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Fruit from the Market$1.82
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Pancakes$3.03
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Coffee & Cake$2.27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Krabi
For Krabi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 7 Islands Sunset Tour with Buffet Dinner & Snorkeling: $32
- Krabi 7 Islands Sunset Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $33
- 7 Islands Sunset & Plankton Swim with BBQ Dinner: $35
- Krabi 7 Islands Sunset Island Hopping with BBQ Dinner by Big Boat: $36
- Half Day Thai Cooking Class in Ao Nang, Krabi: $36
- Snorkeling and Sunset to Krabi 7 Islands by Longtail Boat + Buffet BBQ Dinner: $36
- Krabi Best of 7 islands Adventure Tour with Beachside BBQ Dinner: $40
- Half Day Thai Cooking Class in Ao Nang: $40
- Krabi 7 Island Sunset & BBQ Dinner (Join Tour): $44
- Ya Thai Cooking Class in Krabi with Recipe Book: $44
- 4 Islands Sunset Longtail Boat Tour with BBQ Dinner: $45
- Hong Island & Ko Pak Bia Tour with Sunset Dinner: $46
Typical Food Prices in Busan (Pusan)
Some typical examples of dining costs in Busan (Pusan) are as follows:
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McDonald's$4.46
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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).
- Autumn Special: 2 Activities + Dinner Only 4 Exclusive Dates: $50
- Busan Bites Food Tour with 10+ Tastings: $88
- Kimchi Kitchens Busan Food Tour with 10+ Tastings: $88
- Busan Seafood Tour : Jagalchi market Seafood Tour & Dinner: $110
- Busan Local Food Cooking Class with Market Tour: $114
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Krabi $11Busan (Pusan) $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Krabi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Krabi's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Thai-English Book$9.99
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Thai Massages (for Two)$24
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Bikini & Sarong$18
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Yoga Class (1 Hour)$13
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Backgammon Set (travel size)$7.57
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Kayak Trip (for Two)$57
Tours and Activities in Krabi
For Krabi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- DIY tour - Finest selection of Krabi Hidden Gems: $8.04
- 4 Island Tour by Longtail Boat Krabi + Lunch + Pick Up + Drop Off: $19
- 4 Islands Snorkeling Tour by Longtail Boat: $23
- 4 Islands Tour by Longtail Boat & Thai Buffet Lunch: $23
- Jurassic World Filming Tour Kayak and ATV Adventure in Krabi: $23
- Klong Root Kayaking and Swimming with ATV Tour From Krabi: $24
- Ao Thalane Mangrove Kayaking Tour with Pickup: $24
- 4 Islands Day Tour from Krabi: $24
- Popular 4 Islands Tour By Classic Longtail Boat From Krabi: $25
- 4 Islands Krabi Speed Boat Day Tour with Buffet Lunch: $25
- Krabi 4 Islands Tour and Snorkeling with Shared boat: $25
- Half-Day Kayak Adventure at Ao Thalane: $25
Tours and Activities in Busan (Pusan)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Busan (Pusan) are as follows:
- "Walking Tour: Busan local Experience + private guide: $59
- 7 Highlights Gyeongju City One Day Group Tour from Busan: $55
- A Comprehensive Small-Group Busan Tour with Hotel Pickup: $58
- Authentic Busan Full-Day City Highlights Tour: $34
- BTS Landmarks Private Car Tour in Busan with a Licensed Guide: $170
- Best of Busan Day Tour: Coast, Culture and Local Markets: $36
- Busan City Top Attractions Tour with Haeundae Blueline Park: $34
- Busan Cruise Port – Premium Small Group Tour (Max 6 Guests): $99
- Busan Cruise Shore Excursion with Guaranteed On-Time Return: $48
- Busan Cruise Shore Excursion: City Highlights and Food Taste Tour: $73
- Busan Daily Private Tour with Hotel Pickup: $150
- Busan Dynamic Maze Discount Ticket Foreigner Only: $12
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKrabi $4.82Busan (Pusan) $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Krabi
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Krabi are as follows:
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Beer$2.72
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Cocktails (for Two)$9.08
Sample the Local Flavors in Krabi
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Krabi:
- Krabi Pub Crawl - The Best Nightlife Tour in Ao Nang!: $15
- Krabi Pub Crawl: $16
- Railay Pub Crawl: $16
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: $23
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Krabi and Busan (Pusan), we can see that Busan (Pusan) is more expensive. And not only is Krabi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Krabi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Krabi 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 Krabi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Krabi Expensive? and Is Busan (Pusan) Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Krabi or Busan (Pusan)?
Busan (Pusan) has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of Krabi. When comparing the sizes of Krabi 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 Krabi or Busan (Pusan)?
Busan (Pusan) has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Krabi experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Krabi or Busan (Pusan) in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Krabi as well as Busan (Pusan). Krabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Krabi is around the same temperature as Busan (Pusan). Typically, the summer temperatures in Krabi in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Busan (Pusan) averages at about 25°C (77°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Krabi this time of the year. In the summer, Krabi often gets more sunshine than Busan (Pusan). Krabi gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Busan (Pusan) receives 166 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Busan (Pusan). Krabi receives a lot of rain in the summer. Krabi usually gets more rain in July than Busan (Pusan). Krabi gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Busan (Pusan) receives 257 mm (10.1 in) of rain this time of the year. August to October in Krabi is the rainy season.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKrabi 28°C (82°F)Busan (Pusan) 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Krabi or Busan (Pusan) in the Autumn?
Both Busan (Pusan) and Krabi are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Krabi throughout the year.
In October, Krabi is generally much warmer than Busan (Pusan). Daily temperatures in Krabi average around 27°C (81°F), and Busan (Pusan) fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).
It's quite sunny in Busan (Pusan). Krabi usually receives less sunshine than Busan (Pusan) during autumn. Krabi gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Busan (Pusan) receives 202 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Krabi. In October, Krabi usually receives more rain than Busan (Pusan). Krabi gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Busan (Pusan) receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Krabi is December to March. The rainy season in Krabi is August to October.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKrabi 27°C (81°F)Busan (Pusan) 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Krabi or Busan (Pusan) in the Winter?
Both Busan (Pusan) and Krabi during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Krabi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Busan (Pusan) can be very cold during winter. Krabi is much warmer than Busan (Pusan) in the winter. The daily temperature in Krabi averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Busan (Pusan) fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
In Busan (Pusan), it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Krabi. In the winter, Krabi often gets more sunshine than Busan (Pusan). Krabi gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Busan (Pusan) receives 200 hours of full sun.
Krabi usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Busan (Pusan). Krabi gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Busan (Pusan) receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year. December to March is the dry season in Krabi.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKrabi 28°C (82°F)Busan (Pusan) 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Krabi or Busan (Pusan) in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Krabi and Busan (Pusan). Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Krabi year-round.
In the spring, Krabi is much warmer than Busan (Pusan). Typically, the spring temperatures in Krabi in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Busan (Pusan) averages at about 14°C (57°F).
In Krabi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Krabi usually receives more sunshine than Busan (Pusan) during spring. Krabi gets 249 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. Krabi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Krabi usually receives less rain than Busan (Pusan). Krabi gets 120 mm (4.7 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 AprilKrabi 29°C (84°F)Busan (Pusan) 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Busan (Pusan) and Krabi
| Krabi | Busan (Pusan) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 257 mm (10.1 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 204 mm (8 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 62 mm (2.4 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.