Which place is cheaper, Busan (Pusan) or Leh?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Leh 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 Leh 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: Leh or Busan (Pusan)?
Leh
Leh is a small town located in the Indus river valley at a crossroads of the old trading routes from Kashgar, Tibet, and Kashmir. Today, the town is best known for its Buddhist sites and nearby trekking areas. It is situated in northern India, amidst the mountainous Himalayan range.
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 New Delhi, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Mumbai, 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 dayLeh $39Busan (Pusan) $86
The average daily cost (per person) in Leh is $39, 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 Leh and Busan (Pusan) in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLeh $17Busan (Pusan) $39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLeh $34Busan (Pusan) $78
Compare Hotels in Leh and Busan (Pusan)
Looking for a hotel in Leh 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: Leh Hotel Prices and Busan (Pusan) Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Leh $7.86Busan (Pusan) $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Leh
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Leh:
- Leh Airport Transfer: $33
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: $60
- Private Transfer from Busan Cruise Port to Busan Int Airport(PUS): $71
- Private Transfer from Busan Port to Busan Gimhae Int Airport(PUS): $79
- Private Transfer from Busan Cruise Port to Busan Hotels: $84
- Private Transfer Gaimhae Airport to Busan City: $85
- Busan Gimhae Int Airport(PUS) to Busan - Arrival Private Transfer: $119
- Busan to Busan Gimhae Airport (PUS) - Departure Private Transfer: $119
Is it cheaper to fly into Leh or Busan (Pusan)?
Prices for flights to both Busan (Pusan) and Leh 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 dayLeh $14Busan (Pusan) $26
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
- Busan Seafood Tour & Dinner with Busan Oppa: $90
- Korean cooking class in Haeundae, Busan : $95
- Kkakdugi(Korean radish Kimchi) Cooking class at Busan : $99
- Enjoy tailored Korean cooking class with Ocean view at Busan: $99
- Busan big Barbecue dinner at the garden : $150
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Leh $14Busan (Pusan) $20
Tours and Activities in Leh
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Leh are as follows:
- Leh-Ladakh Sameday Tour/ Capture the Majesty in Just One Day: $53
- "Leh to Pangong Lake Sameday tour: A Day of Tranquil Wonders: $80
- LADAKH TOUR: $659
- From Srinagar: Private Himalayan 11-Day Tour to Ladakh: $1,507
Tours and Activities in Busan (Pusan)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Busan (Pusan) are as follows:
- Busan Running Man Themed Activity Experience Ticket (내국인불가): $8.00
- Fun & Informative Busan in Korea Virtual Tour : $12
- Museum 1 Exhibition Ticket in Busan (내국인 불가): $13
- The Way of Tea - Experience: $38
- Full-Day Tour Unmissable things to do in Busan: $41
- Full-Day Busan City Tour: $51
- Jinhae Gunhangje Night Tour : $60
- Full day Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Tour from Busan: $60
- Romantic Jinhae Cherry Blossom Night Tour - Depart from Busan: $65
- From Busan: Chasing Cherry Blossom & Spring Flowers Day Tour: $65
- Gyeongju Maple Tour from Busan : $66
- Old Korea Thousand History Tour of Gyeongju from Busan: $67
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLeh $5.57Busan (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 Pub Crawl: $20
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Leh and Busan (Pusan), we can see that Busan (Pusan) is more expensive. And not only is Leh much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Leh would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Leh 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 Leh.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Leh Expensive? and Is Busan (Pusan) Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Leh or Busan (Pusan)?
Busan (Pusan) has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Leh. When comparing the sizes of Leh 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.
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.