A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lombok vs. Busan (Pusan) for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Lombok 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 Lombok 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: Lombok or Busan (Pusan)?

Lombok

Lombok is an island east of the well-tread Bali and west of lesser-developed Sumbawa. While Lombok is not as popular as its neighbor to the west, it is a great place to visit for that very reason. Less popularity means lower prices for accommodations, food, activities, and less-inundated tourist spots. Nonetheless, Lombok is rapidly developing in tourism, and the government is naming it and Sumbawa the number two tourism spots, following Bali.

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 Wildlife Tours to Indonesia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia, The Best Tours for Seniors to South Korea, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Seoul.


Which place is cheaper, Busan (Pusan) or Lombok?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Lombok is $55, 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 Lombok and Busan (Pusan) in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lombok $26
    Busan (Pusan) $36
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lombok $52
    Busan (Pusan) $72
Compare Hotels in Lombok and Busan (Pusan)

Looking for a hotel in Lombok 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.

Hotels in Lombok


Hotels in Busan (Pusan)


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: Busan (Pusan) Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lombok $10
    Busan (Pusan) $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lombok

Also for Lombok, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Lombok Airport Transfer: $9.29
  • Kuta Lombok Transfer: $10
  • Private Car Transfer from Bangsal Harbor to Lombok Hotels: $16
  • Lombok Private Transfer from or to Airports & Hotel/Ports: $17
  • Private Transfer from Lombok Cruise Port to Lombok Airport (LOP): $26
  • Private Transfer from Lombok Airport (LOP) to Koeta: $28
  • Private Transfer from Lombok Airport (LOP) to Lombok Cruise Port: $28
  • Private Transfer from Lombok Island Hotels to Lombok Cruise Port: $28
  • Gili Trawangan, Air, or 1-Way Boat Transfer to Bali: $29
  • Private Transfer from Batu Payung to Lombok Airport (LOP): $29
  • Private Transfer from Lombok Airport (LOP) to Batu Payung: $29
  • Private Airport Lombok Transfers to or from Gili Islands: $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Busan (Pusan)

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Busan (Pusan):

  • Private Transfer From Busan to Incheon or Seoul or GyeongJu city: $100
  • Busan Private Transfer: Airport & KTX Stn. to/from Hotel in Busan: $79
  • Private Transfer from Busan hotels to Busan Cruise Port: $64
  • Private Transfer from Busan Cruise Port to Busan Hotels: $64
  • Private Transfer from Busan Gimhae Int Airport(PUS) to Busan Port: $64
  • Private Transfer from Busan Cruise Port to Busan city hotels: $64
  • Private Transfer from Busan City Hotels to Busan Cruise Port: $64

Is it cheaper to fly into Lombok or Busan (Pusan)?

Prices for flights to both Busan (Pusan) and Lombok 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 day
    Lombok $19
    Busan (Pusan) $41

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lombok

For Lombok, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Gili Trawangan: Authentic Indonesian Food Gili Cooking Class: $44
  • Kids Cooking Class at Tugu Hotel Lombok: $52
  • Babah Peranakan Chinese Cuisine Dinner in Lombok: $66
  • Traditional Cooking Class Experience With Recipes From The Past Generations: $70
  • Lombok Cooking Class at Tugu Hotel Lombok: $85
  • Amazing Lombok BBQ Beach Sunset Dinner: $88
  • Royal Dinner Experience in Lombok at Royal Tugudom: $119

Typical Food Prices in Busan (Pusan)

Some typical examples of dining costs in Busan (Pusan) are as follows:


  • McDonald's
    $4.13
  • Carp Bread
    $0.67

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: $50
  • Busan Market Jokbal Dinner Beach Experience Tour: $75
  • Busan Bites Food Tour with 10+ Tastings: $88
  • Kimchi Kitchens Busan Food Tour with 10+ Tastings: $88
  • Busan Local Food Cooking Class with Market Tour: $108
  • Busan Seafood Tour : Jagalchi market Seafood Tour & Dinner: $110
  • Busan Tailored Korean cooking class (Vegan OK)with market tour: $120

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Lombok $9.25
    Busan (Pusan) $18

Tours and Activities in Lombok

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Lombok.

  • Gili T Island: The Thrilling Sunset Snorkeling Adventure: $16
  • Gili Air : Shared Tour with Sea Turtles & Underwater Statues: $18
  • Lombok Wildlife Park: Admission Ticket: $20
  • Lombok Cultural & Scenic Tour: Pottery, Weaving & Beaches: $21
  • Lombok Waterfalls & Sukarara Weaving Village Tour: $22
  • Lombok Rafting Adventure Unforgettable Thrills with Lunch: $29
  • Lombok Sasak Culture and Village Tour: $34
  • Sasak Villages, Beaches, and Merese Hill Tour: $35
  • Lombok Private Custom Tour - Lombok Car Hire with Driver: $36
  • Exclusive Private Lombok Car Hire & Customized Tour: $43
  • Lombok Wildlife Park: Elephant Observation Experience: $43
  • Lombok Wildlife Park: Orangutan Observation Experience: $43

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: $56
  • (Guaranteed Return) Busan Shore Excursion for Cruise Guests: $68
  • (On-Time Return) Busan Cruise Shore Excursion for Small Group: $89
  • (Return Assurance) Busan Small Group Cruise Shore Excursion: $80
  • 7 Highlights Gyeongju City One Day Group Tour from Busan: $65
  • A Comprehensive Small-Group Busan Tour with Hotel Pickup: $58
  • Authentic Busan Full-Day City Highlights Tour: $32
  • Busan 9 Highlights Tour: $40
  • Busan City Top Attractions Tour with Haeundae Blueline Park: $32
  • 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 Cruise Port – Premium Small Group Tour (Max 6 Guests): $99

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lombok $7.32
    Busan (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 Social Pub Crawl: $22


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lombok and Busan (Pusan), we can see that Busan (Pusan) is more expensive. And not only is Lombok much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lombok would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lombok 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 Lombok.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lombok Expensive? and Is Busan (Pusan) Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Lombok or Busan (Pusan)?

Busan (Pusan) has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Lombok experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Lombok or Busan (Pusan) in the Summer?

Both Busan (Pusan) and Lombok during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Lombok because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Lombok is around the same temperature as Busan (Pusan) in the summer. The daily temperature in Lombok averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Busan (Pusan) fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Busan (Pusan) gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Lombok usually gets less rain in July than Busan (Pusan). Lombok gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Busan (Pusan) receives 257 mm (10.1 in) of rain this time of the year. May to September is the dry season in Lombok.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Lombok 26°C (79°F) 
    Busan (Pusan) 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Lombok or Busan (Pusan) in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lombok and Busan (Pusan). Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lombok year-round.

In the autumn, Lombok is much warmer than Busan (Pusan). Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lombok in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Busan (Pusan) averages at about 18°C (65°F).

Lombok gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Lombok usually receives more rain than Busan (Pusan). Lombok gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Busan (Pusan) receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn. Also, November to April is the rainy season in Lombok.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Lombok 28°C (82°F) 
    Busan (Pusan) 18°C (65°F)

Should I visit Lombok or Busan (Pusan) in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Lombok as well as Busan (Pusan). Lombok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

It's quite cold in Busan (Pusan) in the winter. In January, Lombok is generally much warmer than Busan (Pusan). Daily temperatures in Lombok average around 28°C (82°F), and Busan (Pusan) fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Busan (Pusan). In the winter, Lombok often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Busan (Pusan). Lombok gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Busan (Pusan) receives 200 hours of full sun.

Lombok usually gets more rain in January than Busan (Pusan). Lombok gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Busan (Pusan) receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Lombok 28°C (82°F) 
    Busan (Pusan) 3°C (38°F)

Should I visit Lombok or Busan (Pusan) in the Spring?

Both Busan (Pusan) and Lombok are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lombok throughout the year.

Lombok is much warmer than Busan (Pusan) in the spring. The daily temperature in Lombok averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Busan (Pusan) fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Busan (Pusan). In April, Lombok usually receives less rain than Busan (Pusan). Lombok gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Busan (Pusan) receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Lombok is May to September. The rainy season in Lombok is November to April.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Lombok 28°C (82°F) 
    Busan (Pusan) 14°C (57°F)

Typical Weather for Busan (Pusan) and Lombok

Lombok Busan (Pusan)
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°C (82°F) 97 mm (3.8 in) 3°C (38°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 122 mm (4.8 in) 5°C (40°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Mar 28°C (82°F) 135 mm (5.3 in) 9°C (48°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Apr 28°C (82°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 14°C (57°F) 148 mm (5.8 in)
May 28°C (82°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 18°C (65°F) 148 mm (5.8 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 21°C (70°F) 224 mm (8.8 in)
Jul 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 25°C (77°F) 257 mm (10.1 in)
Aug 26°C (79°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 27°C (80°F) 204 mm (8 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 23°C (73°F) 187 mm (7.4 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 109 mm (4.3 in) 18°C (65°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 216 mm (8.5 in) 12°C (54°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Dec 28°C (82°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 6°C (43°F) 24 mm (0.9 in)