Which place is cheaper, Busan (Pusan) or Melaka?
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 Melaka or Busan (Pusan)?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Melaka 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: Melaka or Busan (Pusan)?
Melaka
Melaka (or Malacca) is a large city on the western coast of Malaysia about half way between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. This historical city grew up as a result of trading in the region due to its position on the namesake Straights of Malacca, a natural waterway formed from the peninsula of Malaysia and the Indonesian island of Sumatra. The city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, The Best Tours for Seniors to South Korea, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Seoul.
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Melaka Prices
Malaysia PricesBusan (Pusan) Prices
South Korea Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMelaka $35Busan (Pusan) $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Melaka is $35, 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 Melaka and Busan (Pusan) in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMelaka $10Busan (Pusan) $36
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMelaka $20Busan (Pusan) $72
Compare Hotels in Melaka and Busan (Pusan)
Looking for a hotel in Melaka 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: Melaka Hotel Prices and Busan (Pusan) Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Melaka $2.21Busan (Pusan) $19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Melaka
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Melaka are as follows:
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Taxi$5.04
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Bus Ride$0.38
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Melaka
Also for Melaka, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Malacca City Hotels to Kuala Lumpur Hotels 1-way Transfer: $43
- Malacca Hotels to Kuala Lumpur International Airport Departure Transfer: $52
- °Chauffeur: Malacca to Singapore Van Transfer: $63
- Private Transfer from Malacca Cruise Port to Kuala Lumpur Hotels: $65
- Malacca Hotel to Kuala Lumpur Hotel (Door to Door) Transfer: $76
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Genting Highlands Transfer [Van]: $76
- ~Chauffeur: Malacca to Kuantan Transfer [Van]: $82
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Kuala Besut Transfer [Van]: $119
- Private Transfer : Taman Negara Kuala Tahan to Cameron Highlands: $175
- Private Transfer from Malacca Cruise Port to Subang Jaya city: $238
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Ipoh Transfer [Car]: $241
- Private Transfer from Malacca Cruise Port to Johor Bahru city: $250
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Busan (Pusan)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Busan (Pusan):
- Busan Gimhae Airport (PUS) to Busan - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $135
- Busan Airport to Busan Hotels Round-Trip Private Transfer: $123
- 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 Port to Busan Gimhae Int Airport(PUS): $65
- Private Transfer from Busan Cruise Port to Busan Int Airport(PUS): $65
- Private Transfer – Anywhere in Busan, including Airport & Station: $65
Is it cheaper to fly into Melaka or Busan (Pusan)?
Prices for flights to both Busan (Pusan) and Melaka 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 dayMelaka $21Busan (Pusan) $41
Typical Food Prices in Melaka
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Melaka:
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Sitdown Lunch (for Two)$7.56
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Dinner at the Market (for Two)$3.27
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Asam Pedas (Fish Curry)$1.51
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Taiwanese Noodle Soup$1.26
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Sitdown Dinner (for Two)$8.06
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Melaka
For Melaka, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Melaka Meals Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $55
- Rempah Routes Melaka Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $55
- Small Group Melaka After Dark Food Tour: $78
- Private Traditional Peranakan & Malay Cooking Class in Melaka: $95
Typical Food Prices in Busan (Pusan)
Some typical examples of dining costs in Busan (Pusan) are as follows:
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McDonald's$4.10
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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: $48
- Busan Bites Food Tour with 10+ Tastings: $88
- Vegan Friendly Korean Food Cooking Class: $100
- Korean cooking class in Haeundae, Busan: $104
- Busan Local Food Cooking Class with Market Tour: $106
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Melaka $4.27Busan (Pusan) $18
Typical Entertainment Prices in Melaka
For Melaka, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Maritime Museum Entrance$0.76
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Taming Sari Revolving Tower Entrance$5.04
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Trishaw Tour (One Hour)$11
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Baba and Nyonya Peranakan Museum Entrance$2.52
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Melaka Zoo Entrance$1.76
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Low Cost Kite$0.76
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Malacca Duck Tour$10
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Melaka River Cruise (One Hour)$2.52
Tours and Activities in Melaka
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Melaka.
- Melaka UNESCO City Guided Walking Tour: $5.17
- Malaysia: Melaka Upside Down House Entry Ticket: $7.23
- Essential Self-Guided Tour of it's UNESCO Heritage Centre: $15
- Malaysia: A'famosa Melaka Ticket: $18
- From Kuala Lumpur Full Day A'Famosa Theme Park Experience: $40
- Malacca City Hotels To Kuala Lumpur Airport EN-ROUTE Putrajaya City Tour: $48
- Malacca City To Kuala Lumpur City En-route Putrajaya Tour: $49
- Malacca Hotels To Kuala Lumpur Hotels En-route Putrajaya Tour: $49
- Malacca City To Kuala Lumpur City EN-ROUTE Putrajaya City Tour: $61
- Malacca To Kuala Lumpur EN-ROUTE Putrajaya City Tour: $61
- Small Group Melaka Flavours Food and Culture Tour: $78
- Private Half-Day Melaka Walking Tour: $84
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: $55
- (Guaranteed Return) Busan Shore Excursion for Cruise Guests: $67
- (On-Time Return) Busan Cruise Shore Excursion for Small Group: $89
- (Return Assurance) Busan Small Group Cruise Shore Excursion: $87
- Authentic Busan Full-Day City Highlights Tour: $31
- Busan 9 Highlights Tour: $40
- Busan CLUBD OASIS Spa and Water Park Ticket: $17
- Busan City Tour Including Gamcheon Culture village and Haedong Yonggungsa Temple: $282
- Busan Cruise Port – Premium Small Group Tour (Max 6 Guests): $99
- Busan Cruise Shore Excursion: City Highlights and Food Taste Tour: $73
- Busan Day Tour with Pickup at the KTX Station-Family Couple Alone: $76
- Busan Dynamic Maze Discount Ticket Foreigner Only: $12
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMelaka $8.74Busan (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 Melaka and Busan (Pusan), we can see that Busan (Pusan) is more expensive. And not only is Melaka much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Melaka would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Melaka 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 Melaka.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Melaka Expensive? and Is Busan (Pusan) Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Melaka or Busan (Pusan)?
Busan (Pusan) has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Melaka. When comparing the sizes of Melaka 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.