Which place is cheaper, Busan (Pusan) or Nanjing?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Nanjing or Busan (Pusan)?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Nanjing or Busan (Pusan)? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Nanjing or Busan (Pusan)?
Nanjing
Nanjing is the capital city of the Jiangsu Province on the central eastern coast of China, just north of Shanghai. This historically and culturally rich city lies at the lower end of the Yangtze river, resulting in lush and scenic landscapes. Nanjing is well-known for having many popular historical sites, some of which have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
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 Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, 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 dayNanjing $96Busan (Pusan) $86
The average daily cost (per person) in Nanjing is $96, 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 Nanjing and Busan (Pusan) in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNanjing $46Busan (Pusan) $39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNanjing $92Busan (Pusan) $78
Compare Hotels in Nanjing and Busan (Pusan)
Looking for a hotel in Nanjing 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: Busan (Pusan) Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nanjing $38Busan (Pusan) $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nanjing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nanjing:
- Huangshan Tunxi International Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Area: $20
- Nanjing Railway Station Private Transfer from City Center: $32
- Private Arrival Transfer to Nanjing City from Railway Station : $32
- Private Transfer between Nanjing Olympic Stadium and City Hotel: $33
- Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Nanjing Any Railway Station: $34
- Nanjing Railway Station Private Arrival Transfer to City Hotels: $35
- Nanjing Airport (NKG) to Nanjing - Arrival Private Transfer : $36
- Tangshan Hot Spring Resorts Private Transfer from Nanjing Railway Station: $44
- Nanjing Lukou International Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Center: $45
- Private Departure Transfer from Nanjing City Center to Lukou Int'l Airport: $45
- Private Transfer to Nanjing Railway Station from Lukou Airport : $45
- Nanjing Railway Station Private Transfer to Lukou International Airport: $45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Busan (Pusan)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Busan (Pusan):
- Busan Airport to Busan Hotels Round-Trip Private Transfer: $120
- Busan Gimhae Int Airport(PUS) to Busan - Arrival Private Transfer: $119
- Busan to Busan Gimhae Airport (PUS) - Departure Private Transfer: $119
- Private Transfer from Busan Cruise Port to Busan Hotels: $84
- Private Transfer from Busan Gimhae Int Airport(PUS) to Busan Port: $79
- Private Transfer from Busan hotels to Busan Cruise Port: $84
Is it cheaper to fly into Nanjing or Busan (Pusan)?
Prices for flights to both Busan (Pusan) and Nanjing 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 dayNanjing $28Busan (Pusan) $26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nanjing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nanjing.
- 3-Hour Nanjing Authentic Local Food Tour by Public Transportation: $93
- Flexible Private Nanjing City Night Tour with Dinner Option : $112
- Nanjing City Private Night Tour with Qinghuai River Cruise and Dinner Option: $114
- Nanjing Tangshan Mountain Hot Spring Experience and Hot Pot Dinner: $175
- Private Amazing Nanjing Airport Layover Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $181
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
- Korean cooking class in Haeundae, Busan : $95
- Busan Seafood Tour & Dinner with Busan Oppa: $105
- Kkakdugi(Korean radish Kimchi) Cooking class at Busan : $110
- Enjoy tailored Korean cooking class with Ocean view at Busan: $110
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nanjing $9.27Busan (Pusan) $20
Tours and Activities in Nanjing
Here are a few actual costs in Nanjing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Flexible Private Nanjing Independent Tour : $63
- Nanjing Self-Guided Day Tour with Private Car and Driver Service: $70
- Nanjing Private English Tour Guide Service: $75
- Private Amazing Nanjing City Day Tour in Your Way: $75
- Nanjing Professional English Tour Guide Service: $91
- Half-Day Nanjing Purple Mountain Private Tour in Your Way: $94
- Yangzhou Self-Guided Tour from Nanjing with Private Car and Driver Service : $94
- 4-Hour Nanjing City Private Tailor-Made Tour in Your Way : $109
- Half-Day Nanjing City Private Flexible Tour : $109
- 4-Hour Nanjing Private Tour: Xiaoling Tomb, Ming City Wall and Memorial Hall : $115
- Nanjing Private Flexible Day Tour with Ancient and Modern History: $119
- Half-Day Private Customized Nanjing City Tour: $122
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
- Full day Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Tour from Busan: $60
- Romantic Jinhae Cherry Blossom Night Tour - Depart from Busan: $65
- Tour to Busan Highlights Hydrangea, Songdo and Gamcheon : $67
- Old Korea Thousand History Tour of Gyeongju from Busan: $67
- West Busan Small Group Photo Tour (Max 7): $68
- Busan Night Small Group Photo Tour (Max 7): $68
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNanjing $9.46Busan (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 comparing the travel costs between Nanjing and Busan (Pusan), we can see that Nanjing is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nanjing Expensive? and Is Busan (Pusan) Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nanjing or Busan (Pusan)?
Busan (Pusan) has a larger population, and is about 19% larger than the population of Nanjing. When comparing the sizes of Nanjing 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 Nanjing or Busan (Pusan)?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Nanjing or Busan (Pusan) in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nanjing and Busan (Pusan).
Nanjing is a little warmer than Busan (Pusan) in the summer. The daily temperature in Nanjing averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Busan (Pusan) fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
Busan (Pusan) receives a lot of rain in the summer. Nanjing gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Nanjing usually receives less rain than Busan (Pusan). Nanjing 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 JulyNanjing 28°C (83°F)Busan (Pusan) 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Nanjing or Busan (Pusan) in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Nanjing as well as Busan (Pusan).
In the autumn, Nanjing is around the same temperature as Busan (Pusan). Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nanjing in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Busan (Pusan) averages at about 18°C (65°F).
Nanjing usually gets less rain in October than Busan (Pusan). Nanjing gets 44 mm (1.7 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 OctoberNanjing 17°C (63°F)Busan (Pusan) 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Nanjing or Busan (Pusan) in the Winter?
Both Busan (Pusan) and Nanjing are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
The weather in Busan (Pusan) can be very cold. Nanjing can be very cold during winter. In January, Nanjing is generally cooler than Busan (Pusan). Daily temperatures in Nanjing average around 3°C (37°F), and Busan (Pusan) fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
In January, Nanjing usually receives less rain than Busan (Pusan). Nanjing gets 27 mm (1.1 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 JanuaryNanjing 3°C (37°F)Busan (Pusan) 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Nanjing or Busan (Pusan) in the Spring?
Both Busan (Pusan) and Nanjing during the spring are popular places to visit.
Nanjing is a little warmer than Busan (Pusan) in the spring. The daily temperature in Nanjing averages around 15°C (60°F) in April, and Busan (Pusan) fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
Busan (Pusan) gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Nanjing. Nanjing usually gets less rain in April than Busan (Pusan). Nanjing gets 101 mm (4 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 AprilNanjing 15°C (60°F)Busan (Pusan) 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Busan (Pusan) and Nanjing
| Nanjing | Busan (Pusan) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (40°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| May | 21°C (69°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 257 mm (10.1 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 204 mm (8 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (63°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 11°C (52°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (41°F) | 25 mm (1 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.