Which place is cheaper, Busan (Pusan) or Pattaya?
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 Pattaya or Busan (Pusan)?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Pattaya and Busan (Pusan) can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Pattaya or Busan (Pusan)?
Pattaya
Go where the locals go. If that is your vacation motto, you will want to take a look at the popular weekend getaway of Pattaya, Thailand. This seaside resort on the Eastern Gulf Coast of Thailand is just outside of Bangkok, and full of resorts, beer bars and beaches.
Hosting more than five million visitors a year, Pattaya is easily accessed from the capital and the airport. Keep in mind, the sex tourism industry is still a large money earner for this city, but efforts by local authorities have created resorts and attractions for families and vacationers from all around the world.
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 Bangkok, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phuket, The Best Tours for Seniors to South Korea, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Seoul.
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Pattaya Prices
Thailand PricesBusan (Pusan) Prices
South Korea Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPattaya $93Busan (Pusan) $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Pattaya is $93, 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 Pattaya and Busan (Pusan) in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPattaya $27Busan (Pusan) $39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPattaya $54Busan (Pusan) $78
Compare Hotels in Pattaya and Busan (Pusan)
Looking for a hotel in Pattaya 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: Pattaya Hotel Prices and Busan (Pusan) Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pattaya $13Busan (Pusan) $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pattaya
Also for Pattaya, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Pattaya Coral Island Tour with Indian Lunch and Hotel Transfer: $4.35
- Private Transfer between Pattaya and U Tapao Airport : $16
- The Sanctuary of Truth Pattaya Ticket & Transfer Optional: $19
- Mini Siam Miniature World in Pattaya with Return Transfer: $22
- Pattaya Art in Paradise Admission Ticket with Return Transfer: $22
- Teddy Bear Museum in Pattaya with Return Transfer: $22
- Private U-Tapao Rayong-Pattaya Airport Transfer to Pattaya City: $25
- Private Departure Transfer from Pattaya to DMK or BKK Airport : $27
- Private Arrival Transfer from Airport BKK or DMK to Pattaya Hotel: $27
- Frost Magical Ice Of Siam at Pattaya with Return Transfer: $27
- Mini Siam Miniature World Admission with Roundtrip Transfer from Pattaya: $28
- Colosseum Show Pattaya Ticket with Private Hotel Transfers: $29
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: $137
- Busan Airport to Busan Hotels Round-Trip Private Transfer: $125
- Private Transfer Gaimhae Airport to Busan City: $85
- Private Transfer from Busan Cruise Port to Busan Hotels: $66
- Private Transfer from Busan Gimhae Int Airport(PUS) to Busan Port: $66
- Private Transfer from Busan Port to Busan Gimhae Int Airport(PUS): $66
- Private Transfer from Busan Cruise Port to Busan Int Airport(PUS): $66
- Private Transfer from Busan Int Airport(PUS) to Busan Cruise Port: $66
Is it cheaper to fly into Pattaya or Busan (Pusan)?
Prices for flights to both Busan (Pusan) and Pattaya 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 dayPattaya $43Busan (Pusan) $44
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pattaya
For Pattaya, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- All Star Dinner Cruise with Cabaret Show in Pattaya: $45
- Ocean Sky Pattaya Dinner Cruise with Live Entertainment : $54
- Pattaya Night Guided Tour with Dinner: $54
- Ocean Sky Dinner Cruise with Live Cabaret Show in Pattaya: $60
- All Star Dinner Cruise Pattaya with Private Hotel Transfer: $73
- Thai Cooking Class in Pattaya: $76
Typical Food Prices in Busan (Pusan)
Some typical examples of dining costs in Busan (Pusan) are as follows:
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McDonald's$4.43
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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: $53
- Busan Tailored Korean cooking class (Vegan OK)with market tour: $95
- Busan seafood tour : Cod Auction and Clam Auction in Winter: $99
- Korean cooking class in Haeundae, Busan : $100
- Busan Local Food Cooking Class with Market Tour: $114
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pattaya $24Busan (Pusan) $20
Tours and Activities in Pattaya
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Pattaya.
- Coral Island Speedboat Tour from Pattaya Only for Indian Tourists: $3.15
- Pattaya Floating Market Tickets: $3.19
- Pattaya Coral Island Join Tour with Lunch: $5.00
- Pattaya Floating Market Ticket with 4 Regions Thai Culture: $5.73
- Experience The Floating Market in Pattaya: $6.00
- Pool Party and Foam Experience for Indian Tourists at Pattaya : $6.41
- Pattaya Coral Islands Tour with Lunch: $8.05
- Art in Paradise Pattaya Entrance (Ticket Only): $8.51
- Art in Paradise Pattaya Tickets: $9.00
- Art in Paradise 3D Art Museum Entry Ticket in Pattaya: $9.34
- Entry Ticket for Art in Paradise 3D Art Museum in Pattaya: $10
- Mini Siam Miniature World in Pattaya Admission Ticket: $10
Tours and Activities in Busan (Pusan)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Busan (Pusan) are as follows:
- "Walking Tour: Busan Foodie Experience + Live Like a Local": $73
- 1-DAY Busan and INCLUDED night tour: $220
- A well-rounded small group Busan tour with a certified guide: $58
- Authentic Busan Full-Day City Highlights Tour: $48
- Busan 4hr Private Walking Tour with Certified Guide: $228
- Busan 9 Highlights Tour: $40
- Busan CLUBD OASIS Spa and Water Park Ticket: $15
- Busan City Tour - Haedong Yonggung Temple And Shopping in Lotte Premium Outlet: $289
- Busan City Tour Including Gamcheon Culture village and Haedong Yonggungsa Temple: $282
- Busan City Tour Including Haedong Yonggungsa Temple And APEC House: $290
- Busan Comfortable Private Tour For 4hours: $196
- Busan Comfortable Private Tour For 8hours: $251
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPattaya $9.42Busan (Pusan) $12
When comparing the travel costs between Pattaya and Busan (Pusan), we can see that Busan (Pusan) 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 Pattaya Expensive? and Is Busan (Pusan) Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pattaya or Busan (Pusan)?
Busan (Pusan) has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Pattaya. When comparing the sizes of Pattaya 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 Pattaya or Busan (Pusan)?
Busan (Pusan) has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Pattaya experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Pattaya or Busan (Pusan) in the Summer?
Both Busan (Pusan) and Pattaya during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Pattaya because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Pattaya is a little warmer than Busan (Pusan) in the summer. The daily temperature in Pattaya averages around 29°C (84°F) in July, and Busan (Pusan) fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
In the summer, Pattaya often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Busan (Pusan). Pattaya gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Busan (Pusan) receives 166 hours of full sun.
Busan (Pusan) gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Pattaya usually gets less rain in July than Busan (Pusan). Pattaya gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Busan (Pusan) receives 257 mm (10.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPattaya 29°C (84°F)Busan (Pusan) 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Pattaya or Busan (Pusan) in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Pattaya and Busan (Pusan). Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pattaya year-round.
In the autumn, Pattaya is much warmer than Busan (Pusan). Typically, the autumn temperatures in Pattaya in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Busan (Pusan) averages at about 18°C (65°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Busan (Pusan) this time of the year. In Pattaya, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pattaya usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Busan (Pusan) during autumn. Pattaya gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Busan (Pusan) receives 202 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Pattaya gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Pattaya usually receives more rain than Busan (Pusan). Pattaya gets 258 mm (10.2 in) of rain, while Busan (Pusan) receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn. December to April in Pattaya is the dry season. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Pattaya.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPattaya 28°C (82°F)Busan (Pusan) 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Pattaya or Busan (Pusan) in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Pattaya as well as Busan (Pusan). Pattaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Busan (Pusan). In January, Pattaya is generally much warmer than Busan (Pusan). Daily temperatures in Pattaya average around 27°C (80°F), and Busan (Pusan) fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Busan (Pusan). People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pattaya this time of the year. In the winter, Pattaya often gets more sunshine than Busan (Pusan). Pattaya gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Busan (Pusan) receives 200 hours of full sun.
Pattaya usually gets less rain in January than Busan (Pusan). Pattaya gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Busan (Pusan) receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPattaya 27°C (80°F)Busan (Pusan) 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Pattaya or Busan (Pusan) in the Spring?
Both Busan (Pusan) and Pattaya are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pattaya throughout the year.
Pattaya is much warmer than Busan (Pusan) in the spring. The daily temperature in Pattaya averages around 30°C (86°F) in April, and Busan (Pusan) fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pattaya. Pattaya usually receives more sunshine than Busan (Pusan) during spring. Pattaya gets 262 hours of sunny skies, while Busan (Pusan) receives 196 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Busan (Pusan). In April, Pattaya usually receives less rain than Busan (Pusan). Pattaya gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Busan (Pusan) receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Pattaya is December to April. The rainy season in Pattaya is June to October.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPattaya 30°C (86°F)Busan (Pusan) 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Busan (Pusan) and Pattaya
| Pattaya | Busan (Pusan) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 62 mm (2.5 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Apr | 30°C (86°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| May | 30°C (85°F) | 202 mm (7.9 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (85°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 257 mm (10.1 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 204 mm (8 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 232 mm (9.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 16 mm (0.6 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.