A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Pyeongchang vs. Koyasan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Pyeongchang or Koyasan?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Pyeongchang or Koyasan, 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: Pyeongchang or Koyasan?

Pyeongchang

Pyeongchang is a county of South Korea situated in the Taebaek Mountains in Gangwon Province. A popular location for winter sports, it was chosen as the host city for the 2018 Winter Olympics. Other attractions include Buddhist temples, parks, villages, and natural scenery.

Koyasan

Mount Koya, Japan is a mountain city located just south of Osaka in the Wakayama prefecture. The area is known as the headquarters of the Shingnon sect of Japanese Buddhism and was first settled in 816. Over time, it has developed into the small town of Koya that is now home to a religious studies university and over 100 temples, many of which offer accommodation.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Seoul, The Best 10-Day Tours from Seoul, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan, and The Best Historical Tours in Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pyeongchang and Koyasan, we can see that Pyeongchang is more expensive. And not only is Koyasan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koyasan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koyasan 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 Pyeongchang would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pyeongchang than you might in Koyasan.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pyeongchang Expensive? and Is Koyasan Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Pyeongchang or Koyasan?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Pyeongchang or Koyasan in the Summer?

Both Koyasan and Pyeongchang during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Koyasan in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Pyeongchang is cooler than Koyasan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pyeongchang in July average around 24°C (76°F), and Koyasan averages at about 27°C (81°F).

In the summer, Pyeongchang often gets less sunshine than Koyasan. Pyeongchang gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koyasan receives 183 hours of full sun.

Koyasan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Pyeongchang. Pyeongchang usually gets more rain in July than Koyasan. Pyeongchang gets 217 mm (8.5 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pyeongchang or Koyasan in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Pyeongchang and Koyasan. Also, most visitors come to Koyasan for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Pyeongchang is generally cooler than Koyasan. Daily temperatures in Pyeongchang average around 15°C (60°F), and Koyasan fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

Pyeongchang usually receives more sunshine than Koyasan during autumn. Pyeongchang gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Koyasan receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Koyasan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Pyeongchang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Pyeongchang usually receives around the same amount of rain as Koyasan. Pyeongchang gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Pyeongchang or Koyasan in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Pyeongchang as well as Koyasan. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Koyasan because of the museums and the cuisine.

Pyeongchang can be very cold during winter. Pyeongchang is much colder than Koyasan in the winter. The daily temperature in Pyeongchang averages around 0°C (33°F) in January, and Koyasan fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Pyeongchang often gets more sunshine than Koyasan. Pyeongchang gets 190 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koyasan receives 140 hours of full sun.

Pyeongchang usually gets more rain in January than Koyasan. Pyeongchang gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pyeongchang or Koyasan in the Spring?

Both Koyasan and Pyeongchang are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Koyasan this time of year.

In the spring, Pyeongchang is cooler than Koyasan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pyeongchang in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Koyasan averages at about 15°C (59°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pyeongchang. Pyeongchang usually receives more sunshine than Koyasan during spring. Pyeongchang gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Koyasan receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koyasan. In April, Pyeongchang usually receives less rain than Koyasan. Pyeongchang gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Koyasan and Pyeongchang