Which place is cheaper, Busan (Pusan) or Surabaya?
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 Surabaya or Busan (Pusan)?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Surabaya 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: Surabaya or Busan (Pusan)?
Surabaya
Surabaya, also known as the "city of heroes," is the capital of East Java and the second largest city in Indonesia, following Jakarta. While it doesn't highlight as many typical tourist monuments as other cities, Surabaya serves as a takeoff point or a landing base for travelers visiting Mount Bromo and 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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia, The Best 10-Day Tours in Indonesia, The Best Tours for Seniors to South Korea, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Seoul.
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Surabaya Prices
Indonesia PricesBusan (Pusan) Prices
South Korea Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySurabaya $76Busan (Pusan) $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Surabaya is $76, 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 Surabaya and Busan (Pusan) in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSurabaya $36Busan (Pusan) $39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSurabaya $72Busan (Pusan) $78
Compare Hotels in Surabaya and Busan (Pusan)
Looking for a hotel in Surabaya 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: Surabaya Hotel Prices and Busan (Pusan) Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Surabaya $2.66Busan (Pusan) $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surabaya
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Surabaya:
- Private Transfer International Jendaral Ahmad (SRG) to City centre Seamarang: $13
- Private Transfer International Jendaral Ahmad (SRG) to City Semarang: $13
- Private Airport Transfer Surabaya: $21
- Private Transfer from Surabaya Airport (SUB) to Bungurasih: $33
- Private Transfer from Surabaya Airport (SUB) to Kota Surabaya: $33
- Private Transfer from Kota Surabaya to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $33
- Private Transfer from Surabaya Airport (SUB) to Pabean: $33
- Private Transfer from Surabaya Airport (SUB) to Sedati: $33
- Private Transfer from Surabaya Airport (SUB) to Surabaya City : $33
- Private Transfer from Surabaya City to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $33
- Private Transfer from Surabaya Airport (SUB) to Delta sari: $33
- Private Transfer from Surabaya Airport (SUB) to Semampir: $33
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: $125
- Busan Gimhae Airport (PUS) to Busan - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $137
- Private Transfer Gaimhae Airport to Busan City: $85
- Private Transfer from Busan Cruise Port to Busan Hotels: $66
- Private Transfer from Busan Cruise Port to Busan Int Airport(PUS): $66
- Private Transfer from Busan Gimhae Int Airport(PUS) to Busan Port: $66
- Private Transfer from Busan Int Airport(PUS) to Busan Cruise Port: $66
- Private Transfer from Busan Port to Busan Gimhae Int Airport(PUS): $66
Is it cheaper to fly into Surabaya or Busan (Pusan)?
Prices for flights to both Busan (Pusan) and Surabaya 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 daySurabaya $37Busan (Pusan) $44
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.Surabaya $4.56Busan (Pusan) $20
Tours and Activities in Surabaya
Here are a few actual costs in Surabaya for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- From Mount Bromo Sunrise Guided Group Tour: $46
- Epic Mount Bromo Sunrise Tour from Surabaya & Malang: $52
- From Malang: Tumpak Sewu Waterfall Private Tour: $68
- Private Day Tour Surabaya Historiculture : $70
- Mount Bromo Sunrise Shared Guided Tour from Surabaya : $71
- Day Tour - Surabaya Heritage Colonial Tour: $73
- Bromo Sunrise Tour: $76
- Surabaya Private Tour: $78
- Probolinggo City Tour For Cruise Passengers: $78
- Bromo Tour Package: Midnight Bromo Open Trip from Batu: $79
- Start From Mount Bromo Sunrise Shared Guided Tour : $79
- Half-Day Private Majapahit Historical Tour from Surabaya: $80
Tours and Activities in Busan (Pusan)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Busan (Pusan) are as follows:
- Busan Dynamic Maze Discount Ticket Foreigner Only: $12
- Museum 1 Exhibition Ticket in Busan (내국인 불가): $12
- Busan CLUBD OASIS Spa and Water Park Ticket: $15
- Busan Yacht Tour with Music: $26
- Japanese Occupation and Korean War Historical Tour in Busan: $29
- Full-Day Tour Unmissable things to do in Busan: $38
- Busan 9 Highlights Tour: $40
- Eden Valley Ski and Snowboard Tour from Busan : $41
- Jinhae Cherry Blossom Day trip from Busan - A Spring Adventure!: $47
- Naejangsan Fall Foliage Tour from Busan with Seoul Drop-off: $47
- Authentic Busan Full-Day City Highlights Tour: $48
- Busan Full-Day City Tour with Gamcheon Village, Sea Temple & more: $49
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySurabaya -Busan (Pusan) $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Surabaya and Busan (Pusan), we can see that Busan (Pusan) is more expensive. And not only is Surabaya much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Surabaya would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Surabaya 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 Surabaya.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Surabaya Expensive? and Is Busan (Pusan) Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Surabaya or Busan (Pusan)?
Busan (Pusan) has a larger population, and is about 55% larger than the population of Surabaya. When comparing the sizes of Surabaya 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.