A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Turku vs. Busan (Pusan) for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Turku or Busan (Pusan)?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Turku 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: Turku or Busan (Pusan)?

Turku

Turku, a city on the southwest coast of Finland, straddles the Aura River. Dating from the 13th century, it's known for Turku Castle, a medieval fortress with a history museum, perched at the river mouth. Restaurants line the cobbled riverside streets. On the eastern bank lies the Old Great Square, a former trade hub, surrounded by grand buildings. The nearby Turku Cathedral houses a royal tomb and a museum. The historic castle and cathedral point to the city's rich cultural history when it was the Finnish capital, and contemporary Turku is full of experimental art and vibrant festivals, thanks in part to its spirited university population (the country's second largest), who make Turku's nightlife young and fun. As the first city many visitors encounter arriving by ferry from Sweden and Aland, it's a splendid introduction to the Finnish mainland.

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 Luxury Tours to Finland, The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Tours for Seniors to South Korea, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Seoul.


Which place is cheaper, Busan (Pusan) or Turku?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Turku is €159, while the average daily cost in Busan (Pusan) is €83. 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 Turku and Busan (Pusan) in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Turku 76
    Busan (Pusan) 31
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Turku 152
    Busan (Pusan) 62
Compare Hotels in Turku and Busan (Pusan)

Looking for a hotel in Turku 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.

Hotels in Turku


Hotels in Busan (Pusan)


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: Turku Hotel Prices and Busan (Pusan) Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Turku 44
    Busan (Pusan) 16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Turku

Also for Turku, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Turku Private Transfer from Turku (TKU) Airport to City centre: $94
  • Turku Private Transfer from Turku city centre to Turku airport: $94

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Busan (Pusan)

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Busan (Pusan):

  • Private VIP Airport or Hotel Transfers in Busan: $300
  • Busan Gimhae Airport (PUS) to Busan - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $132
  • Busan Airport to Busan Hotels Round-Trip Private Transfer: $121
  • Private Transfer Gaimhae Airport to Busan City: $85
  • Busan Private Transfer: Airport & KTX Stn. to/from Hotel in Busan: $79
  • Busan Gimhae Airport (PUS) to Busan - Arrival Private Transfer: $66
  • Private Transfer from Busan hotels to Busan Cruise Port: $64
  • Private Transfer from Busan Cruise Port to Busan Hotels: $64
  • Private Transfer from Busan Gimhae Int Airport(PUS) to Busan Port: $64
  • Private Transfer from Busan Port to Busan Gimhae Int Airport(PUS): $64
  • Private Transfer from Busan Int Airport(PUS) to Busan Cruise Port: $64
  • Private Transfer from Busan Cruise Port to Busan city hotels: $64

Is it cheaper to fly into Turku or Busan (Pusan)?

Prices for flights to both Busan (Pusan) and Turku 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Turku 56
    Busan (Pusan) 35

Typical Food Prices in Busan (Pusan)

Some typical examples of dining costs in Busan (Pusan) are as follows:


  • McDonald's
    3.53
  • Carp Bread
    0.57

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Busan (Pusan)

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Busan (Pusan).

  • Kimchi Kitchens Busan Food Tour with 10+ Tastings: $88
  • Busan Tailored Korean cooking class (Vegan OK)with market tour: $100
  • Busan Local Food Cooking Class with Market Tour: $103
  • Korean cooking class in Haeundae, Busan: $104

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Turku 22
    Busan (Pusan) 16

Tours and Activities in Turku

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Turku.

  • Järvelä Sauna Experience in the Turku Archipelago: $19
  • Experience Turku with a local guide: $278

Tours and Activities in Busan (Pusan)

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Busan (Pusan) are as follows:

  • (Guaranteed Return) Busan Shore Excursion for Cruise Guests: $65
  • (On-Time Return) Busan Cruise Shore Excursion for Small Group: $89
  • (Return Assurance) Busan Small Group Cruise Shore Excursion: $84
  • 1 Day Private Busan Guided Tour: $300
  • A Comprehensive Small-Group Busan Tour with Hotel Pickup: $58
  • Authentic Busan Full-Day City Highlights Tour: $31
  • Busan 9 Highlights Tour: $40
  • Busan CLUBD OASIS Spa and Water Park Ticket: $20
  • Busan Cruise Port – Premium Small Group Tour (Max 6 Guests): $99
  • Busan Dynamic Maze Discount Ticket Foreigner Only: $12
  • Busan Food Market Tour Seafoods and Street Foods: $52
  • Busan Group Tour for Cruise ship passengers (Max 12 Guests): $80

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Turku 12
    Busan (Pusan) 9.18

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 Turku and Busan (Pusan), we can see that Turku is more expensive. And not only is Busan (Pusan) much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Turku is in Europe and Busan (Pusan) is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Busan (Pusan) would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Busan (Pusan) 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 Turku would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Turku than you might in Busan (Pusan).

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Turku Expensive? and Is Busan (Pusan) Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Turku or Busan (Pusan)?

Busan (Pusan) has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Turku. When comparing the sizes of Turku 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 Turku or Busan (Pusan)?

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 Turku or Busan (Pusan) in the Summer?

Both Busan (Pusan) and Turku during the summer are popular places to visit.

Turku is much colder than Busan (Pusan) in the summer. The daily temperature in Turku averages around 16°C (61°F) in July, and Busan (Pusan) fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

It's quite sunny in Turku. In the summer, Turku often gets more sunshine than Busan (Pusan). Turku gets 262 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. Turku usually gets less rain in July than Busan (Pusan). Turku gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Busan (Pusan) receives 257 mm (10.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Turku 16°C (61°F) 
    Busan (Pusan) 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Turku or Busan (Pusan) in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Turku and Busan (Pusan).

In the autumn, Turku is much colder than Busan (Pusan). Typically, the autumn temperatures in Turku in October average around 6°C (43°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. Turku usually receives less sunshine than Busan (Pusan) during autumn. Turku gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Busan (Pusan) receives 202 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Turku usually receives more rain than Busan (Pusan). Turku gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Busan (Pusan) receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Turku 6°C (43°F) 
    Busan (Pusan) 18°C (65°F)

Should I visit Turku or Busan (Pusan) in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Turku as well as Busan (Pusan).

Busan (Pusan) can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Turku. In January, Turku is generally much colder than Busan (Pusan). Daily temperatures in Turku average around -6°C (20°F), and Busan (Pusan) fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Busan (Pusan). In the winter, Turku often gets less sunshine than Busan (Pusan). Turku gets 39 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Busan (Pusan) receives 200 hours of full sun.

Turku usually gets more rain in January than Busan (Pusan). Turku gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Busan (Pusan) receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Turku -6°C (20°F) 
    Busan (Pusan) 3°C (38°F)

Should I visit Turku or Busan (Pusan) in the Spring?

Both Busan (Pusan) and Turku are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

Turku can get quite cold in the spring. Turku is much colder than Busan (Pusan) in the spring. The daily temperature in Turku averages around 3°C (37°F) in April, and Busan (Pusan) fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

Turku usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Busan (Pusan) during spring. Turku gets 182 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, Turku usually receives less rain than Busan (Pusan). Turku gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Busan (Pusan) receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Turku 3°C (37°F) 
    Busan (Pusan) 14°C (57°F)

Typical Weather for Busan (Pusan) and Turku

Turku Busan (Pusan)
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -6°C (20°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 3°C (38°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Feb -7°C (20°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 5°C (40°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Mar -3°C (27°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 9°C (48°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Apr 3°C (37°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 14°C (57°F) 148 mm (5.8 in)
May 9°C (49°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 18°C (65°F) 148 mm (5.8 in)
Jun 14°C (58°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 21°C (70°F) 224 mm (8.8 in)
Jul 16°C (61°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 25°C (77°F) 257 mm (10.1 in)
Aug 15°C (59°F) 83 mm (3.2 in) 27°C (80°F) 204 mm (8 in)
Sep 10°C (51°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 23°C (73°F) 187 mm (7.4 in)
Oct 6°C (43°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 18°C (65°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Nov 1°C (33°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 12°C (54°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Dec -4°C (25°F) 57 mm (2.3 in) 6°C (43°F) 24 mm (0.9 in)