Daily costs per person in Korean Won (₩). Busan is one of Asia's best-value destinations — incredible food, transport, and experiences at a fraction of Tokyo or Seoul prices.
Daily cost breakdown
Currency: KRW (Won) (1 USD ≈ ₩1,350)
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Splurge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | ₩25,000–45,000 | ₩70,000–120,000 | ₩200,000+ | Hostels → boutique hotels → beach resorts |
| Food | ₩15,000–25,000 | ₩40,000–60,000 | ₩100,000+ | Street food & diners → BBQ & seafood → fine dining |
| Transport | ₩5,000–10,000 | ₩15,000–25,000 | ₩50,000+ | Metro & bus → taxi → private car |
| Activities | ₩5,000–15,000 | ₩30,000–60,000 | ₩100,000+ | Free sites & temples → spa & cable car → surf lessons & tours |
| Drinks | ₩5,000–10,000 | ₩15,000–30,000 | ₩50,000+ | Convenience store soju → craft beer → rooftop bars |
| Daily Total | ₩55,000–105,000 | ₩170,000–295,000 | ₩500,000+ | $40–78 → $126–218 → $370+ |
Money-saving tips
Free experiences
Gamcheon Village, Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, Igidae Coastal Walk, Oryukdo Skywalk, beach promenades, Songdo Cloud Trails, and night market window shopping are all free.
Eat on ₩10,000/meal
Kimbap-cheonguk diners serve meals for ₩5,000–8,000. Convenience stores (CU, GS25) have surprisingly good triangle kimbap (₩1,200), cup ramyeon (₩1,500), and meal deals.
Metro savings
Get a Cashbee or Hanaro card — ₩1,300 per metro ride (vs ₩1,400 cash). Single-day unlimited pass: ₩5,000. The metro covers Haeundae, Seomyeon, Nampo-dong, and most tourist spots.
Budget accommodation
Guesthouses and hostels near Seomyeon or Nampo-dong run ₩25,000–45,000/night. Love motels (not what you think — just budget hotels) are ₩35,000–55,000 with modern rooms.
Convenience store culture
Korean convenience stores are a budget traveler's best friend — microwave meals, hot foods, cheap soju (₩1,800), beer (₩2,500), and seating areas. No stigma in dining there.
Soju economics
A bottle of soju costs ₩1,800 at a convenience store vs ₩5,000–8,000 at a restaurant. Pre-drink at the beach or park — it's legal and socially normal in Korea.
