Make it a trip · Busan, South Korea
What Busan costs
once you land
Real prices, from the airport ride to a room for the night, each with where we found it. Checked October 2026, around Haeundae and Seomyeon.
Prices as the source quoted them.
Dorm bed, three cheap meals, getting around, a coffee, two beers and water.
Arriving
-
Light rail and subway from Gimhae Airport to Seomyeon Many reports
About 2,000 KRW with a transit card; about 2,100 KRW to Nampo-dong.
Source: Creatrip, Busan transport fares (2026-07)
₩2,000 Book an airport pickup -
Visa free, K-ETA waived until end of 2026 Fixed
For AU, NZ, GB, US, CA, NL, DE, FR, SG passports.
These passports are on the 22-country K-ETA exemption, which runs to 31 December 2026. Fill in the free e-arrival card before landing.
Sources: LoyaltyLobby, K-ETA waiver through 2026 (2026-01), Seoul Window, K-ETA by nationality (2026-08)
Free -
K-ETA travel authorisation Fixed
For IE passports.
Ireland is not on the exemption list. Apply on the official K-ETA site at least 72 hours before you fly.
Sources: Seoul Window, K-ETA by nationality (2026-08), Tictivity, K-ETA 2026 guide (2026)
₩10,000
Getting around
-
Subway ride, one section Fixed
Adult, up to 10 km, with a transit card. Cash costs 1,700 KRW.
Sources: Creatrip, Busan transport fares (2026-07), Cities Insider, Busan ticketing and passes (2026)
₩1,600 -
Busan Metro one day pass Many reports
Unlimited subway rides for a day.
Source: Cities Insider, Busan ticketing and passes (2026)
₩6,000
Eating and drinking
-
Lunch menu at a cheap restaurant Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Busan (2026-06)
US$5.60 -
US$5.40
-
Dinner for two at a restaurant Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Busan (2026-06)
US$33 -
Cappuccino Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Busan (2026-06)
US$3.40 -
Beer at a pub, half a litre Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Busan (2026-06)
US$3
At the supermarket
-
Water, 1 litre Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Busan (2026-06)
US$0.80 -
Coca-Cola at a restaurant, half a litre Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Busan (2026-06)
US$1.60 -
Beer from a shop, half a litre Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Busan (2026-06)
US$1.90
Doing
-
Haeundae Beach Train, one ride Fixed
Single boarding pass at Blueline Park. All stations pass costs 16,000 KRW.
Source: The Soul of Seoul, Busan Sky Capsule (2026-10)
₩8,000 Get tickets -
Haeundae Sky Capsule, one way for two Fixed
Price per capsule. Three people cost 45,000 KRW, four cost 50,000 KRW.
Source: The Soul of Seoul, Busan Sky Capsule (2026-10)
₩40,000 Get tickets
Sleeping, per night
-
Hostel dorm bed Range
Middle half of 6 central hostels on Hostelworld, 30 Oct 2026. The cheapest bed was 17,000 KRW. Weekends and peak season cost more.
Source: Hostelworld, Busan hostels (2026-10)
₩20,000 to ₩28,000 Find a hostel
Prices change. Fixed fees come from official or widely reported figures; ranges are what travellers and operators report for 2026. Some links are affiliate links: they never change what you pay. How we make money.
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