Busan Prices

« We traveled from Seoul to Busan by train, taking 5.5 hours and spending $50 for two. Alternatively, we could have gone twice as fast for twice the price. »

« Beach loungers are not rented out; they're sold! So you don't have to pay $3 every day like in some places, just buy them once and you're set. All Koreans swim covered from head to toe. There are some people in special swimwear, while others casually swim in shorts and t-shirts... The vast majority of Koreans splash around near the shore in inflatable rings, also fully dressed. It seems to be their way of relaxing... Although knowing how icy the water is in the bay, it's hard to call it a true relaxation. »

« In Busan, it's a wonderful sunny beach morning!! The beach at 7 AM - no one around, but after lunch, it’s going to be wild! We can check into our guesthouse after 10, but last night we had to spend at a jjimjilbang - a Korean spa where you wash up first, then sleep in a shared room on a heated floor (they give you a small mat). Honestly, it’s been the worst experience so far, and it somewhat dulled my first impression of Busan. The air quality is terrible, and it feels like you’re slowly boiling in a broken oven. I spent the night waiting on a bench outside the spa. I really regret spending $10 on that, which could've been better spent on a coffee. Even for someone like me, who’s not picky about accommodations, I wouldn’t recommend it: I’d have felt more comfortable just waiting till morning than enduring this torture on my body... »

« We rented a guesthouse in Busan near Gwangalli Beach - one of the top three beaches in Busan. In the morning, until around 9 AM, it's pretty deserted, but after 9, people start to arrive. There are a lot of people, like really a lot. But I wouldn't say it's as overwhelming as some blogs portray it, saying you can't find a spot to relax - it’s totally possible to find a nice patch of sand if you want to )) A beach mat costs $3. »

« We arrived in Busan! The train ride takes 5.5 hours, and tickets for two cost around $60. There are no power outlets on the train, and it turned out that getting seated tickets isn't so easy - we were lucky! 😊 »

« There are two entrances to the cave: one for walking and another for water activities, where you can enjoy a motorboat ride for a full 5 minutes after standing in line for 20. Right at the entrance, you are hit by a chilly underground air—saying it's cold would be an understatement; spending more than half an hour there really makes you freeze. The cave is filled with tunnels that feature various installations: miners extracting amethysts, stages of Homo Sapiens evolution, ancient rock paintings, and, of course, the amethysts themselves. Every hour and a half, there's a show featuring Chinese acrobats. There’s a small café-like place where you can warm up near a heater with a cup of freshly brewed coffee in a paper cup. It's quite crowded, as families come in droves, and there are many elderly people, which is quite common here; in Korea, retirees enjoy their leisure time outdoors, going hiking, taking trips, and staying active. »