What currency is used in Busan?

Busan uses the South Korean won (KRW).

What is the emergency number in Busan?

In Busan, call 112 for police, 119 for fire and ambulance; 1330 is the tourist information line.

How much does a day in Busan cost?

Roughly $45-70 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $110-180 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.

Is Waypacker free to use in Busan?

Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.

Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?

Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.

Can I meet locals in Busan without staying with anyone?

Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.

Will anyone see my exact location?

No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

Busan travel guide

South Korea

South Korea's second city, a working port wrapped around beaches, hills and seaside temples. It is more relaxed than Seoul, with fish markets, hillside villages and a beach life that carries on into the night.

Essentials

Language: Korean; English is used on transport signs but less widely spoken than in Seoul
Currency: South Korean won (KRW)
Plugs: Types C and F, 220 V
Emergency number: 112 for police, 119 for fire and ambulance; 1330 is the tourist information line
Tipping: Not customary in restaurants, cafés or taxis.

Rough daily budget

Approximate spend per person per day, in US dollars:

Backpacker: $45-70, with a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport.
Mid-range: $110-180, with a private room and restaurant meals.

Last reviewed: October 2026

Where to stay in Busan

Haeundae: the city's best-known beach, with hotels, cafés and the coastal train to Cheongsapo.
Gwangalli: a smaller beach with bars and restaurants facing the lit-up Gwangan Bridge.
Nampo-dong: the old downtown near Jagalchi Fish Market, BIFF Square and street-food stalls.

Getting around Busan

A T-money card covers the subway and buses, and the subway, with the light rail from Gimhae airport, links the airport, the KTX station and the main beaches. Some sights sit on steep hills, so taxis are worth it for the final climb.

Best time to visit Busan

April to May and late September to November, either side of the humid, rainy summer and the peak of the typhoon season.

Top things to do in Busan

Wander the colourful hillside lanes of Gamcheon Culture Village
Visit Haedong Yonggungsa, a Buddhist temple built on the rocks above the sea
Ride the Haeundae Blueline Park beach train or sky capsule along the coast
Walk the cliffside path through Huinnyeoul Culture Village on Yeongdo island
Hike up to Beomeosa, a mountain temple in the north of the city reached by subway and bus

What to eat in Busan

Dwaeji gukbap: a rich pork-bone soup with rice, the city's classic cheap meal
Milmyeon: chewy wheat noodles in a cold, tangy broth, a Busan speciality
Ssiat hotteok: a fried sweet pancake split open and stuffed with seeds and nuts
Eomuk: Busan fish cake, sold on skewers in hot broth from street stalls

Day trips from Busan

Gyeongju: the ancient Silla capital, with royal tombs and Bulguksa temple, about an hour by bus or train
Tongyeong: a harbour town of islands and a mural village, around two hours by bus
Jinhae: streets lined with cherry blossoms during its early April festival, about an hour by bus

Local etiquette

Give and receive things with both hands, and pour drinks for others rather than yourself. Shoes come off where there is floor seating, and the priority seats on the subway are left for older passengers.

Staying connected

Prepaid SIMs and eSIMs are sold at Gimhae airport and online, mobile data is fast almost everywhere, and free Wi-Fi is common in cafés and on the subway.

Staying safe

Crime is low, but take care crossing roads, as cars and scooters do not always stop for pedestrians. Late summer can bring typhoons and heavy rain, so follow the emergency text alerts sent to phones.

A local tip

Eat raw fish upstairs at Jagalchi Fish Market: choose it on the ground floor, then pay a small table fee for it to be prepared.

Visas:rules depend on your nationality and change often – check your own government's official travel advice before you go.

Meet people in Busan on Waypacker

Waypacker is a free travel community: stay with ID-verified local hosts, join meetups and city groups, and ask people who live in Busan for advice. We are new here, so if you live in Busan, you could be one of the first hosts.

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Questions about Busan

What currency is used in Busan?: Busan uses the South Korean won (KRW).
What is the emergency number in Busan?: In Busan, call 112 for police, 119 for fire and ambulance; 1330 is the tourist information line.
When is the best time to visit Busan?: April to May and late September to November, either side of the humid, rainy summer and the peak of the typhoon season.
How much does a day in Busan cost?: Roughly $45-70 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $110-180 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.
Is Waypacker free to use in Busan?: Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.
Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?: Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.
Can I meet locals in Busan without staying with anyone?: Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.
Will anyone see my exact location?: No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

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