Beijing is a cultural city known for its rich culture, many historical landmarks, its long running history, and its world class cuisine. In this travel cost guide, we'll cover everything you need to know to plan your travel budget and have an amazing trip without spending too much. This guide includes average trip costs from previous travelers, typical hotel prices, food and dining costs, entertainment and sightseeing prices, and information about transportation. This will help you plan the best trip to Beijing and stay within your ideal travel budget, whether you're exploring the museums, eating the delicious cuisine, or enjoying the nightlife.
How much does it cost to travel to Beijing?
You should plan to spend around $89 (¥650) per day on your vacation in Beijing. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $33 (¥241) on meals
- $7.62 (¥56) on local transportation
- $78 (¥570) on hotels
A one week trip to Beijing for two people costs, on average, $1,242 (¥9,100). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
-
One Week
Per person
$621
¥4,550
-
2 Weeks
Per person
$1,242
¥9,100
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One Month
Per person
$2,661
¥19,500
-
One Week
For a couple
$1,242
¥9,100
-
2 Weeks
For a couple
$2,484
¥18,200
-
One Month
For a couple
$5,322
¥39,000
How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Beijing cost?
A one week trip to Beijing usually costs around $621 (¥4,550) for one person and $1,242 (¥9,100) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
A two week trip to Beijing on average costs around $1,242 (¥9,100) for one person and $2,484 (¥18,200) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Beijing will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.
A one month trip to Beijing on average costs around $2,661 (¥19,500) for one person and $5,322 (¥39,000) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.
Is Beijing expensive to visit?
Beijing is a lively and expansive city with a world-renowned reputation. This charming destination welcomes travelers from near and far, each with their own budget and style. Visitors can find a range of options for accommodation from high-end luxury hotels to mid-range places to budget-friendly hostels.
You may find Beijing to be expensive in some places, but there are ways to keep your budget in check, like eating at less expensive restaurants and taking public transit.
On average, budget travelers spend $35 (¥259) per day, mid-range travelers spend $89 (¥650) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $222 (¥1,624) per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Beijing.
Within Asia, Beijing is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Mount Kailash or Lhasa.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Beijing Expensive?
Beijing, China
How much money do I need for a trip to Beijing?
The average Beijing trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Beijing travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Beijing cost?
Beijing on a Budget
|
Category
|
Budget
|
Mid-Range
|
Luxury
|
Accommodation 1
For 1 person in double occupancy
|
$16
(¥115)
|
$39
(¥285)
|
$95
(¥693)
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
$3
(¥20)
|
$8
(¥56)
|
$23
(¥168)
|
|
Food 2
|
$13
(¥95)
|
$33
(¥241)
|
$83
(¥610)
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
$9
(¥69)
|
$24
(¥174)
|
$60
(¥441)
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
$2-7
(¥17-50)
|
$6-17
(¥42-125)
|
$14-41
(¥100-301)
|
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
It's important to set realistic expectations for your travel budget. Many assume they can get by cheaply in Beijing, but most people don't enjoy traveling on a very tight budget. Think about how you like to travel, and whether you prefer resorts, hostels, or vacation rentals. Do activities like sightseeing and dining out matter to you? These factors will help shape your travel budget.
What Does It Mean to Be a Budget Traveler?
You may believe you're traveling on a budget, but unless you're ready to give up some conveniences, you'll likely spend much more than the $35 daily average that backpackers get away with.
Younger budget travelers often stick to this low budget by staying in dorms, eating inexpensive meals, taking public transportation, and focusing on free activities and sights.
Beijing has plenty of hostels available, like Peking International Youth Hostel, The Great Wall Box House, and Beijing Yue Xuan Courtyard Hostel. Here, you can enjoy low-cost dorm lodging and a vibrant social environment, though amenities might be minimal. Lastly, the city offers an effective public transit system, enabling budget travelers to sidestep expensive taxis or rideshares. While food is a highlight for every visitor in Beijing, budget travelers often opt for street food or cook in their hostel, which can prevent them from enjoying the exquisite culinary offerings.
What Makes You an Average Traveler?
For couples or families traveling for enjoyment, opting for a mid-range hotel, dining at popular restaurants, and exploring major museums and attractions with entry fees is likely. Most guests in Beijing will want to take in the essential attractions, museums, sights, and landmarks. Remember, many activities do come with costs. So, you should realistically expect your daily budget to be around $89 per person, per day.
Seeking a Stylish Getaway from the Daily Routine?
If you're looking for a complete getaway that features every luxury and a high level of service, plan on a cost of about $222 daily. To enjoy nicer hotels, dine at award-winning venues, indulge in extravagant experiences, and travel around the city with taxis or private drivers, you'll need to set aside a luxury budget. Many luxury travelers also enjoy unique experiences such as Private Mutianyu Great Wall Day Tour From Beijing City/Airport - offered by Viator.
Accommodation Budget in Beijing
The hotel prices in Beijing might surprise you. Some places charge much more for added luxury and amenities, especially during peak season. In the off-season, a room averages $0, but during peak summer season, expect to pay around $0. Prices vary from $0 to $0, but hostels are often cheaper. Booking in advance and traveling during the low season can help save you money.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Beijing for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $78 (¥570). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $39 (¥285) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Beijing? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Beijing is a large city that boasts a wide variety of places to stay. You can find everything from hostels like Peking International Youth Hostel to vacation rentals and high-end hotels. Staying closer to the city center generally means higher prices, but you'll be conveniently located near public transport and attractions.
Thanks to Beijing's great public transit, staying outside the city is an option to save on accommodation, but be prepared for the trade-off of extra transportation costs.
If you plan to stay a week in Beijing, consider a vacation rental with a kitchen. It's a practical way to prepare some meals yourself during your visit.
By traveling in the low or shoulder season (and avoiding summer), you can benefit from cheaper accommodations and fewer crowds.
Transportation Budget in Beijing
In a large city like Beijing, transportation is essential, but the public transit system makes getting around easy. The system can be crowded and confusing at first, but it's one of the most convenient and affordable ways to get around town. There's a subway system as well as buses, trolleybuses, and suburban rail. For the best value, stick to public transit, but taxis and rideshares are always an option for convenience.
Regrettably, the walkable areas in the city are quite limited. While parts of the city are fun to explore on foot, the city itself is very large with long blocks that aren't pedestrian-friendly.
Public Transit: 
(great)
Walkability: (moderate)
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, past travelers have spent $7.62 (¥56) per person, per day, on local transportation in Beijing. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Beijing is significantly more than public transportation.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$7.62
¥56
If you'll often take public transit, consider multi-day passes as they can lead to substantial savings.
Be mindful of pickpockets on buses and trains, as well as in the stations. Beijing is a large city, so it's wise to stay vigilant.
A few of the typical hotel transfers and transportation services include:
- Beijing LiYuan Theatre VIP Seats Opera Show with Private Transfer Service for $77 details
- Ultimate Forbidden City and Mutianyu Great Wall Discovery with Airport Transfer for $186 details
- Beijing Private Layover Transfer: Great Wall+City Attraction for $65 details
How much does it cost to go to Beijing? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Beijing will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
The typical transit costs in Beijing are outlined below, based on data from actual travelers. These figures provide an estimate of overall transportation expenses in the city. Remember, your personal costs will depend on how you choose to get around, as taxis and hired cars tend to be much pricier than using public transportation.
Food Budget in Beijing
You won't want to overlook the world-class cuisine in Beijing. Take the time to dine at local eateries and indulge in their unique specialties. The city has a number of iconic dishes that have put it on the culinary map. The most notable dish is Peking Duck, which is a delectable crispy roast duck that is usually served with cucumber, scallions, sweet bean sauce and pancakes or other steamed buns. Hot pots are another must-try experience in the city, and, of course, you have to experience the dumplings. A huge part of a visit to Beijing is experiencing its long running culinary history.
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While restaurant and meal prices in Beijing can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Beijing is $33 (¥241) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$33
¥241
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Beijing is around $33 (¥241) per person, with previous travelers spending from $13 to $83. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Beijing are as follows:
- Breakfast: $3 to $10
- Lunch: $5 to $13
- Dinner: $10 to $23
- Coffee: $3
- Fast Food or Street Food: $5
Food in Beijing is delicious and diverse. The most notable dish is, of course, the famed Peking Duck. Dining on Peking Duck in China is an experience not to be missed. The meal is elaborate and quite filling. The duck is served in its entirety with a plum sauce and the remaining bones are made into a soup that follows the main dish. Another traditional favorite is the Chinese "Hot Pot". This soup is made at the table and includes a range of ingredients such as thin slices of meat, vegetables, and noodles all cooked in a boiling broth. The soup is served with a a tasty peanut sauce.
Also enjoy a traditional breakfast of dumplings and deep fried bread. This is a cheap and delicious way to start your day. In the evening head to the night market, which has become a favorite among tourists. While it's no longer as authentic as it once was, it still holds on to some of its original charm.
To cut costs, consider dining at nicer restaurants during lunch instead of dinner. Many restaurants in tourist spots or business centers offer lunch specials or a 'menu of the day.' These meals are often smaller and less expensive versions of their dinner options. If you look in the right places, you could treat yourself to a full multi-course gourmet meal without spending too much. Then, just opt for something light for dinner.
Many hotels include breakfast in their pricing structure, while some charge additional fees for it. The quality and cost can vary significantly by hotel. Knowing this in advance can help you decide whether to allocate more money. It might be worth paying for the delicious hotel buffet, or you could go to a local bakery or cafe that's less expensive.
Carry your own water bottle instead of spending on drinks. It's also a positive step for the environment.
While planning your tour, it's essential to know which meals are included. You may find yourself paying for some meals, which can add to your travel budget.
If you want to experience the culture in Beijing, a food tour or cooking class is a great way to do it. After all, cuisine is one of the reasons why so many people visit. A few of the best culinary activities here include:
- China's Favourite Street Food Cooking Workshop for $55 details
- Beijing Evening Tour: Chaoyang Acrobatic Show with Peking Duck Dinner for $138 details
- Beijing Hutong Food Tour: 3-hour,4 Hutongs & 4 Hidden Restaurants for $5 details
Typical prices for food in Beijing are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the food prices in Beijing. However, your individual costs will vary based on your travel style, selected restaurants, and the items that you order.
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Beijing
It's no wonder that so many visitors make their way to Beijing for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, and budget-friendly accommodations.
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Beijing typically cost an average of $24 (¥174) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$24
¥174
Beijing has no shortage of sights, the most famous of which is the Forbidden City. The Forbidden City housed the imperial family for centuries and today it is visited by thousands of tourists every year. More modern sights include the Birds Nest Stadium and Olympic Village, which remains a tribute to the 2008 Olympics hosted by Beijing. It is best to visit the Olympic Village at night when everything is impressively lit up. Other famous sites in the city include the Temple of Heaven, Lama Temple, Tiananmen Square. Popular parks in the city include Beihai Park, Chaoyang Park, and Ritan Park.
It's also possible to get to various sections of the Great Wall of China quite easily from Beijing.
Beijing is a large metropolitan city with countless activities that you can enjoy. Theater, music, and the arts are all represented throughout the city. An interesting experience in Beijing is to take in an acrobatics show, with performers and contortionists that can bend and twist in the most unexpected ways. The opera house also offers shows and performances that are well worth an evening's time.
The city has many interesting festivals throughout the year as well. Some of the more popular ones include Temple Fair, the Grand View Garden Fair, Fragrant Hills Red Leaves Festival and Yanqing Ice and Snow Festival.
Museums and Attractions:
Beijing is famous for its world-class museums and historic sites. The city is filled with iconic landmarks including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and The Temple of Heaven. It's also essential that you plan a trip outside of town to the world renowned Great Wall of China. The trip takes about an hour and you can organize a tour through almost any hotel or tour company.
Shopping:
Experiencing the shopping here is an opportunity you shouldn't pass by. There are many unique handicrafts that you can purchase around town. Popular souvenirs include silk, pearls, and snuff bottles with pictures inside. The city has many shopping streets as well as markets and shopping malls that are worth visiting.
A nice way to explore destinations in Beijing is with local tours that last just a few hours. This way you can see as much as possible in an efficient way with knowledgable guides. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Private Trekking Day Tour to Jinshanling Great Wall for $122 details
- Great Wall & Forbidden City Layover Small Group Tour (8AM-4PM) for $150 details
- Private Day Tour: Mutianyu Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, and Forbidden City for $177 details
Below are a few common prices for sightseeing and activity entry fees in Beijing, all of which are based on the reports of previous travelers. These figures should give you a rough estimate of what you can expect to pay. Keep in mind, though, your costs will vary depending on the activities you choose and whether you take advantage of free or budget-friendly options.
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Entry to Summer Palace for Two
¥60
-
Two Opera Tickets
¥425
-
Temple of Heaven Park Entrance (for 2)
¥70
-
Forbidden City (for 2)
¥120
-
Forbidden City Tickets
¥120
-
Audio Guides at Forbidden City
¥80
Nightlife Budget in Beijing
In Beijing, the nightlife buzzes with energy, and visitors love to spend their evenings enjoying the local bars, clubs, and parties. Live performances are popular in the city, and range from concerts to magic shows and acrobatics. There is also an active bar scene around town. Some of the most popular nightlife areas include Sanlitun and Houhai.
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $11 (¥83) on nightlife and alcoholic beverages in Beijing per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$11
¥83
The nightlife is always tempting, but cutting down on drinks is an effective way to manage your travel spending.
While enjoying a night out, remember to stay alert. If you're drinking, you might become an easy target for thieves, so it's best to stay with friends you trust.
Nightlife activities and tasting tours are popular in Beijing. A few favorites from other travelers include:
- Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour and Mutianyu Great Wall Visit for $238 details
- Evening Food Private Tour with Brewery Taproom Hopping at Slow Boat in Beijing for $110 details
- Beijing Brewery Bike Tour for $99 details
Travel cost data last updated: Dec 3, 2024
Traveling in Beijing
Beijing, China
Beijing is the capital of China and, with 21.5 million people, it is the second most populated city in the world after Shanghai. It is a city that keeps pockets of its history hidden in old neighborhoods or back alleys, despite the constant change and modernization that goes on around it. As the capital city of China, there is plenty of history and culture. You can still get yourself lost in one of the last remaining hutongs, which are old neighborhoods that remain untouched by the city's modernization. The alleys that weave between the old homes are lined with drying clothes, corner markets, and people going about their daily lives the way they have for centuries. Surrounding these hutongs you'll find modern buildings and a booming economy, all threatening to destroying these last bits of Beijing's history. Beijing offers a glimpse into a microcosm that represents the entire country of China. Make sure you give yourself enough time in China to truly experience Beijing. You can pass a lot of time soaking up life in the city, which remains as diverse as the country it resides within.
Neighborhoods & Around
Beijing can be divided into five districts. Dongcheng District is the urban area found on the eastern half of the city's urban core. It covers 24.7 square kilometers and includes Wangfujing, Dongdan, and the Beijing Railway Station. The Chaoyangmen area is found in the district and is where you'll find the Forbidden City, the Temple of Confucius, Imperial College, Tian'anmen Square and many other sights.
Xicheng District is 32 square kilometers and has the city's commerical district, Beihai Park, and the Beijing Zoo.
Chaoyang District is where you'll find most of Beijing's foreign embassies as well as Sanlitun bar street and Olympic Park.
Haidian District is a suburban area with many universities and a large foreign population.
Shijingshan District is located west of the urban core and is part of the Western Hills area.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
We booked our tour to the Great Wall through our hostel. This saved us tons of money compared to if we'd pre-arranged it.