Chongqing is a cultural destination known for its beauty, culture, food, and exciting activities. 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.
How much does it cost to travel to Chongqing?
You should plan to spend around $103 (¥753) per day on your vacation in Chongqing. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $42 (¥306) on meals
- $18 (¥134) on local transportation
- $97 (¥711) on hotels
A one week trip to Chongqing for two people costs, on average, $1,445 (¥10,542). 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
$722
¥5,271
-
2 Weeks
Per person
$1,445
¥10,542
-
One Month
Per person
$3,096
¥22,590
-
One Week
For a couple
$1,445
¥10,542
-
2 Weeks
For a couple
$2,889
¥21,084
-
One Month
For a couple
$6,191
¥45,180
How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Chongqing cost?
A one week trip to Chongqing usually costs around $722 (¥5,271) for one person and $1,445 (¥10,542) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
A two week trip to Chongqing on average costs around $1,445 (¥10,542) for one person and $2,889 (¥21,084) 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 Chongqing will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.
A one month trip to Chongqing on average costs around $3,096 (¥22,590) for one person and $6,191 (¥45,180) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.
Is Chongqing expensive to visit?
Chongqing is a quaint locale that appeals to a variety of visitors, each with different travel styles, spending patterns, and budget needs. Visitors can find a range of options for accommodation from high-end luxury hotels to mid-range places to budget-friendly hostels.
You can find Chongqing to be very expensive if you're not careful, but methods like looking for discounts and coupons can help you save money.
On average, budget travelers spend $45 (¥330) per day, mid-range travelers spend $103 (¥753) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $197 (¥1,440) per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Chongqing.
Within Asia, Chongqing is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Xi'an or Longsheng.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Chongqing Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Chongqing?
The average Chongqing trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Chongqing travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Chongqing cost?
Chongqing on a Budget
|
Category
|
Budget
|
Mid-Range
|
Luxury
|
Accommodation 1
For 1 person in double occupancy
|
$21
(¥156)
|
$49
(¥356)
|
$93
(¥680)
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
$8
(¥59)
|
$18
(¥134)
|
$35
(¥257)
|
|
Food 2
|
$18
(¥134)
|
$42
(¥306)
|
$80
(¥586)
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
$6
(¥42)
|
$13
(¥96)
|
$25
(¥184)
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
$1-4
(¥11-33)
|
$3-10
(¥25-75)
|
$7-20
(¥48-143)
|
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
Having realistic expectations about your travel budget in Chongqing is important. While you might think you can save money by cutting expenses, traveling comfortably requires a bit more spending for most people. Think about your favorite vacation activities and ideal travel style. Staying in a resort or comfortable hotel, along with sightseeing and dining out are generally what many people prefer. Your travel preferences will determine how much you'll end up spending on your trip.
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 $45 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.
Chongqing is home to plenty of hostels, including Only Cafe And Backpacker, Chongqing Riverside Hostel, and Desti Youth Park Hostel - Chongqing. In hostels like these, you can snag budget-friendly dorm beds and enjoy a social environment, but be prepared for basic amenities.
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 tourists in Chongqing are inclined to explore its main attractions, museums, sights, and landmarks. Remember, many activities do come with costs. So, you should realistically expect your daily budget to be around $103 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 $197 daily. To enjoy nicer hotels, dine at award-winning venues, indulge in extravagant experiences, and travel around the destination with taxis or private drivers, you'll need to set aside a luxury budget. Many luxury travelers also enjoy unique experiences such as Chongqing private city tour: Must-sees All in One - offered by Viator.
Accommodation Budget in Chongqing
The cost of hotels in Chongqing can be quite surprising. Luxury accommodations come with higher prices and more amenities, especially during peak season. Off-season rates average $0, but peak season () average prices jump to $0. Overall, prices range from $0 to $0. Hostels are often the cheaper option, especially in dorms. You can save by booking early, traveling in the off-season, or taking advantage of promotions.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Chongqing for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $97 (¥711). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $49 (¥356) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Chongqing? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
By traveling in the low or shoulder season (and avoiding ), you can benefit from cheaper accommodations and fewer crowds.
Transportation Budget in Chongqing
Unfortunately, Chongqing does not have a reliable public transit network.
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, past travelers have spent $18 (¥134) per person, per day, on local transportation in Chongqing. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Chongqing is significantly more than public transportation.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$18
¥134
Some of the standard transportation options and hotel transfers include:
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chongqing Jiangbei Airport (CKG) to Hotel for $27 details
- [Airport Transfer] Chongqing Airport ⇔ Chongqing City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service! ≪Charter charter> for $23 details
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Any Railway Station in Chongqing for $24 details
How much does it cost to go to Chongqing? 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 Chongqing 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.
Food Budget in Chongqing
One of the biggest draws for travelers is the food, so be sure to savor the local flavors.
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While restaurant and meal prices in Chongqing can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Chongqing is $42 (¥306) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$42
¥306
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Chongqing is around $42 (¥306) per person, with previous travelers spending from $18 to $80. 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 Chongqing are as follows:
- Breakfast: $4 to $13
- Lunch: $6 to $17
- Dinner: $13 to $29
- Coffee: $3
- Fast Food or Street Food: $6
Chongqing is a harbor city and loves to include freshly caught seafood in their dishes. Hot pot is also a popular option here, with hot pot restaurants galore. You can find everything from the traditional spicy hot pots to ones that have no spice and are essentially just bone broth. If you're looking to dine with a view, head to the Nanbin Lu area where you'll get great views of the Yangtze River and city skyline.
Bars in Chongqing are plentiful, ranging from clubs to sports bars and pubs. You'll find beer is the most popular drink, although be sure to ask for it from the tap and not the slop tray! For men, be careful of the girls sent over to entertain you, as you'll often leave the bar expected to pay large sums for their company.
Many accommodations throw in breakfast at no extra cost, though others might charge you for it. The price and quality can greatly vary by hotel. Knowing this in advance can help you figure out if you need to spend more money. You might find the hotel's buffet is worth it, or you may prefer to grab a cheaper bite at a local bakery or cafe.
Keep a water bottle handy instead of purchasing drinks everywhere. It's also better for the environment.
Before you head out on a tour, be sure to find out which meals are included. You could end up paying for some meals out of pocket, which can impact your budget.
Taking a food tour or cooking class is a great way to experience the culture in Chongqing. After all, cuisine is one of the reasons why so many people visit. A few of the best culinary activities here include:
- Chongqing City Private Night Tour with Hot Pot Dinner for $158 details
- Chongqing Local Flavors Food Tour for $120 details
- Chongqing Liangjiang Night Cruise Including Authentic Hot Pot Dinner for $183 details
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Chongqing
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Chongqing typically cost an average of $13 (¥96) 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.
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Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$13
¥96
While the city may look industrial, you'll find it has a lovely character well worth exploring. Head to HongYaDong to see a recreation of old Chongqing that is built alongside a mountain. Here, you'll find some small shops and great spots to take in the views of the city. At Jiang Jieshi, you'll find the old military headquarters from when the city was the capital of China in WWII. Due to it being all the way up in the Nanshan Mountains above the city, the headquarters were left untouched by enemy forces and are very well preserved. Enjoy a walk along Ciqikou, meaning porcelain port, on the Jialing River where porcelain has been made and transported around the world for centuries. There are a number shops, well preserved buildings, a boat restaurant, and an original temple at the top of the hill.
Relax and take in the sights of Chongqing from a river cruise along the Yangtze River. There's also a nighttime tour boat that will take you along both the Jialing and Yangtze Rivers where you can enjoy the stunning skyline all lit up at night. If you prefer to be out of the water, you can take a cable car ride over the Yangtze River to get a stunning view of the city.
Chongqing is renowned for their hot springs, with a number of options ranging from large complexes with spa treatments to community based smaller ones. Tour buses are available to take you around to the major hot spring locations like Northern Hot Springs Park and Tianci Hot Springs.
A nice way to explore destinations in Chongqing 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:
- Chongqing Wulong Exploration Private Day Tour With the Lunch for $185 details
- 1-Day Chongqing Dazu Rock Carvings Private Tour With the Lunch for $143 details
- Chongqing Yangtze River Cruise and Illuminated Night Tour for $158 details
Nightlife Budget in Chongqing
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $6.85 (¥50) on nightlife and alcoholic beverages in Chongqing per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$6.85
¥50
Sure, nightlife is part of the adventure, but cutting down on cocktails can make a surprising difference in your travel budget.
Travel cost data last updated: Nov 27, 2024
Traveling in Chongqing
Chongqing, China
Chongqing, China is a large city in central China and one of only four cities in the country that are not part of a province. While Chongqing is famous for being an economically important city, brush away its industrial surface and you'll find a naturally beautiful city with plenty of hidden wonders. Although you'll find many expats in the city, English is rarely spoken, meaning knowing some basic Mandarin will come in handy.
Chongqing is notorious for their hot and humid weather in the summers, with temperatures reaching up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit in July and August. The rest of the year sees fairly mild weather with temperatures staying between 50 and 75 degrees from autumn to spring. Chongqing does have a bad smog problem, especially in summer and winter, and is listed as one of the top ten most air-polluted cities in the world.
Neighborhoods & Around
Chongqing is quite a large city, with 26 districts, most of which are either residential or industrial and therefore of little interest to tourists. The major districts of interest are:
Yuzhong District, which is the central district of Chongqing and the primary political, economic, and entertainment part of the city.
Nan'an District, a historically important district that is full of natural and historical wonders. Here, you'll find Nanshan Mountain and the Ciyun Temple.
Shapingba District, one of the main education districts in the city and home to the Ciqikou and monuments from the Anti-Japanese War.
Jiangjin District, which dates back over 1500 years and is famous for the beautiful Simian Mountain that features lakes, forests, and waterfalls.
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.