A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Addis Ababa vs. Beijing for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Addis Ababa or Beijing?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Addis Ababa or Beijing, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Addis Ababa or Beijing?

Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia and also the nation's largest when ranked by its population of over three million. There are also more than 120 international missions and embassies in Addis Ababa, making the city a hub for international diplomacy concerning Africa. Other draws include its thriving marketplaces, spicy food, and rich coffee.

Beijing

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.


Which place is cheaper, Beijing or Addis Ababa?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Addis Ababa is $36, while the average daily cost in Beijing is $89. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Addis Ababa and Beijing in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Addis Ababa $19
    Beijing $39
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Addis Ababa $38
    Beijing $78
Compare Hotels in Addis Ababa and Beijing

Looking for a hotel in Addis Ababa or Beijing? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Addis Ababa


Hotels in Beijing


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Addis Ababa Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Addis Ababa $3.47
    Beijing $7.67
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Addis Ababa

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Addis Ababa are as follows:


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Addis Ababa

Also for Addis Ababa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer Services Addis Abeba Airport : $23
  • Addis Ababa Airport in/out transfer: $49
  • Addis Ababa Airport pickup and Transfer: $16
  • Addis Ababa Airport transfer and shuttle service(privet): $15
  • Addis Ababa Private Airport-Hotel Transfer: $82
  • City and Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa: $35
  • City/Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa - Shuttles: $36
  • City/Airport Transfers-Addis Ababa: $35
  • Lalibela Full Day Tour with Guide and Transfer: $130

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Beijing

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:


  • Taxi
    $4.69
  • Train from Airport for Two
    $6.86
  • Taxi to Hotel
    $8.24
  • 2 Metro Passes
    $2.20
  • Metro
    $0.55

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beijing

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Beijing:

  • Pivate Transfer To Datong Yungang Grottoes From Beijing: $598
  • Beijing Layover Tour with Hutong, Temple of Heaven and Airport Transfer: $296
  • Beijing Golden Mask And Peking Opera Tour With Transfer: $288
  • Beijing Private Transfer: Mutianyu Great Wall Slow-Paced Visit: $280
  • Private Transfer to Beidaihe Summer Resort from Beijing: $272
  • Private Transfer To Guyaju Ancient Cave(With Options): $269
  • 1 Day Pass for Universal Beijing and Private Transfer Package: $265
  • Private Transfer to Mutianyu Great Wall and Summer Palace with A Guide: $259
  • 1-Day Bejing Layover Tour:Mutianyu Great Wall,Forbidden City & Airport Transfers: $250
  • Private Day Tour of Beijing City Overview with Airport Transfer: $245
  • Beijing Layover of Comprehensive City Tour With Airport Transfer: $240
  • Beijing Hutong Culture Experience with Airport Transfer: $236

Is it cheaper to fly into Addis Ababa or Beijing?

Prices for flights to both Beijing and Addis Ababa change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Addis Ababa $13
    Beijing $33
Typical Food Prices in Addis Ababa

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Addis Ababa:


  • Slice of Cake
    $0.05

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Addis Ababa

For Addis Ababa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Food tour in Addis Ababa with airport pick-up.: $56
  • Local Ethiopian Food Tour Addis Ababa: $62
  • Flavors of Ethiopia Explore Traditional Cooking Class : $67
  • Ethiopian cooking class: $68
  • Private City Tour with Folkloric Dinner: $80
  • Yod Abyssinia Cultural Night: Dinner, Music, and Dance: $82
  • Half Day Food Tour Addis Ababa With Airport pickUp And Drop-Off: $90
  • Addis abeba Full Cooking class.: $90
  • Cooking class in Addis Ababa: $95
  • Local Ethiopian Food Tour: $100
  • Unique Ethiopian Cooking Class and Coffee Ceremony with a Local in Addis Ababa: $116
  • Food tours in Addis Ababa tastever with lunch: $120

Typical Food Prices in Beijing

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Beijing:


  • Popcorn
    $0.82
  • Hot Pot Dinner
    $6.86
  • Dumpling Breakfast for Two
    $2.75
  • Watermelon
    $1.92
  • Peking Duck Dinner for 2
    $16
  • Two Popsicles
    $0.82

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beijing

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Beijing.

  • Beijing Food Tour: Exploring 8 More conic Flavors in Hutong Area : $5.00
  • Online Cooking Class Orange Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
  • Online Cooking Class Kungpao Chicken: $20
  • Beijing Acrobatic Show Tickets w/ Optional Dinner or Transfer: $48
  • 3.5-Hour Walking Food Tour: A Bite of History at Beijing Niujie Street: $49
  • China's Favourite Street Food Cooking Workshop: $55
  • Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $55
  • Beijing Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $55
  • Private Local Food Tour in Beijing with a Local Guide: $59
  • Temple of Heaven Private Tour w/Option Show &Dinner: $60
  • Hidden Gems Guided Food Tour with Beer and Tastings: $75
  • Private | Shichahai Hutong Dinner and Beer Walking Tour: $75

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Addis Ababa $3.58
    Beijing $24

Tours and Activities in Addis Ababa

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Addis Ababa.

  • Layover in Addis Ababa 5 hours tour: $36
  • Explore Addis Ababa full day city tour: $43
  • Best of Merkato Addis Guided Tour: $45
  • Guided City Tour: $48
  • Addis Ababa highlight city tour: $48
  • Addis Ababa city tour.: $49
  • Pup crawl and nightlife tour in Addis Ababa.: $50
  • City tour of Addis, Transit in Addis by car: $51
  • Historical and sightseeing tour in Addis Ababa: $53
  • Addis Ababa City Tour. : $54
  • Half Day Addis Ababa Tour: $55
  • Addis Ababa City Guided Tour: $56

Typical Entertainment Prices in Beijing

Here are a few typical costs in Beijing for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Entry to Summer Palace for Two
    $8.24
  • Two Opera Tickets
    $58
  • Temple of Heaven Park Entrance (for 2)
    $9.61
  • Forbidden City (for 2)
    $16
  • Forbidden City Tickets
    $16
  • Audio Guides at Forbidden City
    $11

Tours and Activities in Beijing

Here are a few actual costs in Beijing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 4-Hour Beijing Layover Tour to Hutong from Daxing Airport: $145
  • All Inclusive Mutianyu Great Wall & Summer Palace Private Tour: $188
  • Beijing 2 Summer Palace Private Garden Tour: $140
  • Beijing Art Tour: Seeing Fantastic Ming Murals at Fa Hai Temple : $220
  • Beijing Layover Tour: Mutianyu Great Wall with English Driver : $121
  • Beijing Private Tour of Ming Tombs, Summer Palace, Bird's Nest and Water Cube: $297
  • China Art Museum and 798 Art Zone Private Tour: $137
  • China National Museum Ticket Pre-booking and Tiananmen Square : $9.50
  • Forbidden City Private Walking Tour with Optional Sights: $16
  • Forbidden city with Tian'anmen square layover tour of Beijing : $240
  • Full Day Private Tour Incredible Beijing City Highlights: $179
  • Lama temple -Confucius temple - DongYue temple Private Cultural Tour: $156

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Addis Ababa $2.96
    Beijing $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Addis Ababa

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Addis Ababa:

  • Pub-crawl Tour ( locally crafted beer and wine tasting ): $58
  • Night Tour Addis Ababa beer and wine tasting: $65

Sample the Local Flavors in Beijing

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Beijing:

  • Evening Food Private Tour with Brewery Taproom Hopping at Slow Boat in Beijing: $110
  • Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour and Mutianyu Great Wall Visit: $238


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Addis Ababa and Beijing, we can see that Beijing is more expensive. And not only is Addis Ababa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Addis Ababa is in Africa and Beijing is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Addis Ababa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Addis Ababa and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Beijing would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Beijing than you might in Addis Ababa.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Addis Ababa Expensive? and Is Beijing Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Addis Ababa or Beijing?

Beijing has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Addis Ababa. When comparing the sizes of Addis Ababa and Beijing, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.