Which place is cheaper, Beijing or Ankara?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Ankara or Beijing?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Ankara and Beijing. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Ankara or Beijing?
Ankara
Located at the heart of Turkey near Central Anatolia, Ankara is the capital city and second largest city in the country after Istanbul. Formerly known for its long-haired goats and textiles, the city has since developed into a metropolitan mix of modern cultures with historic landmarks.
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 Budget Tours to Turkey, The Best Tours for Seniors to Turkey, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
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Ankara Prices
Turkey PricesBeijing Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAnkara $118Beijing $89
The average daily cost (per person) in Ankara is $118, 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 Ankara and Beijing in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAnkara $48Beijing $39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAnkara $96Beijing $78
Compare Hotels in Ankara and Beijing
Looking for a hotel in Ankara 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.
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: Ankara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ankara $31Beijing $7.68
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ankara
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Ankara:
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Metro Ride$0.03
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Short Taxi Ride$0.13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ankara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ankara:
- Ankara Airport & Hotel Transfers : $52
- Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels to Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers: $109
- Ankara Esenboga Airport to City Hotels Transfer: $42
- Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers to Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels: $109
- Ankara Esenboğa Airport From/To City Center Private Transfer: $54
- Ankara Private Transfer from central Ankara hotels to Ankara Airport (ESB): $52
- Private Airport Transfer From/To Ankara Airport to Cankaya Hotels: $52
- Private Transfer Ankara Esenboga Airport ESB to Keçiören Ankara: $40
- Private Transfer from Ankara Esenboga Airport (ESB) to Central Ankara: $52
- Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Beypazari Town: $185
- Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Gordion Ancient City: $185
- Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Kizilcahamam Town: $185
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Beijing
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:
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Taxi$4.69
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Train from Airport for Two$6.88
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Taxi to Hotel$8.25
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2 Metro Passes$2.20
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Metro$0.55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beijing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Beijing:
- Jinshanling Great Wall Self-hiking Tour by Private Transfer Service : $98
- Private English Transfer to Shilin Gorge Platform And Ming City Wall : $140
- Private One-Way Transfer Between Beijing Railway Station and Hotel: $30
- 1 Day Pass for Universal Beijing and Private Transfer Package: $265
- 1-Day Beijing Layover Private Tour: Forbidden City with Round Airport transfers: $198
- 1-Day Beijing Layover Tour: Mutianyu Great Wall with Round Airport Transfers: $208
- 1-Way Private Transfer between Beijing Airport and City Hotels: $35
- 4-Hour Huanghuacheng Great Wall Sunset Tour with Airport Transfer: $160
- 5 Hours Round Trip Transfer Service to Mutianyu Great Wall: $70
- Airport Layover Transfer Service to Mutianyu Great Wall & City Sightseeing : $112
- Arrival Private Transfer: Capital Airport PEK to Beijing in Business Car: $76
- Beijing Acrobatic Show in Red Theater with Guide and Transfer: $59
Is it cheaper to fly into Ankara or Beijing?
Prices for flights to both Beijing and Ankara 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
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Food Meals for one dayAnkara $47Beijing $33
Typical Food Prices in Ankara
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Ankara:
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A Quick Lunch$0.30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ankara
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ankara.
- Turkish Cuisine Cooking Class at Local Home with Family: $49
Typical Food Prices in Beijing
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Beijing:
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Popcorn$0.83
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Hot Pot Dinner$6.88
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Dumpling Breakfast for Two$2.75
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Watermelon$1.93
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Peking Duck Dinner for 2$16
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Two Popsicles$0.83
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beijing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Beijing.
- Online Cooking Class Beijing Dumplings and Cuisine by Sunflowerli Renowned Chef : $20
- Online Cooking Class Handmade Noodles by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Kungpao Chicken: $20
- Online Cooking Class Orange Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $45
- Beijing Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $45
- 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
- Experience Beijing Walking Food Tour Private : $55
- Private Local Food Tour in Beijing with a Local Guide: $59
- Temple of Heaven Private Tour w/Option Show &Dinner: $60
- Dumpling Cooking Class and Local Market Tour: $65
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ankara $29Beijing $24
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ankara
Here are a few typical costs in Ankara for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Underground City$0.21
Tours and Activities in Ankara
Here are a few actual costs in Ankara for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Ankara Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $33
- Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $33
- Private Guided Walking Tour: $34
- Ankara : Private Walking Tour With A Guide ( Private Tour ) : $34
- Private Tour with a Local: $40
- Istanbul: Half-Day Tour with Topkapi Palace: $145
- Istanbul: Golden Horn & Bosphorus Day Cruise: $165
- İstanbul: Full-Day Tour with Grand Bazaar: $180
- Half Day Private Tour in Ankara: $215
- Ankara Private Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $229
- Private Ankara Sightseeing Tour: $235
- Private Ankara City Tours by an Archaeologist Tour Guide : $280
Typical Entertainment Prices in Beijing
Here are a few typical costs in Beijing for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entry to Summer Palace for Two$8.25
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Two Opera Tickets$58
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Temple of Heaven Park Entrance (for 2)$9.63
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Forbidden City (for 2)$17
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Forbidden City Tickets$17
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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:
- TIAN AN MEN SQUARE AND FORBIDDEN CITY (guided tour): $0.14
- Ticket to Forbiden City Summer Palace Temple of Heaven Mutianyu: $0.80
- Tian’anmenSquare or Forbidden City Online Ticket Booking: $2.85
- Tiananmen Square Registration Service(Ticket): $3.19
- Beijing Walking Tour to Temple of Heaven(Tip based): $4.00
- Beijing Walking Tour of Summer Palace(Tip based): $4.00
- Tiananmen Square Ticket Fast and Smooth: $4.85
- Agent ticket booking service: Temple of heaven: $5.00
- Beijing's Old Hutongs: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.34
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Beijing: $5.72
- Temple of Earth ticket; Serene, Majestic, Ancient: $6.99
- ForbiddenCity & Tiananmen Square ticket with guide(optional): $6.99
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAnkara $13Beijing $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Beijing
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Beijing:
- Beijing Brewery Bike Tour: $99
- Private Tour-Drum Tower, Hutong Food Taste and Local Brewery Beer: $150
- Tipsy Travel: Beijing Local Food and Bar Crawl night in Hutong: $158
- 5-Hour Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour from Beijing: $178
- Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour and Mutianyu Great Wall Visit: $238
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ankara and Beijing, we can see that Ankara is more expensive. And not only is Beijing much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ankara is in Europe 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 Beijing would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Beijing 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 Ankara would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ankara than you might in Beijing.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ankara Expensive? and Is Beijing Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ankara or Beijing?
Beijing has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Ankara. When comparing the sizes of Ankara 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.
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.