Which place is cheaper, Beijing or Arusha?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Arusha or Beijing?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Arusha and Beijing can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Arusha or Beijing?
Arusha
Arusha is a city in East Africa's Tanzania, located at the base of volcanic Mt. Meru. It’s a gateway to safari destinations and to Africa’s highest peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro, lying some 100 kilometers northeast. To the west lies Serengeti National Park, home to wildlife including lions, rhinoceros, giraffes and leopards. Annual migrations feature huge herds of wildebeests crossing its plains. Arusha is Tanzania’s gateway to the northern circuit of stellar national parks and the starting point of many a memorable safari. It’s also a large, sprawling city which offers a nice break from the rigors of life on the African road – it has excellent places to stay and eat and, for the most part, it’s lush and green and enjoys a temperate climate throughout the year. Arusha is a great destination, and you're sure to enjoy your time here, no matter what your interests are.
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 G Adventures Tours to Tanzania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Tanzania, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
-
Arusha Prices
Tanzania PricesBeijing Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayArusha $189Beijing $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Arusha is $189, while the average daily cost in Beijing is $96. 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 Arusha and Beijing in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personArusha $126Beijing $42
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomArusha $252Beijing $84
Compare Hotels in Arusha and Beijing
Looking for a hotel in Arusha 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: Arusha Hotel Prices and Beijing Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Arusha $13Beijing $8.22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arusha
Also for Arusha, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arusha Airport & Hotel Transfers: $40
- Arusha Airport and Hotel Transfer: $35
- Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha City Private Transfer: $120
- Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha City Center Transfer: $60
- Moshi - Arusha Transfer: $130
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Beijing
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:
-
Taxi$5.02
-
Train from Airport for Two$7.35
-
Taxi to Hotel$8.83
-
2 Metro Passes$2.35
-
Metro$0.59
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beijing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Beijing:
- [Airport Transfer] Beijing Capital Airport ⇔ Beijing City Transfer (one way) ☆ High reputation for service! : $25
- VIP Mutianyu Great Wall Tour: Expert Guide & Private Transfer: $87
- Universal Beijing Resort Private Transfer one way, City/Airport: $45
- Universal Beijing Resort 1 Day Ticket with Optional Transfer: $149
- Transfers to Jinshanling Great Wall with professional driver: $95
- Transfer: Beijing City Center to Beijing Airport (PEK): $41
- Tianjin Port Private transfers to Beijing Hotel&optionals: $219
- Tianjin International Cruise Port to Beijing Capital Airport by private transfer: $148
- Tianjin Cruise Port to Beijing Daxing Airport by Private Transfer: $148
- Tianjin Cruise Port Private Transfer to Beijing International Airport: $153
- Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City Private Tour With Airport Transfer: $249
- Sunrise Private Transfer to Jinshanling Great Wall+Hiking 6km: $149
Is it cheaper to fly into Arusha or Beijing?
Prices for flights to both Beijing and Arusha 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 dayArusha $40Beijing $36
Typical Food Prices in Arusha
For Arusha, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
A Quick Lunch (for 2)$2.09
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arusha
For Arusha, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Traditional Tanzania Cooking Class & Food Market Tour: $45
- NGO Lifted Strong - Traditional Tanzanian Cooking Class: $50
- Local Tanzanian Food Cooking Class by Kingstone Asilia (Arusha): $55
Typical Food Prices in Beijing
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Beijing:
-
Popcorn$0.88
-
Hot Pot Dinner$7.35
-
Dumpling Breakfast for Two$2.94
-
Watermelon$2.06
-
Peking Duck Dinner for 2$18
-
Two Popsicles$0.88
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beijing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Beijing.
- Online Cooking Class Orange Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Handmade Noodles by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Kungpao Chicken: $25
- Beijing Dumpling Cooking Class Private Courtyard Cafe: $40
- Beijing Food Tour: $40
- 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
- Temple of Heaven Private Tour w/Option Show &Dinner: $54
- China's Favourite Street Food Cooking Workshop: $55
- Experience Beijing Walking Food Tour Private: $55
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Arusha $44Beijing $26
Tours and Activities in Arusha
For Arusha, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Best Arusha City Tour: $15
- Guided Arusha town tour with market visit,shopping, and city walk: $17
- Arusha Guided Tour: Culture, History, Markets & Hidden Gems: $18
- Arusha Guided City Tour &Hotel Pickup (History, Culture &Market: $21
- Arusha City Tour: Where Continents Collide & Cultures Dance: $30
- Street Food and Community Walking Tour: $30
- Private Local Market Tour in Tengeru: $35
- Private Meru Coffee Tour in Nkoaranga: $35
- Mountain Bike Tour of the Foothills of Mount Meru: $40
- Arusha City Culture and Historical Walking Tour: $40
- Banana Bliss Plantation Coffee Medicinal and Waterfall Tour: $45
- Tanzanite Shopping Experience in Arusha: $49
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$8.83
-
Two Opera Tickets$63
-
Temple of Heaven Park Entrance (for 2)$10
-
Forbidden City (for 2)$18
-
Forbidden City Tickets$18
-
Audio Guides at Forbidden City$12
Tours and Activities in Beijing
Here are a few actual costs in Beijing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1-Day Beijing Private Tour to Forbidden City and Mutianyu Great Wall: $150
- 1-Day Beijing Private Tour to Lama Temple,Summer Palace and Hutong Rickshaw: $120
- 1-Day Beijing Private Tour: Mutianyu Great Wall and Hutong Rickshaw Riding: $277
- 1-Day Beijing tour to Temple of Heaven,Hutong Tour,Lama Temple & Summer Palace: $240
- 1-Day Great Wall of China Tours from Beijing Capital Airport to Mutianyu: $269
- 1-Day Mount Qingcheng and Dujiangyan Irrigation System Tour: $175
- 1-Day Mutianyu Great Wall and Beijing Airport Drop off Tour: $235
- 1-Day Private Tour: Huanghuacheng Great Wall Hiking with the lunch from Beijing: $213
- 1-Day Private Tour: Jinshanling Great Wall Hiking Tour from Beijing: $256
- 1-Day Self-Guided Simatai and Gubei Town Night Tour from Beijing: $149
- 1Day Beijing Palace Museum City park Tour: $120
- 2 Day Private Xian Tour from Beijing: $268
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayArusha $10Beijing $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Beijing
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Beijing:
- Tipsy Travel: Beijing Local Food and Bar Crawl night in Hutong: $138
- 5-Hour Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour from Beijing: $178
- Beijing Brewery Bike Tour: $199
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arusha and Beijing, we can see that Arusha is more expensive. And not only is Beijing much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Arusha 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 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 Arusha would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arusha 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 Arusha Expensive? and Is Beijing Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Arusha or Beijing?
Beijing has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Arusha. When comparing the sizes of Arusha 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.