Which city is cheaper, Edinburgh or Beijing?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Beijing and Edinburgh 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.
Beijing is a historic, massive, and jam-packed city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.
Edinburgh is a character-filled, vibrant, and ancient city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include nightlife, live music, and shopping.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Edinburgh and Beijing. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Beijing or Edinburgh.
You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Beijing on the map. 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.
Travelers visit Edinburgh from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. The most famous sights include the Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the National Museum of Scotland.
Beijing has a longer list of notable local restaurants than Edinburgh.
Many restaurants in Beijing have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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.
Edinburgh offers some easy restaurants to choose from. The city has some unique but famous dishes to try including haggis and black pudding. For slightly less intimidating options, check out the cullen skink, porridge, or smoked salmon.
It's hard to distinguish whether Beijing or Edinburgh has a better nightlife scene.
The people in Beijing know how to have a good time. 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.
The nightlife in Edinburgh has something for everybody. With so many students, the nightlife stays very active. There are a wide range of bars, clubs and pubs to choose from.
Shopping is a popular activity in both Edinburgh and Beijing.
Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Beijing. 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.
Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Edinburgh. Head to Princes Street in the New Town to visit department stores and other name brand shops. Nearby George Street has more boutique style shops and less crowds.
Both Beijing and Edinburgh are fun to visit with kids.
You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Beijing. The city offers a unique cultural immersion that kids and adults can enjoy. Wander through the Forbidden City or watch your kids be mesmerized by a Chinese acrobatics show. It's also fun to get lost in the Hutongs or test their culinary palates by visiting a snack street.
Edinburgh is a very family-friendly destination. There are a variety of unique activities for families in town including exploring Edinburgh Castle, a visit to the Edinburgh Dungeon, and of course, following the Harry Potter Trail.
Both Beijing and Edinburgh are good destinations for a couple's getaway.
Beijing is a good city for couples to visit. The culture, history, and food all make this a stunning place to visit. While romance doesn't immediately spring to mind when you think of Beijing, there are shows and fine dining restaurants that couples will enjoy. There are also many luxury hotels with spas and other amenities.
Edinburgh is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. With its castle and the Royal Mile, there are many romantic places to explore as a couple. There are also good restaurants and some nice hotels.
Beijing and Edinburgh are comparable places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.
Beijing is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. The city has many hostels and budget-friendly options. There isn't the backpacker community vibe that you may get in other Asian cities, but if you organize an excursion through your hostel, you're sure to make a few friends along the way.
Edinburgh is very popular with the backpacker crowd. The city has some good hostels and an active nightlife, so it's not hard to find other travelers to hang out with.
Beijing and Edinburgh are comparable places to visit for students.
Students come from all over to stay in Beijing. Students will enjoy the culture, food, and academic opportunities that the universities offer. There is also a decent nightlife scene and affordable places where students can live.
Many students visit Edinburgh. This multicultural city is popular with international students because of its excellent research and academic centers as well as its unique history.
You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Beijing and Edinburgh.
Beijing offers a very effecient public transportation network. 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.
While Edinburgh offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Buses are the best way to get into town from the outer edges if you don't have a car.
Edinburgh is more walkable than Beijing.
Getting around Edinburgh on foot is easy. The Old Town in particular is fun to walk around
Beijing is generally not a very walkable city. 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.
In either Beijing or Edinburgh, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Beijing than Edinburgh because of the overall number of sights and activities.
The ideal length of time for a trip to Beijing is 3-7 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Edinburgh is 1-5 days.
People visit Beijing because there is so much to do. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
In Edinburgh, you'll find museums and theater. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.
People visit Beijing because there is so much to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.
In Edinburgh, you'll find theater and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Edinburgh has to offer.
People visit Beijing because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.
Edinburgh is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Edinburgh has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.
Beijing is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Beijing, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Edinburgh. Many people enjoy the live music and shopping when visiting Edinburgh. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Beijing is $66, while the average daily cost in Edinburgh is $144. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Beijing and Edinburgh in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Beijing or Edinburgh? 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.
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Beijing:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Edinburgh:
Also for Edinburgh, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Edinburgh and Beijing 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Beijing:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Beijing.
For Edinburgh, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For Edinburgh, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Here are a few typical costs in Beijing for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in Beijing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Edinburgh's activities, tours, and tickets:
For Edinburgh, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Beijing:
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Edinburgh from other travelers:
Also in Edinburgh, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beijing and Edinburgh, we can see that Edinburgh is more expensive. And not only is Beijing much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Beijing is in Asia and Edinburgh is in Europe, 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 Edinburgh would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Edinburgh than you might in Beijing.
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
The summer brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Edinburgh. The summer months attract visitors to Beijing because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Edinburgh this time of year.
In July, Beijing is generally much warmer than Edinburgh. Temperatures in Beijing average around 27°C (80°F), and Edinburgh stays around 14°C (58°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. In the summer, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Edinburgh. Beijing gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Edinburgh receives 163 hours of full sun.
Beijing receives a lot of rain in the summer. Beijing usually gets more rain in July than Edinburgh. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Edinburgh and Beijing are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Beijing this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Edinburgh for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Beijing is a little warmer than Edinburgh in the autumn. The temperature in Beijing is usually 14°C (56°F) in October, and Edinburgh stays around 10°C (49°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Edinburgh during autumn. Beijing gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Edinburgh receives 90 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Beijing usually receives less rain than Edinburgh. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Edinburgh and Beijing during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Beijing for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Edinburgh in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
Edinburgh can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Beijing. In the winter, Beijing is much colder than Edinburgh. Typically, the winter temperatures in Beijing in January are around -4°C (26°F), and Edinburgh is about 3°C (38°F).
It's quite sunny in Beijing. In the winter, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Edinburgh. Beijing gets 201 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Edinburgh receives 48 hours of full sun.
Beijing usually gets less rain in January than Edinburgh. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and Edinburgh. Many visitors come to Beijing in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Edinburgh for the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Beijing is generally much warmer than Edinburgh. Temperatures in Beijing average around 14°C (57°F), and Edinburgh stays around 7°C (45°F).
In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Edinburgh during spring. Beijing gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Edinburgh receives 132 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Beijing usually receives less rain than Edinburgh. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Beijing | Edinburgh | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | -4°C (26°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
Feb | -1°C (30°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
Mar | 6°C (42°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
Apr | 14°C (57°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
May | 20°C (68°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
Jun | 25°C (76°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
Aug | 25°C (78°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
Sep | 20°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
Oct | 14°C (56°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
Dec | -1°C (29°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
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