Which place is cheaper, Florence or Beijing?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Beijing and Florence 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 fascinating, historic, and massive city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Beijing is a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food. See Beijing travel costs.
Florence is a artistic, iconic, and alluring city. The famous beauty of Florence is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Florence travel costs.
Travelers will usually find more to do in Beijing than Florence, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Beijing is more popular for its nightlife and big city activities, while Florence is known for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Beijing is popular for its rich culture, many historical landmarks, its long running history, and its world class cuisine. It is also home to The Forbidden City. Florence is popular for its iconic beauty, world-renowned Renaissance art and architecture, and beautifully maintained gardens.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Florence 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 Florence.
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 Florence from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. Because of it's important role in the Renaissance, the city has many world-renowned museums that you can visit. Famous sights and landmarks include the Uffizi Gallery, the Duomo, and the Academy Gallery.
Dining out at restaurants in both Beijing and Florence can be an enjoyable experience.
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.
Eat your way through Florence, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Once you've worked up an appetite exploring museums and churches, you'll find many amazing local restaurants around town. Local dishes incorporate a lot of hearty vegetables and meats. Famous dishes include a Florentine steak dish, rabbit, and a bean and cabbage soup. You'll also find all of your favorite Italian staples and many great family-owned trattorie.
Beijing is a great city for nightlife and partying. Also, Florence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.
The nightlife in Beijing has something for everybody. 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.
There's a variety of activities in the evening in Florence. You'll find the most active nightlife in the Santa Croce neighborhood. The area attracts study abroad students as well as tourists who party late into the night.
Florence is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. However, Beijing does not have a historic old town.
With a famous historical old-town, Florence offers plenty to see. The historic center of the city is where you'll find many of the most beautiful buildings, art works, and quaint streets. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it was at the heart of the Renaissance period.
Beijing does not have a historic old town.
Shopping is a popular activity in both Florence 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 Florence. There are many shops in the tourist heart of the city. Most are geared specifically to tourists so you may have to search to find a more authentic shopping experience. Famous items available in the city include gold jewelry, ceramics, leather, and perfume.
Florence is an unbeatable place for its scenery and beauty. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and beauty.
The famous beauty of Florence is one of the main draws. The city's beautiful architecture and impressive gardens make it among the most beautiful cities in the world.
Beijing is a gorgeous place to visit. The parks, gardens, palaces, and temples all offer a glimpse into the past, while also letting you enjoy the city and culture that exists today.
Both Beijing and Florence are good 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.
Florence offers lots of family activities. Most famous for its art and history, the city also has a number of activities that kids will enjoy. There's a carousel and a park that are perfect to let the little ones run around. There are a few kid-friendly museums, as well as a historic city center that will mesmerize the old and young alike.
Florence is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.
Florence is a great city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. Art and history lovers will enjoy a visit to this truly beautiful city. Couples who enjoy museums, historic buildings, and world-renowned art, will find plenty to do in this city.
Beijing is a nice destination for couples. 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.
Florence is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.
Florence is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. The city is part of a popular route through Italy, and you'll find many backpackers and students in town. There are also many hostels, so you should have no trouble meeting other young travelers.
Beijing is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.
Florence is an unbeatable place for students. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.
Florence is a very popular city for students. Many students visit this city as part of a short term study abroad program, or for the entire length of their studies. The city is beautiful, and whether your focus is art, history, or culture, this city will not disappoint.
Many students visit 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.
Beijing is a great city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Florence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.
Public transit in Beijing can get you to some places easily. 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.
Florence has a few public transit options. The city has a comprehensive bus system.
Florence is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. However, Beijing is a city with minimal options for its walkability.
Getting around Florence on foot is easy. Most people explore the city on foot and the striking beauty and and pedestrian-friendly areas make it a great place to wander. During peak seasons, the streets can get crowded.
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.
For even more information, also check out Is Beijing Worth Visiting? and Is Florence Worth Visiting?.
Both Beijing and Florence have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Florence has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Florence than Beijing. In general, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Beijing, and 2-7 days is enough time in Florence.
Families should spend more time in Florence than Beijing. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Florence, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Florence than Beijing. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Florence that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Florence than Beijing if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Florence.
Beijing is a big city with plenty to do. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
In Florence, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.
Beijing is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.
In Florence, you'll find food and shopping. 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 Florence has to offer.
Beijing is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Beijing, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
Florence 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 Florence has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.
Beijing is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Beijing has to offer. This city offers something for everyone.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Florence. In Florence, you'll find museums and nightlife. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.
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 Beijing is $90, while the average daily cost in Florence is $189. 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 Beijing and Florence in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Beijing or Florence? 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 Florence:
Also for Florence, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Florence 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.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Florence:
For Florence, 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:
For Florence, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Florence.
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 Florence from other travelers:
Also in Florence, 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 Florence, we can see that Florence 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 Florence 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 Florence would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Florence 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 Beijing Expensive? and Is Florence Expensive?.
Beijing has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Florence. When comparing the sizes of Beijing and Florence, 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.
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.
Both Florence and Beijing during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Beijing for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Florence because of the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Beijing is generally around the same temperature as Florence. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 27°C (80°F), and Florence fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
In Florence, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Beijing. In the summer, Beijing often gets less sunshine than Florence. Beijing gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Florence receives 316 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually gets more rain in July than Florence. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Florence receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and Florence. The autumn months attract visitors to Beijing because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Florence this time of year.
Beijing is cooler than Florence in the autumn. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 14°C (56°F) in October, and Florence fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Florence during autumn. Beijing gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Florence receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Beijing usually receives less rain than Florence. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Florence receives 96 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The winter brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Florence. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Beijing this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Florence for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Beijing in the winter. In the winter, Beijing is much colder than Florence. Typically, the winter temperatures in Beijing in January average around -4°C (26°F), and Florence averages at about 7°C (45°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. In the winter, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Florence. Beijing gets 201 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Florence receives 105 hours of full sun.
Beijing usually gets less rain in January than Florence. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Florence receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Florence and Beijing are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Beijing for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Florence in the spring for the natural beauty.
In April, Beijing is generally around the same temperature as Florence. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 14°C (57°F), and Florence fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Florence during spring. Beijing gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Florence receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Beijing usually receives less rain than Florence. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Florence receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Beijing | Florence | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | -4°C (26°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
Feb | -1°C (30°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
Mar | 6°C (42°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
Apr | 14°C (57°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
May | 20°C (68°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
Jun | 25°C (76°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
Aug | 25°C (78°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
Sep | 20°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
Oct | 14°C (56°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
Dec | -1°C (29°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |