Which place is cheaper, Karlovy Vary or Beijing?
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 Beijing or Karlovy Vary?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Beijing and Karlovy Vary 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: Beijing or Karlovy Vary?
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.
Karlovy Vary
Founded in 1370, Karlovy Vary translates to "Charles' Bath" for its founder Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor, as well as its famous hot springs. It is located in Bohemia in the western Czech Republic and is also known as Karlsbad (German) or Carlsbad (English). Another highlight is the International Film Festival in July with draws celebrities and other film enthusiasts worldwide.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Cultural Tours in Czech Republic, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Czech Republic.
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Beijing Prices
China PricesKarlovy Vary Prices
Czech Republic Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBeijing $95Karlovy Vary $114
The average daily cost (per person) in Beijing is $95, while the average daily cost in Karlovy Vary is $114. 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 Karlovy Vary in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBeijing $42Karlovy Vary $44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBeijing $84Karlovy Vary $88
Compare Hotels in Beijing and Karlovy Vary
Looking for a hotel in Beijing or Karlovy Vary? 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: Karlovy Vary Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Beijing $8.20Karlovy Vary $30
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Beijing
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:
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Taxi$5.01
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Train from Airport for Two$7.34
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Taxi to Hotel$8.81
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2 Metro Passes$2.35
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Metro$0.59
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 Private Tour: City Highlights With Airport Transfer: $300
- Beijing Acrobatics Show And Peking Opera Tour With Transfer: $299
- Beijing Great Wall and Imperial Palace Private Tour with Airport Transfer: $299
- Beijing Layover Tour with Hutong, Temple of Heaven and Airport Transfer: $296
- Private Day Tour of Beijing City Overview with Airport Transfer: $285
- Beijing Hutong Culture Experience with Airport Transfer: $276
- Private Transfer to Beidaihe Summer Resort from Beijing: $272
- Private Transfer To Guyaju Ancient Cave(With Options): $269
- 1-Day Bejing Layover Tour:Mutianyu Great Wall,Forbidden City & Airport Transfers: $250
- Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City Private Tour With Airport Transfer: $249
- Mutianyu Great Wall Hiking Private Tour With Airport Transfer: $249
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Karlovy Vary
Also for Karlovy Vary, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Karlovy Vary to Prague Airport (PRG) - Departure Private Transfer: $166
- Private Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague, English-speaking driver: $130
- Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague: Private daytrip with 2h for sightseeing: $139
Is it cheaper to fly into Beijing or Karlovy Vary?
Prices for flights to both Karlovy Vary 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.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayBeijing $35Karlovy Vary $52
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$0.88
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Hot Pot Dinner$7.34
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Dumpling Breakfast for Two$2.94
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Watermelon$2.06
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Peking Duck Dinner for 2$17
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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 Beijing Dumplings and Cuisine by Sunflowerli Renowned Chef: $20
- Online Cooking Class Handmade Noodles by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Orange Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Kungpao Chicken: $25
- 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
- Beijing Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $55
- Private Local Food Tour in Beijing with a Local Guide: $59
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Beijing $26Karlovy Vary $13
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$8.81
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Two Opera Tickets$62
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Temple of Heaven Park Entrance (for 2)$10
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Forbidden City (for 2)$18
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Forbidden City Tickets$18
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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 Romantic Tour in Oriental Provence Lavender Manor and Mutianyu Great Wall: $208
- 1-Day Beijing Emperor’s Tour of Forbidden City, Beihai Park, Jingshan and Hutong: $160
- 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 Private tour: Mutianyu Great Wall and Summer Palace: $267
- 1-Day Beijing tour to Temple of Heaven,Hutong Tour,Lama Temple & Summer Palace: $240
- 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 to Beijing Highlights: $224
- 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
Tours and Activities in Karlovy Vary
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Karlovy Vary.
- Tourist Cinema Experience: $5.78
- Home of Becherovka Visitor Center Guided Tour: $14
- Moser Glassworks Tour with Museum Entry: $17
- Karlovy Vary Hot Springs Tasting Tour: $46
- Mineral Hot Springs Tasting and Walking Tour: $47
- Touristic highlights of Karlovy Vary on a Private half day tour with a local: $183
- A day in the life of Karlovy Vary - Private tour with a local: $244
- Best of Karlovy Vary Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $270
- Karlovy Vary Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $271
- Private Walking Tour: $279
- Elegant Private Walking Tour With Local Guide: $305
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBeijing $12Karlovy Vary $7.48
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
- 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
- Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour and Mutianyu Great Wall Visit: $238
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beijing and Karlovy Vary, we can see that Karlovy Vary 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 Karlovy Vary 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 Karlovy Vary would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Karlovy Vary 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 Karlovy Vary Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Beijing or Karlovy Vary?
Beijing has a larger population, and is about 140 times larger than the population of Karlovy Vary. When comparing the sizes of Beijing and Karlovy Vary, 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.
When is the best time to visit Beijing or Karlovy Vary?
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.
Should I visit Beijing or Karlovy Vary in the Summer?
Both Karlovy Vary and Beijing during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Beijing in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Beijing is a little warmer than Karlovy Vary. Typically, the summer temperatures in Beijing in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 20°C (68°F).
In Karlovy Vary, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Beijing. In the summer, Beijing often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Karlovy Vary. Beijing gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 217 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually gets more rain in July than Karlovy Vary. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBeijing 27°C (80°F)Karlovy Vary 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Beijing or Karlovy Vary in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and Karlovy Vary. Most visitors come to Beijing for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Beijing is generally a little warmer than Karlovy Vary. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 14°C (56°F), and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Karlovy Vary during autumn. Beijing gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Beijing usually receives less rain than Karlovy Vary. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBeijing 14°C (56°F)Karlovy Vary 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Beijing or Karlovy Vary in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Karlovy Vary. The winter months attract visitors to Beijing because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Karlovy Vary in the winter. The weather in Beijing can be very cold. Beijing is much colder than Karlovy Vary in the winter. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around -4°C (26°F) in January, and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 1°C (33°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 Karlovy Vary. Beijing gets 201 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 58 hours of full sun.
Beijing usually gets less rain in January than Karlovy Vary. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBeijing -4°C (26°F)Karlovy Vary 1°C (33°F)
Should I visit Beijing or Karlovy Vary in the Spring?
Both Karlovy Vary and Beijing are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Beijing this time of year.
In the spring, Beijing is a little warmer than Karlovy Vary. Typically, the spring temperatures in Beijing in April average around 14°C (57°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 10°C (50°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Karlovy Vary during spring. Beijing gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 151 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Beijing usually receives less rain than Karlovy Vary. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBeijing 14°C (57°F)Karlovy Vary 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Karlovy Vary and Beijing
| Beijing | Karlovy Vary | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -4°C (26°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | -1°C (30°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (42°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (57°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (76°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (78°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (56°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Dec | -1°C (29°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
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.