A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Beijing vs. London for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Beijing or London?

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 London 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

Beijing is a cultural, fascinating, and historic city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

London

London is a global, international, and historic city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food, shopping, and museums.

Beijing and London: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Beijing or London?

Travelers will usually find more to do in London. Although Beijing and London are popular destinations, London has more sights and attractions for tourists. London is very popular for its theatre productions, nightlife, music, shopping, christmas markets, and impressive beauty, while Beijing attracts visitors for its food. Beijing is famous for its rich culture, many historical landmarks, its long running history, and its world class cuisine. London is famous for its international reputation, its world-renowned theater productions, and its many different markets. It is also well known for Big Ben.

Big Ben

How is Beijing different from London?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between London and Beijing. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Beijing or London?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Beijing or London.

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 London from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. The city has so many iconic sights that we can't list them all, but some of the most famous include the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and the British Museum. You can fill many days exploring the treasures found at each of the venues.

Is Beijing or London Better for Theater?

London is an unbeatable place for its shows and theatre. However, Beijing is not a theatre destination.

Visitors will find world class theater shows, plays, and musicals in London that are not to be missed. The West End theater district is where you'll find the most popular musicals. Famous theaters include Apollo Theatre, Palace Theatre, and Piccadilly Theatre. There are often Wednesday matinees that are a bit cheaper than the evening shows. You may also be able to get discounted last minute tickets if you're visiting during the less touristy times.

Beijing is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Beijing or London? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Beijing is terrific for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, London is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Beijing has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, London makes for a great culinary experience. Although food here was once the butt of a number of jokes, the restaurant scene has come a long way, and you can find anything and everything around town. Head to Chinatown to try dim sum or hot pot. There are no shortage of Indian restaurants as well. If you want the best food for the lowest prices, your best bet is to get out of the touristy areas and discover where the locals eat. There are also many markets that are perfect for grabbing a unique lunch or snack. Burrough Market has a number of ethnic and seafood vendors as well as fresh produce and snack options.

Is Beijing or London Better for Nightlife?

London is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

The nightlife in London is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. Some of the best neighborhoods for nightlife are Camden, West End, Soho, and Shoreditch. There are many festivals, concerts, and shows worth checking out and the nightlife scene is diverse enough that there really is something for everyone.

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.

Is Beijing or London Better for Music?

London is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Beijing is not a live music destination.

In London you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. Famous music venues include Dominion Theatre, the Roundhouse, and Dublin Castle.

Beijing is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Beijing or London?

London is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

London is a world class destination for shoppers. With so much iconic shopping around town, it's hard to decide where to go. Head to Oxford Street, Regent Street, or Piccadilly Circus for a quintessential British shopping experience.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Is Beijing or London Better for Christmas?

London is an unbeatable place for its Christmas activities. However, Beijing does not offer Christmas activities.

London is a world class destination for shoppers. There's Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, outdoor ice skating, and beautiful Christmas lights throughout the city. You can also listen to Christmas Carols in Trafalgar Square or see a classic Christmas show.

Beijing does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Beijing or London Better for Christmas Markets?

London is an unbeatable place for its Christmas markets. However, Beijing does not offer Christmas markets.

People travel from around the world to visit the Christmas markets in London. The city has many Christmas markets. There is Winter Wonderland Christmas market, Southbank Centre Winter Market, and Selfridges Christmas Market, among many others.

Beijing does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Beijing or London Better for Families?

London is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

London is an extremely popular city to visit for families. Whether you do a Harry Potter Tour, take a ride on the London Eye, or enjoy afternoon tea, there are plenty of activities for kids around town. The Harry Potter Studio Tour is fun for everyone, but should be booked well in advance as it sells out. Theatre enthusiasts will enjoy catching a musical in West End and sampling dim sum or a hot pot in Chinatown. There are often Wednesday matinee showings that are perfect for kids with early bedtimes.

Beijing offers lots of family activities. 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.

Is Beijing or London Better for Couples?

London is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

London is a great city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. With every type of entertainment that you can imagine, this city is the ultimate couple's getaway. There are world class musicals, evening concerts, and restaurants of every style, cuisine, and budget. It's easy for couples to fill days in this vibrant 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.

Is Beijing or London Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

London is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

London is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. Although the city is very expensive, it has tons of hostels, affordable restaurant options, and great public transit. There's a huge backpacker network here and it's easy to meet other travelers. The nightlife scene is also second to none.

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.

Is Beijing or London Better for Students?

London is an unbeatable place for students. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

London is a very popular city for students. The city has a number of universities and is a popular study abroad destination. It's also a very diverse city, so international students will feel right at home.

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.

Is Beijing or London Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

London is an unbeatable place for its public transit. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors in London can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. From the iconic double decker buses to the Tube, there are plenty of options throughout the city.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Beijing. 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.

Is Beijing or London a more walkable city?

London is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. However, Beijing is a city with minimal options for its walkability.

Getting around London on foot is easy. With many walkable areas, it is considered to be one of the world's most walkable major cities.

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 London Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in London or Beijing?

How long in Beijing or London?

Both Beijing and London have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, London has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in London than Beijing. However, 3-7 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in London than Beijing. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in London, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in London than Beijing. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in London that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in London 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 London.

One day in Beijing or London?

Beijing is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In London, you'll find food and shopping. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Beijing or London?

Beijing is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In London, you'll find shopping and museums. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Beijing or London?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Beijing. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

London is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that London has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Beijing or London?

Beijing is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in London. In London, you'll find theater and nightlife. 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beijing and London, we can see that London 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 London 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 London would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in London 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 London Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Beijing or London?

Beijing has a larger population, and is about 1% larger than the population of London. When comparing the sizes of Beijing and London, 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 London?

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 London in the Summer?

Both London 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. Also, most visitors come to London for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Beijing is a little warmer than London in the summer. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and London fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Beijing. In the summer, Beijing often gets more sunshine than London. Beijing gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while London receives 195 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually gets more rain in July than London. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while London receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or London in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and London. 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. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to London because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Beijing is a little warmer than London. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Beijing in October average around 14°C (56°F), and London averages at about 12°C (53°F).

In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than London during autumn. Beijing gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while London receives 107 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Beijing usually receives less rain than London. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while London receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Beijing or London in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Beijing as well as London. The winter months attract visitors to Beijing because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to London this time of year.

It's quite cold in London in the winter. The weather in Beijing can be very cold. In January, Beijing is generally much colder than London. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around -4°C (26°F), and London fluctuates around 4°C (40°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 London. Beijing gets 201 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while London receives 52 hours of full sun.

Beijing usually gets less rain in January than London. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while London receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or London in the Spring?

Both London 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. Also, many travelers come to London for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Beijing is much warmer than London in the spring. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 14°C (57°F) in April, and London fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than London during spring. Beijing gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while London receives 147 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Beijing usually receives less rain than London. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while London receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for London and Beijing