A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Beijing vs. Macao for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Beijing or Macao?

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 Macao 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 Macao?

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.

Macao

Located in China, Macau is a Special Administrative Region and one of the world's most densely populated regions. Until 1999 it remained an overseas territory of Portugal. It sits across from Hong Kong, along the Pearl River Estuary. Because it was so recently relinquished as a colony, it still has a significant amount of visible colonial history. The old city still looks very European, which you can see during a walking tour. Despite this architectural influence, the majority of the city's population is native Chinese.

Which place is cheaper, Macao or Beijing?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Beijing is $78, while the average daily cost in Macao is $143. 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 Macao in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Beijing $40
    Macao $114
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Beijing $80
    Macao $228
Compare Hotels in Beijing and Macao

Looking for a hotel in Beijing or Macao? 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.

Hotels in Beijing


Hotels in Macao


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Beijing $7.75
    Macao $0.59
Typical Local Transportation prices in Beijing

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:


  • Taxi
    $4.78
  • Train from Airport for Two
    $7.01
  • Taxi to Hotel
    $8.41
  • 2 Metro Passes
    $2.24
  • Metro
    $0.56

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beijing

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Beijing:

  • 2-Day Highlights Group Tour With Beijing Airport Transfer Service : $247
  • Jinshanling Great Wall Self-hiking Tour by Private Transfer Service : $98
  • Private English Transfer to Shilin Gorge Platform And Ming City Wall : $140
  • Private One-Way Transfer Between Beijing Railway Station and Hotel: $30
  • Private Round Transfers to Gubei Water Town & Night View of Simatai Great Wall: $184
  • 1-Day Beijing Layover Private Tour: Forbidden City with Round Airport transfers: $198
  • 1-Day Beijing Layover Tour: Mutianyu Great Wall with Round Airport Transfers: $208
  • 1-Day Bejing Layover Tour:Mutianyu Great Wall,Forbidden City & Airport Transfers: $250
  • 1-Way Private Transfer Service between Tianjin cruise Port and Beijing hotels: $301
  • 1-Way Private Transfer between Beijing Airport and City Hotels: $30
  • 2-Day Customizable Beijing Highlight Tour with Airport Transfer Option: $520
  • 2-Day Private Beijing Tour with PEK Airport Transfer: $306

Typical Local Transportation prices in Macao

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Macao:


  • Local Bus (for Two)
    $1.00

Is it cheaper to fly into Beijing or Macao?

Prices for flights to both Macao 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Beijing $21
    Macao $21
Typical Food prices in Beijing

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Beijing:


  • Popcorn
    $0.84
  • Hot Pot Dinner
    $7.01
  • Dumpling Breakfast for Two
    $2.80
  • Watermelon
    $1.96
  • Peking Duck Dinner for 2
    $17
  • Two Popsicles
    $0.84

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 Orange Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
  • Online Cooking Class Kungpao Chicken: $20
  • Online Cooking Class Handmade Noodles by Sunflower Li: $20
  • Local Food Tour in the Old Beijing Hutongs: $29
  • 3.5-Hour Walking Food Tour: A Bite of History at Beijing Niujie Street: $35
  • Beijing Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $55
  • Beijing Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $55
  • Temple of Heaven Private Tour w/Option Show &Dinner: $56
  • 3 hours Morning or Afternoon Tea Tasting on Maliandao Street and Tea Restaurant Lunch or Dinner Tour: $69
  • Authentic Lunch or Dinner Tour in Beijing's Best Hidden Spots: $80
  • Beijing Hutong Neighborhood: Food and Dinner Tour: $80

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Beijing $24
    Macao $11
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
    $8.41
  • Two Opera Tickets
    $60
  • Temple of Heaven Park Entrance (for 2)
    $9.81
  • Forbidden City (for 2)
    $17
  • Forbidden City Tickets
    $17
  • Audio Guides at Forbidden City
    $11

Tours and Activities in Beijing

Here are a few actual costs in Beijing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Beijing Temple of Heaven Entrance Ticket (with Optional Guided Service): $4.50
  • Beijing's Old Hutongs: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $4.99
  • Beijing's Old Hutongs: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.34
  • Beijing The Forbidden City or Tiananmen Square Ticket: $5.88
  • Beijing Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
  • Beijing The Forbidden City Ticket OR Tiananmen Square : $7.00
  • Beijing Lama Temple Entrance Ticket with Optional Guided Service: $7.00
  • Beijing Summer Palace Entrance Ticket (with Optional Guided Service): $7.20
  • Beijing Chairman Mao Memorial Hall or National Museum Ticket: $7.35
  • The Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan) Entrance Ticket: $8.00
  • Confucius Temple and Imperial College Entrance Ticket : $8.00
  • Summer Palace Admission Ticket Pre-booking Service: $8.80

Typical Entertainment prices in Macao

Here are a few typical costs in Macao for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Macau Tower
    $11

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Beijing $12
    Macao -

Sample the Local Flavors in Beijing

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Beijing:

  • Beijing Brewery Bike Tour: $99
  • Evening Food Private Tour with Brewery Taproom Hopping at Slow Boat in Beijing: $110
  • 5-Hour Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour from Beijing: $178
  • Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour and Mutianyu Great Wall Visit: $228

How are these travel costs calculated?

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beijing and Macao, we can see that Macao is more expensive. And not only is Beijing much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Macao would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Macao than you might in Beijing.

Which is Bigger, Beijing or Macao?

Beijing is bigger, and its population is about 14.4 times larger than the population of Macao. When comparing the population of Beijing vs. Macao, 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 and the activities 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.
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Beijing vs. Macao Travel Comparison

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