Should you visit Beijing or Munich?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Beijing and Munich can help. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
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.
Munich
Munich is the capital city of Bavaria and a top travel destination within Germany. It has stunning architecture and a cultural scene that rivals Berlin. It has some of the country's top museums, festivals, and concerts. Munich is most famous for its Oktoberfest, which is easily the busiest time of year in the city. The architecture is what surprises most travelers. It's quite impressive and truly adds to the character of the city. Although much of Munich was destroyed during World War II, the city has successfully rebuilt most of the buildings in their previous style. Much of the city remains as it was in the 1800s. There are two major research universities in Munich, helping to make it a center for engineering, business, and the sciences.
Which city is cheaper, Munich or Beijing?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Beijing is $70, while the average daily cost in Munich is $135. 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Beijing and Munich in more detail.
Accommodation
The average price for accommodation for two people in Beijing is $72. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
A hotel room in Munich is about $160 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
Food
In Beijing travelers spend around $19 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
Munich food costs typically run travelers around $25 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Beijing $19
Munich $25
Typical Food prices in Beijing
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Beijing:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beijing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Beijing.
-
Online Cooking Class:
$25
-
Path Hutong Food Tour:
$30
-
Chengdu Private Food Tour (With Visit to Kuanzhai Alley and Hotpot Experience):
$32
-
Kung fu Show and Peking Roasted Duck Dinner:
$58
-
Private Temple of Heaven Walking Tour with Peking Duck Dinner or Kung Fu Show:
$62
-
Acrobatic Show w/ Peking Duck Dinner Private:
$68
-
Beijing Historical Center with Peking Opera and Duck Dinner:
$69
-
3 hours Morning or Afternoon Tea Tasting on Maliandao Street and Tea Restaurant Lunch or Dinner Tour:
$69
-
Beijing Hutong Breakfast Food Tour:
$69
-
Chengdu Jinsha Site Museum and Sanxingdui Museum Private Day Tour with Hotpot Dinner:
$76
-
Dim Sum Cooking Class and Wet Market Visit in Shanghai:
$78
-
Old Beijing Dinner Tour:
$80
Typical Food prices in Munich
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Munich:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Munich
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Munich.
-
Munich Traditional Bavarian Culture, Beer And Food Tour Including Traditional Bavarian Dress:
$200
Local Transportation
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $6.93 per day to get around in Beijing.
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $18 per day to get around in Munich.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Beijing
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beijing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Beijing:
-
1-Day Beijing Layover Private Tour: Forbidden City with Round Airport transfers:
$190
-
1-Day Beijing Layover Tour: Mutianyu Great Wall with Round Airport Transfers:
$195
-
1-Day Bejing Layover Tour:Mutianyu Great Wall,Forbidden City & Airport Transfers:
$250
-
1-Hour Private Tai Chi Class in the Temple of Heaven Park with One Way Transfer:
$78
-
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 Days Beijing to Feng Ning Ba Shang Grassland tour with private transfer:
$448
-
2-Day Customizable Beijing Highlight Tour with Airport Transfer Option:
$520
-
2-Day Highlights Group Tour With Beijing Airport Transfer Service:
$247
-
2-Day Private Beijing Tour with PEK Airport Transfer:
$265
-
2-Way Share Transfer Service to Mutianyu Great Wall from Beijing Capital Airport:
$84
-
3 Days Beijing Private Tour with Airport (Train Station) Transfer:
$305
Typical Local Transportation prices in Munich
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Munich:
-
Single Zone Trip on Subway
$2.68
-
Inner District Subway Day Pass
$6.06
-
City transport day ticket
$13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Munich
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Munich:
-
EXCLUSiVE OKTOBERFEST & Munich Sightseeing in Comfort Minivan + extra Transfer:
$429
-
Exclusive Private Ski Course with success guarantee & Transfer to ski area from Munich:
$496
-
From Munich to Frankfurt Airport - Private transfer - punctual & friendly Driver:
$344
-
Low Cost Private Transfer From Friedrichshafen Airport to Munich City - One Way:
$452
-
Low Cost Private Transfer From Memmingen Allgau Airport to Munich City - One Way:
$341
-
Low Cost Private Transfer From Salzburg Airport to Munich City - One Way:
$322
-
Munich - Budapest Transfer:
$523
-
Munich Airport Transfer:
$124
-
Munich Airport Transfer:
$182
-
Munich Airport Transfers : Munich City to Munich Airport MUC in Business Car:
$112
-
Munich Airport Transfers : Munich City to Munich Airport MUC in Luxury Car:
$172
-
Munich Airport Transfers: Munich City to Munich Airport MUC in Luxury Van:
$124
Is it cheaper to fly into Beijing or Munich?
Prices for flights to both Munich 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.
Entertainment
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $22 per person, per day in Beijing. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $27 per person, per day in Munich. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
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
$9.40
-
Two Opera Tickets
$67
-
Temple of Heaven Park Entrance (for 2)
$11
-
Forbidden City (for 2)
$19
-
Forbidden City Tickets
$19
-
Audio Guides at Forbidden City
$13
Tours and Activities in Beijing
Here are a few actual costs in Beijing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
-
Hupao Park Ticket in Hangzhou (For Mainland China ID Holders):
$2.35
-
China Red Sandalwood Museum Ticket in Beijing :
$2.79
-
Simatai Great Wall Admission with Cable Car Ticket in Beijing:
$3.09
-
Temple of Heaven Tickets Booking:
$4.00
-
Giant Panda Breeding Research Base Ticket Chengdu - ID Card Direct Entry:
$4.19
-
MTY test product for tours:
$5.00
-
Beijing Summer Palace Admission Ticket:
$5.13
-
Train Tickets in China:
$5.34
-
Private Tailor made tour for your family only in China around:
$5.34
-
Evergreen Resort Ticket in Shenzhen:
$6.19
-
Beijing National Center for the Performing Arts Admission Ticket:
$6.45
-
Jinxi Ancient Town Attractions Combo Ticket:
$6.99
Typical Entertainment prices in Munich
Here are a few typical costs in Munich for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Tours and Activities in Munich
Here are a few actual costs in Munich for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
-
SEA LIFE Munich Admission Ticket:
$18
-
Discover Munich 2-Hour Small Group Walking Tour:
$19
-
Call of the Isarnixe Tour:
$21
-
Skip the Line: Hard Rock Cafe Munich:
$24
-
Munich Card (Group) with public transport: Save at attractions & tours!:
$33
-
Nazi History 2-Hour Small Group Walking Tour:
$35
-
Munich (Professional Guides) 7 Guided Walking Tours:
$40
-
Private and personalized experience: see Munich with a local:
$69
-
The Old Court Chapel including museum tour:
$72
-
The Ultimate Munich History Experience: Private & Personalized:
$110
-
The Absolutely Must See Sights in Munich - 4-hour Private Walking Tour:
$117
-
History & Food - Private Walking Tour Munich 4 hours with English-speaking guide:
$117
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Beijing may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $11 per day on alcoholic beverages.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Munich may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $34 per day on alcoholic beverages.
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:
$138
-
5-Hour Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour from Beijing:
$178
-
Private Wonderful Beijing Bar Crawl Tour:
$195
-
Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour and Mutianyu Great Wall Visit:
$228
Typical Alcohol prices in Munich
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Munich:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beijing and Munich, we can see that Munich 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 Munich 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 Munich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Munich than you might in Beijing.
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