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

Should you visit Beijing or Prague?

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 Prague 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 massive, jam-packed, and cultural 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. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping. See Beijing travel costs.

Prague

Prague is a cultural, historical, and beautiful city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. The famous beauty of Prague is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Prague travel costs.

Beijing and Prague: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Beijing or Prague?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Beijing than Prague, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Beijing is more popular for its food and big city activities, while Prague is known for its nightlife, music, 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. Prague is popular for its world-famous old town, local beer, wild nightlife, historic landmarks, and the Charles Bridge.

How is Beijing different from Prague?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Prague 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 Prague?

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

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 Prague from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. Most of the city's historic sights are found in the Old Town. Famous landmarks include the Charles Bridge, the Prague Castle, and the National Museum. Throughout the Old Town you'll see the spires of the many churches which define the city's skyline. The Prague Castle is not to be missed as it's the largest castle complex in the world.

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

Beijing is an unbeatable place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Prague is not a good city for its restaurants.

Eat your way through Beijing, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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.

Prague may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The meals are hearty and filling. There's lots of stew and dumplings that make for a soothing meal on a cold winter day. Goulash is a favorite dish at most of the traditional restaurants around town.

Is Beijing or Prague Better for Nightlife?

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

The nightlife in Prague is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The city has long been famous as a beer drinking capital, and although prices are higher than they once were, the fun is the same. The nightlife vibe is great any night of the week, but weekends tend to be the most active.

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 Prague Better for Music?

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

In Prague you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. The city has a long history of classical music, but rock, pop, and almost any other genre is popular here as well. Many visitors specifically come just to experience the world class music scene.

Beijing is not a live music destination.

Is Beijing or Prague Better for its Old Town?

Prague 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, Prague offers plenty to see. Based around Old Town Square, this city has one of the most impressive old towns in the world. It truly feels like something out of a fairytale. Most of the tourists spend the majority of their time exploring the old town, and after a full day of wandering, you can cozy up with a strudel and a drink in one of the many cafes.

Beijing does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Beijing or Prague?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Prague 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 Prague. There are many brand name stores in New Town, particularly around Wenceslas Square. In Old Town, Czech porcelain and Bohemia Crystal are popular things to buy. You'll find tons of souvenir and trinket shops throughout the area.

Is Beijing or Prague More Beautiful?

Prague 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 Prague is one of the main draws. The city is filled with beautiful historic architecture and stunning landmarks. It's a truly historic and impressive city.

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.

Is Beijing or Prague Better for Families?

Prague is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Prague is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has a fun energy that appeals to adults and kids alike. Make sure you check out the Astronomical Clock and tour the famous Prague Castle. You'll also find the best playgrounds in town around Slavonic Island.

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 Prague Better for Couples?

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

Prague is a great city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. Whether you're enjoy beautiful architecture, historical buildings, or a night out drinking, this city makes a great stop for a couple's vacation.

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 Prague Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Prague is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. It has its share of fun hostels that often have a social vibe that can't beat. The city is also a fun and affordable place to explore.

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 Prague Better for Students?

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

Prague is a very popular city for students. If you're studying abroad and want a cultural city with a young and fun vibe, the this is among the best.

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 Prague Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Prague 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 Prague can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. Metro lines, trams, and buses will take you smoothly through old and new town.

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 Prague a more walkable city?

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

Getting around Prague on foot is easy. The tourist area through old town is easily explored on foot. Walking around town is the best way to soak up the atmosphere.

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 Prague Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Prague or Beijing?

How long in Beijing or Prague?

Both Beijing and Prague have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Prague has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Prague than Beijing. In general, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Beijing, and 2-7 days is enough time in Prague.

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

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

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

One day in Beijing or Prague?

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 Prague, you'll find nightlife and live music. 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.

A weekend in Beijing or Prague?

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 Prague, you'll find live music 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 Prague has to offer.

Five days in Beijing or Prague?

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.

Prague 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 Prague has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Beijing or Prague?

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 Prague. In Prague, 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 Family-Friendly Tours to China, and The Best Historical Tours in China.

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

Which is Bigger, Beijing or Prague?

Beijing has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Prague. When comparing the sizes of Beijing and Prague, 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 Prague?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Beijing or Prague in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and Prague. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Beijing this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Prague for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Beijing is generally a little warmer than Prague. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 27°C (80°F), and Prague fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Prague this time of the year. In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beijing usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Prague during summer. Beijing gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Prague receives 216 hours of full sun in the summer.

Beijing gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Beijing usually receives more rain than Prague. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Prague receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Beijing or Prague in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Prague. Many travelers come to Beijing for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Prague in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Beijing is a little warmer than Prague in the autumn. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 14°C (56°F) in October, and Prague fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. In the autumn, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Prague. Beijing gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Prague receives 124 hours of full sun.

Beijing usually gets less rain in October than Prague. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Prague receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or Prague in the Winter?

Both Prague and Beijing are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Beijing in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Prague for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Prague can be very cold during winter. Beijing can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Beijing is much colder than Prague. Typically, the winter temperatures in Beijing in January average around -4°C (26°F), and Prague averages at about 1°C (33°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Prague during winter. Beijing gets 201 hours of sunny skies, while Prague receives 49 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Beijing usually receives less rain than Prague. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Prague receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Beijing or Prague in the Spring?

Both Prague and Beijing during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Beijing for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Prague because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Beijing is generally a little warmer than Prague. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 14°C (57°F), and Prague fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

It's quite sunny in Beijing. In the spring, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Prague. Beijing gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Prague receives 145 hours of full sun.

Beijing usually gets less rain in April than Prague. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Prague receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Prague and Beijing