Which place is cheaper, Saint John 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 Saint John?
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 Saint John 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 Saint John?
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.
Saint John
With the popularity of the Caribbean rising, many islands have become touristy and expensive – but not St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
At only nine miles long and five miles wide, St. John is the smallest of the Virgin Islands, and, many argue, the prettiest. It's the kind of place that has maintained it's cultural identity, but still welcomes visitors from all over the world. With a population of just 5,000, the residents of St. John know everyone and everything happening on the island.
This island is perfect for people who want an undisturbed island getaway at any price. Between resorts and campgrounds there is a spot for everyone on St. John.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
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Beijing Prices
China PricesSaint John Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBeijing $97Saint John $233
The average daily cost (per person) in Beijing is $97, while the average daily cost in Saint John is $233. 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 Saint John in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBeijing $43Saint John $106
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBeijing $86Saint John $212
Compare Hotels in Beijing and Saint John
Looking for a hotel in Beijing or Saint John? 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: Beijing Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Beijing $8.35Saint John $49
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Beijing
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:
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Taxi$5.10
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Train from Airport for Two$7.47
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Taxi to Hotel$8.97
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2 Metro Passes$2.39
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Metro$0.60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beijing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Beijing:
- 1 Day Pass for Universal Beijing and Private Transfer Package: $230
- 1-Day Beijing Layover Private Tour: Forbidden City with Round Airport transfers: $198
- 1-Day Bejing Layover Tour:Mutianyu Great Wall,Forbidden City & Airport Transfers: $250
- Acrobatic Show at Red Theater With Private Transfer: $80
- Afternoon Bus Transfer to Mutianyu Great Wall + Entry Ticket: $20
- Airport Layover Transfer Service to Mutianyu Great Wall & City Sightseeing: $112
- Badaling Great Wall Ticket, Transfer & Guide Service: $10
- Badaling Night Great Wall Ticket Show and Optional Transfer: $45
- Beijing 2 Days Private Tour with Airport Transfer Options: $26
- Beijing Acrobatics Show And Peking Opera Tour With Transfer: $299
- Beijing Airport (PEK) to Mutianyu Great Wall Round Trip Transfers: $189
- Beijing Airport Private Transfer with English-Speaking Driver: $33
Is it cheaper to fly into Beijing or Saint John?
Prices for flights to both Saint John 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 $36Saint John $97
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$0.90
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Hot Pot Dinner$7.47
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Dumpling Breakfast for Two$2.99
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Watermelon$2.09
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Peking Duck Dinner for 2$18
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Two Popsicles$0.90
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beijing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Beijing.
- Online Cooking Class Handmade Noodles by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Beijing Dumplings and Cuisine by Sunflowerli Renowned Chef: $20
- Online Cooking Class Orange Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Gastronomic Gems of Beijing Shared Walking Food Tour: $20
- Beijing Food Tour: $40
- Beijing Chinese Home Cooking Class with Local Host: $43
- Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $45
- Beijing Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $45
- 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 Walking Food Tour with a Local Friend: $60
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Beijing $26Saint John $23
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$8.97
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Two Opera Tickets$64
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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:
- Temple of Heaven Ming and Qing Worship Experience: $1.63
- Jingshan Park QR Ticket with 4 Language Audio Guide: $2.50
- Capital Museum tour includes Ticket: $2.78
- Forbidden City & Tiananmen Square Entry Ticket: $2.90
- Tian’anmenSquare or Forbidden City Online Ticket Booking: $2.92
- Jingshan Park Ticket - Panoramic Forbidden City View: $3.00
- Tian'amen Square & Forbidden City Tickets or Guided Group Tour: $3.00
- Forbidden City & Tiananmen Square Ticket Booking Service: $3.00
- Tiananmen Square Ticket Booking: $3.10
- Beijing:Tiananmen Square tickets with guide(optional): $3.19
- Beijing Jingshan Park Entry Ticket: $3.60
- Forbidden City Walking Guided Tour w/ Entry Tickets: $3.60
Tours and Activities in Saint John
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- St. John: A Private Island Adventure Tour & Trunk Bay Beach: $520
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBeijing $12Saint John $44
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
- Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour and Mutianyu Great Wall Visit: $238
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beijing and Saint John, we can see that Saint John 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 Saint John is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Saint John would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John 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 Saint John Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Beijing or Saint John?
Beijing has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint John experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Beijing or Saint John in the Summer?
Both Saint John and Beijing are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Beijing this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the summer, Beijing is around the same temperature as Saint John. Typically, the summer temperatures in Beijing in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Saint John averages at about 29°C (83°F).
It's quite rainy in Beijing. In July, Beijing usually receives more rain than Saint John. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBeijing 27°C (80°F)Saint John 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Beijing or Saint John in the Autumn?
Both Saint John and Beijing during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Beijing for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.
In October, Beijing is generally much colder than Saint John. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 14°C (56°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
Saint John gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Beijing usually gets less rain in October than Saint John. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBeijing 14°C (56°F)Saint John 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Beijing or Saint John in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and Saint John. Many visitors come to Beijing in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Beijing can get quite cold in the winter. Beijing is much colder than Saint John in the winter. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around -4°C (26°F) in January, and Saint John fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
In January, Beijing usually receives less rain than Saint John. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBeijing -4°C (26°F)Saint John 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Beijing or Saint John in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Saint John. Most visitors come to Beijing for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.
In the spring, Beijing is much colder than Saint John. Typically, the spring temperatures in Beijing in April average around 14°C (57°F), and Saint John averages at about 27°C (80°F).
Beijing usually gets less rain in April than Saint John. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBeijing 14°C (57°F)Saint John 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint John and Beijing
| Beijing | Saint John | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -4°C (26°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | -1°C (30°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (42°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (57°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (76°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (78°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (56°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | -1°C (29°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 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.