A Travel Price Comparison for China Chongqing vs. Beijing for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Chongqing or Beijing?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Chongqing and Beijing. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Chongqing or Beijing?

Chongqing

Chongqing, China is a large city in central China and one of only four cities in the country that are not part of a province. While Chongqing is famous for being an economically important city, brush away its industrial surface and you'll find a naturally beautiful city with plenty of hidden wonders. Although you'll find many expats in the city, English is rarely spoken, meaning knowing some basic Mandarin will come in handy.

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.

Which place is cheaper, Beijing or Chongqing?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Chongqing is $88, while the average daily cost in Beijing is $79. 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 Chongqing and Beijing in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Chongqing $50
    Beijing $40
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Chongqing $100
    Beijing $80
Compare Hotels in Chongqing and Beijing

Looking for a hotel in Chongqing or Beijing? 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 Chongqing


Hotels in Beijing


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.
    Chongqing $19
    Beijing $7.82

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chongqing

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chongqing:

  • Arrival Private Transfer Chongqing Airport CKG to Chongqing City by Minivan: $72
  • Arrival Private Transfer Chongqing Airport CKG to Chongqing City by Standar Car: $54
  • Arrival Private Transfer Chongqing Airport CKG to Chongqing by Executive Sedan: $124
  • China Private Jiangbei Airport(CKG) transfer to/from Chongqing city: $36
  • Chongqing Private Arrival Transfer: Airport to Hotel: $89
  • Chongqing Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Airport: $56
  • Chongqing Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Railway Station: $56
  • Chongqing Private Round Trip Transfer to Dazu Rock Carvings: $136
  • Chongqing Private Round Trip Transfer to Wulong National Park: $178
  • Datong Yungang Airport Chauffeur Service , to Datong Transfer: $40
  • Departure Private Transfer Chongqing City to Chongqing Airport CKG by Minivan: $72
  • Departure Private Transfer Chongqing to Chongqing Airport CKG by Executive Sedan: $124

Typical Local Transportation prices in Beijing

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


  • Taxi
    $4.83
  • Train from Airport for Two
    $7.07
  • Taxi to Hotel
    $8.49
  • 2 Metro Passes
    $2.26
  • Metro
    $0.57

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Chongqing or Beijing?

Prices for flights to both Beijing and Chongqing 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
    Chongqing $25
    Beijing $21

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chongqing

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chongqing.

  • Chongqing Liangjiang Night Cruise Including Authentic Hot Pot Dinner: $86
  • Chongqing City private night tour with Hot Pot dinner: $148
  • Chongqing Port Transfer Service with Half-Day Tour and Hot Pot Dinner: $193
  • From Port Transfer with Half Day Tour and Hot Pot Dinner: $197
  • 250 USD Per Group Private Chongqing Night Tour with Hot-pot Dinner: $213

Typical Food prices in Beijing

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


  • Popcorn
    $0.85
  • Hot Pot Dinner
    $7.07
  • Dumpling Breakfast for Two
    $2.83
  • Watermelon
    $1.98
  • Peking Duck Dinner for 2
    $17
  • Two Popsicles
    $0.85

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
  • Private Temple of Heaven Walking Tour with Peking Duck Dinner or Kung Fu Show: $62
  • 3 hours Morning or Afternoon Tea Tasting on Maliandao Street and Tea Restaurant Lunch or Dinner Tour: $69
  • Beijing Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $69
  • Old Beijing Dinner Tour: $80
  • Authentic Local Food Tour in Center Beijing: $90
  • Vegetarian / Peking Duck / Hotpot Dinner with Kungfu Show Private Tour: $90
  • Private Evening Hutong Walking Tour with Mongolia Hotpot Dinner: $96
  • Private Nightlife Trip to See Wonderful Acrobatic Show Enjoy Delicious Barbecue Buffet Dinner: $96
  • Peking Duck Dinner with Face Changing show plus Full Body Massage: $98
  • Private Tour: Beijing by Night including Imperial Performance and Dinner: $98
  • Half Day Food Tour with Public Transit of Breakfast or Local Street Snacks: $99

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Chongqing $14
    Beijing $24

Tours and Activities in Chongqing

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

  • Private Chongqing Day Tour: Panda, E'ling Park, Three Gorges Museum: $99
  • 1 Day Private Tour of Chongqing Highlights Including lunch and Optional Photo in Sichuan Opera Costume: $114
  • Chongqing Tour: Ciqikou Old Town, Hongya Dong and People’s Auditorium: $117
  • Private Chongqing Illuminated Night Tour: $118
  • city tour of chongqing: $120
  • Flexible Private Chongqing Layover Tour: $124
  • Private Dazu Day Tour from Chongqing: $124
  • Private Amazing Chongqing City Day Tour in Your Way: $130
  • Chongqing Half Day Morning Private Tour including Eling Park & Chongqing Museum: $135
  • Private Sightseeing Tour of Chongqing City Including Hot Pot Lunch: $138
  • Private Tour:One-day Chongqing Highlights Tour with a Hot Pot Lunch: $138
  • Chongqing Yangtze River Cruise and Illuminated Night Tour: $148

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
    $8.49
  • Two Opera Tickets
    $60
  • Temple of Heaven Park Entrance (for 2)
    $9.90
  • 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:

  • Temple of Heaven Tickets Booking: $4.00
  • 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
  • Beijing National Center for the Performing Arts Admission Ticket: $6.45
  • Beijing Temple of Heaven Admission Ticket: $7.06
  • Summer Palace Tickets Booking: $8.00
  • Beijing Forbidden City Entrance Ticket (with Optional Guided Service): $8.21
  • Beijing Automobile Museum Admission Ticket: $8.71
  • Skip the Line: Beijing Forbidden City Admission Ticket: $8.80
  • Skip the Line: Forbidden City Tickets & Optional Guide Tours: $8.88

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Chongqing $7.07
    Beijing $12

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

About these numbers

When comparing the travel costs between Chongqing and Beijing, we can see that Chongqing is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

Related Articles for Chongqing
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Chongqing vs. Beijing Travel Comparison

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