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

Should you visit Goa or Beijing?

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

Should I visit Goa or Beijing? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Goa or Beijing?

Goa

Goa is a small but important state located on the west coast of India known as a popular beach resort and vacation area.

A large Portuguese influence can be found in Goa in the form of architecture as well as the cuisine, as it was formerly a Portuguese colony. Because of Goa's Portuguese history, there is a distribution of religion among the people, making it quite different than other states in India. About sixty-five percent of the population is Hindu, while about twenty-four percent is Catholic. Goa is one of the most peaceful states in India, with a very low crime rate. The best time to visit Goa is between November and February, as this is when the weather is most comfortable.

This is a popular tourist destination both for the Indian population as well as for tourists from around the world. The warm climate, beautiful beaches, friendly people, fun activities, and cultural diversity make it a popular destination for many types of travelers.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Mumbai, The Best 2-Week Tours from New Delhi, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.


Which place is cheaper, Beijing or Goa?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Goa is $34, while the average daily cost in Beijing is $96. 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 Goa and Beijing in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Goa $14
    Beijing $42
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Goa $28
    Beijing $84
Compare Hotels in Goa and Beijing

Looking for a hotel in Goa 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 Goa


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.


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Goa $4.69
    Beijing $8.22

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Beijing

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


  • Taxi
    $5.02
  • Train from Airport for Two
    $7.35
  • Taxi to Hotel
    $8.83
  • 2 Metro Passes
    $2.35
  • Metro
    $0.59

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beijing

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Beijing:

  • [Airport Transfer] Beijing Capital Airport ⇔ Beijing City Transfer (one way) ☆ High reputation for service! : $25
  • VIP Mutianyu Great Wall Tour: Expert Guide & Private Transfer: $87
  • Universal Beijing Resort Private Transfer one way, City/Airport: $45
  • Transfers to Jinshanling Great Wall with professional driver: $95
  • Transfer: Beijing City Center to Beijing Airport (PEK): $41
  • Transfer: Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) to Beijing City: $39
  • Tianjin Port Private transfers to Beijing Hotel&optionals: $219
  • Tianjin International Cruise Port to Beijing Capital Airport by private transfer: $148
  • Tianjin Cruise Port to Beijing Daxing Airport by Private Transfer: $148
  • Tianjin Cruise Port Private Transfer to Beijing International Airport: $153
  • Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City Private Tour With Airport Transfer: $249
  • Shijingshan Amusement Park with FlyOver China Experience by Private Transfer: $98

Is it cheaper to fly into Goa or Beijing?

Prices for flights to both Beijing and Goa 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
    Goa $14
    Beijing $36

Typical Food Prices in Beijing

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


  • Popcorn
    $0.88
  • Hot Pot Dinner
    $7.35
  • Dumpling Breakfast for Two
    $2.94
  • Watermelon
    $2.06
  • Peking Duck Dinner for 2
    $18
  • Two Popsicles
    $0.88

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: $25
  • Beijing Food Tour: $40
  • Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $45
  • Beijing Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $45
  • Beijing Acrobatic Show Tickets w/ Optional Dinner or Transfer: $48
  • 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
  • Experience Beijing Walking Food Tour Private: $55
  • China's Favourite Street Food Cooking Workshop: $55
  • Private Local Food Tour in Beijing with a Local Guide: $59

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Goa $10
    Beijing $26

Tours and Activities in Goa

For Goa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Agra: Taj Mahal & Agra Fort Skip-the-Line Tour-All Inclusive: $6.76
  • Agra: Private Taj Mahal and Agra Local City Tour By Tuk-Tuk: $27
  • Kerala:- 04 Days, Munnar, Periyar, Kumarakom & Boat Cruise: $514

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
    $8.83
  • Two Opera Tickets
    $63
  • Temple of Heaven Park Entrance (for 2)
    $10
  • Forbidden City (for 2)
    $18
  • Forbidden City Tickets
    $18
  • 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:

  • 1-Day Beijing Private Tour to Forbidden City and Mutianyu Great Wall: $150
  • 1-Day Beijing Private Tour to Lama Temple,Summer Palace and Hutong Rickshaw: $120
  • 1-Day Beijing Private Tour: Mutianyu Great Wall and Hutong Rickshaw Riding: $277
  • 1-Day Beijing tour to Temple of Heaven,Hutong Tour,Lama Temple & Summer Palace: $240
  • 1-Day Mount Qingcheng and Dujiangyan Irrigation System Tour: $175
  • 1-Day Mutianyu Great Wall and Beijing Airport Drop off Tour: $235
  • 1-Day Private Tour: Huanghuacheng Great Wall Hiking with the lunch from Beijing: $213
  • 1-Day Private Tour: Jinshanling Great Wall Hiking Tour from Beijing: $256
  • 1-Day Self-Guided Simatai and Gubei Town Night Tour from Beijing: $149
  • 1-Day Simatai Great Wall Hiking Tour with a Visit to Gubei Water Town: $249
  • 2 Day Private Xian Tour from Beijing: $268
  • 2 Days 1 Night Mutianyu Great Wall Leisure Tour: Beautiful Sunset and Sunrise: $213

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Goa $11
    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: $110
  • Tipsy Travel: Beijing Local Food and Bar Crawl night in Hutong: $138
  • 5-Hour Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour from Beijing: $178
  • Beijing Brewery Bike Tour: $199


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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Goa Expensive? and Is Beijing Expensive?.


Which has a larger population, Goa or Beijing?

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