Which place is cheaper, Beijing or Johor Bahru?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Johor Bahru or Beijing?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Johor Bahru 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: Johor Bahru or Beijing?
Johor Bahru
Johor Bahru is the capital of the state of Johor in Southern Malaysia. Though it is largely industrial and does not typically cater to tourists, especially compared to the grandeur of neighboring Singapore, the city does have some opportunities for shopping, dining, and entertainment.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Malaysia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
-
Johor Bahru Prices
Malaysia PricesBeijing Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJohor Bahru $67Beijing $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Johor Bahru is $67, 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 Johor Bahru and Beijing in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJohor Bahru $42Beijing $42
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJohor Bahru $84Beijing $84
Compare Hotels in Johor Bahru and Beijing
Looking for a hotel in Johor Bahru 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.
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: Johor Bahru Hotel Prices and Beijing Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Johor Bahru $13Beijing $8.28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Johor Bahru
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johor Bahru:
- °Sit Back & Relax - JB to Malacca MPV Transfer: $242
- Chauffeur: Johor Bahru to Fraser's Hill Transfer [Van]: $106
- Chauffeur: Johor Bahru to Genting Highlands Transfer [Car]: $253
- Chauffeur: Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur Transfer [Van]: $74
- Chauffeur: Johor Bahru to Kuantan Transfer [Car]: $285
- Chauffeur: Johor Bahru to Malacca Transfer [Van]: $58
- Chauffeur: Johor Bahru to Penang Island Transfer [Van]: $158
- Johor Bahru City to Kuala Lumpur City One-way Transfer: $105
- Johor Bahru City to Kuala Lumpur International Airport One-way Transfer: $105
- Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $103
- Johor Hotels to Malacca Hotels (Door to Door) Transfer: $143
- LEGOLAND Malaysia Admission Ticket with Return Transfer from Kuala Lumpur: $190
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Beijing
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:
-
Taxi$5.06
-
Train from Airport for Two$7.41
-
Taxi to Hotel$8.89
-
2 Metro Passes$2.37
-
Metro$0.59
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beijing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Beijing:
- Private Transfers for City, Suburbs & Airport/Train: $1.46
- Datong:Hanging Temple Entry Ticket with Optional Transfer Service: $6.00
- Shilinxia Ticket, Transfer, Guided Tour & Ming City Wall: $6.00
- Ming Tombs Entrance Ticket with Optional Guided &Transfer Service: $7.79
- Juyongguan Great Wall Ticket, Transfer, Guided Tour & Ming Tomb: $8.00
- Badaling Great Wall Entrance Ticket with Guide/Transfer Service: $9.50
- Juyongguan Great Wall Entrance Ticket with Guide&Transfer Service: $9.90
- Badaling Great Wall Ticket, Transfer & Guide Service: $10
- Jinshanling Great Wall Ticket, Transfer: $13
- Jinshanling Great Wall Ticket, Transfer, Guided Tour: $13
- From Mutianyu Great Wall Transfer with Pick-Up: $19
- Private Transfer to/from Capital PEK/Daxing PKX Airport: $19
Is it cheaper to fly into Johor Bahru or Beijing?
Prices for flights to both Beijing and Johor Bahru 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 dayJohor Bahru $16Beijing $36
Typical Food Prices in Beijing
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Beijing:
-
Popcorn$0.89
-
Hot Pot Dinner$7.41
-
Dumpling Breakfast for Two$2.96
-
Watermelon$2.07
-
Peking Duck Dinner for 2$18
-
Two Popsicles$0.89
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beijing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Beijing.
- Gastronomic Gems of Beijing Shared Walking Food Tour: $20
- Online Cooking Class Orange Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Handmade Noodles 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
- Temple of Heaven Private Tour w/Option Show &Dinner: $54
- China's Favourite Street Food Cooking Workshop: $55
- Private Local Food Tour in Beijing with a Local Guide: $59
- Authentic Local Food Tour in Center Beijing: $70
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Johor Bahru $8.14Beijing $26
Tours and Activities in Johor Bahru
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Johor Bahru are as follows:
- Sentosa Magical Island Adventure Pass: $6.32
- Firefly Tour Johor Bahru@Kota Tinggi Firefly Park: $6.60
- Brooklyn Cruise at Puteri Harbour: $11
- Wings of Time Admission Ticket: $14
- Singapore: Wings of Time Show Entry Ticket: $17
- Malaysia: Johor Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast Entry Ticket: $19
- Adventure Waterpark Ticket Desaru Coast: $19
- Causeway Tour: $20
- Johor: LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort Entry Ticket: $21
- Singapore Sentosa Cable Car Sky Pass E-Tickets: $21
- Legoland Malaysia Admission Ticket (All Rides & Attractions): $25
- Legoland Malaysia Theme Park E-Tickets: $25
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$8.89
-
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:
- Jingshan Park QR Ticket with 4 Language Audio Guide: $2.50
- Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City (Palace Museum): Tickets & Tours: $2.70
- 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
- Forbidden City/ Palace Museum & Tiananmen Sq. Ticket Booking: $2.99
- Forbidden City/Palace Museum and Tiananmen Square Entry Ticket: $3.00
- Tian'amen Square & Forbidden City Tickets or Guided Group Tour: $3.00
- Jingshan Park Ticket - Panoramic Forbidden City View: $3.00
- Beijing:Tiananmen Square tickets with guide(optional): $3.19
- Forbidden City Walking Guided Tour w/ Entry Tickets: $3.60
- Tiananmen Square Registration Service(Ticket): $3.79
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayJohor Bahru $5.31Beijing $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Beijing
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Beijing:
- Tipsy Travel: Beijing Local Food and Bar Crawl night in Hutong: $138
- 5-Hour Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour from Beijing: $178
- Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour and Mutianyu Great Wall Visit: $238
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Johor Bahru and Beijing, we can see that Beijing is more expensive. And not only is Johor Bahru much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Johor Bahru would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Johor Bahru 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 Johor Bahru.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Johor Bahru Expensive? and Is Beijing Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Johor Bahru or Beijing?
Beijing has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Johor Bahru. When comparing the sizes of Johor Bahru 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.
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.