A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mount Bromo vs. Beijing for Food, Couples, Backpackers, and Families

Should you visit Mount Bromo or Beijing?

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

Should I visit Mount Bromo 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.

Mount Bromo

Mount Bromo is a breathtaking, scenic, and spectacular volcano. The famous beauty of Mount Bromo is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include hiking. See Mount Bromo travel costs.

Beijing

Beijing is a jam-packed, cultural, and fascinating city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Beijing is a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Beijing travel costs.

Mount Bromo and Beijing: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Good for hiking
  • Known for its beauty
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for food
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Public transit not as usable
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Active nightlife
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
  • Good public transit
  • Big city activities
  • Home to the Forbidden City
Things to Consider
  • Less charming


Is there more to do in Mount Bromo or Beijing?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Beijing than Mount Bromo, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Beijing is better known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Mount Bromo is more popular for its hiking and impressive beauty. Beijing is more touristy than Mount Bromo and is popular for its rich culture, many historical landmarks, its long running history, and its world class cuisine. Also, Beijing is famous for The Forbidden City. Mount Bromo is well known for its sunrise views and scenic setting.

How is Mount Bromo different from Beijing?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Beijing and Mount Bromo. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Mount Bromo or Beijing?

Mount Bromo
Beijing

Beijing is an unbeatable place for its historical sights. However, Mount Bromo does not have museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Beijing from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. 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.

Mount Bromo does not have museums and landmarks.


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

Mount Bromo
Beijing

Beijing is an unbeatable place for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Mount Bromo is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

For foodies, Beijing is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Mount Bromo. You'll find cheap noodle and rice dishes at the warungs in Cemoro Lawang. Some hotels have breakfast and you should pick up some food and water for the hike at a grocery store in town. There are also some stalls along the route, some that are open even at 3am to accommodate early hikers.

Is Mount Bromo or Beijing Better for Nightlife?

Mount Bromo
Beijing

Beijing is a great city for nightlife. However, Mount Bromo is not known for nightlife and partying.

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.

People don't go to Mount Bromo for the nightlife. The stars and the early morning hike are the only nightlife you'll find here.

Is Mount Bromo or Beijing Better for Hiking?

Mount Bromo
Beijing

Mount Bromo is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Beijing is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Mount Bromo. The setting is beautiful, and best experienced at sunrise, which means most people hike through the night. Some people take horses and most people organized guided tours.

Beijing is not a hiking destination.


Is the Shopping Better in Mount Bromo or Beijing?

Mount Bromo
Beijing

Beijing is a great city for shopping. However, Mount Bromo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Mount Bromo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Mount Bromo or Beijing More Beautiful?

Mount Bromo
Beijing

Mount Bromo 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 Mount Bromo is one of the main draws. The setting and landscapes are spectacular, particularly at sunrise when most visitors make the trip.

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 Mount Bromo or Beijing Better for Families?

Mount Bromo
Beijing

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Mount Bromo or Beijing.

Mount Bromo offers lots of family activities. It really depends on the age of your kids and their personality and adaptability as to whether this is a good trip for them. Many of the tours start in the middle of the night so you can see the spectacular sunrise. The trip can be a bit uncomfortable, but everyone is guaranteed an adventure!

Beijing is a family-friendly place to visit. 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 Mount Bromo or Beijing Better for Couples?

Mount Bromo
Beijing

Mount Bromo is a great destination for couples. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Mount Bromo frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Romantic sunrises and stunning views make this a wonderful destination for couples. The surroundings are surreal and you will long remember the experience.

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 Mount Bromo or Beijing Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Mount Bromo
Beijing

Beijing is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Mount Bromo is not as popular, but is still a nice volcano for backpackers.

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.

Mount Bromo is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Some backpackers choose to go without a guided tour, and this will let you save money. Cemoro Lawang is the closest town to the volcano.

Is Mount Bromo or Beijing Better for Students?

Mount Bromo
Beijing

Beijing is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Mount Bromo is not popular with students.

Beijing is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. 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.

Mount Bromo is not popular with students.


Is Mount Bromo or Beijing Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Mount Bromo
Beijing

Beijing is a great city for times when you don't have a car. However, Mount Bromo is not known for its public transit.

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.

Public transit is generally limited in Mount Bromo. Most people visit with a guided tour because this saves a lot of time and allows you to see the sunrise.

Is Mount Bromo or Beijing a more walkable city?

Mount Bromo
Beijing

Mount Bromo is a volcano with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Beijing is a city with minimal options for its walkability.

Mount Bromo is a somewhat walkable volcano. The walk takes you across the sand and up some stairs. It's usually less than an hour.

Beijing is generally not a very walkable volcano. 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 Mount Bromo Worth Visiting? and Is Beijing Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Beijing or Mount Bromo?

How long in Mount Bromo or Beijing?

Both Mount Bromo and Beijing have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Beijing than in Mount Bromo. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Mount Bromo, and 3-7 days is enough time in Beijing.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Beijing than Mount Bromo 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 Beijing.


  • How many days in Mount Bromo or Beijing? Ideal Length of Stay
    Mount Bromo 1-2 
    Beijing 3-7

One day in Mount Bromo or Beijing?

In Mount Bromo, you'll find . Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This volcano offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Beijing is a jam-packed city where you can fill many days. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.


A weekend in Mount Bromo or Beijing?

In Mount Bromo, you'll find . The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Mount Bromo has to offer.

Beijing is a cultural big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Mount Bromo or Beijing?

Mount Bromo is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Beijing is a historic city where you can fill many days. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Mount Bromo or Beijing?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Mount Bromo. Many people enjoy the when visiting Mount Bromo. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Beijing is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this city.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.


Which place is cheaper, Beijing or Mount Bromo?

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 Mount Bromo is $25, while the average daily cost in Beijing is $91. 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 Mount Bromo and Beijing in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mount Bromo $10
    Beijing $40
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mount Bromo $20
    Beijing $80
Compare Hotels in Mount Bromo and Beijing

Looking for a hotel in Mount Bromo 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 Mount Bromo


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.
    Mount Bromo $7.03
    Beijing $7.83

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Beijing

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


  • Taxi
    $4.78
  • Train from Airport for Two
    $7.01
  • Taxi to Hotel
    $8.41
  • 2 Metro Passes
    $2.24
  • Metro
    $0.56

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beijing

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Beijing:

  • Pivate Transfer To Datong Yungang Grottoes From Beijing: $598
  • Beijing Layover Private Tour: City Highlights With Airport Transfer: $300
  • Beijing Acrobatics Show And Peking Opera Tour With Transfer: $299
  • Beijing Great Wall and Imperial Palace Private Tour with Airport Transfer: $299
  • Beijing Layover Tour with Hutong, Temple of Heaven and Airport Transfer: $296
  • Beijing Layover of Comprehensive City Tour With Airport Transfer: $290
  • Private Day Tour of Beijing City Overview with Airport Transfer: $285
  • Beijing Private Transfer: Mutianyu Great Wall Slow-Paced Visit: $280
  • Beijing Hutong Culture Experience with Airport Transfer: $276
  • Private Transfer to Beidaihe Summer Resort from Beijing: $272
  • Private Transfer To Guyaju Ancient Cave(With Options): $269
  • 1-Day Bejing Layover Tour:Mutianyu Great Wall,Forbidden City & Airport Transfers: $250

Is it cheaper to fly into Mount Bromo or Beijing?

Prices for flights to both Beijing and Mount Bromo 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
    Mount Bromo $8.84
    Beijing $34

Typical Food Prices in Beijing

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


  • Popcorn
    $0.84
  • Hot Pot Dinner
    $7.01
  • Dumpling Breakfast for Two
    $2.80
  • Watermelon
    $1.96
  • Peking Duck Dinner for 2
    $17
  • Two Popsicles
    $0.84

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beijing

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

  • Online Cooking Class Kungpao Chicken: $20
  • Online Cooking Class Handmade Noodles by Sunflower Li: $20
  • Online Cooking Class Orange Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
  • 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
  • Beijing Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $55
  • Private Local Food Tour in Beijing with a Local Guide: $59
  • Beijing Walking Food Tour with a Local Friend: $60
  • Authentic Local Food Tour in Center Beijing: $70
  • Beijing Hidden Hutong Bike & Food Tour - Pro Photos Included: $71

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mount Bromo $7.88
    Beijing $24

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
    $8.41
  • Two Opera Tickets
    $60
  • Temple of Heaven Park Entrance (for 2)
    $9.81
  • 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:

  • 1-Day Mutianyu Great Wall and Beijing Airport Drop off Tour: $235
  • 4-Hour Beijing Layover Tour to Hutong from Daxing Airport: $145
  • All Inclusive Mutianyu Great Wall & Summer Palace Private Tour: $188
  • All Inclusive Private Tour: Juyongguan Greatwall, Sacred Road, MingTombs : $180
  • Beijing 2 Summer Palace Private Garden Tour: $140
  • Beijing Layover Tour: Mutianyu Great Wall with English Driver : $121
  • Beijing Private Tour of Ming Tombs, Summer Palace, Bird's Nest and Water Cube: $297
  • China Art Museum and 798 Art Zone Private Tour: $137
  • China National Museum Ticket Pre-booking and Tiananmen Square : $9.50
  • Forbidden City Private Walking Tour with Optional Sights: $81
  • Forbidden City Tour : $116
  • Forbidden city with Tian'anmen square layover tour of Beijing : $240

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mount Bromo $4.43
    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: $158
  • 5-Hour Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour from Beijing: $178
  • Beijing Brewery Bike Tour: $199
  • Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour and Mutianyu Great Wall Visit: $238


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mount Bromo and Beijing, we can see that Beijing is more expensive. And not only is Mount Bromo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mount Bromo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mount Bromo 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 Mount Bromo.

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