Which place is cheaper, Beijing or Mumbai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Mumbai or Beijing?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Mumbai or Beijing, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Mumbai or Beijing?
Mumbai
Mumbai is the largest city in India and the capital of Maharashtra state. It is still occasionally referred to as Bombay, but most people know it now as Mumbai. It's the commercial capital of the country and is a major port city. It's also famous for Bollywood, which is the movie capital of the country and famous for it's music filled Bollywood flicks that have become popular around the world. Mumbai is arguably the most cosmopolitan city in India and has some of the most liberal views of an otherwise conservative country. Many immigrants and expats live in Mumbai and it's easy to see the blend of cultures.
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 2-Week Tours from Mumbai, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to India, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMumbai $69Beijing $77
The average daily cost (per person) in Mumbai is $69, while the average daily cost in Beijing is $77. 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 Mumbai and Beijing in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMumbai $34Beijing $39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMumbai $68Beijing $78
Compare Hotels in Mumbai and Beijing
Looking for a hotel in Mumbai 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: Mumbai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mumbai $7.77Beijing $7.63
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mumbai
Also for Mumbai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Affordable transfer from Mumbai Airport to Pune: $28
- Arrival Private Transfers: Mumbai Airport BOM to Mumbai City in Business Car: $60
- Arrival Private Transfers: Mumbai Airport BOM to Mumbai City in Luxury Van: $93
- Departure Private Transfers: Mumbai City to Mumbai Airport BOM in Business Car: $60
- Departure Private Transfers: Mumbai City to Mumbai Airport BOM in Luxury Van: $93
- Dharavi Slum Tour in Mumbai with Combo Packages & Transfers: $12
- Dharavi Tour Including Car Transfer: $42
- Global Vipassana Pagoda : Half Day Tour with Transfer: $84
- Luxury Mumbai Package with Hotel,Private Airport Transfers and Sightseeing Tour: $270
- Mumbai & Beyond transfer & travel in a Insured vehicle: Goa-Rajasthan-Gujrat etc: $53
- Mumbai - private arrival transfer from Airport to Hotel : $64
- Mumbai Airport Transfer in Private Vehicle: $28
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Beijing
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:
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Taxi$4.71
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Train from Airport for Two$6.90
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Taxi to Hotel$8.28
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2 Metro Passes$2.21
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Metro$0.55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beijing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Beijing:
- Beijing Layover Tour with Hutong, Temple of Heaven and Airport Transfer: $296
- Beijing to Zun Hua Explore Qing Emperor's Tombs By Car Transfer : $285
- 1 Day Pass for Universal Beijing and Private Transfer Package: $265
- Private Transfer to Mutianyu Great Wall and Summer Palace with A Guide: $259
- Beijing Great Wall and Imperial Palace Private Tour with Airport Transfer: $256
- 1-Day Bejing Layover Tour:Mutianyu Great Wall,Forbidden City & Airport Transfers: $250
- Private Transfer from Tianjin Cruise Port to Beijing with stop at Great Wall : $221
- Private Transfer from Tianjin Cruise port to Mutianyu Great Wall of China : $221
- Beijing Airport to Hotel: Private Transfer for up to 15 pax: $220
- Visit Great Wall With Beijing Capital Airport Round-Way Transfer : $215
- Private Transfer Service: 2-Day Wulan Butong Grassland from Beijing: $208
- Private Transfer between Beijing and Bashang Grassland in Mulan Weichang: $208
Is it cheaper to fly into Mumbai or Beijing?
Prices for flights to both Beijing and Mumbai 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 dayMumbai $26Beijing $21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mumbai
For Mumbai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Virtual Authentic Indian Tea and Paratha Cooking Class: $14
- Hidden Gems and Street Food Tour: $15
- Discover Mumbai's street & beach with food tour: $17
- Mumbai Food Tour: $20
- Vegetarian Indian Cuisine Virtual Cooking Class Experience from Mumbai: $20
- Mumbai Food Tour: $25
- Street Food Tour - Eat like a Local with sunset view: $26
- Old Bombay Bazaar and Food Tour with local Guide: $27
- Guided Food Tour Through the Vibrant Markets of Old Bombay: $28
- Street Food Tour: $32
- Indian cusine demonstration cum hands on with Hi Tea / Dinner at a Family home: $33
- Mumbai Street Food Tour with Sun Set View: $38
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$0.83
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Hot Pot Dinner$6.90
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Dumpling Breakfast for Two$2.76
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Watermelon$1.93
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Peking Duck Dinner for 2$16
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Two Popsicles$0.83
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
- Nangong Hot Spring Water World with Dinner: $38
- 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
- Beijing Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $55
- Temple of Heaven Private Tour w/Option Show &Dinner: $60
- 3 hours Morning or Afternoon Tea Tasting on Maliandao Street and Tea Restaurant Lunch or Dinner Tour: $69
- Mogolian Hot Pot Dinner with no limit soft drink and local beer .: $70
- Old Beijing Dinner Tour: $80
- Acrobatic Show with Peking Duck Dinner Private Tour: $80
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mumbai $2.66Beijing $24
Tours and Activities in Mumbai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Mumbai.
- Audio Guided Walking Tour on HopOn India App – From Gateway to Fountain, Mumbai: $5.32
- Elephanta Caves Audio Guided Walking Tour, Mumbai on HopOn India App: $5.34
- Highlights Bus Full-Day Tour in Hindi: $5.40
- Dharavi Slum Tour with Local guide: $6.00
- Audio Guided Tour of Matunga & Dadar Parsi Colony, Mumbai: $6.14
- Malabar District, Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Tour: $6.56
- Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $6.56
- Mumbai (Malabar District) Self-Guided Tour: $6.67
- Dharavi Slum Tour: $8.63
- Dharavi Slum Tour: $8.99
- Inside Dharavi: Unveiling Mumbai's Slum Culture Tour: $9.11
- Dharavi Slum Experience with Local Resident English Guide: $9.50
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$8.28
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Two Opera Tickets$59
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Temple of Heaven Park Entrance (for 2)$9.66
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Forbidden City (for 2)$17
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Forbidden City Tickets$17
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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
- All Inclusive Mutianyu Great Wall & Summer Palace Private Tour: $188
- All Inclusive Private Summer Palace, Mutianyu Great Wall Day Tour: $204
- Beijing 2 Summer Palace Private Garden Tour: $140
- Beijing Art Tour: Seeing Fantastic Ming Murals at Fa Hai Temple : $220
- Beijing Layover Tour: Mutianyu Great Wall with English Driver : $100
- 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
- Classic One Day Beijing Tour: $240
- Forbidden City Tour : $110
- Full Day Private Tour Incredible Beijing City Highlights: $179
- Mutianyu Great Wall And Ming Tomb Private One Day Tour: $205
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMumbai $3.69Beijing $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Mumbai
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Mumbai:
- Bombay Party (Bar Crawl): $25
- South Bombay Pub Crawl: $39
- South Bombay Pub Crawl: $39
- Mumbai Pub Crawl: History, Iconic Bars, Cocktail Workshop, Stories and Drinks : $90
- Mumbai Private Bar Crawl with City Night Tour: $124
- Nashik: Private Full-Day Wine Tour with Tastings From Mumbai: $128
- Full-Day Private Wine Tour at Sula Vineyards from Mumbai: $152
- Wine Tasting Tour Sula Vineyards Nashik - (Day excursion from Mumbai): $163
Sample the Local Flavors in Beijing
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Beijing:
- Beijing Brewery Bike Tour: $99
- Evening Food Private Tour with Brewery Taproom Hopping at Slow Boat in Beijing: $110
- Private Tour-Drum Tower, Hutong Food Taste and Local Brewery Beer: $150
- Full Day Private Chateau Changyu Wine Tour from Beijing: $162
- 5-Hour Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour from Beijing: $178
- Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour and Mutianyu Great Wall Visit: $238
When comparing the travel costs between Mumbai and Beijing, we can see that Beijing 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.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mumbai Expensive? and Is Beijing Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mumbai or Beijing?
Mumbai has a larger population, and is about 70% larger than the population of Beijing. When comparing the sizes of Mumbai 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.
When is the best time to visit Mumbai or Beijing?
Beijing has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Mumbai experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Mumbai or Beijing in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Mumbai as well as Beijing. Mumbai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Beijing for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Mumbai is generally around the same temperature as Beijing. Daily temperatures in Mumbai average around 28°C (82°F), and Beijing fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. In the summer, Mumbai often gets less sunshine than Beijing. Mumbai gets 73 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beijing receives 224 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Beijing. Mumbai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Mumbai usually gets more rain in July than Beijing. Mumbai gets 640 mm (25.2 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMumbai 28°C (82°F)Beijing 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Mumbai or Beijing in the Autumn?
Both Beijing and Mumbai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mumbai throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Beijing in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Mumbai is much warmer than Beijing in the autumn. The daily temperature in Mumbai averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Beijing fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).
It's quite sunny in Beijing. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mumbai. Mumbai usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Beijing during autumn. Mumbai gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Beijing receives 227 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Mumbai usually receives more rain than Beijing. Mumbai gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMumbai 29°C (84°F)Beijing 14°C (56°F)
Should I visit Mumbai or Beijing in the Winter?
Both Beijing and Mumbai during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Mumbai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, most visitors come to Beijing for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Beijing can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Mumbai is much warmer than Beijing. Typically, the winter temperatures in Mumbai in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Beijing averages at about -4°C (26°F).
In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Mumbai. In the winter, Mumbai often gets more sunshine than Beijing. Mumbai gets 270 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beijing receives 201 hours of full sun.
Mumbai usually gets more rain in January than Beijing. Mumbai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMumbai 24°C (75°F)Beijing -4°C (26°F)
Should I visit Mumbai or Beijing in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Mumbai and Beijing. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mumbai year-round. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Beijing because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In April, Mumbai is generally much warmer than Beijing. Daily temperatures in Mumbai average around 29°C (84°F), and Beijing fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. In Mumbai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mumbai usually receives more sunshine than Beijing during spring. Mumbai gets 284 hours of sunny skies, while Beijing receives 247 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Mumbai usually receives less rain than Beijing. Mumbai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMumbai 29°C (84°F)Beijing 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Beijing and Mumbai
| Mumbai | Beijing | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | -4°C (26°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | -1°C (30°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| May | 30°C (86°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (84°F) | 560 mm (22 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 640 mm (25.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 520 mm (20.5 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | -1°C (29°F) | 2 mm (0.1 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.