Which place is cheaper, Beijing or Qingdao?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Qingdao or Beijing?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Qingdao 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: Qingdao or Beijing?
Qingdao
Qingdao, China, located in the Shandong Province, is a very large city right on the Yellow Sea coast. The city, whose name means "The Green Island" due to it's gorgeous landscapes and interesting geography, was named China's most livable city in 2012. The city is rich in history, having almost become a German territory in 1897 and being occupied by the Japanese during WWI. Evidence of these occupiers is present in much of the architecture around the city, which includes a few Catholic and Protestant churches.
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 Cultural Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, The Best Budget Tours to China, and The Best Tours for Seniors to China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayQingdao $58Beijing $77
The average daily cost (per person) in Qingdao is $58, 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 Qingdao and Beijing in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personQingdao $26Beijing $39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomQingdao $52Beijing $78
Compare Hotels in Qingdao and Beijing
Looking for a hotel in Qingdao 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Qingdao $12Beijing $7.65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Qingdao
Also for Qingdao, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer: City Hotel to Qingdao Railway Station : $36
- Qingdao Cruise Port Departure Transfer from City Hotels: $36
- Qingdao Liuting Airport Transfer Service by Minivan: $86
- Qingdao Northern Railway Station Arrival Private One-Way Transfer: $42
- Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao Airport (TAO) to central Qingdao: $83
- Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao central to Qingdao Airport (TAO): $83
- Qingdao Railway Station Arrival Transfer to City Hotel: $36
- Qingdao Railway Station Depature Transfer from City Hotels: $36
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Beijing
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:
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Taxi$4.72
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Train from Airport for Two$6.91
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Taxi to Hotel$8.29
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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:
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Beijing HTL-APT (PEK): $62
- Tianjin Cruise Port Private Transfer to Beijing International Airport: $153
- Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City Private Tour With Airport Transfer: $205
- Shijingshan Amusement Park with FlyOver China Experience by Private Transfer: $78
- Self Guided transfer service to Juyongguan Great Wall or Badaling Great Wall: $78
- Round Trip Transfer Service to Fragrance Hill by Private Driver with Car: $98
- Private transfer: Beijing City Center to Beijing Airport (PEK): $38
- Private transfer: Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) to Beijing City: $36
- Private transfer to the Great Wall of Jinshanling: $106
- Private transfer from Zhangjiakou Ski Resort to Beijing: $168
- Private transfer Service from Beijing To Mutianyu and Huanghuacheng Great Wall: $76
- Private day to Beijing Hua Bei ski resort with transfer service : $174
Is it cheaper to fly into Qingdao or Beijing?
Prices for flights to both Beijing and Qingdao 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 dayQingdao $20Beijing $21
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$6.91
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Dumpling Breakfast for Two$2.76
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Watermelon$1.94
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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 Beijing Dumplings and Cuisine by Sunflowerli Renowned Chef : $20
- Online Cooking Class Handmade Noodles by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Orange Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Beijing Acrobatic Show Tickets w/ Optional Dinner or Transfer: $48
- 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
- Acrobatic Show with Peking Duck Dinner Private Tour: $80
- Old Beijing Dinner Tour: $80
- Discovery more local Beijing evening food Tour: $89
- Private Nightlife Trip to See Wonderful Acrobatic Show Enjoy Delicious Barbecue Buffet Dinner: $96
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Qingdao $20Beijing $24
Tours and Activities in Qingdao
For Qingdao, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Qingdao City tour with Lunch and Qingdao beer: $175
- Private Qingdao Historic architectural day tour with Tsingdao beer during Lunch: $190
- Private Qingdao Laoshan half day tour with one bottle of Tsingdao beer as gift: $199
- Qingdao private half day tour with Tsingdao Beer Lunch : $202
- Qingdao Shore Excursion: Private Full Day Laoshan Mountain Sightseeing Tour: $207
- Private Qingdao Essentials Tour: City Highlights and Beer Museum: $216
- Laoshan Mountain Full Day Private Activity Tour: $224
- Qingdao Private Day Tour to Laoshan Mountain with Lunch and Cable Car: $238
- Private Qingdao Laoshan day tour with lunch& round way cable car: $240
- Qingdao Discover Tour to the Mount Laoshan and Tasting Famous Local Beer: $248
- Qingdao Private Tour: City Highlights and Laoshan Mountain with Lunch+Cable Car: $268
- All-Inclusive Private Day Tour: Qingdao Highlights with Lunch: $285
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$8.29
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Two Opera Tickets$59
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Temple of Heaven Park Entrance (for 2)$9.68
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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:
- 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 : $176
- Beijing 2 Summer Palace Private Garden Tour: $140
- 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
- Classic One Day Beijing Tour: $240
- Forbidden City Tour : $110
- Lama temple -Confucius temple - DongYue temple Private Cultural Tour: $156
- Mutianyu Great Wall And Ming Tomb Private One Day Tour: $205
- Mutianyu Great Wall and Ming Tomb Private Tour: $190
- The Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan) Entrance Ticket: $8.00
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayQingdao $14Beijing $12
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
- Full Day Private Chateau Changyu Wine Tour from Beijing: $161
- 5-Hour Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour from Beijing: $178
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Qingdao and Beijing, we can see that Beijing is more expensive. And not only is Qingdao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Qingdao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Qingdao 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 Qingdao.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Qingdao Expensive? and Is Beijing Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Qingdao or Beijing?
Beijing has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Qingdao. When comparing the sizes of Qingdao 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 Qingdao or Beijing?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Qingdao or Beijing in the Summer?
Both Beijing and Qingdao during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Beijing for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Qingdao is around the same temperature as Beijing in the summer. The daily temperature in Qingdao averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Beijing fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Qingdao often gets less sunshine than Beijing. Qingdao gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beijing receives 224 hours of full sun.
Beijing gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Qingdao. Qingdao usually gets more rain in July than Beijing. Qingdao gets 211 mm (8.3 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 JulyQingdao 25°C (77°F)Beijing 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Beijing in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Qingdao and Beijing. Furthermore, 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.
In the autumn, Qingdao is a little warmer than Beijing. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Qingdao in October average around 17°C (62°F), and Beijing averages at about 14°C (56°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. In Qingdao, it's very sunny this time of the year. Qingdao usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Beijing during autumn. Qingdao gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Beijing receives 227 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Qingdao usually receives more rain than Beijing. Qingdao gets 45 mm (1.8 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 OctoberQingdao 17°C (62°F)Beijing 14°C (56°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Beijing in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Qingdao as well as Beijing. Additionally, most visitors come to Beijing for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Beijing can be very cold during winter. Qingdao can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Qingdao is generally much warmer than Beijing. Daily temperatures in Qingdao average around -0°C (32°F), and Beijing fluctuates around -4°C (26°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. In the winter, Qingdao often gets less sunshine than Beijing. Qingdao gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beijing receives 201 hours of full sun.
Qingdao usually gets more rain in January than Beijing. Qingdao gets 11 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 JanuaryQingdao -0°C (32°F)Beijing -4°C (26°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Beijing in the Spring?
Both Beijing and Qingdao are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Beijing because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Qingdao is cooler than Beijing in the spring. The daily temperature in Qingdao averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Beijing fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
It's quite sunny in Beijing. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Qingdao. Qingdao usually receives less sunshine than Beijing during spring. Qingdao gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Beijing receives 247 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Qingdao usually receives more rain than Beijing. Qingdao gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilQingdao 12°C (53°F)Beijing 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Beijing and Qingdao
| Qingdao | Beijing | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -0°C (32°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | -4°C (26°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Feb | 1°C (34°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | -1°C (30°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (62°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
| Nov | 10°C (49°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (37°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.