Which place is cheaper, Beijing or Xiamen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Xiamen or Beijing?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Xiamen and Beijing can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Xiamen or Beijing?
Xiamen
Xiamen is a coastal city in the Fujian Province of China and has been a major port city and gateway to China for centuries. This vibrant and modern city was named the most livable city in the world in 2002 and one of the first cities to be named a Special Economic Zone. Xiamen is best known for being home to Gulangyu Island, a beautiful island full of historic colonial buildings and lovely walking paths.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China.
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Xiamen Prices
China PricesBeijing Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayXiamen $88Beijing $95
The average daily cost (per person) in Xiamen is $88, while the average daily cost in Beijing is $95. 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 Xiamen and Beijing in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personXiamen $32Beijing $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomXiamen $64Beijing $84
Compare Hotels in Xiamen and Beijing
Looking for a hotel in Xiamen 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.Xiamen $6.37Beijing $8.20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xiamen
Also for Xiamen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Combo: Overnight in Hakka Tulou plus 2-way transfers from Xiamen: $119
- Private Arrival Transfer from Gaoqi Airport to Xiamen City Hotel: $10
- Private Arrival Transfer from Gaoqi Airport to Xiamen City Hotel: $58
- Private City Transfers in Xiamen: $68
- Private Departure Transfer to North Railway Station from Downtown Xiamen: $15
- Private Transfer Between Xiamen City and HongKeng Hakka Tulou Cluster: $89
- Private Transfer Between Xiamen City and Yun Shui Yao Ancient Town: $89
- Private Transfer From Xiamen City to Quanzhou City: $79
- Private Transfer Service between Xiamen City and Yongding Hakka Tulou: $115
- Private Transfer Service between Xiamen and Anxi: $89
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Hui'an county in Quanzhou: $89
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster: $89
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Beijing
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:
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Taxi$5.01
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Train from Airport for Two$7.34
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Taxi to Hotel$8.81
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2 Metro Passes$2.35
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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): $42
- Transfer: Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) to Beijing City: $39
- Tianjin Port Private transfers to Beijing Hotel&optionals: $219
- Tianjin International Cruise Port Transfer from Beijing: $149
- 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
- Sunrise Private Transfer to Jinshanling Great Wall+Hiking 6km: $149
Is it cheaper to fly into Xiamen or Beijing?
Prices for flights to both Beijing and Xiamen 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 dayXiamen $48Beijing $35
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$0.88
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Hot Pot Dinner$7.34
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Dumpling Breakfast for Two$2.94
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Watermelon$2.06
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Peking Duck Dinner for 2$17
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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 Orange Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Handmade Noodles by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Kungpao Chicken: $25
- Beijing Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $45
- 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
- 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 Hidden Hutong Bike & Food Tour - Pro Photos Included: $71
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Xiamen $17Beijing $26
Tours and Activities in Xiamen
For Xiamen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Sailing & Sea Experience.: $22
- Quanzhou Kaiyuan Temple & Luoyang Bridge Tour: $70
- Xiamen Private English Tour Guide Service: $93
- Xiamen Private Highlight Tour-Gulangyu Island, Shuzhuang Garden And Piano Museum: $103
- 4-Hour Xiamen Private Local Food Market Experience: $103
- Flexible Xiamen Private Half Day Tour to Experience Xiamen Botanical Garden: $105
- Private Half-Day Tour to the Most Famous Scenic Jimei School Village in Xiamen: $106
- 4-hour Xiamen Private Flexible Tour in Your Way: $115
- Xiamen Private Half Day Tour of Gulangyu Island and Shuzhuang Garden: $124
- Shanghai Metro Tour: $127
- Xiamen Layover Day Tour-Gulangyu,Shuzhuang Garden And Piano Museum: $132
- Xiamen Half-Day Private Tour include Gulang Yu Island and Garden: $135
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$8.81
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Two Opera Tickets$62
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Temple of Heaven Park Entrance (for 2)$10
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Forbidden City (for 2)$18
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Forbidden City Tickets$18
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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 Romantic Tour in Oriental Provence Lavender Manor and Mutianyu Great Wall: $208
- 1-Day Beijing Emperor’s Tour of Forbidden City, Beihai Park, Jingshan and Hutong: $160
- 1-Day Beijing Private Tour to Forbidden City and Mutianyu Great Wall: $150
- 1-Day Beijing Private Tour: Mutianyu Great Wall and Hutong Rickshaw Riding: $277
- 1-Day Beijing Private tour: Mutianyu Great Wall and Summer Palace: $267
- 1-Day Beijing tour to Temple of Heaven,Hutong Tour,Lama Temple & Summer Palace: $240
- 1-Day Great Wall of China Tours from Beijing Capital Airport to Mutianyu: $269
- 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 to Beijing Highlights: $224
- 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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayXiamen $18Beijing $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
- Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour and Mutianyu Great Wall Visit: $238
When comparing the travel costs between Xiamen 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 Xiamen Expensive? and Is Beijing Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Xiamen or Beijing?
Beijing has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Xiamen. When comparing the sizes of Xiamen 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 Xiamen 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 Xiamen or Beijing in the Summer?
Both Beijing and Xiamen during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Beijing this time of year.
Xiamen is a little warmer than Beijing in the summer. The daily temperature in Xiamen averages around 30°C (86°F) in July, and Beijing fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
Beijing gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Xiamen. Xiamen usually gets less rain in July than Beijing. Xiamen gets 140 mm (5.5 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 JulyXiamen 30°C (86°F)Beijing 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Beijing in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Xiamen and Beijing. Also, many travelers come to Beijing for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Xiamen is much warmer than Beijing. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Xiamen in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Beijing averages at about 14°C (56°F).
In October, Xiamen usually receives more rain than Beijing. Xiamen gets 29 mm (1.1 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 OctoberXiamen 25°C (77°F)Beijing 14°C (56°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Beijing in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Xiamen as well as Beijing. Also, many visitors come to Beijing in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Beijing can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Xiamen is generally much warmer than Beijing. Daily temperatures in Xiamen average around 14°C (58°F), and Beijing fluctuates around -4°C (26°F).
Xiamen usually gets more rain in January than Beijing. Xiamen gets 37 mm (1.4 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 JanuaryXiamen 14°C (58°F)Beijing -4°C (26°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Beijing in the Spring?
Both Beijing and Xiamen are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Beijing for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
Xiamen is a little warmer than Beijing in the spring. The daily temperature in Xiamen averages around 20°C (69°F) in April, and Beijing fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
It's quite rainy in Xiamen. In April, Xiamen usually receives more rain than Beijing. Xiamen gets 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilXiamen 20°C (69°F)Beijing 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Beijing and Xiamen
| Xiamen | Beijing | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (58°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | -4°C (26°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Feb | 14°C (57°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | -1°C (30°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (69°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| May | 24°C (76°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.7 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (85°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (69°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (61°F) | 25 mm (1 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.