A Travel Price Comparison for China Xi'an vs. Beijing for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Xi'an 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 Xi'an 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.

Xi'an

Xi'an is an ancient city in the Shaanxi Province in China. Today it is most notable as the location of the Terracotta Warriors, but for visitors who choose to linger, there is so much more to see and do in the area. The city itself is more than 3,000 years old and for about one thousand years, through 13 dynasties and 73 emperors, it was the capital. Because of its rich history there are many historical ruins and a strong culture in the city. Today the city is a pleasant place to visit, although much of it's influence and power has dwindled. The city has both cosmopolitan and modern areas as well as historic and culturally rich areas. The neighborhoods are diverse and by exploring the city in depth you can learn a little more about what China really has to offer.

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.

Which city is cheaper, Beijing or Xi'an?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Xi'an is $81, while the average daily cost in Beijing is $66. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Xi'an and Beijing in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Xi'an $52
    Beijing $34
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Xi'an $104
    Beijing $68

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Xi'an $10
    Beijing $6.56

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:

  • 1-Day Beijing Layover Private Tour: Forbidden City with Round Airport transfers: $190
  • 1-Day Beijing Layover Tour: Mutianyu Great Wall with Round Airport Transfers: $195
  • 1-Day Bejing Layover Tour:Mutianyu Great Wall,Forbidden City & Airport Transfers: $250
  • 1-Hour Private Tai Chi Class in the Temple of Heaven Park with One Way Transfer: $78
  • 1-Way Private Transfer Service between Tianjin cruise Port and Beijing hotels: $301
  • 1-Way Private Transfer between Beijing Airport and City Hotels: $30
  • 2 Days Beijing to Feng Ning Ba Shang Grassland tour with private transfer: $448
  • 2-Day Customizable Beijing Highlight Tour with Airport Transfer Option: $520
  • 2-Day Highlights Group Tour With Beijing Airport Transfer Service: $247
  • 2-Day Private Beijing Tour with PEK Airport Transfer: $265
  • 2-Way Share Transfer Service to Mutianyu Great Wall from Beijing Capital Airport: $84
  • 3 Days Beijing Private Tour with Airport (Train Station) Transfer: $305

Is it cheaper to fly into Xi'an or Beijing?

Prices for flights to both Beijing and Xi'an 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
    Xi'an $11
    Beijing $18

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.

  • Online Cooking Class: $25
  • Private Temple of Heaven Walking Tour with Peking Duck Dinner or Kung Fu Show: $62
  • 3 hours Morning or Afternoon Tea Tasting on Maliandao Street and Tea Restaurant Lunch or Dinner Tour: $69
  • Beijing Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $69
  • Old Beijing Dinner Tour: $80
  • Authentic Local Food Tour in Center Beijing: $90
  • Vegetarian / Peking Duck / Hotpot Dinner with Kungfu Show Private Tour: $90
  • Private Evening Hutong Walking Tour with Mongolia Hotpot Dinner: $96
  • Private Nightlife Trip to See Wonderful Acrobatic Show Enjoy Delicious Barbecue Buffet Dinner: $96
  • Peking Duck Dinner with Face Changing show plus Full Body Massage: $98
  • Private Tour: Beijing by Night including Imperial Performance and Dinner: $98
  • Half Day Food Tour with Public Transit of Breakfast or Local Street Snacks: $99

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Xi'an $30
    Beijing $20

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:

  • Temple of Heaven Tickets Booking: $4.00
  • MTY test product for tours: $5.00
  • Beijing Summer Palace Admission Ticket: $5.13
  • Train Tickets in China: $5.34
  • Private Tailor made tour for your family only in China around: $5.34
  • Beijing National Center for the Performing Arts Admission Ticket: $6.45
  • Beijing Temple of Heaven Admission Ticket: $7.06
  • Summer Palace Tickets Booking: $8.00
  • Beijing Forbidden City Entrance Ticket (with Optional Guided Service): $8.21
  • Beijing Automobile Museum Admission Ticket: $8.71
  • Skip the Line: Beijing Forbidden City Admission Ticket: $8.80
  • Skip the Line: Forbidden City Tickets & Optional Guide Tours: $8.88

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Xi'an $6.21
    Beijing $10

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: $138
  • 5-Hour Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour from Beijing: $178
  • Private Wonderful Beijing Bar Crawl Tour: $195
  • Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour and Mutianyu Great Wall Visit: $228

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Xi'an and Beijing, we can see that Xi'an is more expensive. And not only is Beijing much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Beijing would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Beijing 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 Xi'an would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Xi'an than you might in Beijing.

Budget Your Trip

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Xi'an vs. Beijing Travel Comparison

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