The Prices of Budget Tours to East Asia
Jump to: Best Tours | Tour Prices
If you're trying to figure out the options and prices for budget tours in East Asia, we've got you covered. Using our hands-on travel experience and industry knowledge, we've analyzed every tour option, visited dozens of locations in East Asia, and reviewed all the top operators. Below, you'll find a detailed guide to the costs and leading tours, helping you find the best guided tour for your vacation.
East Asia boasts a variety of budget tours for every traveler, from budget group trips to high-end, all-inclusive tours. Prices vary based on trip length, included activities, and accommodation standards.
Why does East Asia appeal to budget travelers?
East Asia's affordability and range of options make it ideal for budget travelers. The region's natural and cultural beauty, along with its wallet-friendly options provide exceptional value for budget-conscious adventurers. Kyoto is known for its Buddhist temples, cultural activities, and rich history. Beijing, Shanghai, and Tokyo offer plenty of amazing museums and sights to explore. Beijing, Shanghai, and Tokyo are foodie destinations with fantastic cuisine and world-class restaurants. Budget travelers love Beijing, Shanghai, and Osaka because of the affordable activities and social vibe. The affordable tour options here allow easy and affordable access to amazing experiences without breaking the bank.
How much do budget tours cost in East Asia?
The average price per day for budget tours in East Asia is $114, based on our analysis of 27 tours. While the overall prices can vary greatly, when we look at the daily price of these tours, the costs range from $83 to $149 per day.
Budget-friendly tours average around $92 per day, while higher-end luxury tours average about $139 per day.
Budget tours will usually provide less luxurious accommodation, have larger group sizes, and visit less expensive destinations. They will also sometimes have you pay for more activities on your own instead of including everything up front.
Mid-range tours often provide a step up in accommodation and transportation, and include more guided activities.
Luxury tours usually provide the highest levels of service, luxury hotels, more gormet food choices, comfortable transportation, and offer more all-inclusive payment options.
We partner with TourRadar because they offer the world's largest selection of multi-day organized tours, offering seamless travel experiences while supporting local businesses. It's the perfect way to explore new destinations with ease and confidence.
The Best Tours in East Asia
Budget-Friendly Tours
Budget-friendly and affordable budget tours in East Asia average $92 per day, with daily prices from $83 to $100. Budget tours usually include hotels, meals, and activities that are not quite as nice as other tours. Often, they might only include transportation, lodging, and some activities, leaving you on your own to pay for meals and other attractions during the tour. This can be a very convenient and economical way to visit France without spending too much money, as it gives you control over the amount you spend on meals and extra services. If you're looking for a really great option, check out Iconic Japan: Futuristic Wonders & Timeless Traditions here.
Mid-Range Tours
For typical budget tours in East Asia that fall in the middle range of prices, the average cost is $110 per day. Daily prices range from $100 to $125. Taking this step up in price from the cheaper tours to mid-range will often get you plenty of extra amenities and service for a great price. These tours usually include very comfortable hotels, meals at delicious local restaurants, comfortable transportation, knowledgable guides, and entry to many of the top attractions. One of the best tours is Legend of Japan.
Luxury Tours
Luxury budget tours in East Asia average around $110 per day, with daily costs ranging from $128 to $149. At this price, you'll be very well taken care of and pampered on your journey through the scenic destinations. Knowledgable guides, the best accommodation options, the finest restaurants, comfortable transportation, and quick entry into attractions are all part of the itinerary. Every luxury and detail has been planned and thought about so that you don't have to deal with any hassle, you simple show up and enjoy your vacation. One of the best luxury tours here is 8 Days Lhasa to Mt. Everest Group Tour.
Which tour companies offer these trips?
A number of fantastic tour companies offer budget tours in East Asia. These are a few of the best, because they offer the highest rated service, provide the best overall quality, and have the most five-star guest reviews to prove it.
The Dragon Trip
The Dragon Trip is a smaller tour company that offers tours to 13 countries, including China, Japan, South Korea, and India. Budget travelers will appreciate the relative affordability of the company's offerings.
See All Tours from The Dragon Trip
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a large international travel company offering tours all over the world. Some of their most popular destinations include Australia, Thailand, Tanzania, and Italy. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as camping, wine tasting, snorkelling, kayaking, cooking classes, island hopping, white water rafting, surfing, horse riding, whale watching, and bird watching.
See All Tours from Intrepid Travel
Great Tibet Tour
Great Tibet Tour offers local cultural tours through China, Nepal, and Bhutan. Most participants are adults and the tours range in length from 4 days to 2 weeks. Traveling with Great Tibet Tour provides for a very personal experience, because most of their tours have less than 12 people. Some of their offerings cater to families with children. This company's tour offerings are generally priced lower than others, which makes them attractive for budget travelers.
See All Tours from Great Tibet Tour
TruTravels
TruTravels is a large international travel company offering tours all over the world. Some of their most popular destinations include Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, and Italy. Budget travelers will appreciate the relative affordability of the company's offerings. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as island hopping, surfing, snorkelling, camping, kayaking, and cooking classes.
Departure Destinations in East Asia
Wondering where tours launch from in East Asia? With a variety of stops and destinations along the way, there's something for everyone.
Beijing
Beijing is the capital city of China and it has a long history that dates back thousands of years. It offers a mix of modern and every changing architecture combined with ancient landmarks and historic neighborhoods. Beijing is a world class city that has amazing music, cuisine, culture, and shopping.
Shanghai
Shanghai is a financial and economic hub in China that brings international tourists, business workers, and backpackers. At the heart of its tourist scene is the Bund, which is a waterfront promenade that has colonial and modern buildings. Shanghai is a foodie destination that has great street food as well as high end restaurants.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a dynamic, cosmopolitan, and modern city. Many people use it as a gateway for exploring China and Southeast Asia. The city has modern skyscrapers, sweeping shopping malls, and colorful markets. There are parks and waterways and ferries that give it an energy unlike any other city in the world.
Tokyo
Tokyo is the high tech, ultramodern capital city of Japan. It's filled with neon lights and high reaching skyscrapers, but there are also many hidden temples and historic neighborhoods tucked away. You can spend your days wandering through green parks and your nights singing karaoke in one of the many bars around town.
More
Other popular destinations for budget tours through East Asia include Xi'an, Chengdu, Yangshuo, Chongqing, and Lhasa.
Budget Tours vs. Independent Travel: Pros and Cons
If you're torn between arranging your own trip and booking a guided tour, take a moment to weigh the differences between the two approaches.
Organized Tours
Pros- Pre-planned itineraries reduce stress.
- Group discounts keep costs low.
- Affordable accommodations and meals included.
- Transportation is handled, saving time and money.
- Access to experienced guides for insights and tips.
- Opportunity to meet like-minded travelers.
- No need to research every expense in advance.
- Often covers popular destinations efficiently.
- Limited flexibility in itinerary or activities.
- Groups can be large, affecting experience quality.
- Less focus on unique or personalized interests.
- Unexpected extra charges for optional activities.
Independent Travel
Pros- Total control over your itinerary and expenses.
- Choice of accommodations that match your preferences.
- Flexibility to travel slower.
- Personalize transportation options to suit your needs.
- Explore off-the-beaten-path destinations.
- Time-consuming to find and compare low-cost options.
- Risk of overspending without careful budgeting.
- May miss out on group discounts for activities.
- Requires managing all transportation and logistics.
- Limited access to insider tips or local guides.
- Uncertainty about hidden costs or scams.
- Harder to predict overall trip expenses.
- Requires extra effort to ensure safety on a budget.
Which is cheaper?
Are guided budget tours worth the money compared to independent travel? It depends on the specifics. Tours combine accommodations, meals, transport, tickets, and activities into a single cost, while independent travelers manage and pay for these individually. To determine which is more affordable, compare the tour's total price with what you'd spend booking everything separately. Preferences like staying in low-cost lodging or indulging in fine dining can influence whether a tour costs more or less. Make sure to check out the tour package to see what is included, or not, very carefully before deciding.
Also, before booking a tour, make sure you know exactly what is included as tour companies sometimes change their itineraries or included amenities to keep them updated with seasonal changes and customer interests.
More Tour Options
See also The Best Family-Friendly Tours to East Asia, The Best Wildlife Tours to East Asia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in East Asia, The Best Historical Tours in East Asia, The Best 10-Day Tours in East Asia, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in East Asia, The Best 3-Day Tours in East Asia, The Best 2-Week Tours in East Asia, The Best 3-Week Tours in East Asia, The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in East Asia, The Best Extended Trip Tours in East Asia, One Month or Longer, The Best River Cruises in East Asia, The Best Bicycle Tours in East Asia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in East Asia, The Best Christmas & New Years Tours in East Asia, The Best Overlanding Trips in East Asia, The Best Coach Bus Tours in East Asia, The Best Adventure Tours to East Asia, The Best Eco Tours in East Asia, The Best Train & Rail Tours in East Asia, The Best Thrill-Seeking Tours in East Asia, The Best Art History, Museums, and Cultural Tours Tours in East Asia, The Best Sightseeing Tours in East Asia, The Best Cultural Tours in East Asia, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in East Asia, The Best Photography Tours in East Asia, The Best Educational Tours in East Asia, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in East Asia, The Best Religious Tours in East Asia, The Best Walking Tours in East Asia, The Best Honeymoon Tours in East Asia, The Best Tours Under $1000 in East Asia, The Best Luxury Tours to East Asia, The Best Tours for Seniors to East Asia, The Best Contiki Tours to East Asia, or The Best G Adventures Tours to East Asia for more tour ideas. With so many options, there's a guided tour or vacation package for every type of traveler.
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.
Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.