Cost To Visit Beijing: Complete Travel Budget Guide
Discover the cost to visit Beijing with this complete 2026 budget guide. Hotels, food, attractions & seasonal pricing for every type of traveler.
💡 Is Beijing Expensive to Visit?
No — compared to Western cities, Beijing is very affordable. For U.S. travelers, food, transportation, and even lodging can be considerably cheaper. Within Asia, it's a good-value destination, especially when compared to cities like Tokyo or Singapore.
That said, your travel season and preferred comfort level will dramatically affect costs. This guide breaks down the seasonal trends, costs by traveler type, and the most affordable vs. expensive districts to stay in Beijing.
🗓️ Seasonal Cost
Seasonal timing has a major impact on cost. Knowing when to visit can save you hundreds on flights and lodging.
🔥 Peak Season
- April–May, September–October
- Mild weather, national holidays, and cherry blossoms or fall foliage drive up demand.
- Expect crowded tourist attractions, especially during Golden Week (Oct 1–7) and Labor Day (May 1–3).
🌤️ Shoulder Season
- March and November
- Fewer tourists, lower prices.
- Weather is cooler but pleasant. Great for budget travelers who want to avoid the extremes of summer and winter.
❄️ Off-Season
- December–February
- Cold, with average temps between 25–40°F (-4 to 4°C).
- The cheapest time to visit — except during Chinese New Year, which varies between late January and mid-February (most expensive week of winter).
💰 Most Expensive Times To Visit Beijing
- Golden Week (Oct 1–7): Nationwide travel = skyrocketing prices.
- Chinese New Year: Happens between late Jan–mid-Feb (date changes yearly). Hotels fill quickly, and flight costs rise.
- Labor Day (May 1–3): Short holiday, but prices spike.
💸 Cheapest Months To Visit Beijing
- January (except Chinese New Year)
- February (except Chinese New Year)
- Late November–Mid December
Expect up to 50% off hotel rates vs. peak months, and cheaper flights from the U.S. (as low as $600 USD round-trip).
🏨 Where You Stay Will Impact Cost
Hotel rates vary significantly depending on the district you choose to stay in. Below I let you know the most expensive, moderate, and cheapest areas of Beijing to stay in.
Most Expensive Areas to Stay in Beijing
Dongcheng (around Wangfujing & Forbidden City)
- Central, tourist-friendly, near top attractions
- High-end hotels, luxury malls
- Close to: Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Jingshan Park
Chaoyang (CBD & Sanlitun)
- Business district, upscale restaurants, nightlife
- Popular with expats and business travelers
- Close to: Sanlitun nightlife, Embassy Row, CCTV Tower
Affordable Areas to Stay
- Slightly west of the center, great mix of budget and mid-range hotels
- Local markets, authentic food, less touristy
- Close to: Beihai Park, Hutong neighborhoods
- University area, more local atmosphere
- Cheaper accommodations and great street food
- Close to: Summer Palace, Tsinghua & Peking University
Cheapest Areas to Stay
- Residential and industrial areas on the outskirts
- Cheapest hotel and hostel rates
- Limited nightlife, 45+ min commute to central attractions
- Still accessible via Beijing’s subway system
💸 Beijing Vacation Costs
🏠 Avg. Accommodation Cost
| Traveler Type | Peak Season | Shoulder Season | Off-Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | ¥180–¥300 ($25–$42 USD) | ¥150–¥260 ($21–$36 USD) | ¥120–¥200 ($17–$28 USD) |
| Moderate | ¥500–¥800 ($70–$110 USD) | ¥400–¥650 ($56–$90 USD) | ¥350–¥600 ($49–$85 USD) |
| Luxury | ¥1,200+ ($165+ USD) | ¥900+ ($125+ USD) | ¥700+ ($100+ USD) |
🍜 Food Cost (Daily Averages)
| Meal | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | ¥10–¥20 ($1.40–$2.80) | ¥30–¥50 ($4–$7 USD) | ¥80+ ($11+ USD) |
| Lunch | ¥20–¥40 ($2.80–$5.60) | ¥60–¥100 ($8–$14 USD) | ¥150+ ($21+ USD) |
| Dinner | ¥30–¥60 ($4–$8.50) | ¥80–¥150 ($11–$21 USD) | ¥250+ ($35+ USD) |
Street food is cheap, safe, and flavorful. You can eat very well on a low budget in Beijing.
🚇 Transportation Cost
| Option | Price Range (USD) |
|---|---|
| Subway Ticket | ¥3–¥6 ($0.40–$0.80 USD) |
| Unlimited Day Pass | ¥20 ($2.80 USD) |
| Taxi (within city) | ¥13 base + ¥2.3/km (~$4–$8 USD) |
| Didi (ride-hailing) | Comparable to taxis |
| Airport Express | ¥25 ($3.50 USD) |
| Private Driver (8 hrs) | ¥500–¥900 ($70–$125 USD) |
Beijing's metro is clean, safe, and extremely affordable.
🏯 Attractions & Entrance Fees
- Forbidden City – ¥60 ($8.50 USD)
- Great Wall at Mutianyu – ¥40 entrance + ¥80 shuttle/cable car ($17 USD total)
- Temple of Heaven – ¥34 ($4.80 USD)
- Summer Palace – ¥60 ($8.50 USD)
- Lama Temple – ¥25 ($3.50 USD)
- Beijing Zoo – ¥15 ($2.10 USD)
- 798 Art District – Free (some galleries charge small fees)
🚉 Popular Day Trips from Beijing
| Destination | Distance | Transport Option | Round Trip Cost | Popular Attractions (Cost) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Wall (Mutianyu) | 75 km | Bus + Shuttle/Taxi | ¥120–¥160 ($17–$23 USD) | Wall Entry: ¥40, Cable Car ¥80 |
| Tianjin | 120 km | High-Speed Train | ¥120 ($17 USD) | Italian Quarter, Porcelain House (¥60) |
| Chengde | 225 km | Train + Taxi | ¥200–¥300 ($28–$42 USD) | Summer Resort Palace: ¥100 |
| Cuandixia Village | 90 km | Bus + Hike | ¥60–¥100 ($8–$14 USD) | Entry: ¥35 |
🧾 Daily Budget
| Traveler Type | Peak Season | Shoulder Season | Off-Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $45–$60 USD | $40–$55 USD | $35–$50 USD |
| Moderate | $95–$135 USD | $80–$115 USD | $70–$100 USD |
| Luxury | $220+ USD | $180+ USD | $150+ USD |
📅 Weekly Budget (7 Days)
| Type | Lodging | Food | Transport | Attractions | Total (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $200 | $100 | $30 | $35 | $365–$400 |
| Moderate | $600 | $250 | $60 | $80 | $990–$1,050 |
| Luxury | $1,250+ | $400+ | $100+ | $150+ | $1,900+ |
✈️ Flight Cost
Flights vary by season and departure city.
Round-trip flights from major U.S. hubs:
| Season | Avg. Round-Trip from U.S. |
|---|---|
| Off-Season | $600–$850 USD |
| Shoulder | $800–$1,100 USD |
| Peak | $1,100–$1,400+ USD |
For massive savings on flights, consider signing up for cheap flight alerts from Jetsetter Alerts.
- Round-trip flights from the U.S. often drop below $800 USD.
- Hotels can be 25–40% cheaper than in peak summer months.
- Average daily cost for mid-range travelers: ¥700–¥1,000 ($95–$135 USD).
- Accommodation: $500–$900
- Food: $200–$350
- Transportation & Attractions: $200–$300
- Budget travelers: ¥400–¥600 ($55–$80 USD)
- Mid-range travelers: ¥900–¥1,300 ($125–$180 USD)
- Luxury travelers: ¥2,000+ ($275+ USD)
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