How Much Does Beijing Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Beijing is a high-value destination where imperial history meets rapid modernization, offering a spectrum of costs that cater to both backpackers and luxury seekers. With solo daily budgets ranging from $39 / ¥268 to $402 / ¥2,777, the city is notably more affordable than Western capitals like London or New York, particularly regarding public infrastructure and local dining. While iconic landmarks such as the Forbidden City require modest entry fees of $8.6 / ¥59, costs can escalate when venturing to the Great Wall or staying in international hotel chains. Navigating the city is highly economical thanks to a massive subway network with fares starting as low as $0.44 / ¥3.01. Travelers should be mindful of fixed expenses like visa fees, which typically cost between $118–$177 / ¥814–¥1,220 for most visitors.
Is Beijing expensive to visit?
Beijing is an affordable to moderately priced destination where travelers should expect to spend between $39 / ¥268 and $402 / ¥2,777 per day depending on their travel style.
On This Page
Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Beijing
$39
per person /day
$122
per person /day
$402
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $117 | $366 | $1,205 |
| 5-Day Trip | $194 | $610 | $2,009 |
| 7-Day Trip | $271 | $853 | $2,812 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
Add a 10–15% buffer for any hotel service/taxes not included in your room rate and for the 3% fee that can apply on mobile-pay transactions with foreign cards above ≈$28 / ¥195 (CNY 200). This also covers occasional extras like hiring a private driver to reach Great Wall sections efficiently.
How Does It Compare?
See how Beijing stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Beijing
Food & Drink (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Quick meal at a local eatery (e.g., Noodles or Baozi) Includes a basic rice or noodle dish (~$4.31 / ¥30). | $4.31 ¥30 |
| Three-course meal for two (Mid-range restaurant) Average for two people (~$26 / ¥179). | $26 ¥179 |
| Peking Duck Dinner at Siji Minfu (for two) The most famous local dining experience (~$46 / ¥317 for two). | $46 ¥317 |
| Starbucks Latte (Tall) Local chain Luckin Coffee is often 50% cheaper (~$2 / ¥14 vs ~$4.01 / ¥28). | $4.01 ¥28 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Beijing Subway Base Fare (0–6km) Increases by distance; a 32km trip costs ~$0.86 / ¥5.94. | $0.44 ¥3.01 |
| Capital Airport Express (Fixed Fare) Fastest way to the city center (~$3.59 / ¥25). | $3.59 ¥25 |
| Standard Taxi Base Fare (First 3km) Wait times and fuel surcharges add ~$0.14–$0.59 / ¥0.98–¥4.07. | $1.86 ¥13 |
| Didi Express (Ride-hail) 10km Trip Cheaper and more reliable for non-Chinese speakers than street taxis (~$5.03 / ¥35). | $5.03 ¥35 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Dorm bed in a highly-rated hostel (e.g., Peking International Youth Hostel) Located in the popular Nanluoguxiang Hutong area. Prices rise to ~$28 / ¥195 during national holidays. | $21 ¥144 |
| Mid-range hotel (e.g., Hilton Garden Inn Beijing Haidian) Based on verified data (~$60 / ¥415). International chains offer consistent English-speaking service. | $61 ¥419 |
| Luxury 5-star hotel (Average nightly rate) Verified rate (~$192 / ¥1,326). Iconic stays like the Grand Hotel Beijing can exceed ~$447 / ¥3,092. | $192 ¥1,326 |
Activities (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Forbidden City Admission (Peak Season) Low season (Nov–Mar) is ~$5.74 / ¥40. Must book weeks in advance. | $8.6 ¥59 |
| Temple of Heaven Peak Season Combo Ticket Includes the iconic Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests (~$4.87 / ¥34). | $4.87 ¥34 |
| Mutianyu Great Wall (Entry + Shuttle + Round Trip Cable Car) Total for a standard full-access adult visit (~$29 / ¥198). | $29 ¥198 |
| Summer Palace Through Ticket (Peak Season) Includes entrance and internal paid sections (~$8.6 / ¥59). | $8.6 ¥59 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
The dining landscape offers incredible variety, from a quick $4.31 / ¥30 meal of baozi or noodles at a local eatery to a mid-range three-course dinner for two costing approximately $26 / ¥179. A signature Peking Duck feast at a renowned establishment like Siji Minfu typically costs $46 / ¥317 for two, while daily expenses can be further managed by choosing local coffee chains like Luckin Coffee, which costs around $2 / ¥14 compared to $4.01 / ¥28 at international brands.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Huguosi Snacks (Xicheng)
$2.87–$7.17 / ¥20–¥50Xicheng · Local chain
Try the 'Donkey Rolling' (rice cake) for ~$0.71 / ¥4.88.
Mr. Shi's Dumplings
$6.46–$11 / ¥45–¥79Baochao Hutong · Local chain
Known for creative fillings; the fried dumplings are a must for ~$7.06 / ¥49.
Wangfujing Snack Street (Reformed Area)
$2.15–$14 / ¥15–¥99Wangfujing · Street food area
Tourist-oriented but great for variety. Skewers cost ~$2.12–$3.53 / ¥15–¥24.
Jiumen Snacks
$5.74–$13 / ¥40–¥89Houhai · Food court
A collection of Beijing's most famous traditional stall names in one building.
Pang Mei Noodles
$4.31–$8.6 / ¥30–¥59Beixinqiao · Local chain
Incredibly popular Chongqing-style noodles for ~$5.06 / ¥35.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Public transport is the most budget-friendly way to navigate the city, with subway base fares starting at $0.44 / ¥3.01 and the Capital Airport Express costing just $3.59 / ¥25. Taxis are accessible with a $1.86 / ¥13 base fare, though using the Didi ride-hailing app for a 10km trip at $5.03 / ¥35 is often more convenient and transparent for those who do not speak the local language.
Accommodation Overview
Hostel dorms in popular areas like Nanluoguxiang average $21 / ¥144, though prices can rise to $28 / ¥195 during peak holidays. Mid-range hotels such as the Hilton Garden Inn Beijing Haidian provide excellent value at $61 / ¥419, while luxury five-star stays average $192 / ¥1,326, offering a high-end experience at a lower price point than many other global hubs.
Accommodation Budget in Beijing
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Use the Luckin Coffee app or kiosks to pay approximately $2 / ¥14 for coffee instead of the $4.01 / ¥28 charged at Starbucks.
- 2 Visit the Forbidden City during the low season (November–March) to pay the reduced entry fee of $5.74 / ¥40 instead of the $8.6 / ¥59 peak price.
- 3 Take public bus 877 from Deshengmen to reach the Badaling Great Wall for a fraction of the $86 / ¥594 typically charged for a private driver.
- 4 Eat at Huguosi Snacks in Xicheng for traditional Beijing breakfast items that cost as little as $1.18–$3.53 / ¥8.14–¥24 per person.
- 5 With foreign cards, WeChat Pay waives the 3% fee for single purchases under CNY 200 (≈$28 / ¥195); split larger purchases if you want to avoid the fee.
- 6 Download the 'Beijing Public Transport' app or use a physical Yikatong card to easily manage subway fares, which cost only $0.86 / ¥5.94 for a 32km cross-city journey.
- 7 Skip the overpriced 'tourist sets' at Wangfujing and head to Pang Mei Noodles near Beixinqiao for a filling meal at roughly $4.31 / ¥30.
- 8 Refill water bottles at hotels or purchase large 5-liter jugs at local supermarkets to avoid the $1.77–$2.35 / ¥12–¥16 markup on small bottles at major attractions.
- 9 Explore the Hutongs of Dashilar or Baochao on foot rather than paying for a rickshaw tour, which can often be overpriced for short distances.
- 10 Check the National Museum of China's official website to book free entry in advance, as same-day tickets are rarely available.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Apr, May, Sep, Oct
+30-50%
Dec, Jan, Feb
-20-40%
Jun, Nov
Avoid the 'Golden Week' in early October at all costs—hotel rates triple and the Forbidden City sells out instantly. Winter is freezing (~-5°C/23°F) but offers ~$35 / ¥244 discounts on entry tickets.
Events to Watch
- ● Golden Week (Oct 1–7): +200% hotels, extreme crowds
- ● Lunar New Year (Jan/Feb): Transport fully booked weeks ahead
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Tiananmen Square (requires passport and advance online reservation)
- 2 798 Art District (stroll through the outdoor sculptures and public galleries)
- 3 Olympic Forest Park (vast green space and views of the Bird's Nest exterior)
- 4 Ritan Park (watch locals practice Tai Chi and calligraphy in an ancient altar setting)
- 5 Shichahai Lake Area (walk around the scenic Houhai and Qianhai lakeshores)
- 6 Wangfujing Snack Street (free to explore the atmosphere and window shop)
- 7 National Museum of China (free entry with passport; must book 1–7 days in advance)
- 8 Beijing Postcard Museum (small, curated history of the city in a restored shop)
- 9 Taikoo Li Sanlitun (people-watching and exploring modern architectural designs)
- 10 Dongsishitiao Hutongs (walking through traditional residential alleys that aren't commercialized)
- 11 Olympic Water Park (public areas of the former rowing and canoeing venue)
- 12 Maizidian Canal Walk (a peaceful illuminated walkway popular for evening strolls)
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Private Sunrise Hutong Rickshaw Tour
Avoids the scams of street rickshaws and provides deep historical context in quiet alleys (~$51 / ¥350).
Peking Duck Feast at Dadong
Modern, lean 'super-lean' duck in a high-end setting; significantly more refined than cheaper chains (~$93 / ¥643).
Red Theatre Kung Fu Show (VIP Seating)
The VIP seats (Rows 1-10) offer a vastly superior view of the world-class acrobatics (~$54 / ¥374).
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Beijing
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Beijing and what they cost
Ming Tombs (Changling & Dingling)
$17 / ¥119 by Bus 872 or Private Hire
$8.6 / ¥59
$36 / ¥248
Longqing Gorge
$29 / ¥198 by Train (S2 line) + Taxi
$20 / ¥139
$65 / ¥446
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Chinese Yuan (CNY)
1 $ ≈ 6.91 ¥
No
Low outside hotels; mobile pay is mandatory for daily life
Not customary. High-end restaurants may include a 10% service charge, but additional tipping is not expected.
Look for ICBC or Bank of China ATMs for foreign cards. Avoid small bank ATMs. Daily withdrawal limits are usually ~$353 / ¥2,441.
Expected at Pearl Market (Hongqiao) and Silk Market. Start by offering 25% of the initial price and aim for ~$12–$18 / ¥81–¥122 for souvenirs.
Connectivity
eSIM: $15–$41 for 5GB–20GB (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $21–$29 / ¥146–¥203 for 30GB (China Unicom at airport)
WiFi: Widely available but requires a Chinese phone number to receive a login SMS.
A roaming travel eSIM may let you access some blocked apps/sites (because data can route outside China), but it's not guaranteed—install a VPN before arrival as a backup.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Beijing.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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