Daily costs
| Typical daily cost | €30-50 / €80-140 |
|---|---|
| Budget level | $$ |
| Trip length | 3 - 7 days recommended |
| Region | East Asia · China |
What things cost
Illustrative planning allowances for Beijing. These are not verified current prices. Replace these allowances with dated quotes before booking. Check whether each price is per person, room or vehicle.
| Hostel bed or budget hotel (per night) | CNY 150–350 ($21–49) |
| Mid-range hotel (per night) | CNY 500–900 ($70–125) |
| Noodle, dumpling or jianbing meal | CNY 20–40 ($3–6) |
| Peking duck dinner (mid-range) | CNY 150–250 ($21–35) per person |
| Subway ride | CNY 3–7 ($0.40–1) |
| Forbidden City or Mutianyu entry + bus | CNY 60–120 ($8–17) |
Daily budget by travel style
| Shoestring — CNY 220/day ($31) | Hostel or budget chain, street food and canteens, subway everywhere, one ticketed sight. |
| Comfortable — CNY 550/day ($77) | Good hotel, duck dinner twice a week, taxis and Didi, wall day trips. |
| Upside — CNY 1,200+/day ($170) | Design hotels near the hutongs, private guide and car to Jinshanling, kaiseki-level dinners. |
The page-wide figure of €30-50 / €80-140 per day (at the $$ level) matches the 3 - 7 days recommended. Flights are separate.
How to save money in Beijing
- Eat breakfast like the city does: jianbing and soy milk from street carts run CNY 6–12 and beat any hotel spread.
- Use the subway, not taxis — the network covers every sight on the itinerary and a week of rides costs less than one airport taxi.
- Book the Forbidden City's capped tickets exactly 7 days ahead on the official mini-program; resellers charge triple for the same slot.
- Skip Badaling on weekends. Mutianyu costs similar and carries a tenth of the crowd — the "cheap" option here is time, not money.
Related guides
Ready-made itinerary · Best time to visit · General budget tips · Full Beijing guide
FAQ
How expensive is Beijing for tourists?
Mid-range: €30–50 per person per day covers good hotels, metro rides and excellent food; €80–140 buys comfort with guides and duck dinners. Street food keeps the floor low.
How much does a Great Wall day trip cost?
Mutianyu by public bus runs about CNY 60–120 ($8–17) all-in with entry and shuttle; a private car with driver costs CNY 600–900 ($85–125) split across your group.
Is cash needed in Beijing?
Less than anywhere in China — WeChat Pay and Alipay work almost everywhere and now accept foreign cards. Still carry CNY 200–300 in cash for market stalls and the odd park ticket window.
What does a 3-7 day trip to Beijing really cost?
Multiply the daily figure by your days: at the mid-range (€80 per day per person), on-ground costs for 3-7 days land around €200–€1,000, before international flights. The style table above shows which choices move you between the columns.
How to use these budget figures
These amounts are editorial allowances rather than a survey of current prices. Confirm the currency and whether the charge is per person, room, vehicle or group. Replace accommodation and activity figures with quotes for your dates. Flights, insurance and entry costs must be budgeted separately unless explicitly included.