The Price of Traveling to China

Once you are planning a trip to China, you will start searching for information about traveling to China. In the travel plan, everything will focus on one question: How much does a trip to China cost? Can I afford a trip to China? And how can I reduce the cost of a trip to China?

All these questions center around the cost of traveling to China, and once you have in-depth knowledge about the topic, these questions will be resolved one after another. Here, ChinaTravelVip analyzes in detail the cost of a trip to China for your reference.

What are travel expenses made up of?

On a trip to China, you will pay for transportation, accommodation, food, shopping, tourist attractions, as well as tips for your tour guides and drivers, among other expenses.

Transport

It includes the costs of international flights, domestic flights in China, train tickets in China, taxis, buses and subways. The costs of flights are higher than those of train tickets in China, and these in turn are higher than those of taxis, buses or subways, or renting a car and booking a transfer service.

A one-way flight to China costs approximately $1,200, although costs may be lower for one-way international flights from Spain to China. One-way airline tickets for domestic flights in China range from $150 to $350 or more.

Trains in China offer business class, first class and second class seats. Tickets for short rides cost about $30. For example, the cost of a second-class ticket on the high-speed train from Shanghai to Hangzhou is $34.

Accommodation Cost

The cost of accommodation depends on the city you are in, the location of the hotel (city center, near tourist attractions), the hotel category and the type of room. Here's an example: In Shanghai, a first-line city in China, a night in a deluxe room in a five-star hotel could cost around $350, while a deluxe room in a four-star hotel could cost around of $250.

Food

Usually the cost of food is not very high. Take the developed city of Shanghai as an example: around $100 a day is enough for three meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner). You can enjoy delicious Chinese food, Western food or other exotic flavors from different countries, although not in luxury restaurants. Drinks and snacks, such as a bottle of water, are also included. However, if you want to have drinks at a bar or coffee at a cafe, your food cost will be a little higher.

Shopping

The cost of purchases depends entirely on your choice. If you don't buy gifts or special Chinese products, then the cost of shopping will be zero.

If you want to buy things like Shanghai qipao (a traditional dress typical of Shanghai), Hangzhou silk, famous tea, jade items, porcelain, etc., then you will need to spend quite a bit of money.

Electronic products in China are relatively cheap compared to other countries. If you want to buy electronic products, then the cost will not be very high. The price of an item can range from $450 to $1,500 or more, depending mainly on the type of electronic product it is.

Tickets for Attractions

For tourist sites in China, except theme parks, ticket prices for natural or historical and cultural sites usually range from $10 to $50.

In tourist places, there may be an additional charge if you want to use certain facilities or hire tour guide services for explanations and use of the cable car. A tour guide is often needed at places of historical and cultural interest. For example, at the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, there is an additional cost to walk across the glass bridge. At the Great Wall, the cable car fee is not included in the entrance fee. The additional cost for services usually ranges between $20 and $50.

Theme parks like Shanghai Disneyland and Chimelong in Guangzhou have higher admission prices and may also have additional costs for special programs.

Tip for Tour Guide and Driver

Tipping your tour guide and driver is a way to show your respect and appreciation for the service. It is usually $5, but you can provide whatever amount you are comfortable with or give the appropriate change based on your perception.

How much will it cost to travel to China?

The cost of a trip to China is influenced by the number of days you plan to stay in China, the total number of people traveling, and the six factors mentioned above.

For example, if you are two people and plan to stay 6 days in Beijing and Shanghai, the cost could be less than $7,040, but this does not apply to holidays in China. China travel costs here are for reference only, as prices often vary due to multiple factors.

So, if you have plans to travel to China, please contact us and we will provide you with real-time prices. Many times, the total cost is much less than you expect.

Below are the details:

• Round trip international flights ($1200 * 2, economy class, including connections)
• High-speed train from Beijing to Shanghai (first class ticket $145 * 2)
• Other transportation expenses, such as taxis ($100 * 6)
• 6-night accommodation (4-star hotel, deluxe room, $250 * 6 per night)
• Meals ($200 * 6 per day)
• Tourist tickets ($50 * 10 * 2, excluding additional costs)
• Tips ($50)
• No purchases

How to make the most of your budget to travel China?

Travel with family or friends

Traveling alone may result in higher costs. However, if you have one or more travel companions, the costs per person are usually much lower. Therefore, you can travel to China with your family or friends, share the joy of traveling to China together, and the travel costs per person will be much lower.

Flight

• Buying international flights in your own country is usually cheaper than doing so in other countries.
• Book as far in advance as possible.
• Pay attention to first, business and economy classes, and opt for economy, as prices are usually much lower.

China train

Trains in China, especially high-speed ones, could be your preference. The price of the second class is very reasonable. Train tickets in China are quite cheap and are fixed, no matter what date the tickets are purchased.

Opting for the train instead of domestic flights from one city to another in China is highly recommended.

Taxi Cost

• From the airport to the city center, choose the metro or airport bus instead of taking a taxi. The airport bus usually costs around $4, while the subway costs approximately $2.
• You can choose to take a taxi to get around the city and visit tourist places.
• For other towns or counties, you can choose the bus as transportation service.

Accommodation

• Opt for a 4-star hotel located in the city center but not very close to the shopping center and famous tourist places.
• Do not choose a luxury room.

Foods

• Enjoy delicious and affordable Chinese food.
• Do not choose expensive restaurants, but those with authentic flavors that are popular with locals.

Travel Attractions

Cutting costs in this regard is not recommended, as doing so could detract from your China travel experience. In addition, the cost of tickets to tourist places is not high.

Tips

It would be better not to cut tips. Tips are not many, and they can express your respect towards the tour guide and driver.

How many yuan to take to China?

• According to regulations, it is best not to carry more than ¥20,000 or $5,000 in cash when entering China.
• Carrying between ¥1,000 and ¥2,000 would be enough. If you are traveling alone, you can exchange cash at banks in China. If you have booked a group trip, this will be enough for additional expenses such as tips.
• For currency exchange, at any airport in the entry cities in China, there are exchange machines and bank counters available.
• Your credit cards, such as MasterCard, Visa and American Express, are accepted in China.