How Much Does a Trip to China Cost? My 30-Day Budget for Two
Содержание статьи
- Our China trip budget: 30 days, 2 people, 4 cities
- Hotels: about US$28 a night
- Trains: two long rides
- Metro and taxis: about US$60–70 for the month
- Food: the biggest range
- Attractions: theme parks change the math
- Mobile data: about US$36 for a month
- Shopping: not in the budget
- How much to budget for 7, 14 and 30 days
- How to spend less
- FAQ
Short answer: without flights, our month in China for two people cost about US$1,850–2,160 (about 12,350–14,370 yuan). That’s roughly US$31–36 per person a day for hotels near the metro, two long train rides, food, transport, mobile data and two theme parks. For one person without flights, count on about US$180–240 for a week, US$360–490 for two weeks and US$920–1,080 for a month. Shopping isn’t included.
Checked November 2026. These are my real costs from a 2026 trip, paid in another currency and converted at the 11 November 2026 exchange rate. Treat them as a guide for a comfortable, not luxury, trip.
Affiliate disclosure: this article contains affiliate links. If you book through one of them, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Our China trip budget: 30 days, 2 people, 4 cities
| Category | For two, 30 days | In yuan | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotels | about US$850 | about 5,650 | 30 nights in four cities, about US$28 a night |
| Trains | about US$205 | about 1,370 | Hangzhou–Shanghai high-speed train and a night train from Shanghai to Beijing |
| Taxis | about US$36 | about 240 | for the whole month |
| Metro | about US$24–36 | about 160–240 | our main transport |
| Food | about US$435–725 | about 2,900–4,850 | breakfast included at hotels |
| Mobile data (eSIM) | about US$36 | about 240 | for the month |
| Attractions | about US$265 | about 1,780 | including Shanghai Disneyland and Universal Beijing |
| Total without flights | about US$1,850–2,160 | about 12,350–14,370 |
Flights aren’t in the table because they depend completely on where you fly from.
Hotels: about US$28 a night
That’s not because we stayed anywhere. I check the district, the walking time to the metro, recent reviews and the exact room type. In China it’s easy to book a room without a window by accident. I explain how I check all of this in how to book hotels in China.
Compare hotels in China on Trip.com →
Trains: two long rides
The high-speed train from Hangzhou to Shanghai cost about US$24 for two. The night train from Shanghai to Beijing cost about US$180 for two berths, upper and lower, in a soft-sleeper compartment. It looks expensive until you remember it replaces a flight and a hotel night. Details in my Beijing to Shanghai sleeper train guide.
Metro and taxis: about US$60–70 for the month
We used the metro almost everywhere and paid with the transport QR code in Alipay. Taxis came to about US$36 for the whole month. We ordered them through DiDi inside Alipay and picked the address on the map instead of reading the hotel name to the driver. See how to pay in China.
Food: the biggest range
A normal meal cost us about 25–40 yuan per person. Restaurants started at about 80 yuan. The full breakdown, including milk tea and bakeries, is in how much food costs in China.
Attractions: theme parks change the math
Walking along waterfronts, parks and old streets costs almost nothing. Shanghai Disneyland and Universal Beijing are a different story: they took most of the attractions budget. If they’re on your list, give them their own line. See Shanghai Disneyland tickets and hotels.
Mobile data: about US$36 for a month
A travel eSIM covered the whole month. See best eSIM for China.
Shopping: not in the budget
Taobao orders would have added about US$360–600. At some point we had to buy a new suitcase. I don’t count shopping as travel cost: one person leaves with a magnet, another with a new wardrobe. If you plan to shop, read Taobao for foreigners.
How much to budget for 7, 14 and 30 days
| Trip length | Per person, without flights | For two, without flights |
|---|---|---|
| 7 days | about US$180–240 (1,200–1,600 yuan) | about US$360–490 |
| 14 days | about US$360–490 (2,400–3,200 yuan) | about US$730–970 |
| 30 days | about US$920–1,080 (6,100–7,200 yuan) | about US$1,850–2,160 |
For a short trip, find flights and hotels first, then add the daily budget and any theme parks. For higher-category hotels, more taxis and restaurants, I’d add at least 30–50%.
How to spend less
- Stay near the metro and use it instead of taxis.
- Eat in small local cafés.
- Book trains and tickets early.
- Stay away from Taobao. That’s the hardest one.
FAQ
How much does a trip to China cost per day?
On my trip it came to about US$31–36 per person a day without flights, for comfortable hotels, food, transport and two theme parks.
How much is a week in China?
About US$180–240 per person without flights, at our level of comfort. Add flights and any theme parks.
Is China expensive for tourists?
Day-to-day costs are moderate. Theme parks, taxis on long distances and shopping are what push the budget up.
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