China Travel Budget: Daily Costs, Prices and Money-Saving Tips

How much does China cost per day?

China can be surprisingly affordable if you eat and travel like a local, but big cities and tourist sites add up. Here are realistic daily budgets per person, excluding international flights.

• Budget: 250 to 400 RMB (about 30 to 50 USD) - hostels, street food, metros and trains
• Mid-range: 600 to 1,000 RMB (75 to 130 USD) - 3-star hotels, restaurants, the odd taxi
• Comfort: 1,500 RMB and up (190 USD and up) - 4-star hotels, private guides, domestic flights

Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen cost noticeably more than Chengdu, Xian or smaller cities.

Sample prices

• Bowl of beef noodles or a baozi breakfast: 12 to 25 RMB
• Sit-down meal for two with beer: 100 to 200 RMB
• Local craft or import beer: 8 to 40 RMB
• City metro ride: 3 to 8 RMB
• Didi (ride-hail) across town: 25 to 60 RMB
• High-speed train Beijing to Shanghai (2nd class): around 553 RMB
• Hostel dorm bed: 60 to 120 RMB; 3-star double: 250 to 500 RMB
• Forbidden City entry: 60 RMB; Great Wall (Mutianyu): 40 RMB plus cable car

Money and cards

China is almost cashless. Alipay and WeChat Pay run everything, and both now let foreign visitors link an international Visa or Mastercard. Set this up before you arrive. Foreign cards work at some hotels and big stores, but many small vendors only take QR codes.

• Carry a little cash (100 and 50 RMB notes) as a backup; taxis and rural stalls still appreciate it
• ATMs from Bank of China and ICBC reliably accept foreign cards
• Tipping is not expected

Ways to save

• Ride the high-speed rail instead of domestic flights for short hops; it is cheap and central
• Eat where the queue of locals is - night markets and noodle shops beat tourist restaurants
• Buy a rechargeable metro card or use the metro QR in Alipay
• Visit free or cheap sights: the Bund, West Lake in Hangzhou, city parks
• Book intercity trains a few days ahead on the official 12306 app for the best seats

Stay connected in China

Many Western apps and maps are blocked, so a HelloSIM eSIM keeps you reliably online for navigation, translation, ride-hailing and bookings without roaming charges or hunting for a SIM card.