Make it a trip · Beijing, China
What Beijing costs
once you land
Real prices, from the airport ride to a room for the night, each with where we found it. Checked October 2026, around Dongcheng and Wangfujing.
Prices as the source quoted them.
Arriving
-
Capital Airport Express to Dongzhimen Fixed
Flat fare, about 25 minutes, every 10 minutes.
Sources: Beijing government, about subway fares (2025-04), AirConnect, Beijing airport metro guide (2026)
-
No visa needed, 30 days Fixed
For AU, NZ, GB, CA, IE, NL, DE, FR passports.
Temporary visa free policy, in place until 31 December 2026.
Source: Wikipedia, visa policy of China (2026)
Free -
No visa needed, 30 days Fixed
For SG passports.
Mutual visa exemption.
Source: Wikipedia, visa policy of China (2026)
Free -
Tourist visa Fixed
For US passports.
Reduced fee until 31 December 2026. A 10 day visa free transit is possible when flying on to a third country.
Source: Wander in China, China visa for US citizens (2026-08)
US$140
Getting around
-
Subway ride, up to 6 km Fixed
4 CNY for 6 to 12 km, 5 CNY for 12 to 22 km.
Source: Beijing government, about subway fares (2025-04)
¥3
Eating and drinking
-
Lunch menu at a cheap restaurant Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Beijing (2026-06)
US$4.50 -
US$5.20
-
Dinner for two at a restaurant Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Beijing (2026-06)
US$30 -
Cappuccino Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Beijing (2026-06)
US$3.30 -
Beer at a pub, half a litre Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Beijing (2026-06)
US$1.20
At the supermarket
-
Water, 1 litre Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Beijing (2026-06)
US$0.40 -
Coca-Cola at a restaurant, half a litre Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Beijing (2026-06)
US$0.60 -
Beer from a shop, half a litre Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Beijing (2026-06)
US$0.90
Doing
-
Forbidden City Fixed
Off peak price, November to March; 60 CNY from April to October. Book online seven days ahead with your passport.
Source: Wander in China, Forbidden City guide 2026 (2026-02)
¥40 Get tickets -
Mutianyu cable car, return Fixed
100 CNY one way.
Source: Mutianyu Great Wall, official ticket information (2026)
¥140 Get tickets -
Mutianyu Great Wall entry Fixed
Shuttle bus 15 CNY. Cable car 140 CNY return.
Source: Mutianyu Great Wall, official ticket information (2026)
¥45 Book the tour
Sleeping, per night
-
Hostel dorm bed Range
Middle half of 4 central hostels on Hostelworld, 30 Oct 2026. The cheapest bed was 85 CNY. Weekends and peak season cost more.
Source: Hostelworld, Beijing hostels (2026-10)
¥85 to ¥170 Find a hostel
Prices change. Fixed fees come from official or widely reported figures; ranges are what travellers and operators report for 2026. Some links are affiliate links: they never change what you pay. How we make money.
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