The Prices of Budget Tours to China
Jump to: Best Tours | Tour Prices
Wondering about the possibilities and pricing of budget tours in China? You've come to the perfect place. Drawing on extensive travel expertise and industry research, we've carefully reviewed all available tour options, visited countless destinations in China, and assessed the top tour providers. Below, you'll find everything you need to know, including the costs and standout tours to help you plan your ideal guided tour.
Whether you're seeking budget-friendly excursions or premium, all-inclusive packages, China has budget tours to suit all preferences. The price range for budget tours depends on trip duration, activities offered, and the level of accommodation.
Why does China appeal to budget travelers?
China's affordability and range of options make it ideal for budget travelers. The region's natural and cultural beauty, along with its wallet-friendly options provide exceptional value for budget-conscious adventurers. Shanghai is known for its historical landmarks, local street food, vibrant markets, and waterfront promenade. Beijing and Shanghai offer plenty of amazing museums and sights to explore. Beijing and Shanghai are foodie destinations with fantastic cuisine and world-class restaurants. Budget travelers love Beijing and Shanghai because of the affordable activities and social vibe. The affordable tour options here allow easy and affordable access to amazing experiences without breaking the bank.
How much do budget tours cost in China?
The average price per day for budget tours in China is $117, based on our analysis of 26 tours. While the overall prices can vary greatly, when we look at the daily price of these tours, the costs range from $75 to $150 per day.
Budget-friendly tours average around $91 per day, while higher-end luxury tours average about $144 per day.
Budget tours will usually provide less luxurious accommodation, have larger group sizes, and visit less expensive destinations. They will also sometimes have you pay for more activities on your own instead of including everything up front.
Mid-range tours often provide a step up in accommodation and transportation, and include more guided activities.
Luxury tours usually provide the highest levels of service, luxury hotels, more gormet food choices, comfortable transportation, and offer more all-inclusive payment options.
We partner with TourRadar because they offer the world's largest selection of multi-day organized tours, offering seamless travel experiences while supporting local businesses. It's the perfect way to explore new destinations with ease and confidence.
The Best Tours in China
Budget-Friendly Tours
Budget-friendly and affordable budget tours in China average $91 per day, with daily prices from $75 to $101. Budget tours usually include hotels, meals, and activities that are not quite as nice as other tours. Often, they might only include transportation, lodging, and some activities, leaving you on your own to pay for meals and other attractions during the tour. This can be a very convenient and economical way to visit France without spending too much money, as it gives you control over the amount you spend on meals and extra services. If you're looking for a really great option, check out China: Big Cities & Iconic Culture here.
Mid-Range Tours
For typical budget tours in China that fall in the middle range of prices, the average cost is $115 per day. Daily prices range from $102 to $131. Taking this step up in price from the cheaper tours to mid-range will often get you plenty of extra amenities and service for a great price. These tours usually include very comfortable hotels, meals at delicious local restaurants, comfortable transportation, knowledgable guides, and entry to many of the top attractions. One of the best tours is 8 Days Lhasa to Mt. Everest Group Tour.
Luxury Tours
Luxury budget tours in China average around $115 per day, with daily costs ranging from $133 to $150. At this price, you'll be very well taken care of and pampered on your journey through the scenic destinations. Knowledgable guides, the best accommodation options, the finest restaurants, comfortable transportation, and quick entry into attractions are all part of the itinerary. Every luxury and detail has been planned and thought about so that you don't have to deal with any hassle, you simple show up and enjoy your vacation. One of the best luxury tours here is 6 Days Beijing Xi'an Group Tour.
Which tour companies offer budget tours?
A number of fantastic tour companies offer budget tours in China. These are a few of the best, because they offer the highest rated service, provide the best overall quality, and have the most five-star guest reviews to prove it.
The Dragon Trip
The Dragon Trip is a smaller tour company that offers tours to 13 countries, including China, Japan, South Korea, and India. Budget travelers will appreciate the relative affordability of the company's offerings.
See All Tours from The Dragon Trip
Tibet Vista
Tibet Vista is a smaller tour company that focuses on China and Nepal. The small group sizes, often less than 13, make for a very personal experience. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many tours focusing on families with children. Budget travelers will appreciate the relative affordability of the company's offerings.
See All Tours from Tibet Vista
Top China Travel
Top China Travel offers local cultural tours through China, Japan, and South Korea. Most participants are adults and the tours range in length from 3 days to 2 weeks. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many tours focusing on families with children. Budget travelers will appreciate the relative affordability of the company's offerings.
See All Tours from Top China Travel
Nepal Social Treks
Nepal Social Treks offers local hiking tours through Nepal, Bhutan, China, and India. Most participants are adults and the tours range in length from 3 days to 4 weeks. The small group sizes, often less than 12, make for a very personal experience. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many tours focusing on families with children. Budget travelers will appreciate the relative affordability of the company's offerings. Many of their tours take you into the local nature and offer opportunities for hiking, trekking, or wildlife spotting.
See All Tours from Nepal Social Treks
Budget Destinations in China
Wondering where budget tours visit in China? With a variety of stops and destinations along the way, there's something for everyone.
Beijing
Beijing is the capital city of China and it has a long history that dates back thousands of years. It offers a mix of modern and every changing architecture combined with ancient landmarks and historic neighborhoods. Beijing is a world class city that has amazing music, cuisine, culture, and shopping.
Shanghai
Shanghai is a financial and economic hub in China that brings international tourists, business workers, and backpackers. At the heart of its tourist scene is the Bund, which is a waterfront promenade that has colonial and modern buildings. Shanghai is a foodie destination that has great street food as well as high end restaurants.
More
Other popular destinations for budget tours through China include Xi'an, Lhasa, Chengdu, Shigatse, and Gyantse.
Budget Tours vs. Independent Travel: Pros and Cons
Deciding between an organized tour and independent travel? Keep these important aspects of each option in mind.
Organized Tours
Pros- Pre-planned itineraries reduce stress.
- Group discounts keep costs low.
- Affordable accommodations and meals included.
- Transportation is handled, saving time and money.
- Access to experienced guides for insights and tips.
- Opportunity to meet like-minded travelers.
- No need to research every expense in advance.
- Often covers popular destinations efficiently.
- Limited flexibility in itinerary or activities.
- Groups can be large, affecting experience quality.
- Less focus on unique or personalized interests.
- Unexpected extra charges for optional activities.
Independent Travel
Pros- Total control over your itinerary and expenses.
- Choice of accommodations that match your preferences.
- Flexibility to travel slower.
- Personalize transportation options to suit your needs.
- Explore off-the-beaten-path destinations.
- Time-consuming to find and compare low-cost options.
- Risk of overspending without careful budgeting.
- May miss out on group discounts for activities.
- Requires managing all transportation and logistics.
- Limited access to insider tips or local guides.
- Uncertainty about hidden costs or scams.
- Harder to predict overall trip expenses.
- Requires extra effort to ensure safety on a budget.
Which is cheaper?
Is independent travel less expensive than booking guided budget tours? The answer varies. Organized tours package essential services like accommodations, transport, meals, entrance fees, and activities into a single price, while independent travel involves booking each aspect separately. To assess which is more economical, compare the tour price with what you'd spend arranging everything yourself. If you prioritize budget options or premium experiences, the cost comparison could swing either way. Always review the details of what's included in the tour package to decide.
Also, before booking a tour, make sure you know exactly what is included as tour companies sometimes change their itineraries or included amenities to keep them updated with seasonal changes and customer interests.
More Tour Options
See also The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China, The Best 2-Week Tours in China, The Best River Cruises in China, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Christmas & New Years Tours in China, The Best Overlanding Trips in China, The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best Eco Tours in China, The Best Train & Rail Tours in China, The Best Art History, Museums, and Cultural Tours Tours in China, The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Photography Tours in China, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in China, The Best Walking Tours in China, The Best Tours Under $1000 in China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, The Best Tours for Seniors to China, The Best Contiki Tours to China, or The Best G Adventures Tours to China for more tour ideas. With so many options, there's a guided tour or vacation package for every type of traveler.
Also, if you're departing from a specific destination, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Shanghai, The Best 3-Day Tours from Chengdu, The Best 3-Day Tours from Guangzhou, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Beijing, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lhasa, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Shanghai, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Kunming, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lanzhou, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Guiyang, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Guangzhou, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Chengdu, The Best 10-Day Tours from Beijing, The Best 10-Day Tours from Shanghai, The Best 10-Day Tours from Chengdu, The Best 10-Day Tours from Kunming, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best 2-Week Tours from Shanghai, The Best 2-Week Tours from Chengdu, or The Best 2-Week Tours from Lhasa for more package tour options.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.