Taking an adventurous trip to China is a real life experience that most people are not fortunate enough to take in their lifetime. Traveling from the United States all the way to China can be very pricey, not to mention all the other costs involved with traveling. Once you have made it to china, the tourism and activities that you will experience once there are actually very affordable and enjoyable. Some of the most popular cities to visit in China include Beijing, Xitang, Shanghai, and Suzhou but of course, you can’t forget to visit the Great Wall of China, especially on your first trip.
Factors of Cost
There are multiple various costs that will be incurred to accomplish your visit to China but the most substantial and expensive cost will be the traveling costs not only to get to and from China but also to travel while in China. Air expenses to purchase a roundtrip ticket from the United States to China will easily cost at least $1,000, but that is just for the ticket.
Travel within China will vary depending on how many cities you are traveling to. Taxi, busses and trains are the most popular methods of travel for tourists while in China. You shouldn’t need to pay more than $100 per 100 km for a reasonably priced taxi.
Other various costs involved with traveling to china include purchasing a visa or passport which typically ranges from $80 up to $150 depending on your age and how much you pay for your photo. Attractions within China will also add up but can be relatively cheap depending on what you enjoy. Typically for a couple, you shouldn’t need to spend more than $50 per day on attractions.
Additional Costs
When traveling, food is not included unless you are staying at an all-inclusive resort, which is unlikely if you’re in China. Food costs can become expensive, especially if you’re eating out three meals per day.
Past the $1,000 you will pay for your plane ticket to China, there are many other fees that are not included in that price. Additional charges you must cover include extra baggage fees, taxes, and other minor “hidden” fees. After those added charges, expect to spend close to $2,000 just on airfare.
Ways to Save
When planning a vacation, the first two things you would typically want to do months in advance are book your plane tickets and your hotel accommodations. Many TripAdvisor forums state that if you are booking these more than 3 months in advance, it is likely you are paying between 25% up to 50% too much. Being a procrastinator could save you a substantial amount of cash by waiting as soon as only 6 weeks in advance to book a plane ticket. Around 6-10 weeks before the flight, airlines will begin to post “excess capacity” fares which will be at least 30% lower than the original cost. Waiting for these types of deal can be nerve-wracking but it will be worth it when you save over $500 on your ticket!