Cost of Traveling to China: Independent vs. Guided Tours in 2024

Wondering about the expenses of a China trip is a common question among travel enthusiasts, especially for those who are eager to explore Chinese culture. Finding a budget-friendly and high-quality tour nowadays is remarkably easy. Whether you choose to travel to China with a tour or independently, researching beforehand is crucial. So, check out this article on the cost of traveling to China to make the most accurate decision!

1. Cost of traveling to China independently in 2024

For independent travel to China, you must plan and execute all necessary paperwork from A-Z. This includes arranging itineraries, researching sightseeing spots, booking flights, and hotels, which are prerequisites for a basic China trip.

To travel to China independently, you have to take care of everything from A-Z (Image source: Collected)

So, have you ever wondered how much these expenses add up to? Are they expensive or not? Below are some specific expenses you need to budget for your independent trip to China.

1.1 Visa and passport expenses for traveling to China

Currently, Vietnam is not on the list of countries exempt from Chinese entry visas. Therefore, a visa and passport are mandatory documents you must have. Among these, the passport is the first document you need to apply for because it is a basic requirement for obtaining a visa to China.

To apply for a passport, you can visit the local immigration authority to request passport application forms. Passport expenses for traveling to China start from 200,000 VND per booklet. After 7 days from the registration date, the managing unit will provide you with the passport.

Passport and visa are two mandatory documents required for traveling to China (Image source: Internet)

Once you have obtained your passport, bring it along with other relevant documents to the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam to apply for a visa. The visa fee for China currently ranges from $60 (equivalent to 1.5 million Vietnamese dong). The processing time for a Chinese visa typically takes from 4 to 7 days.

Typically, the chances of getting a Chinese visa on your own are not very high. Therefore, instead of applying for a visa yourself, which consumes time and effort, why not consider visa assistance services to save time and increase your chances of getting a visa. The cost of visa assistance services is also not too high compared to doing it yourself. So, you can rest assured about the visa application process.

1.2 Travel costs from Vietnam to China

The greatest advantage of traveling to China is that the distance from Vietnam to China is not too far. Therefore, you won't encounter many difficulties in transportation. Depending on your financial condition, preferences, and departure point, you can choose the appropriate means of transportation.

1.2.1 Traveling by plane

This is the most common mode of transportation nowadays that most travelers think of first. Moreover, airlines have operated many routes from Vietnam to China. Therefore, you can comfortably choose this mode of transportation without worrying about the lack of direct flights to China.

Airlines in Vietnam have now opened direct flights to China (Image source: Internet)

The average airfare to China typically ranges from 5 million to 9 million Vietnamese dong. A useful tip for you is to book your tickets earlier than planned or to 'hunt for tickets' during promotional campaigns to save on travel expenses.

1.2.2 Traveling by car

Good news for travelers from the Northern provinces is that you can travel to China by car. Since Vietnam shares a border with China, you can completely travel by road.

When traveling by road, you need to present your ID card and passport at the border. Obtaining a border pass to enter China is the most important procedure if you choose to travel by road. Currently, there are 3 routes for traveling from Vietnam to China, including:

• Hanoi - Kunming: Complete immigration procedures at the Hekou border gate.

• Hanoi - Nanning: Complete immigration procedures at the Friendship Pass border gate.

• Mong Cai - Dongxing: Complete immigration procedures at the Mong Cai border gate.

Travel costs to China by car typically range from 500,000 VND upwards. After entering China, you may need to take a bus from the border to various tourist destinations.

1.3 Accommodation costs in China

China is one of the most prosperous countries in the world. Every city in China boasts numerous beautiful attractions, restaurants, and hotels ranging from budget to luxury. Therefore, you can rest assured when booking accommodation as room shortages are very rare.

The cost of renting a room in China also depends on demand, economic conditions, booking timing, service quality, and location. If you choose a hotel in the city center, the room rates will be higher compared to the suburbs. To save on travel costs in China, you can stay in homestays or budget-shared rooms.

It's not too difficult to book a hotel room in China during peak tourist seasons (Image source: Internet)

The average room price in China ranges from $70 to $100 per night. Additionally, if you choose to rent a 4-star hotel room in the city center, this price will increase significantly. However, in return, you will have easy access to entertainment venues and restaurants.

1.4 Food costs in China

China is a culinary paradise with rich Asian flavors for food enthusiasts. When in China, you will be amazed by the unique, enticing, and diverse cuisines. Surprisingly, the travel costs in China for dining are not too high. The price of a Chinese meal is very affordable, starting from around 100,000 VND.

According to experiences in traveling to China, Chinese cuisine suits the taste buds of Vietnamese people very well. This is because Chinese dishes often have bold flavors that leave a lasting impression on travelers. Moreover, China also has many impressive specialty dishes unique to each city and region, so you must try them at least once in your lifetime.

Peking duck is a famous specialty dish of China (Image source: Internet)

Some famous Chinese dishes you can consider:

• Peking Duck

• Stinky Tofu

• Sweet and Sour Spare Ribs

• Longevity Noodles

• Braised Eel

• Yangzhou Fried Rice

• Sichuan Spicy Hot Pot

• Soup Dumplings

• Wonton Noodles

• Spicy Beef from Hubei

1.5 Travel costs within China

To accurately summarize the costs for your trip to China, you cannot overlook the travel expenses within China. According to global statistics, China ranks third in terms of land area in the world, after Russia and Canada. Therefore, choosing transportation within China that is both economical and meets your itinerary is crucial. Based on experiences in traveling to China, you should prioritize public transportation such as buses, subways, and taxis.

Below are some travel costs in China when using public transportation in China:

• Bus fare starts from 3 yuan/ride (equivalent to about 10,000 VND/ride).

• Subway fare is around 7 yuan/ride (equivalent to 25,000 VND/ride).

• Public bike rental starts from 3 yuan (about 10,000 VND/ride).

• Taxi fare is from 10 to 12 yuan for the first 3 kilometers (equivalent to 35,000 VND - 41,000 VND).

1.6 Total travel costs in China

From the above expenses, the cost of self-guided tours in China ranges from 10 million to 15 million dong/person (excluding airfare). If you consider reasonable spending and plan carefully, a self-guided trip to China can help you save a lot of expenses. However, the travel costs in China mentioned above are for reference only. Whether you spend less or more depends on your needs and economic conditions.

2. Travel costs in China with a guided tour 

If you've never set foot in China or don't have much experience in independent travel, it's advisable to choose a guided tour. The prices for guided tours to China offered by travel companies are very affordable and cater to every traveler's needs.

In general, travel costs in China with a guided tour range from 10 million to 20 million dong per person. Moreover, travelers are provided with all-inclusive packages including airfare, transportation, meals, accommodation, and sightseeing. Instead of spending time and effort planning itineraries and calculating expenses, you just need to pack your bags and go.

If you're traveling to China with family or friends, it's advisable to go on a guided tour (Source: Collected)

The benefit of traveling on a tour is that you don't have to worry about communicating with locals during transactions. Everything is guided by tour guides, and consultants provide full support from A to Z. Especially since the majority of Chinese people don't speak English, communicating during independent travel can be more challenging than going on a tour. Moreover, travel companies also assist with visa applications and other immigration procedures. Therefore, all document-related issues are fully taken care of by the tour operator.

You can check out some affordable tours to China on Mytour: 

• Beijing - Great Wall - Forbidden City 4D3N Tour: 15,990,000 VND/person

• Shanghai - West Lake - Hangzhou 4D3N Tour: 17,490,000 VND/person

• China Lunar New Year 2024 Tour: 9,450,000 VND/person

How much does it cost to travel to China? Surely you've found the appropriate answer to the question above. In general, traveling to China on a tour will help you save more money compared to independent travel. However, whether to choose independent travel or a tour depends on the conditions, needs, and preferences of each person. Hopefully, the information shared above will help you make suitable decisions. If you need to book a tour to China, please contact Mytour via hotline Mytour. Our staff will advise and answer any questions you may have!