Taxi
From the airport to the city centre
A fair price¥100–¥150≈ 1 150 ₽–1 750 ₽
Expensive¥165–¥210≈ 1 900 ₽–2 450 ₽
You’re being had¥250+≈ 2 900 ₽+
Order a DiDi. Don’t take a ride from touts at the airport.
Pay sensibly
Don’t overpay in China
Real price benchmarks, so you always know what things should cost.We’ve gathered price benchmarks for China’s major cities. Compare, check and pay sensibly!
SIM and data
An eSIM or a physical SIM with data for 30 days
A fair price¥40–¥65≈ 500 ₽–750 ₽Expensive¥85–¥125≈ 1 000 ₽–1 450 ₽You’re being had¥165+≈ 1 900 ₽+Buy from official China Mobile or China Unicom stores.
Coffee
A cappuccino in a coffee shop
A fair price¥15–¥30≈ 200 ₽–350 ₽Expensive¥35–¥50≈ 450 ₽–600 ₽You’re being had¥65+≈ 750 ₽+Chains like Luckin and Manner are cheaper. Tourist districts cost more.
Food
A full lunch in a restaurant
A fair price¥25–¥50≈ 300 ₽–600 ₽Expensive¥65–¥100≈ 750 ₽–1 150 ₽You’re being had¥125+≈ 1 450 ₽+A local canteen will feed you well for ¥30 – ¥50.
Massage
Traditional Chinese massage, one hour
A fair price¥65–¥125≈ 750 ₽–1 450 ₽Expensive¥165–¥250≈ 1 900 ₽–2 900 ₽You’re being had¥415+≈ 4 800 ₽+Pick a salon with a track record and check the reviews on Dianping.
Renting a flat
A studio or one-bedroom in the centre, per month
A fair price¥2 500–¥5 000≈ 29 000 ₽–57 500 ₽Expensive¥6 665–¥8 330≈ 77 000 ₽–96 000 ₽You’re being had¥12 495+≈ 145 000 ₽+Look on Lianjia, Ziroom or XiaoHongShu. Always read the contract.
Food delivery
An order through Meituan or Ele.me
A fair price¥10–¥25≈ 150 ₽–300 ₽Expensive¥35–¥50≈ 450 ₽–600 ₽You’re being had¥65+≈ 750 ₽+Coupons are common. Delivery itself is usually ¥3 – ¥5.
Interpreter
An interpreter, one hour
A fair price¥165–¥335≈ 1 900 ₽–3 900 ₽Expensive¥415–¥665≈ 4 800 ₽–7 650 ₽You’re being had¥1 000+≈ 11 500 ₽+Go through a vetted service or a personal recommendation.
Guide
A private guide for a day, eight hours
A fair price¥665–¥1 250≈ 7 650 ₽–14 500 ₽Expensive¥1 665–¥2 500≈ 19 500 ₽–29 000 ₽You’re being had¥4 165+≈ 48 000 ₽+Check what is included: transport, tickets, meals.
Train between cities
Shanghai to Beijing, high-speed, second class
A fair price¥555–¥665≈ 6 400 ₽–7 650 ₽Expensive¥700–¥850≈ 8 050 ₽–9 800 ₽You’re being had¥1 200+≈ 14 000 ₽+Buy in the official 12306 app.
This is a guide, not a price list: rates shift with the season, the district and the day. In doubt, ask in chat before you pay.
A question about prices?
Ask PANDA — we’ll tell you current prices, check the offer and help you not overpay!