Pricing Guide · Australia to China
How much does a private tour of China cost?
For a private tour with your own English-speaking guide, private car, and hotels around four-star standard, our published examples range from A$1,299–2,199 per person for 5 days and A$2,999–4,299 per person for 10 days across groups of 2–6. For two travellers, the examples are A$2,199 for 5 days and A$4,299 for 10 days; groups of six are at the lower end. The exact number depends mostly on how many people share the guide and car. This guide shows the real maths using our published prices.
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All prices AUD, per person, twin share, land-only (international flights not included). Checked 18 October 2026.
Worked examples (real published prices)
Swipe table sideways to view all group sizes →
| Trip | 2 travellers | 4 travellers | 6 travellers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chongqing in depth — 5 days | A$2,199 | A$1,599 | A$1,299 |
| Chongqing + Chengdu (Wulong, pandas) — 7 days | A$2,999 | A$2,299 | A$2,099 |
| Chongqing + Chengdu + Shanghai (overnight sleeper) — 10 days | A$4,299 | A$3,399 | A$2,999 |
Single travellers in their own room add a single-room supplement (from about A$430 on the 5-day trip). Every trip above includes: private car and driver, English-speaking local guide, hotels with breakfast, high-speed rail between cities, and the entrance tickets in the itinerary. Lunches and dinners are not included — budget about ¥150–250 per person per day and eat where your guide takes locals.
Why group size changes the price so much
A private tour has two kinds of costs:
- Per-group costs — the guide's day rate, the car and driver, fuel and tolls. These are the same whether two people or six are in the car.
- Per-person costs — your hotel room share, train tickets, entrance fees.
On a 5-day trip for two, the per-group costs are roughly half of what you pay. Divide the same car and guide by six travellers instead of two and the per-person price falls by about 40% — which is why the columns above drop the way they do, and why private touring gets close to group-tour economics for families and groups of friends. (It's also why you should be suspicious of any “private tour” quote that doesn't ask how many of you there are.)
What pushes the price up or down
- Season. Peak periods (Chinese public holidays, spring and autumn peaks) raise guide, car and hotel rates, and good English-speaking guides book out weeks ahead. Travelling just outside peak is the easiest saving.
- Hotel level. Our reference prices use comfortable hotels around four-star standard. Luxury brands in Shanghai or Chengdu can add hundreds per night; simpler hotels subtract a little — there is less room to move than people expect.
- Distances. A city day is cheaper than a long day trip. Wulong, Dazu and Leshan are full days on the road; high-speed rail between cities is efficient and reasonably priced (Chongqing–Chengdu from about ¥146 in second class).
- Trip length. Longer trips dilute the fixed costs of arrival and departure days — per day, a 10-day trip is better value than a 5-day trip.
- Late booking. Inside about 3–4 weeks, guides and vehicles for peak dates may carry a surcharge or simply be gone. Booking early is a real discount, not a sales line.
How to compare quotes from any operator
- Land-only or flights included? Australian group packages usually bundle flights; most private quotes don't. Compare totals, not headlines.
- Per person at YOUR group size. A price “from” the 6-person rate means little if you're a couple. Ask for your number.
- What's the meal deal? Fully-inclusive sounds simpler, but you're paying for every set-menu lunch whether you enjoy it or not. Our model: breakfasts in, other meals your choice with local guidance.
- Which hotels, exactly? “Five-star” in a package brochure may mean locally-rated and named only a month before departure. Ask for hotel names or a clear standard before you pay.
- Is the price confirmed, and when? A good operator confirms the final price in writing before taking your deposit — and it doesn't move afterwards. (That's how we work.)
Frequently asked questions
How much should I budget per day for food and extras?
On our trips, about ¥150–250 per person per day covers lunches, dinners and drinks comfortably at good local restaurants (a hotpot dinner for the table can be less). Add souvenirs, optional extras and tips at your discretion.
Is it cheaper to book with a Chinese operator directly?
Overseas operators often quote US$165–250 per person per day for similar private trips — in USD, before you've compared inclusions, and with payment and consumer protection outside Australia. An Australian company charges in AUD, confirms in writing, and is answerable under Australian consumer law. Sometimes direct is cheaper; check what you'd actually get and who you can call if something goes wrong.
Do prices change after I book?
Ours don't: once your deposit is in and your booking is confirmed in writing, your price is fixed. Before confirmation, prices can move with availability, season and exchange rates — which is why we confirm in writing first.
What's the cheapest way to do a private China tour?
Travel with 4–6 people, just outside peak season, book 1–2 months ahead, and keep the route focused (one region, done well) rather than crossing the country. Our 5-day Chongqing trip at six travellers — A$1,299 per person — is the floor of our range.
Prices are China Journey Co. reference prices, checked 18 October 2026, and are a guide until confirmed in writing for your dates. ABN 66 703 178 509.