Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Tianjin

Accommodation

$8-25 per night

Dorm beds in hostels, budget guesthouses, basic hotels with shared facilities

Food & Dining

$6-18 per day

Street food stalls, local noodle shops, market vendors, convenience store meals

Transportation

$2-8 per day

Public buses, subway system, shared bikes, walking for most trips

Activities

$3-15 per day

Free parks and temples, self-guided walking tours, occasional museum entry

Eat at local markets and street stalls instead of tourist restaurants (typically 60-80% cheaper)

Use the subway and bus system instead of taxis for transportation (saves 70-85% on transport costs)

Book accommodation in business districts rather than tourist areas (generally 20-40% lower rates)

Visit temples and parks during regular hours to avoid special tour fees (can save $10-30 per site)

Shop at local supermarkets for snacks and drinks instead of hotel convenience stores (typically 50-70% savings)

Take advantage of free walking areas like the Haihe River waterfront instead of paid scenic areas

Use mobile payment apps for better exchange rates than currency exchange counters (saves 2-5% on all purchases)

Taking taxis everywhere instead of using excellent public transportation (can triple your transport costs)

Eating only at hotels and tourist-focused restaurants (typically 100-200% markup over local options)

Not checking if attractions offer combination tickets or city passes (individual entries usually 30-50% more expensive)

Booking accommodation at the last minute during business conference seasons (can increase rates by 80-150%)

Converting money at airports or hotels instead of banks or ATMs (typically 5-10% worse exchange rates)