The ROAM Value

Stop paying 60% extra for packaged travel.

Independent travel across China, with weeks of research already done for you.

A different way to travel

Your trip. Our research.

Traditional operators sell rigid group itineraries at premium prices. DIY travel saves cash upfront, but costs weeks of frustrating trial-and-error—and high-risk booking errors.

ROAM flips the model: we handle the 20+ hours of logistical headaches—route mapping, curated hotels, high-speed rail, and local app setups—so you don’t have to. We charge a small, fixed planning fee instead of a hidden percentage markup.

You book directly, pay your own in-country costs, and travel independently with total freedom.

The Math:

Where your money actually goes with traditional travel:

  • Local ground operator: +20% to +30% (organizes transport & hotels locally)
  • International tour operator: +20% to +30% (packages the trip)
  • Retail travel agency: +10% to +15% (sells the package)

Total Markup: ~60% on your total trip.

The ROAM way: One flat fee for the route pack, then book directly at true local rates.

Split between 2 people over 17 days, you bypass a 60% middleman markup for only €2.32 per person, per day.

The Difference

Spend 20+ hours researching, or let ROAM do it for you?

Independent travel in China shouldn’t require weeks of research. ROAM gives you total freedom on the ground, without the endless hours of planning before you leave.”

DIY Planning

The Time Sink
~€600 – €1,500+ estimated total trip cost (per person, based on double occupancy) derived from standard online self-booking rates and user-reported trip costs on public travel forums.
  • Days lost piecing together conflicting forum advice
  • High risk of booking errors & dead-end neighborhoods
  • Ends up in generic, soul-crushing chain hotels
  • No tech setup or backup if the apps fail
A guessing game that costs you time, money, and the best experiences.

ROAM

The Sweet Spot
~€309 – €1,069 Total trip cost per person (double occupancy), based on what we actually spent on our own travels. ✓ 20+ hours saved
  • Zero research time
  • Curated boutique hotels in vibrant neighborhoods
  • True local rates (Bypass the 60% package markup)
  • Chinese Digital Kit for payments, trains & DiDi
  • Complete freedom
Guide included in total

Traditional Tour Operator

High Cost, Lower Control
€1,500 – €4,000+ per person · for barely a 1 to 2 week trip
  • Pre-booked, rigid itinerary
  • Generic, corporate hotels in dead districts (because it protects the 60% markup stacked onto traditional travel packages)
  • Less room to change plans on the ground
You pay a massive premium for the privilege of losing control.

Stop paying for markups. Start traveling.

Pick a route, download your route pack, and skip the 20+ hours of planning.

Explore All Routes