A child’s meals on a China package are priced in one of three ways: a reduced child fare with its own meal rule, the full adult meal price, or no meal charge for very young children. Your quote should say which. If it does not, ask before you pay.
It is a fair worry. A child eats less, but a quote can price the table the same way for everyone, and you do not want to pay for plates that go back to the kitchen.
How do agencies price child meals?
Here are the three common patterns.
| Pattern | What it means | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Child fare with meals | A reduced fare that includes child meals | The age band and the portion |
| Adult meal price | The child pays the same meal rate | Whether a smaller option exists |
| Young child free of meal charge | Infants or toddlers eat from your plate | Whether a separate meal is available on request |
Look at your quote and see which pattern it follows. Then ask the agency to confirm it in writing.
What questions should parents ask?
Before you pay a deposit, ask four things:
- What age band does the child fare cover?
- Does the child fare include breakfast, lunch and dinner, or only some?
- Is a child portion or a plain dish arranged at group meals?
- Does the price change if my child skips a meal?
Our meals included guide explains how to read the meal lines in a quote.
How do you plan for picky eaters?
Tell the agency before departure, not at the table. Ask for plain rice, soup, eggs or mild dishes, and pack familiar snacks. A child who eats little at the group meal can have a simple snack later.
If your family plans free meals, read upgrading group meals or eating on your own, and check what costs extra at China meals so drinks do not surprise you.
How do meals connect to rooms and beds?
Child pricing can depend on bed rules as well. A child sharing your bed can be priced differently from a child with an extra bed, and meals may follow the same rule. See family rooms and bed sizes in Chinese hotels for what to ask about rooms.
What should you do next?
Write the meals and the age band into your family budget. The family of four budget guide shows the whole picture, and the budget planner lets you plug in each quote. If you are choosing where to go, the Sichuan family region guide suggests easy days. The costs topic page keeps related questions together.