First off it is important that you look into the ship itself to make sure that it is not only affordable, but comfortable as well. Some ships, especially the local ferries, do not have English speaking staff making it quite difficult to communicate.

It can also become quite hot in the summer and cold in the winter and many of the local ferries used for Yangtze River cruises unfortunately do not do a very good job of keeping their passengers comfortable.

It is advised that you give yourself plenty of time to shop and compare in order to find not only the best prices, but also a ship that you will be comfortable on and will allow you to enjoy your cruise.

It is also very important that you use a reputable travel agency that is extremely familiar with China. China is a huge country that is unfamiliar to the vast majority of tourists that travel there so you are going to want to get as much help as you possibly can and that begins with a knowledgeable travel service.

Another important tip for making Yangtze River cruises more affordable is to avoid peak travel seasons if you’re looking to save money. Just like any other tourist destination prices rise along with demand and spring and fall are the most expensive times to cruise the Yangtze River.