Is Shanghai Expensive?

Is Shanghai expensive to visit?

Shanghai is a moderately priced destination with an average daily cost of $130. Compared to the rest of Asia, it is a somewhat more expensive place to visit. It's ranked in the top 25% of cities in Asia for its overall travel costs, comparable to places like Hiroshima and Phuket.

Shanghai, China

How expensive is Shanghai?

On average, visitors spend about $130 per day when visiting Shanghai (U.S. Dollars). Two travelers together would spend an average of $260 per day. Prices vary dramatically by travel style and length of trip, but if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and use public transportation when possible, you can expect to stay close to this budget. See more travel costs for Shanghai here.

How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Shanghai?

A weekend trip to Shanghai costs about $390 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a weekend trip costs $779.

How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Shanghai?

Based on the travel expenses of others, a one week trip to Shanghai costs around $909 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $1,818.

Is it expensive to backpack in Shanghai?

Shanghai is a popular backpacker destination with more than 10 hostels. Dorm beds in hostels cost, on average, $23 per night. (See hostel prices in Shanghai here.) You'll find quite a range in prices here, too. The most expensive beds are priced around $74 and the cheapest around $7 per night.

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Shanghai.

• $12 for a dorm bed at Dayin Hostel - Shanghai East Nanjing Road
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• $16 for a dorm bed at WeFlow Hostel(Shanghai Xintiandi)
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• $36 for a dorm bed at Dayin Hostel - Shanghai Jing'an
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How expensive are sightseeing activities in Shanghai?

Activities and things to do in Shanghai can vary in price depending on the type of activity, length, and location. Below are a number of popular activities to give you an idea of what to expect when visiting. Generally, previous travelers have spent $8 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting, which is less than the country's average of $17.

• Shanghai Breakfast Walking Tour of Former French Concession: $77
• Private Night Tour-VIP River Cruise and Shanghai Tower Option: $143
• 3-Hour Private Tour to Jewish Ghetto and Shanghai Bund: $90
• All-Inclusive Private Day Tour: Best Shanghai w/ River Cruise: $273
• 3-Hour Shanghai Bund Swift Tour with River Cruise or Skyscraper: $112
• All-inclusive Half-day Private Tour To Zhujiajiao Water Town: $135
• Afternoon Tea and Dessert Tour on the Huaihai Road in Shanghai: $82
• Zhujiajiao Water Town Tour from Shanghai with Boat Ride Option: $126

Is food expensive in Shanghai?

Food in Shanghai can vary in price depending on the restaurant and food options available. Generally, other travelers have spent $37 on food per person per day, which is more than the country's average of $37. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.

• Wuzhen and Xitang Water Town Private Full Day Trip from Shanghai with Lunch and Dinner: $284
• Eat Like a Local Shanghai Breakfast Food Tour: $79
• Private Home Cooking Class with Shanghai Mama: $199
• Shanghai Acrobatic Show and Late Dim Sum Dinner: $158
• Private Chinese Dim Sum Cooking Class in Shanghai: $141
• Shanghai Spicy Food Tour: $150

Is transportation expensive in Shanghai?

The prices of local transportation in Shanghai can vary by the type of transit used. Other travelers have spent an average of $4 on local transportation per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $15. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.

More for Shanghai

If you're planning a trip to Shanghai, China, check out these other informative travel guides.

We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.