Is Shanghai expensive to visit?
Shanghai is a moderately priced destination with an average daily cost of $139. 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 Suzhou and Tainan City.
Shanghai, China
How expensive is Shanghai?
On average, visitors spend about $139 per day when visiting Shanghai (U.S. Dollars). Two travelers together would spend an average of $279 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 $418 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 $836.
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 $976 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $1,952.
Is it expensive to backpack in Shanghai?
Shanghai is a popular backpacker destination with more than 30 hostels. Dorm beds in hostels cost, on average, $21 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 $8 per night.
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Shanghai.
- $12 for a dorm bed at Dayin Hostel-East Nanjing Road & The Bund
- $13 for a dorm bed at Dayin Garden Hostel - Oriental Pearl & Lujiazui
- $34 for a dorm bed at Dayin Hostel-People's Square & Old Town
Are hotels expensive in Shanghai?
Considering our analysis of hotel prices in Shanghai, it becomes apparent that they are fairly even and moderately priced in comparison to hotels in other cities. On average, you can expect to spend around $0 per night for a hotel room. The city is home to approximately five-star hotels, presenting an average rate of $149 per night. For a balanced choice catering to both comfort and cost-effectiveness, three-star hotels provide an average rate of $57 per night, while two-star hotels offer an even more budget-friendly alternative at $34 per night.
Hotels by star rating in Shanghai
| Rating | Number of Hotels | Average Hotel Price |
|---|---|---|
| 5 stars | 0 | $149 |
| 4 stars | 0 | $71 |
| 3 stars | 0 | $57 |
| 2 stars | 0 | $34 |
| 1 star | 0 | $39 |
| No rating | 0 | $72 |
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 $9 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting, which is less than the country's average of $18.
- Shanghai Breakfast Walking Tour of Former French Concession: $77
- Shanghai Food and Culture Tour with 10 dishes and 5 eateries: $74
- Zhujiajiao Water Town Tour from Shanghai with Boat Ride Option: $126
- All-Inclusive Private Day Tour: Best Shanghai w/ River Cruise: $273
- Shanghai Evolution Free Walking Tour: $5.00
- Red Route Tour- Chinese Communist Party: $85
- 3-Hour Shanghai Bund Swift Tour with River Cruise or Skyscraper: $112
- 4-Hour Private Flexible Photography Tour of Best Shanghai Scenes: $106
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 $40 on food per person per day, which is more than the country's average of $40. 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
- Private Cooking Class: Make Your Own Dim Sum In Shanghai: $88
- Small Group: Shanghai After Dark Food Tour with 9 tastings: $80
- Shanghai Evening Food Tour/Shanghai tour gastronomico nocturno: $150
- Private Home Cooking Class with Shanghai Mama: $199
- Shanghai Acrobatic Show and Late Dim Sum Dinner: $158
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 $16. 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.