A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Agra vs. Shanghai for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Agra or Shanghai?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Agra or Shanghai, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Agra or Shanghai?

Agra

In the north of India, in the state of Uttar Pradesh is the city of Agra. This land is home to great tales of emperors and majestic temples. It is the home to a magnificent past and the greatest symbol of love known to man, the Taj Mahal.

While this incredible structure is the main draw to this area, there is much more to see. Once the capital of the Mughal Empire, Agra can claim three different UNESCO World Heritage sites - the Taj Mahal, the Agra Fort and the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikiri.

Shanghai

Shanghai is the largest and most modern city in China. With a population of over 23 million, it is the economic and financial hub of the country. It also continues to be one of the fastest growing cities in China with regular changes to the city's layout and skyline. It is not uncommon for buildings to be torn down, rebuilt and then torn down and rebuilt again. The city also has skyscrapers that rank among the tallest in the world. It has an ever changing downtown and street scape. In Shanghai, the general mantra remains "out with the old, in with the new".

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Mumbai, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to India, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.


Which place is cheaper, Shanghai or Agra?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Agra is $54, while the average daily cost in Shanghai is $130. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Agra and Shanghai in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Agra $15
    Shanghai $80
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Agra $30
    Shanghai $160
Compare Hotels in Agra and Shanghai

Looking for a hotel in Agra or Shanghai? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Agra


Hotels in Shanghai


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Agra Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Agra $9.96
    Shanghai $3.85
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Agra

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Agra:


  • Tuk Tuk Ride
    $0.58

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Agra

Also for Agra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Delhi: Same Day Taj Mahal, Agra Tour with Pickup & Transfer.: $1.99
  • Private Taj Mahal and Agra Day Tour with Transfer: $2.39
  • Skip The Line Taj Mahal & Agra Fort Tour with Transfer: $4.33
  • From Delhi: Same Day Taj Mahal and Agra Fort with Transfers: $5.70
  • Round Trip Transfers Between Agra Hotels & Agra Airport AGR: $5.85
  • From Delhi: Private Taj Mahal & Agra Day Trip with Transfers: $10
  • From Delhi: Taj Mahal & Agra Fort Tour with Transfers: $11
  • One-Way Transfer Airport to Hotel: $11
  • Delhi: Taj Mahal & Agra Fort Sunrise Tour with Transfers: $13
  • Sunrise Taj Mahal and Agra Fort Half-Day Tour with Transfer: $14
  • From Delhi: Taj Mahal Agra Day Trip with Guide & Transfer: $14
  • From Delhi: Taj Mahal & Agra Private Day Trip with Transfers: $15

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Shanghai

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Shanghai:


  • Taxi Ride
    $3.57
  • Two Subway Tickets
    $0.82

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shanghai

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Shanghai:

  • 1 Day-Pass for Disneyland Shanghai and Private Transfer Package: $245
  • Shanghai Airport (PVG) to Shanghai - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $221
  • Shanghai To Beijing Bullet Train Ticket with Local Private Transfer : $211
  • Shanghai-Suzhou private day tour with private transfer and Lunch: $204
  • Shanghai to Xi'an Bullet Train Ticket with Hongqiao Station Transfer: $177
  • Ningbo City Private Arrival Transfer from Shanghai Pudong International Airport: $177
  • Shanghai to Suzhou and Zhouzhuang Self-Guide Trip with Private Transfer: $171
  • Shanghai Airport (PVG) Arrival Transfer (PVG Airport to central Shanghai): $162
  • Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) Departure Transfer (central Shanghai to Airport): $162
  • Shanghai to Hangzhou Private Transfer with Stop at Xitang Water Town: $157
  • Chartered Transfer Vehicle in Shanghai: $150
  • Shanghai to Beijing Bullet Train Ticket with Hongqiao Station Transfer: $150

Is it cheaper to fly into Agra or Shanghai?

Prices for flights to both Shanghai and Agra change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Agra $26
    Shanghai $37
Typical Food Prices in Agra

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Agra:


  • Breakfast for Two
    $2.08

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Agra

For Agra, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Agra best Cooking class after Taj Mahal: $5.70
  • Agra Cooking Classes (Pick up and Drop available): $18
  • Agra Heritage Walk with Food Tour: $20
  • Local Food Tour with Cooking Class in Home Agra: $21
  • Street Food Tour with Spice Market on Tuk-Tuk: $21
  • Tuk-Tuk Ride and Street Food Tour with Spice Market: $22
  • Cooking Workshop and Vegetarian Dinner in Agra with Family: $28
  • Cooking Class and Much More in a Local Family Home: $28
  • Indian Food Private Cooking Class: $28
  • Private Indian Cooking Demonstration and In-Home Meal Minutes from the Taj Mahal: $33
  • Indian Home Visit Cooking Demo: $38
  • Dinner at Agra with local Indian family : $40

Typical Food Prices in Shanghai

Some typical examples of dining costs in Shanghai are as follows:


  • Dumpling Breakfast
    $1.37
  • Desserts in Jinmao Building Observatory
    $20
  • Ajisen Lunch for Two
    $7.14
  • Cantelope
    $1.65
  • Dumplings and Soup
    $2.06
  • Duck Dinner
    $4.12
  • Pastries
    $2.88
  • Barbeque Dinner
    $8.78

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shanghai

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Shanghai.

  • Aunthentic Local Food Tour in Downtown Shanghai : $3.15
  • Authentic Shanghai Food Tour with Chi Gua Va: $5.00
  • MingleX Dinner with Shanghai locals: $19
  • Online Cooking Class Dim Sum by Sunflower Li: $20
  • Online Cooking Class Sesame Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
  • Online Cooking Class General Tso's Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
  • Online Cooking Class Fried Rice by Sunflower Li : $20
  • 3 Hours City Walk in French Concession and Street Food Tour: $60
  • 3-Hour Biking and Local Food Tour: $67
  • Huangpu River Evening Cruise Ticket with Dinner: $68
  • Evening Walking Food Tour: $69
  • A Delicious Food Tour Through the Heart of the City: $71

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Agra $19
    Shanghai $8.38
Typical Entertainment Prices in Agra

For Agra, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Entry to the Red Fort for Two
    $6.92
  • Taj Mahal for Two
    $17

Tours and Activities in Agra

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Agra.

  • Mughal Carpet Co. Agra :- Handmade Rugs Demonstration Tour: $0.80
  • Handmade Marble Demonstration Tour: $0.97
  • Agra:- Skip-the-Line Taj Mahal Private Tour: $1.14
  • Agra : Taj Mahal tour with guide: $1.14
  • Skip-the-line entry ticket on Taj Mahal tour: $1.14
  • Sunrise Taj Mahal & Mausoleum Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line: $1.57
  • Taj Mahal and Mausoleum Tour with Skip-the-Line Entry: $1.59
  • From Delhi: Same Day Taj Mahal & Agra Tour with Boat Ride: $1.71
  • Skip The line Taj Mahal Guided Tour: $1.82
  • Skip-the-Line Taj Mahal Guided Tour with Multi Options: $1.96
  • Taj Mahal & Mausoleum Skip-The-Line Tickets & guided tour: $1.99
  • Taj Mahal & Agra Fort Skip-the-Line Tour from Delhi or Agra : $2.00

Typical Entertainment Prices in Shanghai

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Shanghai are as follows:


  • 30 Minute River Cruise for Two
    $27
  • Zoo for Two
    $14

Tours and Activities in Shanghai

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Shanghai are as follows:

  • Half-Day Private Tour of Shanghai Bund with River Cruise or Tower View: $90
  • Private Shanghai Full Day City Tour with Old and New Highlights: $108
  • Shanghai Layover Tour to Xinchang Water Town with City Highlights Option : $135
  • Shanghai private Tour to Zhujiajiao Water Town and tallest tower: $230
  • Yiwu International Trade City Private Day Tour from Shanghai by Bullet Train: $183
  • Yuyuan Garden and Shanghai Museum Private Shanghai Day Tour: $175
  • water village of shagnhai tour: $248
  • 1 Day Shanghai Airport Layover Private Tour for City Highlights: $202
  • 1 Day Shanghai Highlight Small Group Tour: $124
  • 1 Day Shanghai Private Tour: $180
  • 1 Days Shanghai Quality Group Tour: $110
  • 1 day Shanghai to Hangzhou Mini Group Tour: $131

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Agra $9.28
    Shanghai $7.31

Sample the Local Flavors in Shanghai

Also in Shanghai, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • 4-Hour Shanghai Pub Crawl (bars & nightclub hopping): $23


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Agra and Shanghai, we can see that Shanghai is more expensive. And not only is Agra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Agra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Agra and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Shanghai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shanghai than you might in Agra.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Agra Expensive? and Is Shanghai Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Agra or Shanghai?

Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Agra. When comparing the sizes of Agra and Shanghai, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.