Which place is cheaper, Shanghai or Alexandria?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Alexandria or Shanghai?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Alexandria and Shanghai can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Alexandria or Shanghai?
Alexandria
There are few cities in the world with a history as rich, deep, tragic and fascinating than Alexandria, Egypt. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Egypt's second largest city has seen the most extreme ups and extreme downs. The city watched the beautiful and iconic Alexandria Lighthouse crumble to the ground after several natural disasters. The Alexandria Library housed their most sacred and historical documents only to be burned to the ground. These structures may be physically gone, but the history remains. Alexandria is a city with an ancient allure that draws in visitors from all over the world. Alexandria is a survivor city ready for a comeback.
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 Luxury Tours to Egypt, The Best Budget Tours to Egypt, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAlexandria $16Shanghai $115
The average daily cost (per person) in Alexandria is $16, while the average daily cost in Shanghai is $115. 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 Alexandria and Shanghai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAlexandria $7.92Shanghai $81
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAlexandria $16Shanghai $162
Compare Hotels in Alexandria and Shanghai
Looking for a hotel in Alexandria 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.
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: Alexandria Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Alexandria $2.46Shanghai $3.87
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Alexandria
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Alexandria:
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Taxi to Train Station$0.08
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alexandria
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alexandria:
- Private Transfer from Alexandria Port to Alexandria City Hotels: $16
- Private Airport Transfer in Alexandria: $22
- Alexandria Airport Arrival Transfer: $24
- Borg El Arab Arrival & Departure Transfers: $40
- Private Pickup Transfer From A Hotel In Alexandria To Borg Al Arab Airport: $50
- Private Transfer around El Nouzha Airport (ALY) in Alexandria: $63
- Private Transfer from Alexandria to Cairo/Giza Hotels or Cairo./Giza to Alexandr: $65
- Private One Way Transfer from Alexandria Hotels to Cairo and Giza Hotels: $68
- Private Transfer from Alexandria to Cairo : $73
- From Private One-Way Transfer to Cairo: $75
- Private Pick Up Transfers From Alexandria To Cairo: $130
- Private transfer from Luxor to Alexandria: $244
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Shanghai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Shanghai:
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Taxi Ride$3.59
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Two Subway Tickets$0.83
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shanghai
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Shanghai:
- Mount Mogan Self-Guided Tour from Shanghai by Private Transfer: $108
- Private Transfer between Shanghai Pudong Int'l Airport & Hongqiao Airport : $45
- Private Transfer from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station to City Center : $30
- 1 Day-Pass for Disneyland Shanghai and Private Transfer Package: $245
- 3-hour Private Transfer to Shanghai ERA Acrobatic Show from City Center: $53
- Arrival Private Transfer Pudong Airport PVG to Shanghai City by Standard Sedan: $74
- Arrival Private Transfer: Pudong Airport PVG to Shanghai in Business Car : $113
- Departure Private Transfer: Shanghai to Pudong Airport PVG in Business Car: $112
- Departure Transfer by High-Speed Maglev Train: Hotel to Shanghai Pudong International Airport: $79
- Flexible Hours of Private Shanghai Layover or Transfer Tour: $129
- Flexible Hours of Shanghai Layover and Transfer Tour with Driver Only: $119
- Guangzhou Airport Transfer by 5 seat standard car: $53
Is it cheaper to fly into Alexandria or Shanghai?
Prices for flights to both Shanghai and Alexandria 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
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Food Meals for one dayAlexandria $6.39Shanghai $21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alexandria
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Alexandria.
- Half-Day Food Tour in Alexandria, Egypt: $35
- Alexandria Food Tour: $50
- From Giza: Sound&light show, Giza pyramids and Dinner on the Nile: $94
Typical Food Prices in Shanghai
Some typical examples of dining costs in Shanghai are as follows:
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Dumpling Breakfast$1.38
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Desserts in Jinmao Building Observatory$20
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Ajisen Lunch for Two$7.18
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Cantelope$1.66
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Dumplings and Soup$2.07
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Duck Dinner$4.14
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Pastries$2.90
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Barbeque Dinner$8.83
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shanghai
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Shanghai.
- Online Cooking Class General Tso's Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Sesame Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Fried Rice by Sunflower Li : $20
- 3-Hour Biking and Local Food Tour: $70
- Authentic Local Food Tour in Central Shanghai: $79
- Late night food tour in Shanghai's French Concession: $85
- Shanghai Evening Food Tour/Shanghai tour gastronomico nocturno : $85
- Late Night Food Tour in the Shanghai's French Concession: $89
- Chinese Cooking Class and Wet Market Visit: $90
- Shanghai's Koreatown Food Tour: $91
- 4-Hour Food Tour in Qibao Water Town from Shanghai by Subway: $95
- 3-Hour Flexible Private Shanghai Night Tour with Local Dinner Option: $100
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Alexandria $3.46Shanghai $8.42
Tours and Activities in Alexandria
Here are a few actual costs in Alexandria for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Alexandria Library Entry Tickets With Pickup and Drop Off: $3.80
- Citadel of Qaitbay Entry Ticket : $3.80
- Alexandria Library Entry Ticket: $3.80
- Catacomb Of Kom El-Shoqafa Entry Tickets : $3.80
- Skip The Line Entry Ticket to Pompey's Pillar in Alexandria: $4.26
- Entry Ticket To The Citadel of Qaitbay: $4.26
- Skip The Line Entry Ticket to the Roman Theater in Alexandria: $4.26
- Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa Entry Tickets: $4.26
- Skip The Line Bibliotheca Alexandria Entry Ticket: $4.26
- Alexandria Library Entry Ticket: $5.70
- Qaitbay Citadel Entry Ticket: $5.70
- Catacomb Of Kom El-Shoqafa Entry Ticket: $5.70
Typical Entertainment Prices in Shanghai
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Shanghai are as follows:
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30 Minute River Cruise for Two$28
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Zoo for Two$14
Tours and Activities in Shanghai
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Shanghai are as follows:
- The History of the French Concession: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Shanghai Yu Garden Ticket Booking: $14
- Hop-on Hop-off Bus Ticket and Optional Attractions: $14
- Shanghai Yu Garden Tour：Harmony & Spirituality in Garden Art: $20
- Shanghai Highlights Walking Tour: $29
- Shanghai French Concession Walking Tour: $29
- Shanghai Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35
- Like a Local Customized Guided Tour: $35
- Shanghai Hotels to Wusongkou Cruise Port:Private with Meet & Great service: $38
- Shanghai Downtown Hotel to Baoshan Cruise Port:Private with Meet & Greet service: $38
- Fudan University Student Guide Tour: $42
- Shanghai Tower Tickets Booking: $43
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAlexandria $1.33Shanghai $7.35
Sample the Local Flavors in Shanghai
Also in Shanghai, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Shanghai Pub Crawl - Bar-hopping/Night life tour: $27
- Shanghai Luxury Bar Crawl in 5-star Hotel or Boutique Hotel: $255
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Alexandria and Shanghai, we can see that Shanghai is more expensive. And not only is Alexandria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Alexandria is in Africa and Shanghai is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Alexandria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alexandria 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 Alexandria.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Alexandria Expensive? and Is Shanghai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Alexandria or Shanghai?
Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Alexandria. When comparing the sizes of Alexandria 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.
When is the best time to visit Alexandria or Shanghai?
Shanghai has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Alexandria experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Alexandria or Shanghai in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Alexandria and Shanghai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Alexandria year-round. Also, most visitors come to Shanghai for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Alexandria is generally around the same temperature as Shanghai. Daily temperatures in Alexandria average around 26°C (79°F), and Shanghai fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
Shanghai receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Alexandria usually receives less rain than Shanghai. Alexandria gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 128 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAlexandria 26°C (79°F)Shanghai 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Alexandria or Shanghai in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Alexandria as well as Shanghai. Alexandria attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Shanghai because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Alexandria is a little warmer than Shanghai in the autumn. The daily temperature in Alexandria averages around 22°C (72°F) in October, and Shanghai fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).
Alexandria usually gets less rain in October than Shanghai. Alexandria gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAlexandria 22°C (72°F)Shanghai 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Alexandria or Shanghai in the Winter?
Both Shanghai and Alexandria are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Alexandria throughout the year. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Shanghai this time of year.
It's quite cold in Shanghai in the winter. In the winter, Alexandria is much warmer than Shanghai. Typically, the winter temperatures in Alexandria in January average around 13°C (55°F), and Shanghai averages at about 4°C (39°F).
In January, Alexandria usually receives more rain than Shanghai. Alexandria gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAlexandria 13°C (55°F)Shanghai 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Alexandria or Shanghai in the Spring?
Both Shanghai and Alexandria during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Alexandria because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Shanghai for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In April, Alexandria is generally a little warmer than Shanghai. Daily temperatures in Alexandria average around 19°C (66°F), and Shanghai fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).
Shanghai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Alexandria usually gets less rain in April than Shanghai. Alexandria gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAlexandria 19°C (66°F)Shanghai 15°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Shanghai and Alexandria
| Alexandria | Shanghai | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 13°C (55°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Apr | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 113 mm (4.5 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) |
| Oct | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Dec | 14°C (57°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
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.