Which place is cheaper, Shanghai or Ankara?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ankara or Shanghai?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Ankara and Shanghai. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Ankara or Shanghai?
Ankara
Located at the heart of Turkey near Central Anatolia, Ankara is the capital city and second largest city in the country after Istanbul. Formerly known for its long-haired goats and textiles, the city has since developed into a metropolitan mix of modern cultures with historic landmarks.
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 Budget Tours to Turkey, The Best Tours for Seniors to Turkey, 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 dayAnkara $110Shanghai $118
The average daily cost (per person) in Ankara is $110, while the average daily cost in Shanghai is $118. 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 Ankara and Shanghai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAnkara $54Shanghai $83
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAnkara $108Shanghai $166
Compare Hotels in Ankara and Shanghai
Looking for a hotel in Ankara 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: Ankara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ankara $35Shanghai $3.98
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ankara
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Ankara:
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Metro Ride$0.04
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Short Taxi Ride$0.15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ankara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ankara:
- Private transfer: Ankara Airport (ESB) to Ankara: $40
- Private transfer: Ankara to Ankara Airport (ESB): $40
- Ankara Esenboğa Airport From/To City Center Private Transfer: $61
- Ankara Esenboga Airport to Ankara City Hotels Private Arrival Transfer: $68
- Private Transfers Between Ankara Esenboga Airport - Ankara City Centre: $75
- Ankara Private Departure Transfer from City hotels to Airport: $75
- Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers to Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels: $107
- Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels to Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers: $107
- Ankara Private Transfer from central Ankara hotels to Ankara Airport (ESB): $112
- Private Transfer from Ankara Esenboga Airport (ESB) to Central Ankara: $112
- Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Kizilcahamam Town: $185
- Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Gordion Ancient City: $185
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$3.69
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Two Subway Tickets$0.85
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
- Private Transfer from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station to Pudong Airport : $43
- 1 Day-Pass for Disneyland Shanghai and Private Transfer Package: $245
- Amazing Shanghai Night Lights:River Cruise &Private Transfer: $125
- Arrival Private Transfer Pudong Airport PVG to Shanghai City by Standard Sedan: $74
- Arrival Private Transfer: Pudong Airport PVG to Shanghai in Business Car : $116
- Chartered Transfer Vehicle in Shanghai: $150
- Chauffeur service, Limousine airport transfer in Shanghai-English speaking: $51
- Departure Private Transfer: Shanghai to Pudong Airport PVG in Business Car: $115
- Departure Transfer by High-Speed Maglev Train: Hotel to Shanghai Pudong International Airport: $79
Is it cheaper to fly into Ankara or Shanghai?
Prices for flights to both Shanghai and Ankara 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 dayAnkara $31Shanghai $22
Typical Food Prices in Ankara
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Ankara:
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A Quick Lunch$0.34
Typical Food Prices in Shanghai
Some typical examples of dining costs in Shanghai are as follows:
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Dumpling Breakfast$1.42
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Desserts in Jinmao Building Observatory$21
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Ajisen Lunch for Two$7.38
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Cantelope$1.70
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Dumplings and Soup$2.13
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Duck Dinner$4.26
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Pastries$2.98
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Barbeque Dinner$9.08
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 Fried Rice by Sunflower Li : $20
- Online Cooking Class Dim Sum by Sunflower Li: $20
- Aunthentic Local Food Tour in Downtown Shanghai : $29
- Evening Walking Food Tour: $69
- 3-Hour Biking and Local Food Tour: $71
- Authentic Local Food Tour in Central Shanghai: $79
- Late night food tour in Shanghai's French Concession: $88
- Private Cooking Class: Make Your Own Dim Sum In Shanghai: $88
- Late Night Food Tour in the Shanghai's French Concession: $89
- Eat Like A Local: Shanghai Night Food Tour: $90
- Shanghai's Koreatown Food Tour: $91
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ankara $32Shanghai $8.66
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ankara
Here are a few typical costs in Ankara for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Underground City$0.23
Tours and Activities in Ankara
Here are a few actual costs in Ankara for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Ankara Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $32
- Private Walking tour With A Guide (Private Tour): $33
- Ankara : Private Walking Tour With A Guide ( Private Tour ) : $34
- Private Tour with a Local: $38
- Istanbul: Half-Day Tour with Topkapi Palace: $145
- Istanbul: Golden Horn & Bosphorus Day Cruise: $165
- Half Day Private Tour in Ankara: $215
- Ankara Private Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $225
- Private Tour: Ankara Sightseeing: $235
- Ankara Private Walking Tour: $274
- Private Ankara City Tours by an Archaeologist Tour Guide : $280
- Konya and Cappdocia Tour 3 Days-2 Nights from Ankara: $451
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: $9.99
- Hop-on Hop-off Bus Ticket and Optional Attractions: $14
- Yu Garden Shanghai Entry Tickets Booking: $15
- Yu Garden Admission Ticket: $15
- Shanghai Yu Garden Entrance Tickets Booking Service: $16
- Shanghai Yu Garden Tour：Harmony & Spirituality in Garden Art: $20
- Shanghai Jinmao Tower 88th floor Sightseeing Hall Ticket: $22
- Shanghai Jinmao Tower 88th floor sightseeing hall: $24
- Shanghai Highlights Walking Tour: $29
- Shanghai bar hopping tour in the former french concession: $30
- Zotter Chocolate Indulgence Tour in Shanghai: $30
- Like a Local Customized Guided Tour: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAnkara $14Shanghai $7.55
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): $21
When comparing the travel costs between Ankara and Shanghai, we can see that Shanghai is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Ankara is in Europe and Shanghai is in Asia, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ankara Expensive? and Is Shanghai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ankara or Shanghai?
Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Ankara. When comparing the sizes of Ankara 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.
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.