Which place is cheaper, Shanghai or Cairo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Cairo or Shanghai?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Cairo and Shanghai can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Cairo or Shanghai?
Cairo
Cairo is the chaotic capital city of Egypt. With a population of more than 16 million, it is one of the largest cities in both Africa and the Middle East. As a traveler, you're likely to arrive and leave from here and you'll get your first orientation to the area during the chaotic and congestion filled taxi ride from the airport.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, The Best Historical Tours in Egypt, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
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Cairo Prices
Egypt PricesShanghai Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCairo $31Shanghai $139
The average daily cost (per person) in Cairo is $31, while the average daily cost in Shanghai is $139. 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 Cairo and Shanghai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCairo $10Shanghai $87
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCairo $20Shanghai $174
Compare Hotels in Cairo and Shanghai
Looking for a hotel in Cairo 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: Cairo Hotel Prices and Shanghai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cairo $3.53Shanghai $4.14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cairo
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Cairo are as follows:
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Metro Ride$0.08
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Taxi Ride$0.29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cairo:
- Arrival transfer from Cairo airport: $5.00
- Private Transfer: Cairo Airport Arrival Any Hotel in Cairo Giza: $7.00
- Cairo CAI Airport Private Transfer to/from Cairo/El Omraniya: $8.82
- Cairo Airport (CAI) Private Transfer From or To All Cairo Hotells: $9.39
- Private Cairo Airport Transfers & Limousine to Anywhere in Cairo or vice versa: $10
- Private Transfer To/From Cairo Airport: $10
- Private Transfer from Cairo Airport to Hotels in Cairo: $10
- Private Cairo International or Sphinx Airport Transfer: $10
- Grand museum Tour with Egyptologist, Lunch & Private Transfers: $11
- Private Departure Transfer from Cairo City to Cairo Airport: $12
- Private Transfer from Cairo Airport: $12
- Private Pickup transfer from Royal Maxim Palace Kempinski to Cairo airport: $12
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$3.84
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Two Subway Tickets$0.89
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shanghai
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Shanghai:
- 3-hour Private Transfer to Shanghai ERA Acrobatic Show from City Center: $53
- Arrival Private Transfer: Pudong Airport PVG to Shanghai in Business Car: $121
- Hongqiao Airport (SHA) to Shanghai Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $94
- Hongqiao Airport (SHA): Private Transfer To/From Shanghai Hotels: $48
- Hotel in Shanghai to Shanghai Wusongkou Cruise Port Private Transfer: $36
- Nantong City Private Transfer from Hongqiao Railway Station: $104
- Nanxun Ancient Water Town Self-Guided Tour with Private Transfer from Shanghai: $123
- Private Arrival Transfer: Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) to Hotel: $34
- Private Departure Transfer from Yiwu to Hangzhou International Airport: $74
- Private Departure Transfer to Hongqiao Railway Station from Shanghai City: $26
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station: $31
- Private Hongqiao Airport Arrival Transfer to Shanghai City Hotel or Residence: $38
Is it cheaper to fly into Cairo or Shanghai?
Prices for flights to both Shanghai and Cairo 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 dayCairo $16Shanghai $40
Typical Food Prices in Cairo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cairo:
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Juice$0.04
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairo
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cairo.
- Dinner Nile cruise with belly dancer show on Nile river: $5.00
- 2 Hour Cairo Dinner Cruise on Nile river with live band: $7.00
- Quad Bike ATV ,Camel Ride ,Nile Dinner Cruise Belly dancer show: $7.00
- Giza Pyramids,Sphinx,Camel Ride,ATV Bike,Shopping, Dinner cruise: $7.00
- Private Nile Cruise with Dinner and Folk Show from Cairo: $7.50
- 5 Star Dinner Nile Cruise in Cairo Night Tour: $8.00
- 2-hours night dinner cruise show : Eat , Dance and Sing: $8.00
- Cairo Dinner Cruise in Nile River With Belly Dancer & Tanora show: $8.00
- Cairo Dinner Cruise show with belly dancer show on Nile river: $8.00
- Giza Pyramids,Sphinx,Camel Ride,ATV Bike,Shopping, Dinner cruise: $9.00
- Cairo Food Tour in local places & Egyptian Mint Tea: $9.00
- Giza pyramids, Sphinx, ATV bike,Camel ride,Dinner cruise&shopping: $9.00
Typical Food Prices in Shanghai
Some typical examples of dining costs in Shanghai are as follows:
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Dumpling Breakfast$1.48
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Desserts in Jinmao Building Observatory$22
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Ajisen Lunch for Two$7.68
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Cantelope$1.77
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Dumplings and Soup$2.21
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Duck Dinner$4.43
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Pastries$3.10
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Barbeque Dinner$9.45
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shanghai
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Shanghai.
- Online Cooking Class Dim Sum by Sunflower Li: $20
- Authentic Shanghai Food Tour with Chi Gua Va: $35
- Shanghai Jade Buddha Temple and Local Food Tour: $49
- Small Group: Shanghai After Dark Food Tour with 9 tastings: $74
- 【ChinaGem】Shanghai Xiaolongbao Cooking Class with Instructor: $75
- Authentic Local Food Tour in Central Shanghai: $79
- Shanghai Cooking Dumpling and Taste Local Food w/Vegan Option: $86
- Private Cooking Class: Make Your Own Dim Sum In Shanghai: $88
- Late Night Food Tour in the Shanghai's French Concession: $89
- 4-Hour Food Tour in Qibao Water Town from Shanghai by Subway: $95
- 2.5 Hour Shanghai Xiaolongbao Cooking Class Experience: $95
- Shanghai Dunhuang-Themed Dinner Show: $110
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cairo $8.46Shanghai $9.01
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cairo
Here are a few typical costs in Cairo for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entry to Camel Market for Two$0.78
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Egyptian Museum Entry for Two$6.02
Tours and Activities in Cairo
Here are a few actual costs in Cairo for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Top Luxury PrivateTour Giza Pyramids,Grand Egyptian MuseumFelucca: $2.00
- Best All-In-One Tour: Giza Pyramids,Sphinx &Grand Egyptian Museum: $2.50
- ViP Private Tour Giza Pyramids,camel ride , inside 3rd Pyramid: $4.50
- Luxury Private Tour Giza Pyramids and Grand Egyptian Museum: $4.74
- Giza Pyramids and Sphinx Half Day Tour: $5.00
- Private shopping tours from Cairo/Giza hotel with expert guide: $5.00
- Giza Pyramids (FREE Camel, inside Pyramid & free Nile Cruise): $5.00
- Private Tour to Pyramids with Professional Photographer: $5.00
- Customized Shopping Tour and Egyptian Souvenir from Cairo Giza hotels: $5.00
- Half Day Private Guided Shopping Tour in Cairo: $5.00
- Half Day Tour to Giza Pyramid,Sphinx ,inside pyramid,Camel,lunch: $5.00
- 3-Hour Private Tour of Papyrus and Perfumes in Ancient Egypt: $5.00
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$30
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Zoo for Two$15
Tours and Activities in Shanghai
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Shanghai are as follows:
- Shanghai Highlights Walking Tour-Tip Based: $3.51
- French Concession Multicultural Walking Tour: $4.00
- Customized Private Tour in Shanghai The Bund Yu Garden Zhujiajiao: $5.00
- French Concession Guided Walking Tour | China's 1st & Best Rated: $5.00
- Shanghai Audio Guided Walking Tour 3h and 22 audio reviews: $6.93
- Shanghai Yu Garden Admission Ticket: $9.67
- Yuyuan Garden Entrance Ticket: $10
- Private Shanghai Full Day Tour Yu Garden, Bund and Oriental Pearl: $10
- Yu Garden Ticket: $11
- Shanghai Natural History Museum Ticket Booking: $11
- The History of the French Concession: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- Yu/Yuyuan Garden Entry Ticket-E ticket: $13
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCairo $1.37Shanghai $7.86
Sample the Local Flavors in Cairo
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cairo:
- Pub Crawl and Speakeasy Bar Tour with 2 Free Drinks: $69
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 (Guided Bar Hopping) with Shots Included: $23
- Shanghai Bar Crawl: TCM Cocktails & Local Craft Beer: $89
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cairo and Shanghai, we can see that Shanghai is more expensive. And not only is Cairo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cairo 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 Cairo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cairo 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 Cairo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cairo Expensive? and Is Shanghai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cairo or Shanghai?
Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 89% larger than the population of Cairo. When comparing the sizes of Cairo 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 Cairo or Shanghai?
Shanghai has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Cairo experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Cairo or Shanghai in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cairo and Shanghai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cairo year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Shanghai for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Cairo is around the same temperature as Shanghai. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cairo in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Shanghai averages at about 28°C (83°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Shanghai this time of the year. In Cairo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cairo usually receives more sunshine than Shanghai during summer. Cairo gets 350 hours of sunny skies, while Shanghai receives 232 hours of full sun in the summer.
Shanghai receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Cairo usually receives less rain than Shanghai. Cairo gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 128 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCairo 28°C (82°F)Shanghai 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Cairo or Shanghai in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Cairo as well as Shanghai. Cairo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Shanghai in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Cairo is generally a little warmer than Shanghai. Daily temperatures in Cairo average around 23°C (73°F), and Shanghai fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cairo this time of the year. In the autumn, Cairo often gets more sunshine than Shanghai. Cairo gets 290 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shanghai receives 162 hours of full sun.
Cairo usually gets less rain in October than Shanghai. Cairo gets 5 mm (0.2 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 OctoberCairo 23°C (73°F)Shanghai 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Cairo or Shanghai in the Winter?
Both Shanghai and Cairo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cairo throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Shanghai for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Shanghai can be very cold during winter. Cairo is much warmer than Shanghai in the winter. The daily temperature in Cairo averages around 14°C (57°F) in January, and Shanghai fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cairo. Cairo usually receives more sunshine than Shanghai during winter. Cairo gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Shanghai receives 135 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Cairo usually receives less rain than Shanghai. Cairo gets 15 mm (0.6 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 JanuaryCairo 14°C (57°F)Shanghai 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Cairo or Shanghai in the Spring?
Both Shanghai and Cairo during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Cairo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Shanghai because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Cairo is a little warmer than Shanghai. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cairo in April average around 21°C (70°F), and Shanghai averages at about 15°C (58°F).
It's quite sunny in Cairo. In the spring, Cairo often gets more sunshine than Shanghai. Cairo gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shanghai receives 153 hours of full sun.
Shanghai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Cairo usually gets less rain in April than Shanghai. Cairo gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCairo 21°C (70°F)Shanghai 15°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Shanghai and Cairo
| Cairo | Shanghai | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 14°C (57°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Mar | 17°C (63°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Apr | 21°C (70°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 113 mm (4.5 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| Sep | 26°C (79°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 3 mm (0.1 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.