Which place is cheaper, Shanghai or Cairo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCairo $17Shanghai $115
The average daily cost (per person) in Cairo is $17, 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 Cairo and Shanghai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCairo $9.36Shanghai $81
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCairo $19Shanghai $162
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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cairo $2.99Shanghai $3.87
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$0.32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cairo:
- Private Departure Transfer from Cairo or Giza Hotels to Cairo Airport: $5.00
- Private transfer from Cairo Airport to the hotel in Cairo or Giza: $9.00
- Private Transfer to Cairo and Giza from Cairo Airport: $9.00
- Private Arrival or Departure Cairo Airport Transfer: $9.50
- Private transfer from Cairo Airport to Hotel Royal: $9.60
- Private Pickup transfer from Marriott Mena House, Cairo to Cairo airport: $9.60
- Private transfer from Cairo Airport to Novotel Cairo El Borg: $9.60
- Private Pickup transfer from InterContinental Cairo Citystars to Cairo airport: $9.60
- Private transfer from Cairo Airport to InterContinental Cairo Citystars: $9.60
- Private Pickup transfer from Royal Maxim Palace Kempinski to Cairo airport: $9.60
- Private Pickup transfer from Novotel Cairo El Borg to Cairo airport: $9.60
- Private Pickup transfer from Osiris Hotel to Cairo airport: $9.60
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:
- Private Transfer from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station to City Center : $30
- Private Transfer from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station to Pudong Airport : $43
- Tongli and Xitang Self-Guided Tour from Shanghai by Private Transfer: $114
- 1 Day-Pass for Disneyland Shanghai and Private Transfer Package: $245
- Arrival Private Transfer: Pudong Airport PVG to Shanghai in Business Car : $112
- Arrival Transfer by High-Speed Maglev Train: Shanghai Pudong International Airport to Hotel: $79
- Departure Transfer by High-Speed Maglev Train: Hotel to Shanghai Pudong International Airport: $79
- Flexible Hours of Private Shanghai Layover or Transfer Tour: $129
- Guangzhou Airport Transfer by 5 seat standard car: $53
- Hongqiao Airport (SHA) to Shanghai Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $72
- Hotel in Shanghai to Shanghai Wusongkou Cruise Port Private Transfer: $36
- Nanxun Ancient Water Town Self-Guided Tour with Private Transfer from Shanghai: $123
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 $4.75Shanghai $21
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.
- Cairo Dinner Cruise, Belly Dancer Show With Pickup Service: $8.78
- Cairo/Giza: Nile Sunset, Dinner Cruise, Show & Private Transfer : $9.63
- Dinner Cruise on the Nile River: $12
- Nile Sunset, Dinner Cruise, Show and Private Transfer: $15
- VIP tour Giza pyramids ,Sphinx, Quad bike ,Camel, Dinner cruise : $19
- Private Expert tour Giza Pyramids ,Sphinx ,Nile Dinner Cruise & Belly Dancer: $19
- Giza Pyramids, Camel Ride, Quad Bike, Night and Dinner Cruise on Nile: $19
- food tour private tour from cairo or giza hotel: $19
- All inclusive Tour to Giza Pyramids, Sphinx & ATV &Dinner cruise : $20
- Private Cairo Food Tour : $20
- Giza pyramids and Nile dinner cruise private tour from Cairo Giza hotels: $22
- Private Cairo food tour and Egyptian tea: $22
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$7.19
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Cantelope$1.66
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Dumplings and Soup$2.07
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Duck Dinner$4.15
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Pastries$2.90
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Barbeque Dinner$8.85
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shanghai
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Shanghai.
- Online Cooking Class Fried Rice by Sunflower Li : $20
- Online Cooking Class General Tso's Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Sesame Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Private Cooking Class: Make Your Own Dim Sum In Shanghai: $67
- 3-Hour Biking and Local Food Tour: $69
- 2.5hrs Chinese Kitchen Cooking Class: Xiaolongbao Soup Dumplings: $70
- Authentic Local Food Tour in Central Shanghai: $79
- Late night food tour in Shanghai's French Concession: $85
- Late Night Food Tour in the Shanghai's French Concession: $89
- 4-Hour Food Tour in Qibao Water Town from Shanghai by Subway: $95
- Shanghai Hot pot dinner foodie tour with guide and one way private transfer: $113
- Private Authentic Chinese Cooking Class in Shanghai with a Lovely Local: $116
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cairo $5.75Shanghai $8.44
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$0.84
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Egyptian Museum Entry for Two$6.49
Tours and Activities in Cairo
Here are a few actual costs in Cairo for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Dahshur Pyramids Entry Tickets: $4.27
- Baron Palace Entry Tickets : $4.60
- Cairo Shopping tour Private Papyrus Essential oils Bazar Cotton : $4.70
- Prince Mohamed Ali Palace Entry Ticket: $4.80
- 3-Hour Private Tour of Papyrus and Perfumes in Ancient Egypt: $5.00
- New Grand Egyptian Museum Tour with optional the pyramids tour..: $5.00
- All Inclusive Tour to Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Memphis, and Saqqara: $5.00
- Mosque and Madrasa of Sultan Hasan Entry Ticket: $5.10
- Baron Empain Palace Entry Tickets: $5.15
- Cairo Shopping Tour.: $7.00
- El Sultan Hassan Mosque Entry Ticket: $7.08
- Baron Palace Skip the line Access Entry Tickets: $7.08
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
- Hop-on Hop-off Bus Ticket and Optional Attractions: $14
- Shanghai Yu Garden Tour：Harmony & Spirituality in Garden Art: $20
- Shanghai French Concession Walking Tour: $29
- Like a Local Customized Guided Tour: $35
- Shanghai Downtown Hotel to Baoshan Cruise Port:Private with Meet & Greet service: $38
- Fudan University Student Guide Tour: $42
- Shanghai Tower Tickets Booking: $43
- 4-Hour Nightlife Adventure & Tasting Bike Tour: $45
- Oriental Pearl Tower Tickets Booking: $47
- 4-Hour Sunset Bike Tour in Shanghai: $49
- Small Group 2.5-Hour Walking Tour - Spots Hiding Behind the Shanghai Bund: $51
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCairo $1.17Shanghai $7.36
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: $59
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: unique bar-hopping tour 2024: $20
- Shanghai Luxury Bar Crawl in 5-star Hotel or Boutique Hotel: $255
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.