Which place is cheaper, Shanghai or Delhi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Delhi or Shanghai?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Delhi 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: Delhi or Shanghai?
Delhi
Delhi is the largest city in northern India and is officially the country's capital. The city has a population of 11 million with the metropolitan population reaching over 16 million. The city is similar in landscape to the rest of its surrounding area. It is very flat with the river Yamuna flowing on the eastern side of the city. The Aravalii Hills are in the western portion of the city. The city's history dates back to the 6th century BC and it has served as a capital for various kingdoms and empires.
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 India, The Best Budget Tours to India, 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 dayDelhi $45Shanghai $115
The average daily cost (per person) in Delhi is $45, 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 Delhi and Shanghai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDelhi $23Shanghai $81
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDelhi $46Shanghai $162
Compare Hotels in Delhi and Shanghai
Looking for a hotel in Delhi 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: Delhi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Delhi $5.28Shanghai $3.87
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Delhi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Delhi:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$0.12
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Taxi to Airport$1.91
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Subway$0.38
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Uber Cab$0.96
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Delhi Metro Smart Card$1.79
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Auto-rickshaw$1.20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Delhi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Delhi:
- Taj Mahal Sunrise All Inclusive Tour with Transfers : $7.00
- Private Guided Delhi Shopping Tour with Transfers: $8.45
- Private transfers to/from Indira Gandhi International Airport: $10
- New Delhi Airport to Hotel Transfer Private Shuttle Sedan & SUV: $11
- Private Transfer Delhi Hotels To Delhi International Airport DEL Drop: $12
- Private Transfer Delhi Hotel to Airport: $14
- Qutub Minar Skip-the-Line E-tickets & guide Delhi transfers: $15
- Delhi/Jaipur/Agra: Private One-Way Transfer: $15
- Delhi hotel to Delhi Airport transfer: $15
- Delhi - Private arrival transfer from Airport to Hotel: $15
- Private Delhi Agra and Jaipur One Way Transfer : $18
- Humayun's Tomb Skip-the-Line E-tickets & guide Delhi transfers: $18
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
- 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 City by Standard Sedan: $74
- 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 Private Transfer: Shanghai to Pudong Airport PVG in Business Car: $113
- Departure Transfer by High-Speed Maglev Train: Hotel to Shanghai Pudong International Airport: $79
- Flexible Hours of Private Shanghai Layover or Transfer Tour: $129
Is it cheaper to fly into Delhi or Shanghai?
Prices for flights to both Shanghai and Delhi 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 dayDelhi $12Shanghai $21
Typical Food Prices in Delhi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Delhi:
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McDonalds$3.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Delhi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Delhi.
- Old Delhi Food Tour with local, A must for Indian culinary lover!: $21
- Lunch or dinner with local family: $21
- Food Tour Old Delhi: $31
- Old Delhi Heritage Sightseeing | Walking Tour | Street Food Tour: $34
- Cooking Demo + Lunch/Dinner and interaction with an Indian family @ Chez Anjali: $35
- Discover Old 4-Hour Evening Walking Tour includes Guide & Dinner: $40
- Veg and Non veg : Private Cooking Class in Delhi: $43
- Old Delhi Street Food Tour: $44
- Transit Tour-Guided Best Old Delhi's Attractions & Food Tour: $45
- Vegetarian : Private Cooking Class in Delhi: $46
- Delhi Kabul Cooking Class: $50
- Old Delhi Street Food Tour And Heritage Walk Tour-All Inclusive : $50
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 Fried Rice by Sunflower Li : $20
- Online Cooking Class General Tso's Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Handmade Noodles 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: $70
- 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
- 3-Hour Flexible Private Shanghai Night Tour with Local Dinner Option: $100
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Delhi $13Shanghai $8.42
Typical Entertainment Prices in Delhi
Here are a few typical costs in Delhi for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Red Fort$10
Tours and Activities in Delhi
Here are a few actual costs in Delhi for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private Taj Mahal Day tour from Delhi by Train - All Inclusive: $3.50
- Private Guided Tour to Taj Mahal and Agra Fort with All inclusive: $3.75
- From Taj Mahal & Agra Fort Tour by Car - All Inclusive: $3.75
- Taj Mahal & Agra Private Day Tour from Delhi with 5* Lunch: $4.00
- Taj Mahal Tour from Delhi By Car - All Inclusive: $4.00
- Private Taj Mahal Tour from Delhi by Car: $4.00
- Skip-The-Line Sunrise Taj Mahal Private Tour with Multi-Options: $4.25
- Private Luxury Old & New Delhi City Tour In 8 Hours: $4.50
- Driving tours through beautiful India: $4.59
- Taj Mahal Agra Same Day Tour from Delhi By Private Car: $4.92
- Private Taj Mahal Tour from Delhi by Car: $5.00
- Private Sunrise Taj Mahal Tour From Delhi by Car-All Inclusive: $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$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
- Shanghai Highlights Walking Tour: $29
- Like a Local Customized Guided Tour: $35
- Shanghai Downtown Hotel to Baoshan Cruise Port:Private with Meet & Greet service: $38
- Shanghai Hotels to Wusongkou Cruise Port:Private with Meet & Great 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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDelhi $8.67Shanghai $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: $20
- Shanghai Luxury Bar Crawl in 5-star Hotel or Boutique Hotel: $255
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Delhi and Shanghai, we can see that Shanghai is more expensive. And not only is Delhi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Delhi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Delhi 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 Delhi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Delhi Expensive? and Is Shanghai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Delhi or Shanghai?
Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 34% larger than the population of Delhi. When comparing the sizes of Delhi 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 Delhi or Shanghai?
Shanghai has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Delhi experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Delhi or Shanghai in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Delhi and Shanghai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Delhi year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Shanghai in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
It's very hot in Delhi this time of the year. Delhi is around the same temperature as Shanghai in the summer. The daily temperature in Delhi averages around 31°C (88°F) in July, and Shanghai fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Shanghai this time of the year. Delhi usually receives less sunshine than Shanghai during summer. Delhi gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Shanghai receives 232 hours of full sun in the summer.
Shanghai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Delhi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Delhi usually receives more rain than Shanghai. Delhi gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 128 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDelhi 31°C (88°F)Shanghai 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Delhi or Shanghai in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Delhi as well as Shanghai. Delhi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Shanghai for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Delhi is a little warmer than Shanghai. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Delhi in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Shanghai averages at about 19°C (65°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Delhi this time of the year. In the autumn, Delhi often gets more sunshine than Shanghai. Delhi gets 269 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shanghai receives 162 hours of full sun.
Delhi usually gets less rain in October than Shanghai. Delhi 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 OctoberDelhi 26°C (79°F)Shanghai 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Delhi or Shanghai in the Winter?
Both Shanghai and Delhi are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Delhi throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Shanghai because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Shanghai can be very cold. In January, Delhi is generally much warmer than Shanghai. Daily temperatures in Delhi average around 15°C (59°F), and Shanghai fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Delhi. Delhi usually receives more sunshine than Shanghai during winter. Delhi gets 215 hours of sunny skies, while Shanghai receives 135 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Delhi usually receives less rain than Shanghai. Delhi gets 20 mm (0.8 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 JanuaryDelhi 15°C (59°F)Shanghai 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Delhi or Shanghai in the Spring?
Both Shanghai and Delhi during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Delhi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Shanghai this time of year.
Delhi is much warmer than Shanghai in the spring. The daily temperature in Delhi averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Shanghai fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).
It's quite sunny in Delhi. In the spring, Delhi often gets more sunshine than Shanghai. Delhi gets 261 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. Delhi usually gets less rain in April than Shanghai. Delhi gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDelhi 29°C (84°F)Shanghai 15°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Shanghai and Delhi
| Delhi | Shanghai | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 15°C (59°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 17°C (63°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Mar | 22°C (72°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| May | 33°C (91°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 113 mm (4.5 in) |
| Jun | 34°C (93°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Jul | 31°C (88°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (86°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| Sep | 30°C (86°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (61°F) | 10 mm (0.4 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.