A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kathmandu vs. Shanghai for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Asia / Comparisons /
Jump to  down-arrow

Should you visit Kathmandu 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 Kathmandu 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: Kathmandu or Shanghai?

Kathmandu

Kathmandu is the capital and largest city in the country of Nepal. Its metropolitan area forms one large urban area that includes the area of Patan to the south. As of 2011 there were 2.5 million residents in the Kathmandu metropolis and over 3 million in the entire metropolitan area. Kathmandu is likely to be your entry point into Nepal and is a great place to pick up supplies and arrange the details for any treks you hope to do. Many travelers rush through Kathmandu, turned off by the pollution and crowds, but to skip Kathmandu is to miss a major cultural, financial, and influential part of what defines the country of Nepal. The city itself is quite fun to explore if you allow it enough time and an open mind.

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".

Which city is cheaper, Shanghai or Kathmandu?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Kathmandu is $55, 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Kathmandu and Shanghai in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kathmandu $38
    Shanghai $83
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kathmandu $76
    Shanghai $166
Compare Hotels in Kathmandu and Shanghai

Looking for a hotel in Kathmandu 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.

Hotels in Kathmandu


Hotels in Shanghai


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: Kathmandu Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kathmandu $7.06
    Shanghai $3.96
Typical Local Transportation prices in Kathmandu

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Kathmandu:


  • Taxi Ride
    $1.53

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:

  • Airport Transfer from TIA Airport to Hotel: $8.00
  • Private transfer from Kathmandu Airport to any hotels in Kathmandu: $11
  • Kathmandu Airport Transfer: $11
  • Private Kathmandu Airport Transfer (Airport to Hotel or Hotel to Airport): $11
  • Private Airport Transfer Service In Kathmandu: $12
  • Hassle Free Intercity (Kathmandu-Pokhara-Chitwan) Transfer with Tourist Bus: $13
  • Kathmandu airport departure transfer: $14
  • Kathmandu Airport Arrival transfer: $14
  • One-Way Arrival or Departure Airport Transfer: $14
  • Airport Transfer (Airport - Kathmandu city - Airport): $14
  • Private Arrival Transfer Kathmandu Airport to Kathmandu, Nepal: $15
  • Private car transfer from Kathmandu Airport to hotels in Kathmandu: $17

Typical Local Transportation prices in Shanghai

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Shanghai:


  • Taxi Ride
    $3.68
  • Two Subway Tickets
    $0.85

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shanghai

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Shanghai:

  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station: $20
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA): $20
  • Private Transfer: Hotel to Shanghai Stadium (Football Match, League of Legends): $20
  • Hongqiao Airport(SHA)-Hotel Downtown One way Private Transfer: $21
  • Private Transfer to Shanghai Railway Station from City Hotels or Outskirts: $21
  • Panda Transfer: Private Shanghai Airport/Hotel Transfer: $22
  • Private Transfer to Huangpu River Cruise Terminal: $22
  • Private Transfer to ERA Acrobats Show at Shanghai Circus World: $22
  • Private Transfer between Qibao Ancient Water Town and Shanghai City Area: $24
  • Private Transfer from Shanghai Maglev Train Station to City Area: $24
  • Private Transfer between Shanghai Pudong New Int’l Expo Centre and City Area: $24
  • Shanghai Maglev Train Station Private Transfer from City Area: $24

Is it cheaper to fly into Kathmandu or Shanghai?

Prices for flights to both Shanghai and Kathmandu 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Kathmandu $8.61
    Shanghai $22
Typical Food prices in Kathmandu

Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:


  • Dessert
    $1.37
  • Dinner for Two
    $3.05

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kathmandu

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kathmandu.

  • Dinner with Cultural Show Kathmandu: $12
  • Virtual Dal Bhat Private Cooking Class from Kathmandu: $24
  • Half day Nepal cooking class in Thamel: $30
  • Half day cooking class in Thamel kathmandu: $31
  • Cultural Dinner Show Kathmandu: $32
  • Nepal Cooking School: $35
  • Private 3-Hour Cooking Class and Meal in a Kathmandu Grill Restaurant & Wine Bar: $38
  • Cooking Class with HSJ: $40
  • Nepali Cooking Training and local cultural experience in Kathmandu: $40
  • cooking class in Kathmandu: $40
  • Cooking with a Family: $45
  • Nepali Dinner and Cultural Show in Kathmandu: $47

Typical Food prices in Shanghai

Some typical examples of dining costs in Shanghai are as follows:


  • Dumpling Breakfast
    $1.41
  • Desserts in Jinmao Building Observatory
    $21
  • Ajisen Lunch for Two
    $7.36
  • Cantelope
    $1.70
  • Dumplings and Soup
    $2.12
  • Duck Dinner
    $4.24
  • Pastries
    $2.97
  • Barbeque Dinner
    $9.05

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shanghai

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Shanghai.

  • Online Chinese Cooking Class: $22
  • Old Shanghai Breakfast Food Tour: $52
  • 3-Hour Shanghai Summer Night Local Dinner and Shopping Private Tour: $65
  • Private Chinese Cooking Class in Shanghai with Vegetarian Option: $69
  • Private Authentic Chinese Cooking Class in Shanghai with a Lovely Local: $70
  • 3-Hour Shanghai City Walking Tour with Dinner: $74
  • Shanghai yummy food tour: $75
  • A Bite of Shanghai Small-Group Food Tour: $80
  • Shanghai Hairy Crab Dinner: $85
  • Shanghai Evening Food Tour/Shanghai tour gastronomico nocturno: $85
  • Night Market & Street Food Tour in Shanghai: $95
  • 3-Hour Flexible Private Shanghai Night Tour with Local Dinner Option: $100

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kathmandu $8.16
    Shanghai $8.63
Typical Entertainment prices in Kathmandu

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kathmandu are as follows:


  • Monkey Temple for Two
    $1.53
  • Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two
    $3.81
  • Swayambhunath Stupa
    $1.53

Tours and Activities in Kathmandu

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kathmandu are as follows:

  • Old Explore its winding alleyways on a historic audio walking tour: $5.40
  • Tourist Bus in Nepal: $10
  • Kathmandu Pokhara Tourist Bus Ticket: $10
  • Bus Ticket: $11
  • Kathmandu to Chitwan bus tickets booking: $12
  • Tourist Bus Intercity Hassle free Shuttle all over Nepal: $12
  • Pokhara Tourist Bus Ticket: $13
  • Kathmandu to Sybubesi bus ticket booking: $13
  • Kathmandu to Pokhara Tourist Bus Tickets reservation: $13
  • Tourist Bus Ticket from Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, Lumnini in Nepal: $13
  • Kathmandu to Chitwan or Chitwan to Kathmandu by Tourist bus Ticket Service: $13
  • Kathmandu City Tour in Sharing Bus: $14

Typical Entertainment prices in Shanghai

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Shanghai are as follows:


  • 30 Minute River Cruise for Two
    $28
  • Zoo for Two
    $14

Tours and Activities in Shanghai

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Shanghai are as follows:

  • half day tour of shanghai: $5.34
  • Shanghai Yu Garden Ticket Booking: $10
  • Shanghai Zhujiajiao Ancient Town Admission Ticket: $11
  • Shanghai Maglev Train Ticket and Metro Pass(Pick Up in Shanghai): $12
  • Day Tour of Zhujiajiao and Huangpu River with Night Cruise: $16
  • Shanghai Jinmao Tower Observation Desk Admission Ticket: $18
  • Buddhist Art Tour at LWH Gallery in Shanghai: $23
  • Shanghai Bus Tour Hop-on Hop-off Premium Ticket including City Top Attraction Admissions: $30
  • Like a Local Customized Guided Tour: $30
  • Shanghai Tower Observation Deck Admission Ticket: $31
  • 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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kathmandu $5.81
    Shanghai $7.53

Sample the Local Flavors in Shanghai

Also in Shanghai, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Shanghai Luxury Bar Crawl in 5-star Hotel or Boutique Hotel: $255
  • 3 Hour Local Craft Beer Crawl with Brewery Tour: $350

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kathmandu and Shanghai, we can see that Shanghai is more expensive. And not only is Kathmandu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kathmandu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kathmandu 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 Kathmandu.

Budget Your Trip

Budget Your Trip has average travel costs for thousands of cities around the world, all provided by other travelers. You can also register to organize your spending by category and location with graphs, maps, charts, and tables.
Sign Up

Compare Hotel Prices
Kayak

Shambaling Boutique Hotel From $46 Ambassador Garden Home From $42 Norbulinka Boutique Hotel From $34 Hotel Tibet International From $98 Hotel Moonlight From $50
View Hotels in Kathmandu

More City Comparisons
Athens vs. Kathmandu
Athens vs. Shanghai
Dubai vs. Kathmandu
Dubai vs. Shanghai
Cairo vs. Kathmandu
Cairo vs. Shanghai
Saint Petersburg vs. Kathmandu
Saint Petersburg vs. Shanghai
Moscow vs. Kathmandu
Moscow vs. Shanghai
Istanbul vs. Kathmandu
Istanbul vs. Shanghai
Kathmandu vs. Ho Chi Minh City
Kathmandu vs. Bangkok
Kathmandu vs. Kuala Lumpur
Kathmandu vs. Beijing
Kathmandu vs. Hong Kong
Kathmandu vs. Seoul
Kathmandu vs. Tokyo
Kathmandu vs. Singapore
Kathmandu vs. Sydney
Kathmandu vs. Lisbon
Kathmandu vs. Marrakech
Kathmandu vs. Casablanca
Kathmandu vs. London
Kathmandu vs. Edinburgh
Kathmandu vs. Amsterdam
Kathmandu vs. Munich
Share This Page
Pin This Page
Kathmandu vs. Shanghai Travel Comparison

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.