Which place is cheaper, Shanghai or Minsk?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Minsk or Shanghai?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Minsk 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: Minsk or Shanghai?
Minsk
Minsk is the capital city of Belarus, centrally located. Situated on the Svislac and Niamiha rivers, it is also capital of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and was the capital of the former Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic from 1919-1991. It is a modern city dominated by monumental Stalinist architecture with many of its museums, theaters, and other cultural attractions.
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 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMinsk $64Shanghai $115
The average daily cost (per person) in Minsk is $64, 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 Minsk and Shanghai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMinsk $32Shanghai $81
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMinsk $64Shanghai $162
Compare Hotels in Minsk and Shanghai
Looking for a hotel in Minsk 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Minsk $12Shanghai $3.87
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:
- Yiwu Railway Station Private Arrival Transfer to City Area: $18
- Shanghai Hongqiao Airport Private Departure Transfers: $18
- Shanghai Hongqiao Airport Private Arrival Transfers: $18
- Yiwu Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Area : $20
- Yiwu Airport Private Departure Transfer from City Area : $20
- Shanghai Pudong Airport Private Departure Transfers: $20
- Shanghai Pudong Airport Private Arrival Transfers: $20
- Private Transfer to Shanghai Railway Station from City Hotels or Outskirts: $22
- Private Transfer from Shanghai Cruise Port to Shanghai Hotels: $24
- Private Transfer to Huangpu River Cruise Terminal: $24
- Shanghai Hongqiao Airport Chauffeur Service, Shanghai Airport Transfer: $25
- Shanghai Maglev Train Station Private Transfer from City Area : $25
Is it cheaper to fly into Minsk or Shanghai?
Prices for flights to both Shanghai and Minsk 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 dayMinsk $21Shanghai $21
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 General Tso's Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Sesame Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Fried Rice by Sunflower Li : $20
- 3-Hour Biking and Local Food Tour: $70
- Authentic Local Food Tour in Central Shanghai: $79
- Late night food tour in Shanghai's French Concession: $85
- Shanghai Evening Food Tour/Shanghai tour gastronomico nocturno : $85
- Late Night Food Tour in the Shanghai's French Concession: $89
- Chinese Cooking Class and Wet Market Visit: $90
- Shanghai's Koreatown Food Tour: $91
- 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.Minsk $20Shanghai $8.42
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
- Shanghai Yu Garden Ticket Booking: $14
- Hop-on Hop-off Bus Ticket and Optional Attractions: $14
- Shanghai Yu Garden Tour：Harmony & Spirituality in Garden Art: $20
- Shanghai Highlights Walking Tour: $29
- Shanghai French Concession Walking Tour: $29
- Shanghai Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35
- Like a Local Customized Guided Tour: $35
- Shanghai Hotels to Wusongkou Cruise Port:Private with Meet & Great service: $38
- Shanghai Downtown Hotel to Baoshan Cruise Port:Private with Meet & Greet service: $38
- Fudan University Student Guide Tour: $42
- Shanghai Tower Tickets Booking: $43
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMinsk $14Shanghai $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: $27
- Shanghai Luxury Bar Crawl in 5-star Hotel or Boutique Hotel: $255
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Minsk and Shanghai, we can see that Shanghai is more expensive. And not only is Minsk much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Minsk is in Europe 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 Minsk would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Minsk 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 Minsk.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Minsk Expensive? and Is Shanghai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Minsk or Shanghai?
Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Minsk. When comparing the sizes of Minsk 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 Minsk or Shanghai?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Minsk or Shanghai in the Summer?
Both Shanghai and Minsk are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Shanghai in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Minsk is cooler than Shanghai in the summer. The daily temperature in Minsk averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Shanghai fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
It's quite sunny in Shanghai. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Minsk. Minsk usually receives more sunshine than Shanghai during summer. Minsk gets 258 hours of sunny skies, while Shanghai receives 232 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Shanghai. In July, Minsk usually receives less rain than Shanghai. Minsk gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 128 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMinsk 19°C (66°F)Shanghai 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Minsk or Shanghai in the Autumn?
Both Shanghai and Minsk during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, 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, Minsk is much colder than Shanghai. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Minsk in October average around 8°C (47°F), and Shanghai averages at about 19°C (65°F).
In the autumn, Minsk often gets less sunshine than Shanghai. Minsk gets 99 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shanghai receives 162 hours of full sun.
Minsk usually gets less rain in October than Shanghai. Minsk gets 49 mm (1.9 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 OctoberMinsk 8°C (47°F)Shanghai 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Minsk or Shanghai in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Minsk and Shanghai. Furthermore, 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. Minsk can be very cold during winter. In January, Minsk is generally much colder than Shanghai. Daily temperatures in Minsk average around -5°C (22°F), and Shanghai fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
Minsk usually receives less sunshine than Shanghai during winter. Minsk gets 46 hours of sunny skies, while Shanghai receives 135 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Minsk usually receives around the same amount of rain as Shanghai. Minsk gets 40 mm (1.6 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 JanuaryMinsk -5°C (22°F)Shanghai 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Minsk or Shanghai in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Minsk as well as Shanghai. Additionally, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Shanghai this time of year.
Minsk is much colder than Shanghai in the spring. The daily temperature in Minsk averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Shanghai fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).
In the spring, Minsk often gets more sunshine than Shanghai. Minsk gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shanghai receives 153 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Shanghai. Minsk usually gets less rain in April than Shanghai. Minsk gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMinsk 8°C (46°F)Shanghai 15°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Shanghai and Minsk
| Minsk | Shanghai | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (22°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (25°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Mar | 0°C (33°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (46°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| May | 15°C (58°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 113 mm (4.5 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (65°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) |
| Oct | 8°C (47°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 3°C (37°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 53 mm (2.1 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.