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

Jump to  down-arrow

Should you visit Moscow or Shanghai?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Moscow and Shanghai. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Moscow or Shanghai?

Moscow

Moscow is the capital of Russia and is notable for its important role in history. It's a very sprawling city with many museums and fascinating buildings. Ten percent of Russia's population lives in this capital city and it's a financial and political center for the country. The Moskva River weaves its way through the city and you will find most of the city's sights and attractions on the northern side of the river.

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 place is cheaper, Shanghai or Moscow?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Moscow is $72, 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Moscow and Shanghai in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Moscow $45
    Shanghai $83
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Moscow $90
    Shanghai $166
Compare Hotels in Moscow and Shanghai

Looking for a hotel in Moscow 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 Moscow


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Moscow $7.01
    Shanghai $3.96
Typical Local Transportation prices in Moscow

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Moscow are as follows:


  • Two Metro Passes
    $1.67

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Moscow

Also for Moscow, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Ultra - Moscow Private Airport Transfer - City Center to Domodedovo Intl Airport: $8.71
  • Ultra - Moscow Private Airport Transfer City Centre to Sheremetyevo Airport SVO: $9.41
  • Moscow Train Stations Private Arrival/Departure Transfer: $22
  • Private Arrival or Departure Transfer One Way: Moscow Airports to City Center: $23
  • Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: Moscow Airports to Moscow City Center: $30
  • Private Airport Transfer: Moscow to Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO): $30
  • Private Airport Transfer: from Moscow to Vnukovo International Airport (VKO): $30
  • Moscow DME/SVO/VKO Airports Private Arrival/Departure Transfer: $32
  • Private transfer from the Moscow center hotel to Sheremetyevo Airport: $34
  • Moscow to Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO) - Departure Private Transfer: $36
  • Departure Private Transfer Moscow City to Moscow Train Station by Business Car: $38
  • Private Business Transfer from Vnukovo Airport (VKO) to Moscow City Center: $40

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:

  • Zhujiajiao Water Town and Shanghai City Self-Guide 10-Hour Private Transfer Tour: $129
  • Zhujiajiao Water Town Self-Guided Tour with Private Transfer from Shanghai: $64
  • Zhouzhuang and Tongli Water Town Private Transfer Service from Shanghai: $93
  • Xitang Water Town Self-Guided Tour from Shanghai with Private Transfer: $88
  • Wuzhen and Xitang Water Town Private Transfer from Shanghai: $132
  • Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal-Pudong Airport One Way Private Transfer: $34
  • Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal-Downtown Hotel Private One Way Transfer: $32
  • Wusongkou Cruise Terminal to Hongqiao Airport Chauffeur Service, Port Transfer: $87
  • Wusongkou Cruise Terminal Share Transfer Service, Baoshan Port Pick up Service: $29
  • Transfer in private minivan from Shanghai City to Hongqiao Airport: $57
  • Transfer in Private Vehicle from Shanghai City to Hongqiao Airport: $33
  • Transfer in Private Minivan from Shanghai City to Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG): $57

Is it cheaper to fly into Moscow or Shanghai?

Prices for flights to both Shanghai and Moscow 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
    Moscow $16
    Shanghai $22
Typical Food prices in Moscow

For Moscow, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Lunch for Two
    $6.81
  • Lunch in the Center Market
    $3.71
  • Breakfast for 2
    $12

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Moscow

For Moscow, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Virtual Home Cooking with Russian Family: $22
  • Moscow Food Tour: $67
  • An evening at the monastery with dinner: $80
  • An Evening at the Monastery with Dinner: $85
  • Traditional Russian Cooking Class and Meal in Moscow with a Friendly Local: $91
  • Private Market Tour and Traditional Russian Cooking Class in Moscow: $101
  • Food Tour: $102
  • Traditional Russian Cooking Class and Meal in a Local Home in Moscow: $117
  • Traditional French-Russian Dinner in a Local's Home: $118
  • Moscow Metro and Russian Dinner Private tour: $127
  • Moscow River Cruise with Dinner and Lively Firework with a Private Guide: $133
  • Private food tour: Russian culinary culture: $144

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.
    Moscow $18
    Shanghai $8.63
Typical Entertainment prices in Moscow

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Moscow's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Theater Tickets
    $14
  • Kremlin Entry (2)
    $12

Tours and Activities in Moscow

For Moscow, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Moscow classical tour: $6.38
  • Admission ticket to Kolomenskoye Historical and Architectural Museum and Reserve: $7.02
  • Tsaritsyno Museum entrance ticket: $8.14
  • Admission ticket to the The Museum of Cosmonautics: $11
  • The Jewish Museum and Tolerance Center Admission Ticket: $12
  • Admission ticket to the State Museum of GULAG's History, Moscow: $13
  • The Museum of Victory Admission Ticket: $13
  • Guided Metro Tour by Night: $14
  • Admission ticket to the Tochka-G Museum of Erotic Art, Moscow: $14
  • Admission ticket to Gallery of the European and American XIX-XX centuries art: $14
  • Tretyakov Gallery Admission Ticket: $16
  • Admission ticket to the New Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow: $17

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:

  • 1 Day Bus Tour in Amazing Shanghai Highlights: $113
  • 1 Day Hangzhou Private Tour: $312
  • 1 Day Shanghai Airport Layover Private Tour for City Highlights: $202
  • 1 Day Shanghai Highlight Small Group Tour: $124
  • 1 Day of Shanghai Premiere Experience: $730
  • 1 day Nanjing tour from Shanghai by train: $400
  • 1 day Shanghai City Mini Group tour: $92
  • 1-Day Authentic Shanghai Tour by Walking & Metro: $193
  • 1-Day Private Shanghai City Tour to See Its Past, Present and Future: $204
  • 1-Day Private Shanghai to Wuzhen Tour to Admire the Classical Water Town: $271
  • 1-Day Private Tour to Hangzhou by car from Shanghai: $305
  • 1-Day Private Tour to Shanghai Museum,Yu Garden, the Bund and Nanjing Road: $178

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Moscow $9.00
    Shanghai $7.53

Sample the Local Flavors in Moscow

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Moscow:

  • Pub Crawl by Soviet Van: $76
  • Pub Crawl Moscow Guided Tour in Classic Soviet Van: $79
  • Private Wine Tour in Moscow with History, Architecture and Friendly Local Guide: $121

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 Moscow and Shanghai, we can see that Shanghai is more expensive. And not only is Moscow much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Moscow 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 Moscow would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Moscow 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 Moscow.


When is the best time to visit Moscow or Shanghai?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Moscow or Shanghai in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Moscow as well as Shanghai. Additionally, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Shanghai this time of year.

In the summer, Moscow is cooler than Shanghai. Typically, the summer temperatures in Moscow in July are around 19°C (67°F), and Shanghai is about 28°C (83°F).

It's quite rainy in Shanghai. Moscow usually gets less rain in July than Shanghai. Moscow gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 128 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Moscow 19°C (67°F) 
    Shanghai 28°C (83°F)

Should I visit Moscow or Shanghai in the Autumn?

Both Shanghai and Moscow are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Shanghai for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Moscow is generally much colder than Shanghai. Temperatures in Moscow average around 6°C (43°F), and Shanghai stays around 19°C (65°F).

In October, Moscow usually receives around the same amount of rain as Shanghai. Moscow gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Moscow 6°C (43°F) 
    Shanghai 19°C (65°F)

Should I visit Moscow or Shanghai in the Winter?

Both Shanghai and Moscow during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Shanghai in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Shanghai can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Moscow. Moscow is much colder than Shanghai in the winter. The temperature in Moscow is usually -8°C (17°F) in January, and Shanghai stays around 4°C (39°F).

Moscow usually gets more rain in January than Shanghai. Moscow gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Moscow -8°C (17°F) 
    Shanghai 4°C (39°F)

Should I visit Moscow or Shanghai in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Moscow and Shanghai. Also, most visitors come to Shanghai for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Moscow is much colder than Shanghai. Typically, the spring temperatures in Moscow in April are around 7°C (45°F), and Shanghai is about 15°C (58°F).

Shanghai receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Moscow usually receives less rain than Shanghai. Moscow gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Moscow 7°C (45°F) 
    Shanghai 15°C (58°F)

Typical Weather for Shanghai and Moscow

Moscow Shanghai
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -8°C (17°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 4°C (39°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Feb -7°C (20°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 5°C (41°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Mar -1°C (30°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 9°C (48°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Apr 7°C (45°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 15°C (58°F) 102 mm (4 in)
May 14°C (57°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 20°C (67°F) 113 mm (4.5 in)
Jun 18°C (64°F) 76 mm (3 in) 24°C (75°F) 152 mm (6 in)
Jul 19°C (67°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 28°C (83°F) 128 mm (5 in)
Aug 18°C (64°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 28°C (82°F) 133 mm (5.2 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 24°C (75°F) 156 mm (6.1 in)
Oct 6°C (43°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 19°C (65°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Nov -0°C (32°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 13°C (55°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Dec -5°C (23°F) 52 mm (2 in) 7°C (44°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)


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

More City Comparisons
Tehran vs. Moscow
Tehran vs. Shanghai
Zanzibar vs. Moscow
Zanzibar vs. Shanghai
Nairobi vs. Moscow
Nairobi vs. Shanghai
Kampala vs. Moscow
Kampala vs. Shanghai
Amman vs. Moscow
Amman vs. Shanghai
Santorini vs. Moscow
Santorini vs. Shanghai
Mykonos vs. Moscow
Mykonos vs. Shanghai
Athens vs. Moscow
Athens vs. Shanghai
Beirut vs. Moscow
Beirut vs. Shanghai
Jerusalem vs. Moscow
Jerusalem vs. Shanghai
Doha vs. Moscow
Doha vs. Shanghai
Dubai vs. Moscow
Dubai vs. Shanghai
Abu Dhabi vs. Moscow
Abu Dhabi vs. Shanghai
Tel Aviv vs. Moscow
Tel Aviv vs. Shanghai
Share This Page
Pin This Page
Moscow 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.