Which place is cheaper, Shanghai or Moscow?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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".
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 dayMoscow $62Shanghai $115
The average daily cost (per person) in Moscow is $62, 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 Moscow and Shanghai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMoscow $39Shanghai $81
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMoscow $78Shanghai $162
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.
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.Moscow $6.06Shanghai $3.87
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Moscow
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Moscow are as follows:
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Two Metro Passes$1.45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Moscow
Also for Moscow, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Tangkerang Labuai to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $40
- Private Transfer from Kedungsari to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $40
- Private Transfer from Pekanbaru Airport (PKU) to Kedungsari: $40
- Private Transfer from Tengkerang Barat to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $40
- Private Transfer from Pekanbaru Airport (PKU) to Tengkerang Barat: $40
- Private Transfer from Pekanbaru Airport (PKU) to Tengkerang Tengah: $40
- Private Transfer from Sidomulyo Barat to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $40
- Private Transfer from Pekanbaru Airport (PKU) to Tangkerang Labuai: $40
- Private Transfer from Harjosari to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $42
- Private Transfer from Pekanbaru Airport (PKU) to Kota Baru: $42
- Private Transfer from Kota Baru to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $42
- Private Transfer from Pekanbaru Airport (PKU) to Kampung Baru: $42
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 Wusongkou CruisePort to Disneyland and back: $64
- [Airport Transfer] Shanghai Pudong Airport / Hongqiao Airport ⇔ Shanghai City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter>: $27
- Zhujiajiao Water Town and Shanghai City Self-Guide 10-Hour Private Transfer Tour: $138
- Zhujiajiao Water Town Self-Guided Tour with Private Transfer from Shanghai: $75
- Zhouzhuang and Tongli Water Town Private Transfer Service from Shanghai : $103
- Yiwu Railway Station Private Departure Transfer from City Area : $18
- Yiwu Railway Station Private Arrival Transfer to City Area: $18
- Yiwu City Private Transfer to Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport : $74
- Xitang Water Town Self-Guided Tour from Shanghai with Private Transfer: $100
- Wuzhen and Xitang Water Town Private Transfer from Shanghai: $132
- Wusongkou Cruise Terminal to Hongqiao Airport Chauffeur Service, Port Transfer: $87
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Shanghai APT-HTL (PVG,SHA): $51
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
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Food Meals for one dayMoscow $14Shanghai $21
Typical Food Prices in Moscow
For Moscow, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for Two$5.89
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Lunch in the Center Market$3.21
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Breakfast for 2$11
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 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
- Online Cooking Class Dim Sum by Sunflower Li: $20
- 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
- Shanghai Evening Food Tour/Shanghai tour gastronomico nocturno : $85
- Late Night Food Tour in the Shanghai's French Concession: $89
- Eat Like A Local: Shanghai Night Food Tour: $90
- Shanghai's Koreatown Food Tour: $91
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Moscow $16Shanghai $8.44
Typical Entertainment Prices in Moscow
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Moscow's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Theater Tickets$12
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Kremlin Entry (2)$11
Tours and Activities in Moscow
For Moscow, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Custom Private Tour in Palembang with English Speaking Driver: $85
- 2 Days Private Tour to See Bull Race and Raflesia Arnoldi Flower: $250
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:
- Private Shanghai Flexible City Highlight Tour with Night Cruise: $221
- Private Shanghai Full Day City Tour with Old and New Highlights: $108
- Shanghai Layover Tour to Xinchang Water Town with City Highlights Option : $135
- Yuyuan Garden and Shanghai Museum Private Shanghai Day Tour: $175
- water village of shagnhai tour: $248
- 1 Day Shanghai Private Tour: $180
- 1 Days Shanghai Quality Group Tour: $110
- 1 day Shanghai City Mini Group tour: $92
- 1 day Shanghai to Hangzhou Mini Group Tour: $131
- 1 day Shanghai to Suzhou Garden Mini Group tour: $116
- 1-Day Private Shanghai City Tour to See Its Past, Present and Future: $229
- 1-Day Private Tour to Shanghai Museum,Yu Garden, the Bund and Nanjing Road: $190
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMoscow $7.79Shanghai $7.36
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 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.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Moscow Expensive? and Is Shanghai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Moscow or Shanghai?
Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 41% larger than the population of Moscow. When comparing the sizes of Moscow 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 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 average around 19°C (67°F), and Shanghai averages at 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.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMoscow 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. Daily temperatures in Moscow average around 6°C (43°F), and Shanghai fluctuates 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.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMoscow 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 daily temperature in Moscow averages around -8°C (17°F) in January, and Shanghai fluctuates 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.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMoscow -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 average around 7°C (45°F), and Shanghai averages at 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.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMoscow 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 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.