Which place is cheaper, Shanghai or Pokhara?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Pokhara or Shanghai?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Pokhara and Shanghai can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Pokhara or Shanghai?
Pokhara
Pokhara is the second largest city in Nepal and is strategically located near the popular Annapurna Circuit. The Annapurna Circuit, or the "Apple Pie Trail", is a popular trek through the Annapurna Valley that makes a circular route through stunning mountainous landscapes. Several other trekking options can be found in this region, too. Many people use Pohkara as a place to prepare or recover from their recently completed treks because it is less intimidating than the larger city of Kathmandu.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
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Pokhara Prices
Nepal PricesShanghai Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPokhara $21Shanghai $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Pokhara is $21, while the average daily cost in Shanghai is $141. 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 Pokhara and Shanghai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPokhara $3.37Shanghai $88
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPokhara $6.74Shanghai $176
Compare Hotels in Pokhara and Shanghai
Looking for a hotel in Pokhara 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: Pokhara Hotel Prices and Shanghai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pokhara $6.58Shanghai $4.19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Pokhara
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Pokhara:
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Short Taxi Ride$0.65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pokhara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pokhara:
- Pokhara Airport Shuttles & Private Transfer: $15
- Pokhara Airport Transfer to hotels – Easy, Safe & Hassle-Free: $20
- Annapurna Foothills Day Hike With Transfers: $45
- Pokhara to Kathmandu One Way Transfer by Private AC Car: $80
- Pokhara to Kathmandu Transfer by Private Car: $99
- Private Transfer from Pokhara to Kathmandu: $120
- Pokhara to Kathmandu: Premium Private Car Transfer: $130
- "Exclusive Round-Trip Transfer: Pokhara to Jomsom & Muktinath": $191
- Transfer to Lower Mustang (Jomsom): $205
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$3.89
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Two Subway Tickets$0.90
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shanghai
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Shanghai:
- 1 Day-Pass for Disneyland Shanghai and Private Transfer Package: $245
- Arrival Private Transfer Pudong Airport PVG to Shanghai by Sedan: $61
- Arrival Private Transfer: Pudong Airport PVG to Shanghai in Business Car: $118
- Arrival Transfer by High-Speed Maglev Train: Shanghai Pudong International Airport to Hotel: $79
- Asiatic Services with One-Way Transfer to Hotel in Shanghai: $220
- Chauffeur service, Limousine airport transfer in Shanghai-English speaking: $51
- Departure Transfer from Shanghai to Pudong Airport PVG by Sedan: $61
- ERA Acrobatics Show Ticket with Private Transfer: $54
- Flexible Hours of Private Shanghai Layover or Transfer Tour: $129
- Hongqiao Airport (SHA): Private Transfer To/From Shanghai Hotels: $61
- Hotel in Shanghai to Shanghai Wusongkou Cruise Port Private Transfer: $36
- Mount Mogan Self-Guided Tour from Shanghai by Private Transfer: $130
Is it cheaper to fly into Pokhara or Shanghai?
Prices for flights to both Shanghai and Pokhara 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 dayPokhara $12Shanghai $40
Typical Food Prices in Pokhara
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Pokhara:
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Dinner for Two$3.88
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Dessert (for 2)$2.59
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Pastries$1.29
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Dinner$5.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pokhara
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Pokhara.
- Nepali cultural dinner night in Pokhara: $21
- Nepalese Momos or Dal Bhat Cooking Class (Cook with Delight): $25
- Nepali Cooking Class in Pokhara with a Local Family: $60
- 3 Hours Momo Cooking class in Pokhara: $70
- 1 Day Momo making cooking class: $75
- Organic Farm Tour and Cooking Class at Durku: $115
Typical Food Prices in Shanghai
Some typical examples of dining costs in Shanghai are as follows:
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Dumpling Breakfast$1.49
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Desserts in Jinmao Building Observatory$22
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Ajisen Lunch for Two$7.77
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Cantelope$1.79
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Dumplings and Soup$2.24
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Duck Dinner$4.48
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Pastries$3.14
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Barbeque Dinner$9.56
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 Sesame Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Dim Sum by Sunflower Li: $20
- Small Group Shanghai After Dark Food Tour with 9 tastings: $38
- Shanghai Jade Buddha Temple and Local Food Tour: $49
- Shanghai After Dark Food Tour with 9 Authentic Tastings: $61
- 2-Hour Shanghai Street Food Tour: Dumplings, Tea & Old City Bites: $65
- Huangpu River Evening Cruise Ticket with Dinner: $69
- Market to Table Chinese Cooking Experience: $69
- Authentic Local Food Tour Near the Bund: $71
- Authentic Local Food Tour in Central Shanghai: $79
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pokhara $6.26Shanghai $9.12
Tours and Activities in Pokhara
Here are a few actual costs in Pokhara for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Pokhara to Chitwan Tourist Bus Sofa seater: $9.00
- Sarangkot Sunrise & Private Full-Day Highlights Tour: $10
- Pokhara Places of Interest Tour by Sharing Bus: $10
- Pokhara to Kathmandu Tourist Bus Ticket Luxury Sofa: $11
- Chitwan: to Kathmandu/Pokhara Tourist Bus luxurious Sofa: $12
- Kathmandu: to Chitwan By Luxurious Sofa Tourist Bus or Back: $12
- Group Joining Sarangkot Sunrise Himalayas Tour: $12
- Budget Unguided Tour By Sharing Bus: $12
- Bandipur to Kathmandu Tourist Bus Ticket Luxury Sofa: $13
- Tourist Bus: Chitwan to Pokhara or Pokhara to Chitwan: $14
- Pokhara to Kathmandu Tourist Sofa Bus: $14
- Tourist Bus Pokhara to Kathmandu (Luxury Sofa Seat): $14
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$30
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Zoo for Two$15
Tours and Activities in Shanghai
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Shanghai are as follows:
- Shanghai French Concession Walking Tour-Tip Based: $3.42
- Beijing: Zhongshan Park Entrance Ticket: $3.50
- Shanghai City Walking Tour: $4.00
- French Concession Multicultural Walking Tour: $4.00
- Shanghai City Guided Walking Tour | China's 1st and Best Rated: $5.00
- Evening Walking Tour at the Bund: $5.00
- Shanghai Audio Guided Walking Tour 3h and 22 audio reviews: $6.75
- Self-Guided Podcast Tour Shadows of the Shikumen: $6.85
- Shanghai Day Tour with English Guide – Explore Yu Garden & More: $8.60
- Shanghai Yu Garden Admission Ticket: $9.66
- Yuyuan Garden Entrance Ticket: $10
- Private Shanghai Full Day Tour Yu Garden, Bund and Oriental Pearl: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPokhara $5.65Shanghai $7.95
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 (Guided Bar Hopping) with Shots Included: $23
- Cheers, Beers and No Fears: Shanghai Bar Crawl: $100
- TCM and Divination Chinese Style Pub Crawl Bar Hopping Night: $169
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pokhara and Shanghai, we can see that Shanghai is more expensive. And not only is Pokhara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pokhara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pokhara 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 Pokhara.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pokhara Expensive? and Is Shanghai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pokhara or Shanghai?
Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Pokhara. When comparing the sizes of Pokhara 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.
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.