A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Shanghai vs. Alice Springs for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Shanghai or Alice Springs?

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 Shanghai and Alice Springs. 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.

Shanghai

Shanghai is a modern, cosmopolitan, and professional port city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Alice Springs

Alice Springs is a charming, friendly, and laid back town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the food, hiking, and shopping.

Shanghai and Alice Springs: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Shanghai or Alice Springs?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Shanghai. Although Shanghai and Alice Springs are both popular with visitors, Shanghai has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Shanghai is more popular for its museums, food, shopping, and big city activities, while Alice Springs is known for its hiking and small town charm. Shanghai is popular for its historical landmarks, local street food, vibrant markets, and waterfront promenade. It is also home to The Bund. Alice Springs is popular for its desert landscapes, Outback setting, and location between the East and West MacDonnell Ranges.

How is Shanghai different from Alice Springs?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Alice Springs and Shanghai. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Shanghai or Alice Springs?

Shanghai is a world-class destination for its historical sights. Also, Alice Springs is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Shanghai has many famous sights for visitors. The city's sights mix culture with modern innovation. From the futuristic skyline and the iconic waterfront area known as the Bund, to the classic Yu Garden, there are a diversity of sights around the city. There are also museums like the Shanghai Museum, which educate visitors on Chinese culture.

Alice Springs is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several wildlife centers in town that let you experience the desert animals first hand. Make sure you check out the Alice Springs Reptile Center, the Alice Springs Desert Park, and the Kangaroo Sanctuary. Another highlight of the town is a visit to the Alice Springs School of the Air.

Is the Food Better in Shanghai or Alice Springs? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Shanghai is a world-class destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Alice Springs is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Many restaurants in Shanghai have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The city's cuisine has a long history with many distinct traditional dishes. The foods incorporate a lot of soy sauce and sugar and you'll find most dishes are rice based as opposed to using wheat products. Popular local dishes include the famous Shanghai soup dumplings, steamed crab, and braised pork. The city is also famous for its snacks, which can be purchased at one of the many snack houses or street stalls.

Alice Springs offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are casual eateries with local food and decent prices. While it's a small town, there are plenty of tourists passing through so you'll find enough places to eat with a decent selection.

Is Shanghai or Alice Springs Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are good in both Shanghai and Alice Springs.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Shanghai. A night out can quickly become very expensive. Many of the venues are spread out so you'll likely spend at least some of the time in a taxi. The Bund is one of the most popular areas for nightlife, but this area also has the most expensive bars and clubs. They often offer impressive views of Pudong and the Huangpu River though.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Alice Springs. It's a laid back small town, but there are still places to hang out in evening. Pubs and taverns are popular with locals and tourists alike. You'll also find a couple of casinos and clubs in town.

Is Shanghai or Alice Springs Better for Hiking?

Alice Springs is a world-class destination for the nearby hiking options. However, Shanghai is not a hiking destination.

Alice Springs is well-known for its hiking and trekking. Just outside of town there are wonderful walking routes and hiking trails. You can visit gorges, waterholes, and wander through the stunning red desert landscapes. One of the most famous trails in the area is the Larapinta Trail.

Shanghai is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Shanghai or Alice Springs?

Shanghai is a world-class destination for its shopping areas. Also, Alice Springs is not as popular, but is still a nice town for shopping.

Many people travel to Shanghai specifically to go shopping. The city has many large shopping malls with department stores, name brand fashion, and trendy shops. It is also known for its cheap electronics and tailor-made clothes.

Alice Springs is a great destination for shopping. There are many shopping areas around town, particularly at the Yeperenye Shopping Centre, Alice Plaza, and Todd Mall. Prices can be a bit high, so keep that in mind as you're browsing.

Is Shanghai or Alice Springs Better for Families?

Both Shanghai and Alice Springs are very good family-friendly destinations.

Shanghai is a very kid-friendly port city. Of course there's Disneyland, but kids will also enjoy soaking up the city's culture, trying fun new snacks, and exploring the many science and kid-friendly museums. There are also parks and outdoor spaces as well as skyscrapers and towers that offer incredible views of the city.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Alice Springs. Kids will enjoy the beautiful setting as much as adults. There are desert animals that you can see at Alice Springs Desert Park or the Kangaroo Sanctuary. The Earth Sanctuary has telescopes and unbeatable views of the night sky. In the area you'll also be able to take a camel ride or visit the National Road Transport Hall of Fame.

Is Shanghai or Alice Springs Better for Couples?

Shanghai is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Alice Springs is not as popular, but is still a nice town for romance.

Shanghai is a great port city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. With its east meets west personality, couples will be able to enjoy an amazing culinary experience, beautiful gardens, and luxury hotels and spas. There are many romantic areas around this bustling city, making it the perfect place for a romantic city getaway.

Alice Springs is a very popular place to visit for couples. The red desert and stunning landscapes make for a truly one-of-a-kind romantic getaway. In addition to the area's natural beauty, there are hot air balloon rides and camel treks. Hiking and exploring is also at the top of many visitor's lists.

Is Shanghai or Alice Springs Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Shanghai and Alice Springs are very good destinations for backpackers.

Shanghai is a great port city to visit for backpackers. The city is expensive, but there are hostels and cheap eateries that make it accessible even for the budget conscious. Business travelers and local workers give the city a more professional vibe during the day, but if you find the right place to stay you'll quickly be able to meet likeminded travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Alice Springs. Many backpackers stop off here during their Australian adventure. There a few hostels in town as well as a laid back and friendly environment that is perfect for backpacking.

Is Shanghai or Alice Springs Better for Students?

Shanghai is a great port city for its student-friendly activities. However, Alice Springs is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Shanghai. The city attracts international and study abroad students who enjoy its long history and fascinating culture. It's a world financial capital with many businesses headquartered here, so employment opportunities are abundant.

Alice Springs is not popular with students.

Is Shanghai or Alice Springs Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Shanghai is a great port city for times when you don't have a car. However, Alice Springs is not known for its public transit.

Shanghai offers a very effecient public transportation network. There is a metro system as well as buses and taxis which are relatively affordable.

Public transit is generally limited in Alice Springs. Public transit options are limited but you will find buses that leave from the Yeperenye Shopping Center on Hartley Street. There are also taxis in town.

Is Shanghai or Alice Springs a more walkable city?

Shanghai is a great port city for its ease of walking around. Also, Alice Springs is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

Shanghai is a very walkable destination. It's possible to explore the major tourist areas on foot but it can be very hot and humid during the summer months.

Alice Springs is somewhat walkable. The downtown area can be explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Shanghai Worth Visiting? and Is Alice Springs Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Alice Springs or Shanghai?

How long in Shanghai or Alice Springs?

It's fun to spend time in either Shanghai or Alice Springs. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Shanghai due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Shanghai, and 2-4 days is enough time in Alice Springs.

Families should spend more time in Shanghai than Alice Springs. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Shanghai, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Shanghai than Alice Springs. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Shanghai that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Shanghai than Alice Springs if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Shanghai.

One day in Shanghai or Alice Springs?

Shanghai is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Alice Springs is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Shanghai or Alice Springs?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Shanghai. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Alice Springs is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Alice Springs, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Shanghai or Alice Springs?

Shanghai is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Alice Springs is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Shanghai or Alice Springs?

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful port city of Shanghai. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Alice Springs is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Australia.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Shanghai Expensive? and Is Alice Springs Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Shanghai or Alice Springs?

Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 560 times larger than the population of Alice Springs. When comparing the sizes of Shanghai and Alice Springs, 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.