A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Shanghai vs. Austin for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Shanghai or Austin?

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 Austin. 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 cosmopolitan, professional, and diverse port city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Austin

Austin is a eccentric, unconventional, and lively city. It's a big city with many activities to entertain visitors, too. This is a very beautiful destination, too. And you can't forget about the live music, food, and shopping.

Shanghai and Austin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Shanghai or Austin?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Shanghai than Austin. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Shanghai is very popular for its museums, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Austin attracts visitors for its nightlife, music, and hiking. Shanghai is more touristy than Austin and is known for its historical landmarks, local street food, vibrant markets, and waterfront promenade. It is also well known for The Bund. Austin is famous for its live music scene, excellent Texas barbecue, authentic Mexican food, and vibrant student population.

How is Shanghai different from Austin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Austin 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 Austin?

Shanghai is a world-class destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Austin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Shanghai that are not to be missed. 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Austin. Austin has a number of great museums and sights including the Blanton Museum of Art, the Mexic-Arte Museum, and the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. There's also a huge supply of local art galleries. Perhaps the most notable landmark in town is the beautiful Texas Capital Building

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

Foodies will find both Shanghai and Austin both to be world-class destinations.

Eat your way through Shanghai, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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.

For foodies, Austin is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. It is credited with being the original food truck city and you'll find many diverse food truck options around town. There is also amazing Mexican food, world renowned Texas barbecue, and many modern restaurants that reflect the city's culinary influence.

Is Shanghai or Austin Better for Nightlife?

Austin is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Shanghai is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its evening party scene.

People head to Austin just to party. It's nightlife is centered around its thriving live music scene. Head for Sixth Street for some of the most popular bars and clubs. There are also many music festivals and outdoor concerts, particularly during the summer months. Popular bars and clubs around town include the White Horse, the Rose Room, and Antone's Nightclub.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe 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.

Is Shanghai or Austin Better for Music?

Austin is a world-class destination for its live music scene. However, Shanghai is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Austin Music is what gives this city its character. There are many live music venues, concerts, and music festivals to experience. Austin has influenced many music genres such as rock, blues, jazz, hip hop, punk, and country.

Shanghai is not a live music destination.

Is Shanghai or Austin Better for Hiking?

Austin is a moderate city for the nearby hiking options. However, Shanghai is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors include a hike while visiting Austin. Head just outside of town to explore a few great hiking spots right near town.

Shanghai is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Shanghai or Austin?

Shanghai is a world-class destination for shopping. Also, Austin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Shanghai is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Austin. There are a number of local boutiques around town where you can enjoy shopping.

Is Shanghai or Austin Better for Families?

Shanghai is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Austin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Shanghai is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Austin offers lots of family activities. The city is a popular destination for young travelers, but there are also some family-friendly activities like Barton Springs, Zilker Park, and several natural swimming holes. There's a number of nice parks around town that are great for kids of all ages.

Is Shanghai or Austin Better for Couples?

Shanghai is a world-class destination for romance. Also, Austin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Shanghai has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Austin makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Young couples will enjoy the city for its lively nightlife, fun music scene, and youthful vibe. There are also many outdoor areas where you can hike or explore. The restaurant scene is among the best as well.

Is Shanghai or Austin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Shanghai and Austin are great 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 Austin. Although the city is relatively small, it does see a disproportionate number of backpackers. There are a couple of hostels in town as well.

Is Shanghai or Austin Better for Students?

Shanghai and Austin are both great destinations for students and younger travelers.

Many students visit 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.

Austin is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. The city has a huge university, the University of Texas at Austin, and it is a young city with tons for international students. There is a great nightlife scene and plenty for students to see and do.

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

Shanghai is a great destination for its public transit. However, Austin is a city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Shanghai is fairly effecient and thorough. There is a metro system as well as buses and taxis which are relatively affordable.

Public transit is mostly limited in Austin. There are city buses and a very limited lightrail system, but you really need a car to explore the city.

Is Shanghai or Austin a more walkable city?

Shanghai is a great destination for its walkability. However, Austin is a city with minimal options for its high level of walkability.

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

Austin is generally not a very walkable port city. The city, like most southern cities, isn't very walkable and it's important to have a car to get around. There are some downtown areas that are pedestrian-friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Austin or Shanghai?

How long in Shanghai or Austin?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Shanghai and Austin. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Shanghai than in Austin. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Shanghai, and 2-3 days is enough time in Austin.

Families should spend more time in Shanghai than Austin. 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 Austin. 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 Austin 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 Austin?

Shanghai is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The city of Austin offers museums and nightlife. 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 Austin?

Shanghai is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Austin is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Austin, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Shanghai or Austin?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Shanghai. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Austin is a popular choice for travelers. 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 Austin?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the diverse big city of Shanghai. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Austin is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city 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 Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shanghai and Austin, we can see that Austin is more expensive. And not only is Shanghai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Shanghai is in Asia and Austin is in North America, 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 Shanghai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Shanghai 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 Austin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Austin than you might in Shanghai.

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

Which is Bigger, Shanghai or Austin?

Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Austin. When comparing the sizes of Shanghai and Austin, 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 Shanghai or Austin?

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 Shanghai or Austin in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Shanghai and Austin. Many visitors come to Shanghai in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Austin for the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Shanghai is generally around the same temperature as Austin. Daily temperatures in Shanghai average around 28°C (83°F), and Austin fluctuates around 87°F (30°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Austin this time of the year. In Shanghai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Shanghai usually receives less sunshine than Austin during summer. Shanghai gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Austin receives 318 hours of full sun in the summer.

Shanghai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Shanghai usually receives more rain than Austin. Shanghai gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Austin receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Shanghai or Austin in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Shanghai as well as Austin. 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. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Austin because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Shanghai is cooler than Austin in the autumn. The daily temperature in Shanghai averages around 19°C (65°F) in October, and Austin fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Austin. In the autumn, Shanghai often gets less sunshine than Austin. Shanghai gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Austin receives 214 hours of full sun.

Shanghai usually gets less rain in October than Austin. Shanghai gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Austin receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Shanghai or Austin in the Winter?

Both Austin and Shanghai are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Shanghai because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Austin this time of year.

The weather in Shanghai can be very cold. In the winter, Shanghai is much colder than Austin. Typically, the winter temperatures in Shanghai in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Austin averages at about 51°F (11°C).

Shanghai usually receives less sunshine than Austin during winter. Shanghai gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Austin receives 163 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Shanghai usually receives less rain than Austin. Shanghai gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Austin receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Shanghai or Austin in the Spring?

Both Austin and Shanghai during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Shanghai this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Austin for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Shanghai is generally cooler than Austin. Daily temperatures in Shanghai average around 15°C (58°F), and Austin fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

In Austin, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Shanghai often gets less sunshine than Austin. Shanghai gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Austin receives 209 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Shanghai. Shanghai usually gets more rain in April than Austin. Shanghai gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Austin receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Austin and Shanghai