Which place is cheaper, Chengdu or Shanghai?
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 Shanghai or Chengdu?
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 Chengdu. 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: Shanghai or Chengdu?
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".
Chengdu
Chengdu is in China's Sichuan Provence and is in what is known as the Red Basin. It is a particularly fertile region in China that is known for its agriculture. For this reason it is sometimes referred to as the "Land of Milk and Honey". The Funan River cuts through the city but has almost no boat traffic anymore. The city itself has a wonderful relaxed vibe compared to the rest of China and is filled with green parks and places to relax. It is considered one of the most livable cities in China.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, and The Best Historical Tours in China.
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Shanghai Prices
China PricesChengdu Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayShanghai $141Chengdu $72
The average daily cost (per person) in Shanghai is $141, while the average daily cost in Chengdu is $72. 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 Shanghai and Chengdu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personShanghai $87Chengdu $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomShanghai $174Chengdu $46
Compare Hotels in Shanghai and Chengdu
Looking for a hotel in Shanghai or Chengdu? 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: Shanghai Hotel Prices and Chengdu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Shanghai $4.18Chengdu $6.41
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$3.88
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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
- 3-hour Private Transfer to Shanghai ERA Acrobatic Show from City Center: $53
- Arrival Private Transfer Pudong Airport PVG to Shanghai by Sedan: $61
- Chauffeur service, Limousine airport transfer in Shanghai-English speaking: $51
- Departure Private Transfer: Shanghai to Pudong Airport PVG in Business Car: $118
- Departure Transfer from Shanghai to Pudong Airport PVG by Sedan: $61
- ERA Acrobatics Show Ticket with Private Transfer: $54
- Hotel in Shanghai to Shanghai Wusongkou Cruise Port Private Transfer: $36
- Madame Tussauds Shanghai Ticket with Transfers: $60
- Ningbo City Private Arrival Transfer from Shanghai Pudong International Airport: $177
- PVG Airport Private Transfer to or from Shanghai Disney Resort: $61
- PVG Private Transfer To or From Shanghai Railway Stations: $61
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chengdu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chengdu:
- Panda Research Base Ticket or Private Transfer Tour: $15
- Chengdu Panda Breeding Base Tour with Guide or Transfer: $20
- Chengdu Panda Breeding Base Ticket w/ Optional Transfer or Guide: $20
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chengdu International Airport (CTU): $23
- Private Transfer from Chengdu hotel to Chengdu Train Station: $27
- Private Arrival Transfer:Any Chengdu Railway Station to City Hotel: $28
- Chengdu Airport (CTU) to Chengdu - Arrival Private Transfer: $30
- Hassle-Free & Comfortable Airport Transfer Service: $30
- Chengdu Airport (TFU) to Chengdu city - Arrival Private Transfer: $31
- Hotels to Chengdu Tianfu or Shuangliu Airports private transfer: $33
- Private Transfer to Panda Base/Dujiangyan/Sanxingdui: $33
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chengdu Airport (CTU or TFU): $34
Is it cheaper to fly into Shanghai or Chengdu?
Prices for flights to both Chengdu and Shanghai 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 dayShanghai $40Chengdu $41
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$7.76
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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.
- City Center Authentic Local Food Tour-Tip Based: $3.42
- Online Cooking Class Sesame Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Dim Sum by Sunflower Li: $20
- Authentic Shanghai Food Tour with Chi Gua Va: $35
- Small Group Shanghai After Dark Food Tour with 9 tastings: $38
- Shanghai Jade Buddha Temple and Local Food Tour: $49
- Old Shanghai Signature Food Tour with 14+ Tasters by FoodaQuest: $55
- Shanghai After Dark Food Tour with 9 Authentic Tastings: $61
- 2-Hour Shanghai Street Food Tour: Dumplings, Tea & Old City Bites: $65
- Authentic Local Food Tour in Central Shanghai: $79
- Authentic Shanghai Food Tour by Walking or Cycling: $80
- Shanghai Cooking Dumpling and Taste Local Food w/Vegan Option: $84
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chengdu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chengdu.
- Chengdu Night: VIP Seat Opera Show or Back Alley Food Tour: $40
- Chengdu Food Tour Local Delicacies and Ear Cleaning: $59
- Chengdu Hidden Street Food Tour Spice Trails: $60
- Eat Like a Local! Food Tour in the Hidden Alleys: $67
- Food Tour Through Chengdu Local Eats: $68
- Discovery more Chengdu evening food tour with locals: $69
- Tuktuk Food Tour Through Chengdu's Local Eats: $73
- Evening Food Tour with Local Guide: $78
- Chengdu Evening Food Tour: $79
- Chengdu Cooking Class with a Local Market Visit: $80
- Half-Day Steamed Buns (Bao) Cooking Class with Local Market Visit: $80
- Cooking Class with Fresh Market Half Day Experience: $80
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Shanghai $9.11Chengdu $17
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 Highlights Walking Tour-Tip Based: $3.42
- Shanghai City Walking Tour: $4.00
- Customized Private Tour in Shanghai The Bund Yu Garden Zhujiajiao: $5.00
- French Concession Guided Walking Tour | China's 1st & Best Rated: $5.00
- Evening Walking Tour at the Bund: $5.00
- Self-Guided Podcast Tour Shadows of the Shikumen: $5.48
- Shanghai Audio Guided Walking Tour 3h and 22 audio reviews: $6.75
- Yuyuan Garden Entrance Ticket: $10
- Shanghai Natural History Museum Entry Ticket: $11
- Shanghai Yu Garden (Yuyuan Garden) Entry Ticket: $12
- Yu/Yuyuan Garden Entry Ticket-E ticket: $13
- Shanghai City Sightseeing Bus Pass with Audio Commentary: $14
Tours and Activities in Chengdu
Here are a few actual costs in Chengdu for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base Ticket: $9.00
- Panda Research Base Ticket or Volunteer Day Trip: $9.50
- Chengdu Panda Research Base Tickets And Optional Private Tour: $14
- Ticket reservation for Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Base: $15
- Chengdu Giant Panda Base Ticket / Optional Private Guide Service: $15
- Giant Panda Breeding Research Base Ticket: $16
- Half-Day Panda Base Tour with Guide Option: $17
- Du Fu Thatched Cottage Museum Ticket for Adult: $18
- Panda Breeding Base Tickets Booking: $19
- Chengdu panda Base Tickets with Optional Private Tour: $20
- Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding e-Ticket: $22
- Panda Base Tour/Ticket Only Option: $22
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayShanghai $7.95Chengdu $4.25
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
- Shanghai Bar Crawl: TCM Cocktails & Local Craft Beer: $89
- Cheers, Beers and No Fears: Shanghai Bar Crawl: $100
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shanghai and Chengdu, we can see that Shanghai is more expensive. And not only is Chengdu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chengdu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chengdu 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 Chengdu.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Shanghai Expensive? and Is Chengdu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Shanghai or Chengdu?
Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Chengdu. When comparing the sizes of Shanghai and Chengdu, 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.