Which place is cheaper, Guayaquil or Shanghai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Shanghai or Guayaquil?
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 Guayaquil. 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 Guayaquil?
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".
Guayaquil
Guayaquil is Ecuador's largest city and seaport. From a tourist perspective, the city acts primarily as a transportation gateway to the country and the Galapagos Islands. While the city can be skipped altogether, should you have a free day to spend here, there are a few noteworthy things to do, as well as some terrific dining and nightlife options. Guayaquil’s main tourist attraction is Las Penas, a hill with old, colorfully painted buildings at the north end of the Malecon, where you can walk the 400 steps to the lighthouse at the top for good views of the city. The neighborhood is filled with cafes, bars, restaurants, and art galleries and is relatively safe. Other important sights include the Malecon 2000, a massive urban development project that has brought new life to the riverside in the city center and the Parque Seminario, filled with fountains, trees and iguanas, located at 10 de Agosto Ave and Chile Ave.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador.
-
Shanghai Prices
China PricesGuayaquil Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayShanghai $140Guayaquil $116
The average daily cost (per person) in Shanghai is $140, while the average daily cost in Guayaquil is $116. 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 Guayaquil in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personShanghai $87Guayaquil $32
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomShanghai $174Guayaquil $64
Compare Hotels in Shanghai and Guayaquil
Looking for a hotel in Shanghai or Guayaquil? 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: Guayaquil Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Shanghai $4.14Guayaquil $15
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Shanghai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Shanghai:
-
Taxi Ride$3.84
-
Two Subway Tickets$0.89
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shanghai
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Shanghai:
- Zhujiajiao Water Town and Shanghai City Self-Guide 10-Hour Private Transfer Tour: $138
- Zhouzhuang and Tongli Water Town Private Transfer Service from Shanghai: $106
- Yiwu Railway Station Private Arrival Transfer to City Area: $18
- Xitang Water Town Self-Guided Tour from Shanghai with Private Transfer: $100
- Wusongkou Cruise Terminal Share Transfer Service, Baoshan Port Pick up Service: $30
- Wusongkou Cruise Terminal Shanghai Disney Private Transfer: $42
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in ShangHai HTL-APT (PVG,SHA): $51
- Transfer from hotels to Shanghai Pudong or Hongqiao airport: $50
- Transfer from Shanghai City Center to Pudong Airport: $29
- Transfer From City to Shanghai Pudong Airport （English Driver）: $68
- Tianma Country Golf Club Private Round-trip Transfer from Shanghai City Area: $79
- Shared Transfer: from Shanghai Wusongkou Cruise Port to Hotel in Shanghai: $30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guayaquil
Also for Guayaquil, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Guayaquil Airport to Hotel or vice versa: $13
- Guayaquil PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from the Airport to Hotels: $17
- Guayaquil PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from the Airport to Hotels: $18
- Guayaquil Airport GYE to Guayaquil city -Arrival Private Transfer: $19
- Guayaquil PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from the Airport to Hotels: $20
- Guayaquil PRIVATE Departure Transfer from Hotels to the Airport.: $20
- Guayaquil Airport (GYE) to Guayaquil hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $38
- Shared transfer from Hotel to Airport in Guayaquil: $43
- Private Transfer Guayaquil Airport GYE to Guayaquil by Car or Van: $48
- Departure Private Transfer: Guayaquil City to Guayaquil Airport: $48
- Private Transfer from Guayaquil to Cuenca: $104
- Private Transfer from Guayaquil Airport(GYE) to Manta Cruise Port: $230
Is it cheaper to fly into Shanghai or Guayaquil?
Prices for flights to both Guayaquil 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
-
Food Meals for one dayShanghai $40Guayaquil $50
Typical Food Prices in Shanghai
Some typical examples of dining costs in Shanghai are as follows:
-
Dumpling Breakfast$1.48
-
Desserts in Jinmao Building Observatory$22
-
Ajisen Lunch for Two$7.69
-
Cantelope$1.77
-
Dumplings and Soup$2.22
-
Duck Dinner$4.43
-
Pastries$3.10
-
Barbeque Dinner$9.46
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shanghai
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Shanghai.
- Authentic Local Food Tour In Downtown Shanghai-Tip Based: $3.53
- Online Cooking Class Fried Rice by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class General Tso's Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Dim Sum by Sunflower Li: $20
- Shanghai Huangpu River Night Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $28
- Authentic Shanghai Food Tour with Chi Gua Va: $35
- Shanghai Jade Buddha Temple and Local Food Tour: $49
- Huangpu River Evening Cruise Ticket with Dinner: $68
- Authentic Local Food Tour Near the Bund: $71
- Shanghai Food Tour and Alleyways to Skyline with 8 Local Eats: $71
- Small Group: Shanghai After Dark Food Tour with 9 tastings: $74
- Authentic Local Food Tour in Central Shanghai: $79
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guayaquil
For Guayaquil, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Half Day of Cooking and Chocolate at Cocoa Farm from Guayaquil: $175
- Gastronomic workshop tour, live cooking, Learn about the Ecuadorian culinary art: $180
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Shanghai $9.02Guayaquil $21
Typical Entertainment Prices in Shanghai
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Shanghai are as follows:
-
30 Minute River Cruise for Two$30
-
Zoo for Two$15
Tours and Activities in Shanghai
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Shanghai are as follows:
- 1 Day Shanghai Airport Layover Private Tour for City Highlights: $202
- 1 Day Shanghai Highlight Small Group Tour: $198
- 1 Day Shanghai Private Tour: $180
- 1 Day Suzhou Private Tour (Departure from Shanghai): $240
- 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
- 1-Day Private Tour to Shanghai Museum,Yu Garden,the Bund & Huangpu River Cruise: $213
- 1-Day Private Tour to Suzhou from Shanghai: $272
- 1-Day Shanghai Tour to Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Yu Garden and Jade Buddha Temple: $224
- 13 day private tour : Splendid China+ important highlights: $4,106
- 1h Chinese Ink Art Experience: Calligraphy & Painting in Shanghai: $52
- 2-Day Zhujiajiao Water Town, Shanghai and Suzhou Private Tour: $300
Tours and Activities in Guayaquil
For Guayaquil, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Shared Walking Tour in Guayaquil City: $45
- Guayaquil City Tour Including the Light House of Cerro Santa Ana: $70
- Guayaquil to Cuenca one-way tour with Cajas Park and a Cacao Farm visit: $74
- Private Guayaquil City Tour: $77
- Half Day Guayaquil Historical Tour and Cocoa Culinary Experience: $85
- Sky High City Tour & Cable Car Ride: $95
- Guayaquil Cocktail Tasting Tour: $95
- Guayaquil Experience - Premium City Tour: $95
- Choco-Culture City Tour & Cacao Museum: $99
- Half Day Walking Tour of Guayaquil Pearl of the Pacific: $100
- Guayaquil´s Night Tour with Drinks at FrutaBar: $105
- Guayaquil Layover Sightseeing Tour with Round-Trip Airport Transport: $120
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayShanghai $7.87Guayaquil $17
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: $26
Sample the Local Flavors in Guayaquil
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Guayaquil:
- Wine Tasting Experience with Tasting Menu: $65
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shanghai and Guayaquil, we can see that Shanghai is more expensive. And not only is Guayaquil much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Shanghai is in Asia and Guayaquil is in South 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 Guayaquil would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Guayaquil 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 Guayaquil.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Shanghai Expensive? and Is Guayaquil Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Shanghai or Guayaquil?
Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Guayaquil. When comparing the sizes of Shanghai and Guayaquil, 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 Guayaquil?
Shanghai has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Guayaquil experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Shanghai or Guayaquil in the Summer?
Both Guayaquil and Shanghai during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Shanghai in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Guayaquil year-round.
In the summer, Shanghai is a little warmer than Guayaquil. Typically, the summer temperatures in Shanghai in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Guayaquil averages at about 23°C (73°F).
Guayaquil gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Shanghai. Shanghai usually gets more rain in July than Guayaquil. Shanghai gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyShanghai 28°C (83°F)Guayaquil 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Shanghai or Guayaquil in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Shanghai and Guayaquil. 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. Guayaquil attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Shanghai is generally cooler than Guayaquil. Daily temperatures in Shanghai average around 19°C (65°F), and Guayaquil fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In October, Shanghai usually receives less rain than Guayaquil. Shanghai gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberShanghai 19°C (65°F)Guayaquil 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Shanghai or Guayaquil in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Shanghai as well as Guayaquil. The winter months attract visitors to Shanghai because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Guayaquil throughout the year.
The weather in Shanghai can be very cold. Shanghai is much colder than Guayaquil in the winter. The daily temperature in Shanghai averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Guayaquil fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It's quite rainy in Guayaquil. Shanghai usually gets less rain in January than Guayaquil. Shanghai gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryShanghai 4°C (39°F)Guayaquil 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Shanghai or Guayaquil in the Spring?
Both Guayaquil and Shanghai are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Shanghai this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Guayaquil because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the spring, Shanghai is much colder than Guayaquil. Typically, the spring temperatures in Shanghai in April average around 15°C (58°F), and Guayaquil averages at about 28°C (82°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Guayaquil. It's quite rainy in Shanghai. In April, Shanghai usually receives less rain than Guayaquil. Shanghai gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilShanghai 15°C (58°F)Guayaquil 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Guayaquil and Shanghai
| Shanghai | Guayaquil | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (39°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (58°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| May | 20°C (67°F) | 113 mm (4.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 128 mm (5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (65°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (44°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 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.