Which place is cheaper, Havana or Shanghai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Shanghai or Havana?
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 Havana. 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 Havana?
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".
Havana
The city of Havana is at the top of most peoples' bucket list - mostly because of the allure of a forbidden land. Before the Communist revolution, Cuba was a popular tourist destination. Since it has reopened in the 1990s, it has drawn tourists from all over the world (except the US).
This capital city is a land trapped in the past. With 50 years of neglect, when you step off the plane, prepare to step back in time. A trip to Havana is meant for those with truly open minds - and when they arrive they'll be swept away.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayShanghai $115Havana $65
The average daily cost (per person) in Shanghai is $115, while the average daily cost in Havana is $65. 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 Havana in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personShanghai $81Havana $40
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomShanghai $162Havana $80
Compare Hotels in Shanghai and Havana
Looking for a hotel in Shanghai or Havana? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Shanghai $3.87Havana $19
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$3.59
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Two Subway Tickets$0.83
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shanghai
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Shanghai:
- Mount Mogan Self-Guided Tour from Shanghai by Private Transfer: $108
- Private Transfer between Shanghai Pudong Int'l Airport & Hongqiao Airport : $45
- Private Transfer from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station to City Center : $30
- 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 City by Standard Sedan: $74
- Arrival Private Transfer: Pudong Airport PVG to Shanghai in Business Car : $113
- Departure Private Transfer: Shanghai to Pudong Airport PVG in Business Car: $112
- Departure Transfer by High-Speed Maglev Train: Hotel to Shanghai Pudong International Airport: $79
- Flexible Hours of Private Shanghai Layover or Transfer Tour: $129
- Flexible Hours of Shanghai Layover and Transfer Tour with Driver Only: $119
- Guangzhou Airport Transfer by 5 seat standard car: $53
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Havana
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Havana:
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Short Taxi Ride$0.68
Is it cheaper to fly into Shanghai or Havana?
Prices for flights to both Havana 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 $21Havana $10
Typical Food Prices in Shanghai
Some typical examples of dining costs in Shanghai are as follows:
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Dumpling Breakfast$1.38
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Desserts in Jinmao Building Observatory$20
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Ajisen Lunch for Two$7.18
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Cantelope$1.66
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Dumplings and Soup$2.07
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Duck Dinner$4.14
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Pastries$2.90
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Barbeque Dinner$8.83
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shanghai
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Shanghai.
- Online Cooking Class General Tso's Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Sesame Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Fried Rice by Sunflower Li : $20
- 3-Hour Biking and Local Food Tour: $70
- Authentic Local Food Tour in Central Shanghai: $79
- Late night food tour in Shanghai's French Concession: $85
- Shanghai Evening Food Tour/Shanghai tour gastronomico nocturno : $85
- Late Night Food Tour in the Shanghai's French Concession: $89
- Chinese Cooking Class and Wet Market Visit: $90
- Shanghai's Koreatown Food Tour: $91
- 4-Hour Food Tour in Qibao Water Town from Shanghai by Subway: $95
- 3-Hour Flexible Private Shanghai Night Tour with Local Dinner Option: $100
Typical Food Prices in Havana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Havana:
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Pizza$0.03
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Shanghai $8.42Havana $11
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$28
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Zoo for Two$14
Tours and Activities in Shanghai
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Shanghai are as follows:
- The History of the French Concession: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Shanghai Yu Garden Ticket Booking: $14
- Hop-on Hop-off Bus Ticket and Optional Attractions: $14
- Shanghai Yu Garden Tour：Harmony & Spirituality in Garden Art: $20
- Shanghai Highlights Walking Tour: $29
- Shanghai French Concession Walking Tour: $29
- Shanghai Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35
- Like a Local Customized Guided Tour: $35
- Shanghai Hotels to Wusongkou Cruise Port:Private with Meet & Great service: $38
- Shanghai Downtown Hotel to Baoshan Cruise Port:Private with Meet & Greet service: $38
- Fudan University Student Guide Tour: $42
- Shanghai Tower Tickets Booking: $43
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayShanghai $7.35Havana $5.76
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 - Bar-hopping/Night life tour: $27
- Shanghai Luxury Bar Crawl in 5-star Hotel or Boutique Hotel: $255
Typical Alcohol Prices in Havana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Havana:
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Mojito$0.15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shanghai and Havana, we can see that Shanghai is more expensive. And not only is Havana much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Shanghai is in Asia and Havana is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Havana would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Havana 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 Havana.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Shanghai Expensive? and Is Havana Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Shanghai or Havana?
Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Havana. When comparing the sizes of Shanghai and Havana, 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 Havana?
Shanghai has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Havana experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Shanghai or Havana in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Shanghai and Havana. Many travelers come to Shanghai for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Shanghai is around the same temperature as Havana. Typically, the summer temperatures in Shanghai in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Havana averages at about 27°C (81°F).
Shanghai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Shanghai usually receives more rain than Havana. Shanghai gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Havana receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyShanghai 28°C (83°F)Havana 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Shanghai or Havana in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Shanghai as well as Havana. Many visitors come to Shanghai in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year.
In October, Shanghai is generally cooler than Havana. Daily temperatures in Shanghai average around 19°C (65°F), and Havana fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
Shanghai usually gets less rain in October than Havana. Shanghai gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Havana receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberShanghai 19°C (65°F)Havana 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Shanghai or Havana in the Winter?
Both Havana and Shanghai are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Shanghai for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Havana because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Shanghai can be very cold during winter. Shanghai is much colder than Havana in the winter. The daily temperature in Shanghai averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Havana fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
In January, Shanghai usually receives more rain than Havana. Shanghai gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Havana receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryShanghai 4°C (39°F)Havana 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Shanghai or Havana in the Spring?
Both Havana and Shanghai during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Shanghai because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round.
In the spring, Shanghai is much colder than Havana. Typically, the spring temperatures in Shanghai in April average around 15°C (58°F), and Havana averages at about 24°C (75°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Shanghai. Shanghai usually gets more rain in April than Havana. Shanghai gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Havana receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilShanghai 15°C (58°F)Havana 24°C (75°F)
Typical Weather for Havana and Shanghai
| Shanghai | Havana | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (39°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (58°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| May | 20°C (67°F) | 113 mm (4.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 128 mm (5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (65°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (44°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 30 mm (1.2 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.