Which city is cheaper, Hong Kong or Shanghai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Shanghai and Hong Kong. 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 is a professional, diverse, and bustling port city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.
Hong Kong is a dense, cosmopolitan, and glamorous city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the food, hiking, and shopping.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Hong Kong and Shanghai. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Plenty of people visit the sights and museums in both Shanghai and Hong Kong.
The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Shanghai are among the most recognizable in the world. 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.
Hong Kong offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city's skyline is one of the most famous "landmarks", but you'll also want to visit Victoria Peak, the Tian Tan Buddha Statue, Wong Tai Sin Temple, and Avenue of Stars.
Foodies will find both Shanghai and Hong Kong both to be unique 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, Hong Kong is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The city's population is famous for its frequency of dining out, and the prolific diversity of restaurants is obvious from the moment you arrive. There are street food stalls and night markets, as well as luxury award winning restaurants. The city holds tight to its culinary traditions, but fusion restaurants are creeping in as well. Some of the most famous Hong Kong foods include dim sum, sweet and sour pork, and roast goose.
Evening events are similar in both Shanghai and Hong Kong.
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.
Hong Kong has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city lights up after the sun sets. You'll find a diverse range of activities in the evening ranging from night markets to concerts and parties. Many of the most popular venues are found around Central and, like everything else in Hong Kong, the venues are often compact and crowded.
Both Shanghai and Hong Kong are good shopping destinations.
The abundance of shops in Shanghai make it a world-class shopping destination. 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.
Many people travel to Hong Kong specifically to go shopping. There is a high concentration of shopping malls in the city, and you'll likely find yourself cutting through malls to access different parts of town. The city is arguably one of the best shopping cities in the world. Popular items to purchase in the city include designer clothes, handbags, electronics, jewelry, watches, and tailor-made suits.
Both Shanghai and Hong Kong are 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.
As it has a large number of activities for kids, Hong Kong is a very family-friendly destination. In addition to its many fascinating cultural experiences like visiting the markets and historical landmarks, this city also has a diversity of kid-friendly entertainment options. The most obvious is Disneyland, but there are also other amusement parks and aquariums like Ocean Park. Make sure you check out the Symphony of Lights in the evening and head to The Peak Tower during the day.
Shanghai and Hong Kong both fun destinations for a couple.
Shanghai is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.
Hong Kong makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. This city is filled with luxury hotels, beautiful parks, and impressive restaurants. For a romantic evening, check out the Symphony of Lights over Victoria Harbour after the sun sets.
Both Shanghai and Hong Kong are popular 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 backpackers visit Hong Kong. The city is more expensive than many places, but cheap eateries and free activities are abundant. Many backpackers stay in the Tsim Sha Shui area of Kowloon. This is where you'll find the frequently talked about Chungking Mansions. Times are changing though, and you'll find more hostels on Hong Kong Island these days as well.
Both Shanghai and Hong Kong offer public transit options.
Shanghai has some very good public transit options. There is a metro system as well as buses and taxis which are relatively affordable.
Visitors in Hong Kong can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. Land transportation includes the MTR (Mass Transit Railway), buses, minibuses, and tramways. There are also ferries that connect the different parts of the city.
Shanghai and Hong Kong both are comparable when exploring on foot.
Shanghai is a very walkable port city. It's possible to explore the major tourist areas on foot but it can be very hot and humid during the summer months.
It's very easy to get around on foot in Hong Kong. The city has many parks and walking paths that connect different areas.
Both Shanghai and Hong Kong have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Hong Kong than Shanghai.
The ideal length of time for a trip to Shanghai is 2-5 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Hong Kong is 3-7 days.
People visit Shanghai because there is so much to do. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
The beautiful city of Hong Kong offers food and shopping. 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.
People visit Shanghai because there is so much to do. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this port city has to offer. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from.
Hong Kong is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.
People visit Shanghai because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this port city makes for a great vacation. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this port city has to offer.
Hong Kong is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Hong Kong, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
Shanghai is a popular choice for travelers. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
Hong Kong is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Hong Kong has to offer. This city offers something for everyone.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Shanghai is $98, while the average daily cost in Hong Kong is $128. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Shanghai and Hong Kong in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Shanghai or Hong Kong? 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Shanghai:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Shanghai:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hong Kong:
Also for Hong Kong, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Hong Kong 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.
Some typical examples of dining costs in Shanghai are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Shanghai.
For Hong Kong, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For Hong Kong, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Shanghai are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Shanghai are as follows:
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Hong Kong's activities, tours, and tickets:
For Hong Kong, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Also in Shanghai, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shanghai and Hong Kong, we can see that Hong Kong is more expensive. And not only is Shanghai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Hong Kong would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hong Kong than you might in Shanghai.
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