Which place is cheaper, Lima 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 Lima?
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 Lima. 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 Lima?
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".
Lima
Lima, the capital city of Peru, is likely to be your point of entry for the country. Lima was founded in 1535 and was the seat of the Spanish rule for 300 years. It's a surprisingly modern city despite its rich history, but many beautiful churches and colonial architecture remain today. There are also large slum areas that highlight the poverty that exists in the city. The city and its surrounding metropolitan area have a population of about 8.5 million people, many of whom came from the Andes Mountains in search of work. Unfortunately the work opportunities are limited and the poverty is obvious as you arrive in Lima.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
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Shanghai Prices
China PricesLima Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayShanghai $132Lima $95
The average daily cost (per person) in Shanghai is $132, while the average daily cost in Lima is $95. 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 Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personShanghai $82Lima $52
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomShanghai $164Lima $104
Compare Hotels in Shanghai and Lima
Looking for a hotel in Shanghai or Lima? 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: Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Shanghai $3.93Lima $6.06
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$3.64
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Two Subway Tickets$0.84
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shanghai
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Shanghai:
- Private Transfer Shanghai Airport PVG / SHA to Shanghai / Suzhou: $14
- Private Transfer to/from Shanghai Disneyland Park: $15
- Yiwu Railway Station Private Departure Transfer from City Area : $18
- Yiwu Airport Private Transfer, airport pick up drop off services: $20
- Private Transfer to ERA Acrobats Show at Shanghai Circus World: $22
- [Airport Transfer] Shanghai Pudong Airport / Hongqiao Airport ⇔ Shanghai City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter>: $23
- Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA) to Shanghai City - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Shanghai City to Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA) - Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Shanghai Hongqiao Airport private transfer to hotels downtown.: $24
- Private Transfer to Huangpu River Cruise Terminal: $24
- Shanghai Hongqiao Airport Chauffeur Service, Shanghai Airport Transfer: $25
- Shanghai Maglev Train Station Private Transfer from City Area : $25
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$5.73
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Taxi Ride$5.73
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Short Taxi Ride$4.30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- QuickLlama: Door-to-door transfer from Miraflores to Lima Airport: $5.95
- QuickLlama: Transfer from Miraflores Kennedy Park to Lima Airport: $5.95
- LIMA AIRPORT SHUTTLE - Shared Transfer: $13
- Private Transfer from Lima Airport (LIM): $13
- Private Transfer to Lima Airport (LIM): $13
- Transfer: Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima City Center: $16
- Private Transfer from Lima Airport (LIM) to Callao Port: $17
- Private Transfer from Lima City Hotels to Callao Cruise Port: $17
- Private Airport Transfer to Miraflores San Isidro and Barranco: $18
- Transfer from Hotel/Airbnb Miraflores/San Isidro/Barranco to Airport: $18
- Private Transfer from Callao Cruise Port to Lima Hotels: $18
- Private Transfer from Lima hotels to Callao Cruise Port: $18
Is it cheaper to fly into Shanghai or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima 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 $38Lima $32
Typical Food Prices in Shanghai
Some typical examples of dining costs in Shanghai are as follows:
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Dumpling Breakfast$1.40
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Desserts in Jinmao Building Observatory$20
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Ajisen Lunch for Two$7.29
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Cantelope$1.68
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Dumplings and Soup$2.10
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Duck Dinner$4.21
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Pastries$2.94
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Barbeque Dinner$8.97
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: $3.58
- MingleX Dinner with Shanghai locals: $19
- 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
- Authentic Shanghai Food Tour with Chi Gua Va: $35
- Public Chinese Cooking Class in Shanghai : $50
- Huangpu River Evening Cruise Ticket with Dinner: $68
- Authentic Local Food Tour in Central Shanghai: $79
- Late Night Food Tour in the Shanghai's French Concession: $85
- Shanghai Cooking Dumpling and Taste Local Food w/Vegan Option: $87
- Private Cooking Class: Make Your Own Dim Sum In Shanghai: $88
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.59
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Ice cream$3.73
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Coffee$3.15
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Donut$1.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Lima Food Tour with Ceviche, Pisco, and Grilled Chicken: $32
- Food Tour and Market Experience: 12 Peruvian Snacks: $40
- Lima Food Tour - Prepare your Anticuchos and Pisco Sour : $48
- #1 Reviewed Lima Cooking Class: $49
- Dinner at the Huaca Pucllana Restaurant: $55
- Private Guided Walking Street Food Tour in Lima: $55
- Peru’s Most Beloved Recipes Cooking Class: $58
- Lima Market Tour & Ceviche Cooking Class with Pisco Sour: $59
- Lima Night: Cooking Experience with locals: $65
- Peruvian Cooking Class, Local Market Tour & Exotic Fruit Tasting: $65
- Vegan Peruvian Food Cooking Class | Ceviche + Pisco Sour: $69
- 4 iconic restaurants of Lima / 3-hour guided food tour: $69
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Shanghai $8.55Lima $9.15
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:
- Shanghai French Concession Walking Tour-Tip Based: $3.58
- Evening Walking Tour at the Bund: $5.00
- Shanghai City Guided Walking Tour | China's 1st and Best Rated: $5.00
- French Concession Guided Walking Tour | China's 1st & Best Rated: $5.00
- Shanghai Yu Garden Tickets with options (near the Bund): $8.50
- Yuyuan Garden Entrance Ticket: $9.00
- The History of the French Concession: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Shanghai Natural History Museum Ticket Booking: $11
- Yu/Yuyuan Garden Entry Ticket-E ticket: $13
- Shanghai City Sightseeing Bus Hop On Hop Off City Tour: $19
- JinMao Tower Ticket Pass Experience: $22
- Huangpu River sightseeing Cruise Ticket from ShiliuPu Pier: $23
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:
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Entrance to Museo Larco (for 2)$17
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Movie Tickets$2.44
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- Beach tour and surfboards for rent in Lima, Peru: $14
- Lima City Tour with Baby Alpaca Class and Pisco Tasting: $16
- Skip the Line: Larco Museum Admission Ticket: $18
- Miraflores and Barranco Private Bike Tour: $19
- Private Bike Tour in Lima: $19
- Bike Tour Lima: $19
- Water Magic Circuit Lima Night Tour by Panoramic Bus: $20
- Tour in Lima with Visit to the Catacombs of San Francisco: $20
- Bohemian and artistic ravine walking tour: $22
- Lima Half-Day City Walking Tour (Small Groups): $24
- Pisco Sour experience with mini causitas at República del Pisco: $25
- Guided Walking Tour in Barranco: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayShanghai $7.46Lima $5.95
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$7.71
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Beer$4.30
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Cocktail$3.44
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Lima Pub Crawl - Party tour: Friday Barranco/Saturday miraflores: $19
- Bar Crawl Night Tour in Miraflores: $30
- Local Wine Tour : $55
- From Paracas & Huacachina & Wine Tasting: $135
- Full Day Paracas, Huacachina and Wine Tasting from Lima : $138
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shanghai and Lima, we can see that Shanghai is more expensive. And not only is Lima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Shanghai is in Asia and Lima 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 Lima would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lima 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 Lima.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Shanghai Expensive? and Is Lima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Shanghai or Lima?
Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 89% larger than the population of Lima. When comparing the sizes of Shanghai and Lima, 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 Lima?
Shanghai has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Lima experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Shanghai or Lima in the Summer?
Both Lima and Shanghai are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Shanghai because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Shanghai is generally much warmer than Lima. Daily temperatures in Shanghai average around 28°C (83°F), and Lima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Shanghai. Shanghai usually receives more sunshine than Lima during summer. Shanghai gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 36 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Shanghai. In July, Shanghai usually receives more rain than Lima. Shanghai gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Lima receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyShanghai 28°C (83°F)Lima 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Shanghai or Lima in the Autumn?
Both Lima and Shanghai during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Shanghai this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round.
Shanghai is around the same temperature as Lima in the autumn. The daily temperature in Shanghai averages around 19°C (65°F) in October, and Lima fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
In the autumn, Shanghai often gets more sunshine than Lima. Shanghai gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 60 hours of full sun.
Shanghai usually gets more rain in October than Lima. Shanghai gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Lima receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberShanghai 19°C (65°F)Lima 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Shanghai or Lima in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Shanghai and Lima. Many travelers come to Shanghai for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Shanghai. In the winter, Shanghai is much colder than Lima. Typically, the winter temperatures in Shanghai in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Lima averages at about 23°C (73°F).
Shanghai usually receives less sunshine than Lima during winter. Shanghai gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 185 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Shanghai usually receives more rain than Lima. Shanghai gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Lima receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryShanghai 4°C (39°F)Lima 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Shanghai or Lima in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Shanghai as well as Lima. Many visitors come to Shanghai in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year.
In April, Shanghai is generally much colder than Lima. Daily temperatures in Shanghai average around 15°C (58°F), and Lima fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
In the spring, Shanghai often gets less sunshine than Lima. Shanghai gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 182 hours of full sun.
Shanghai receives a lot of rain in the spring. Shanghai usually gets more rain in April than Lima. Shanghai gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Lima receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilShanghai 15°C (58°F)Lima 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Lima and Shanghai
| Shanghai | Lima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (39°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (58°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 20°C (67°F) | 113 mm (4.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 128 mm (5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (65°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (44°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 3 mm (0.1 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.