Which place is cheaper, London 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 London. 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 modern, cosmopolitan, and professional port city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.
London is a international, historic, and diverse 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. And you can't forget about the museums, theater, and nightlife.
Travelers will generally find more things to do in London than Shanghai. While Shanghai is larger than London, London has more sights and attractions for tourists. London is more popular for its theatre productions, nightlife, music, and christmas markets, while Shanghai is known for its food. London is more touristy than Shanghai and is popular for its international reputation, its world-renowned theater productions, and its many different markets. It is also home to Big Ben. Shanghai is popular for its historical landmarks, local street food, vibrant markets, and waterfront promenade.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between London and Shanghai. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Plenty of people visit the first-rate sights and museums in both Shanghai and London.
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.
With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, London has many famous sights for visitors. The city has so many iconic sights that we can't list them all, but some of the most famous include the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and the British Museum. You can fill many days exploring the treasures found at each of the venues.
London is a world-class destination for its theatre productions. However, Shanghai is not a theatre destination.
London is considered to be a world-class theater destination. The West End theater district is where you'll find the most popular musicals. Famous theaters include Apollo Theatre, Palace Theatre, and Piccadilly Theatre. There are often Wednesday matinees that are a bit cheaper than the evening shows. You may also be able to get discounted last minute tickets if you're visiting during the less touristy times.
Shanghai is not a theatre destination.
Shanghai is terrific for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, London is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.
Shanghai has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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.
With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, London makes for a great culinary experience. Although food here was once the butt of a number of jokes, the restaurant scene has come a long way, and you can find anything and everything around town. Head to Chinatown to try dim sum or hot pot. There are no shortage of Indian restaurants as well. If you want the best food for the lowest prices, your best bet is to get out of the touristy areas and discover where the locals eat. There are also many markets that are perfect for grabbing a unique lunch or snack. Burrough Market has a number of ethnic and seafood vendors as well as fresh produce and snack options.
London is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Shanghai is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its evening party scene.
People head to London just to party. Some of the best neighborhoods for nightlife are Camden, West End, Soho, and Shoreditch. There are many festivals, concerts, and shows worth checking out and the nightlife scene is diverse enough that there really is something for everyone.
With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe 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.
London is a world-class destination for its live music scene. However, Shanghai is not a live music destination.
Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in London Famous music venues include Dominion Theatre, the Roundhouse, and Dublin Castle.
Shanghai is not a live music destination.
Both Shanghai and London are first-rate 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 London specifically to go shopping. With so much iconic shopping around town, it's hard to decide where to go. Head to Oxford Street, Regent Street, or Piccadilly Circus for a quintessential British shopping experience.
London is a world-class destination for its Christmas activities. However, Shanghai does not offer Christmas activities.
London is a fantastic destination at Christmas. There's Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, outdoor ice skating, and beautiful Christmas lights throughout the city. You can also listen to Christmas Carols in Trafalgar Square or see a classic Christmas show.
Shanghai does not offer Christmas activities.
London is a world-class destination for its Christmas markets. However, Shanghai does not offer Christmas markets.
Many people travel to London specifically for the Christmas markets. The city has many Christmas markets. There is Winter Wonderland Christmas market, Southbank Centre Winter Market, and Selfridges Christmas Market, among many others.
Shanghai does not offer Christmas markets.
London is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Shanghai is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.
With a huge array of activities for kids, London is very family-friendly. Whether you do a Harry Potter Tour, take a ride on the London Eye, or enjoy afternoon tea, there are plenty of activities for kids around town. The Harry Potter Studio Tour is fun for everyone, but should be booked well in advance as it sells out. Theatre enthusiasts will enjoy catching a musical in West End and sampling dim sum or a hot pot in Chinatown. There are often Wednesday matinee showings that are perfect for kids with early bedtimes.
You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Shanghai. 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.
Shanghai and London both first-rate 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.
London makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. With every type of entertainment that you can imagine, this city is the ultimate couple's getaway. There are world class musicals, evening concerts, and restaurants of every style, cuisine, and budget. It's easy for couples to fill days in this vibrant city.
London is a world-class destination for backpackers. Also, Shanghai is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.
Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit London. Although the city is very expensive, it has tons of hostels, affordable restaurant options, and great public transit. There's a huge backpacker network here and it's easy to meet other travelers. The nightlife scene is also second to none.
Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Shanghai. 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.
London is a world-class destination for students. Also, Shanghai is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its student-friendly activities.
London is a very popular place to visit for students. The city has a number of universities and is a popular study abroad destination. It's also a very diverse city, so international students will feel right at home.
Shanghai is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. The city attracts international and study abroad students who enjoy its long history and fascinating culture. It's a world financial capital with many businesses headquartered here, so employment opportunities are abundant.
London is a world-class destination for its public transit. Also, Shanghai is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for times when you don't have a car.
With a huge network, the transit system in London can get you around easily. From the iconic double decker buses to the Tube, there are plenty of options throughout the city.
The public transit in Shanghai can get you to most places easily. There is a metro system as well as buses and taxis which are relatively affordable.
London is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Shanghai is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its ease of walking around.
It is easy to get around London on foot. With many walkable areas, it is considered to be one of the world's most walkable major cities.
Shanghai is a very walkable destination. It's possible to explore the major tourist areas on foot but it can be very hot and humid during the summer months.
For even more information, also check out Is Shanghai Worth Visiting? and Is London Worth Visiting?.
Both Shanghai and London have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in London than in Shanghai. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Shanghai, and 3-7 days is enough time in London.
Families should spend more time in London than Shanghai. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in London, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in London than Shanghai. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in London that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in London than Shanghai if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in London.
Shanghai is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
The beautiful city of London offers shopping and museums. 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.
Shanghai is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
London 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.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Shanghai. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
London is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in London, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the modern big city of Shanghai. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.
London 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 London has to offer. This city offers something for everyone.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best Adventure Tours to United Kingdom.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Shanghai is $115, while the average daily cost in London is $239. 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 London in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Shanghai or London? 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:
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in London:
Also for London, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both London 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.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to London:
For London, 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:
For London, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for London.
Also in Shanghai, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in London:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shanghai and London, we can see that London is more expensive. And not only is Shanghai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Shanghai is in Asia and London is in Europe, 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 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 London would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in London than you might in Shanghai.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Shanghai Expensive? and Is London Expensive?.
Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 97% larger than the population of London. When comparing the sizes of Shanghai and London, 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.
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
The summer brings many poeple to Shanghai as well as London. Many travelers come to Shanghai for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to London in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Shanghai is much warmer than London. Typically, the summer temperatures in Shanghai in July average around 28°C (83°F), and London averages at about 18°C (64°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Shanghai this time of the year. In the summer, Shanghai often gets more sunshine than London. Shanghai gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while London receives 195 hours of full sun.
Shanghai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Shanghai usually gets more rain in July than London. Shanghai gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while London receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both London and Shanghai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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. Also, most visitors come to London for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Shanghai is generally much warmer than London. Daily temperatures in Shanghai average around 19°C (65°F), and London fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
Shanghai usually receives more sunshine than London during autumn. Shanghai gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while London receives 107 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Shanghai usually receives around the same amount of rain as London. Shanghai gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while London receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both London and Shanghai during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Shanghai for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to London because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
The weather in London can be very cold. Shanghai can be very cold during winter. Shanghai is around the same temperature as London in the winter. The daily temperature in Shanghai averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and London fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
In the winter, Shanghai often gets more sunshine than London. Shanghai gets 135 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while London receives 52 hours of full sun.
Shanghai usually gets less rain in January than London. Shanghai gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while London receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Shanghai and London. The spring months attract visitors to Shanghai because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to London this time of year.
In the spring, Shanghai is much warmer than London. Typically, the spring temperatures in Shanghai in April average around 15°C (58°F), and London averages at about 9°C (48°F).
Shanghai usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as London during spring. Shanghai gets 153 hours of sunny skies, while London receives 147 hours of full sun in the spring.
Shanghai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Shanghai usually receives more rain than London. Shanghai gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while London receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Shanghai | London | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 4°C (39°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
Feb | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
Apr | 15°C (58°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
May | 20°C (67°F) | 113 mm (4.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 128 mm (5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
Oct | 19°C (65°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
Dec | 7°C (44°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |