A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Shanghai vs. Marseille for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Shanghai or Marseille?

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 Marseille. 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

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 food, shopping, and museums.

Marseille

Marseille is a energetic and vibrant city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Shanghai and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Shanghai or Marseille?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Shanghai than Marseille, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Shanghai is more popular for its museums, shopping, and big city activities, while Marseille is known for its nightlife, beaches, historical sights, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere. Shanghai is popular for its historical landmarks, local street food, vibrant markets, and waterfront promenade. It is also home to The Bund. Marseille is popular for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity.

How is Shanghai different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Marseille and Shanghai. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Shanghai or Marseille?

Shanghai is a world-class destination for its museums and history. However, Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Shanghai has many famous sights for visitors. 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.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Shanghai or Marseille? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Shanghai and Marseille both to be world-class 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, Marseille is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. It's famous for its bouillabaisse, which is a hearty seafood soup that was once affordable but is now quite pricey.

Is Shanghai or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Marseille 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 Marseille just to party. Much of the city's nightlife is centered around being outdoors. Whether you're on the beach or hanging out at a rooftop bar, Marseille is a magical place.

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.

Is Shanghai or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Marseille is a good destination for the beache. However, Shanghai is not a beach destination.

Marseille offers a nice beach destination. The city has nice beaches that offer both culture and diversity, which may be lacking some other coastal parts of the French Riviera.

Shanghai is not a beach destination.

Is Shanghai or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is a world-class destination for its old town. However, Shanghai does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Marseille is revered around the world. The Old Port is filled with shops and boutiques, and is the most scenic part of the city. It dates back to the Middle Ages and is filled with history and character.

Shanghai does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Shanghai or Marseille?

Shanghai is a world-class destination for its shopping areas. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Shanghai specifically to go shopping. 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.

Marseille is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.

Is Shanghai or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a good destination for its Christmas markets. However, Shanghai does not offer Christmas markets.

Visiting the Christmas markets is popular in Marseille. The old town has a Christmas craft market where you can buy toys, Christmas treats, or decorations.

Shanghai does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Shanghai or Marseille Better for Families?

Shanghai is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Marseille is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Marseille doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Nearby beaches and an outdoor climbing area make it a diverse city to visit with kids.

Is Shanghai or Marseille Better for Couples?

Shanghai is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Shanghai has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Couples visit Marseille frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Strolling the boulevards and exploring the history and culture of this city make it a top couples' destination.

Is Shanghai or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Shanghai is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

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.

Marseille is a good port city to visit for backpackers. It has a decent number of hostels for a city of its size.

Is Shanghai or Marseille Better for Students?

Shanghai and Marseille are both great destinations for students and younger travelers.

Many students visit Shanghai. 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.

Marseille is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar scene.

Is Shanghai or Marseille Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Shanghai is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

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.

You'll find some public transit in Marseille, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The city has trams, a metro, and buses that you can use to explore.

Is Shanghai or Marseille a more walkable city?

Shanghai and Marseille both are great 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.

Marseille is a very walkable destination. The Old Port (Vieux Port) is particularly walkable and is one of the best areas to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Shanghai Worth Visiting? and Is Marseille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Shanghai?

How long in Shanghai or Marseille?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Shanghai and Marseille. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Shanghai than in Marseille. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Shanghai, and 2-3 days is enough time in Marseille.

Families should spend more time in Shanghai than Marseille. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Shanghai, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Shanghai than Marseille. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Shanghai that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Shanghai than Marseille 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 Shanghai.

One day in Shanghai or Marseille?

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 Marseille offers nightlife and food. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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.

A weekend in Shanghai or Marseille?

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.

Marseille is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Marseille, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Shanghai or Marseille?

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.

Marseille is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Shanghai or Marseille?

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.

Marseille is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. 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 Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shanghai and Marseille, we can see that Marseille 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 Marseille 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 Marseille would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Marseille 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 Marseille Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Shanghai or Marseille?

Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Marseille. When comparing the sizes of Shanghai and Marseille, 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 Marseille?

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.

Should I visit Shanghai or Marseille in the Summer?

Both Marseille 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. Also, most visitors come to Marseille for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Shanghai is a little warmer than Marseille. Typically, the summer temperatures in Shanghai in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Marseille averages at about 24°C (75°F).

In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Shanghai. In the summer, Shanghai often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Shanghai gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Shanghai. Shanghai usually gets more rain in July than Marseille. Shanghai gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Shanghai or Marseille in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Shanghai and Marseille. 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. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Marseille because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Shanghai is generally a little warmer than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Shanghai average around 19°C (65°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. Shanghai usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during autumn. Shanghai gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Shanghai usually receives less rain than Marseille. Shanghai gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Shanghai or Marseille in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Shanghai as well as Marseille. The winter months attract visitors to Shanghai because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Marseille this time of year.

The weather in Shanghai can be very cold. Shanghai is much colder than Marseille in the winter. The daily temperature in Shanghai averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Marseille fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Shanghai often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Shanghai gets 135 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun.

Shanghai usually gets less rain in January than Marseille. Shanghai gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Shanghai or Marseille in the Spring?

Both Marseille 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. Also, many travelers come to Marseille for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Shanghai is a little warmer than Marseille. Typically, the spring temperatures in Shanghai in April average around 15°C (58°F), and Marseille averages at about 13°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. Shanghai usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during spring. Shanghai gets 153 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Shanghai. In April, Shanghai usually receives more rain than Marseille. Shanghai gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Marseille and Shanghai