A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Shanghai vs. Rio de Janeiro for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Shanghai or Rio de Janeiro?

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 Rio de Janeiro. 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 Rio de Janeiro?

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".

Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro is the most popular travel destination in Brazil. It is the second largest city in Brazil and the sixth largest in the Americas. A portion of the city has been designated a World Heritage Site. The peak time to visit is during the city's famous Carnival festival, which is one of the most famous festivals in the world. However, Rio's appeal as a travel destination is apparent year around. The city has a wonderful natural harbour that is surrounded by Sugar Loaf Mountain, Corcovado Peak, and the hills of Tijuca, creating an absolutely breathtaking and awe-inspiring setting. And you can't miss the beach, either!

Which city is cheaper, Rio de Janeiro or Shanghai?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Shanghai is $96, while the average daily cost in Rio de Janeiro is $81. 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 Rio de Janeiro in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Shanghai $68
    Rio de Janeiro $51
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Shanghai $136
    Rio de Janeiro $102
Compare Hotels in Shanghai and Rio de Janeiro

Looking for a hotel in Shanghai or Rio de Janeiro? 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.

Hotels in Shanghai


Hotels in Rio de Janeiro


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: Shanghai Hotel Prices and Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Shanghai $3.25
    Rio de Janeiro $6.25
Typical Local Transportation prices in Shanghai

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Shanghai:


  • Taxi Ride
    $3.76
  • Two Subway Tickets
    $0.87

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shanghai

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Shanghai:

  • 1 Day-Pass for Disneyland Shanghai and Transfer service Mini Group package: $146
  • 1-way Private Transfer From Shanghai Pudong Airport to Hangzhou: $123
  • 1-way Private Transfer From Shanghai Pudong Airport to Suzhou New District-SND: $117
  • 1-way Transfer Between Shanghai Hongqiao Airport and Kunshan Per Vehicle Price: $74
  • 1-way Transfer Between Shanghai Pudong Airport and Jiaxing: $153
  • 1-way Transfer Between Shanghai Pudong Airport and Kunshan Per Vehicle Price: $95
  • 1-way Transfer Between Shanghai Pudong Airport and Yiwu Per Vehicle Price: $388
  • 1-way Transfer Between Shanghai and Nanxun Water Town Per Vehicle Price: $164
  • 1-way Transfer Between Shanghai and Wuzhen Water Town Per Vehicle Price: $159
  • 1-way Transfer Between Shanghai and Zhouzhuang Water Town Per Vehicle Price: $93
  • 1-way Transfer between Shanghai Pudong Airport and Changshu Per Vehicle Price: $135
  • 1way Transfer from Shanghai Pudong Airport to Suzhou Downtown: $48

Typical Local Transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rio de Janeiro:


  • Taxi Ride
    $2.88

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:

  • Rio Galeão Airport (GIG): Shuttle Transfer to/from Hotels: $14
  • Private Departure Transfer from Rio de Janeiro City or Copacabana to SDU Airport: $19
  • Executive Transfers - Rio de Janeiro - Santos Dumont Airport SDU: $20
  • Private Airport Transfer: Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) to Rio de Janeiro: $21
  • Private Airport Transfer: from Rio de Janeiro to Santos Dumont Airport (SDU): $21
  • Private Departure Transfer from Rio de Janeiro City or Copacabana to GIG Airport: $22
  • Shared Transfer from Airport to hotels in Rio de Janeiro: $22
  • Shared Transfer from hotels to Rio de Janeiro airport: $22
  • Private Airport Transfer: Galeao International Airport (GIG) to Rio de Janeiro: $23
  • Private Airport Transfer: Rio de Janeiro to Galeao International Airport (GIG): $23
  • Transfer in Private Vehicle from Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport to City: $23
  • Transfer in Private Car from Galeao Airpor t(GIG) to Rio de Janeiro city center: $23

Is it cheaper to fly into Shanghai or Rio de Janeiro?

Prices for flights to both Rio de Janeiro 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Shanghai $18
    Rio de Janeiro $15
Typical Food prices in Shanghai

Some typical examples of dining costs in Shanghai are as follows:


  • Dumpling Breakfast
    $1.45
  • Desserts in Jinmao Building Observatory
    $21
  • Ajisen Lunch for Two
    $7.53
  • Cantelope
    $1.74
  • Dumplings and Soup
    $2.17
  • Duck Dinner
    $4.34
  • Pastries
    $3.04
  • Barbeque Dinner
    $9.27

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shanghai

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Shanghai.

  • Online Chinese Cooking Class: $22
  • Old Shanghai Breakfast Food Tour: $52
  • 3-Hour Shanghai Summer Night Local Dinner and Shopping Private Tour: $65
  • Private Chinese Cooking Class in Shanghai with Vegetarian Option: $69
  • Private Authentic Chinese Cooking Class in Shanghai with a Lovely Local: $70
  • 3-Hour Shanghai City Walking Tour with Dinner: $74
  • Shanghai yummy food tour: $75
  • A Bite of Shanghai Small-Group Food Tour: $80
  • Shanghai Hairy Crab Dinner: $85
  • Shanghai Evening Food Tour/Shanghai tour gastronomico nocturno: $85
  • Night Market & Street Food Tour in Shanghai: $95
  • 3-Hour Flexible Private Shanghai Night Tour with Local Dinner Option: $100

Typical Food prices in Rio de Janeiro

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rio de Janeiro:


  • Popcorn
    $0.58
  • Corn on the Cob
    $0.77
  • Hamburger
    $0.96

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rio de Janeiro

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rio de Janeiro.

  • Food Tour Rio de Janeiro: $30
  • Cooking Class for Cacao Lovers: $51
  • Feijoada Food Tour in Rio de Janeiro with Hotel pick-up and drop-off: $55
  • Plant-based Brazilian Flavours Cooking Class: $56
  • Dinner & Rio Scenarium Nightclub Admission with Transfer: $60
  • Private Tour in Rio Scenarium with Dinner: $65
  • Skip the line: Samba Show Admission & Transfer with Dinner Option: $70
  • Dinner and Brazilian Music Show in Rio Scenarium: $70
  • Rio Scenarium Entrance, Dinner, and Open Bar: $72
  • Small-Group Boozy 7-Recipe Brazilian Cooking Class: $75
  • Food Tour Experience in Rio de Janeiro (Small Groups or Private): $80
  • Samba Show Ginga Tropical with Optional Dinner: $86

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Shanghai $7.07
    Rio de Janeiro $17
Typical Entertainment prices in Shanghai

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Shanghai are as follows:


  • 30 Minute River Cruise for Two
    $29
  • Zoo for Two
    $14

Tours and Activities in Shanghai

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Shanghai are as follows:

  • half day tour of shanghai: $5.34
  • Shanghai Yu Garden Ticket Booking: $10
  • Shanghai Zhujiajiao Ancient Town Admission Ticket: $11
  • Shanghai Maglev Train Ticket and Metro Pass(Pick Up in Shanghai): $12
  • Day Tour of Zhujiajiao and Huangpu River with Night Cruise: $16
  • Shanghai Jinmao Tower Observation Desk Admission Ticket: $18
  • Buddhist Art Tour at LWH Gallery in Shanghai: $23
  • Shanghai Bus Tour Hop-on Hop-off Premium Ticket including City Top Attraction Admissions: $30
  • Like a Local Customized Guided Tour: $30
  • Shanghai Tower Observation Deck Admission Ticket: $31
  • Shanghai Downtown Hotel to Baoshan Cruise Port:Private with Meet & Greet service: $38
  • Shanghai Hotels to Wusongkou Cruise Port:Private with Meet & Great service: $38

Tours and Activities in Rio de Janeiro

Here are a few actual costs in Rio de Janeiro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Rio Line Panoramic City Tour - Boulevard Route: $10
  • Inside Rio Photography Walking Tour: $10
  • Hiking Tour to Pedra do Telégrafo (Telegraph Stone): $12
  • Carnival Backstage Tour - Visit a traditional Samba School: $16
  • Rocinha Lucky Tour: $16
  • Rio Street Art Experience 2 Hours: $19
  • Christ the Redeemer and Escadaria Selarón Half-Day Tour: $19
  • 2 Hour Vidigal Favela Tour Discovery the Most Laidback Favela: $19
  • Rio: Christ the Redeemer Official Ticket with Van Transport: $20
  • Historical Downtown and Lapa - Walking Tour: $20
  • Favela Tour -The path of Michael Jackson in Rio: $20
  • Rio: Christ the Redeemer Official Ticket by Cog Train: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Shanghai $6.17
    Rio de Janeiro $9.48

Sample the Local Flavors in Shanghai

Also in Shanghai, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Shanghai Luxury Bar Crawl in 5-star Hotel or Boutique Hotel: $255
  • 3 Hour Local Craft Beer Crawl with Brewery Tour: $350

Sample the Local Flavors in Rio de Janeiro

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rio de Janeiro:

  • Pub Crawl Rio de Janeiro: $11
  • Pub Crawl in Lapa: $19
  • Skip the line: Ipanema Pub Crawl: $28
  • Beautiful Imperial Petropolis City Tour Optional Lunch & Bohemia Brewery: $34
  • Rio By Night Tour: Pub Crawl Experiencing Music, Dancing, Drinks & Local Culture: $105
  • Petrópolis City and Brewery Bohemia Tour - Best of Rio's Mountains: $135
  • Rio: Sitio Burle Marx and Cachaça Distillery Private Tour: $160

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shanghai and Rio de Janeiro, we can see that Shanghai is more expensive. And not only is Rio de Janeiro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Shanghai is in Asia and Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro.


When is the best time to visit Shanghai or Rio de Janeiro?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Rio de Janeiro is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Shanghai has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Shanghai or Rio de Janeiro in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Shanghai and Rio de Janeiro. Most visitors come to Shanghai for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Shanghai is around the same temperature as Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the summer temperatures in Shanghai in July are around 28°C (83°F), and Rio de Janeiro is about 26°C (79°F)in January.

Rio de Janeiro receives a lot of rain in the summer. Shanghai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Shanghai usually receives more rain than Rio de Janeiroin January. Shanghai gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Shanghai 28°C (83°F) 
    Rio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Shanghai or Rio de Janeiro in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Shanghai as well as Rio de Janeiro. The autumn months attract visitors to Shanghai because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Shanghai is generally cooler than Rio de Janeiroin April. Temperatures in Shanghai average around 19°C (65°F), and Rio de Janeiro stays around 25°C (77°F).

It's quite rainy in Rio de Janeiro. Shanghai usually gets less rain in October than Rio de Janeiroin April. Shanghai gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Shanghai 19°C (65°F) 
    Rio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Shanghai or Rio de Janeiro in the Winter?

Both Rio de Janeiro and Shanghai are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Shanghai this time of year.

It's quite cold in Shanghai in the winter. Shanghai is much colder than Rio de Janeiro in the winter. The temperature in Shanghai is usually 4°C (39°F) in January, and Rio de Janeiro stays around 21°C (70°F)in July.

In January, Shanghai usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiroin July. Shanghai gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Shanghai 4°C (39°F) 
    Rio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Shanghai or Rio de Janeiro in the Spring?

Both Rio de Janeiro and Shanghai during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Shanghai for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Shanghai is much colder than Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the spring temperatures in Shanghai in April are around 15°C (58°F), and Rio de Janeiro is about 23°C (73°F)in October.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Shanghai. Shanghai usually gets more rain in April than Rio de Janeiroin October. Shanghai gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Shanghai 15°C (58°F) 
    Rio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)

Typical Weather for Rio de Janeiro and Shanghai

Shanghai Rio de Janeiro
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 4°C (39°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 26°C (79°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
Feb 5°C (41°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Mar 9°C (48°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 26°C (79°F) 103 mm (4.1 in)
Apr 15°C (58°F) 102 mm (4 in) 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in)
May 20°C (67°F) 113 mm (4.5 in) 23°C (73°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Jun 24°C (75°F) 152 mm (6 in) 22°C (72°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jul 28°C (83°F) 128 mm (5 in) 21°C (70°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 133 mm (5.2 in) 22°C (72°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Sep 24°C (75°F) 156 mm (6.1 in) 22°C (72°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 19°C (65°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 23°C (73°F) 88 mm (3.5 in)
Nov 13°C (55°F) 52 mm (2 in) 24°C (75°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Dec 7°C (44°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 169 mm (6.7 in)


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Shanghai vs. Rio de Janeiro Travel Comparison

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