Which place is cheaper, Rome 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 Rome. 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 diverse, bustling, and trendy 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. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.
Rome is a archeological, bustling, and fun-filled 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 live music, food, and shopping.
Visitors will generally find more to do in Rome than Shanghai. While Shanghai is larger than Rome, Rome has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Rome is more touristy than Shanghai and is known for its iconic archaeological sites such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, as well as its gelato, Italian cuisine, and strong religious roots. It is also home to The Colosseum. 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 Rome and Shanghai. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Plenty of people visit the fantastic sights and museums in both Shanghai and Rome.
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, Rome has many famous sights for visitors. The historical sights around the city are among the most impressive in the world. Almost anywhere you look you'll find a notable landmark but some of the most famous include the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, the Vatican, and the Roman Forum.
Foodies will find both Shanghai and Rome both to be fantastic 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, Rome is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Homemade pasta, fresh sauces, and fine wine all make the food scene among the best. Also make sure you try the gelato.
Rome 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 Rome just to party. You'll find a huge concentration of bars and clubs in the Testaccio area. There are late night clubs with salsa dancing, merengue, and live DJ's spinning every type of music.
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.
Rome 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 Rome Popular music venues include Live Alcazar, Atlantico Live, and Beba do Samba.
Shanghai is not a live music destination.
Both Shanghai and Rome are fantastic 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 Rome specifically to go shopping. For the biggest brand names, head to Via del Corso, which is near the Spanish Steps. Popular items to buy include Italian ceramics, shoes, leather goods, and jewelry.
Both Shanghai and Rome are very good 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.
You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Rome. What kid wouldn't be thrilled to be surrounded by pizza and spaghetti restaurants? In addition to kid-friendly food options, there are also a number of great activities that the whole family can enjoy including exploring the Colosseum, taking a gladiator class, and eating gelato.
Shanghai is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Rome is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.
Shanghai is a great port city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. 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.
Rome is a great port city if you're traveling as a couple. With many beautiful buildings, world class restaurants, and world renowned sights, this city makes a great romantic destination.
Rome 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 Rome. Backpackers will find no shortage of hostels where they can stay, particularly near the main train station where accommodation is particularly cheap (but not always the best quality).
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.
Rome 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.
Rome is a very popular place to visit for students. The city is a popular study abroad destination and you'll find plenty of international students here.
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.
Rome 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 Rome can get you around easily. There's a metro system, trams, and a comprehensive bus system that goes around 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.
Rome 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 Rome on foot. You'll find many of the most popular sights in a compact area that's easily explored on foot. Do watch out for traffic, which can be a bit chaotic at times.
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 Rome Worth Visiting?.
Both Shanghai and Rome have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Rome than in Shanghai. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Shanghai, and 3-7 days is enough time in Rome.
Families should spend more time in Rome than Shanghai. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Rome, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Rome 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 Rome.
Shanghai is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.
The beautiful city of Rome offers museums and nightlife. 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 fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
Rome 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.
Shanghai is a modern big city where you can fill many days. This port city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.
Rome is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Rome, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
The modern port city of Shanghai offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.
Rome 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 Rome 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 Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.
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 Rome is $184. 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 Rome in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Shanghai or Rome? 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 Rome:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rome:
Prices for flights to both Rome 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rome:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rome.
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:
Here are a few typical costs in Rome for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in Rome for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Also in Shanghai, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rome:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rome:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shanghai and Rome, we can see that Rome 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 Rome 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 Rome would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rome 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 Rome Expensive?.
Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Rome. When comparing the sizes of Shanghai and Rome, 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 destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Shanghai and Rome. Most visitors come to Shanghai for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Rome because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Shanghai is a little warmer than Rome. Typically, the summer temperatures in Shanghai in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Rome averages at about 25°C (77°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rome this time of the year. In Shanghai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Shanghai usually receives less sunshine than Rome during summer. Shanghai gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 338 hours of full sun in the summer.
Shanghai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Shanghai usually receives more rain than Rome. Shanghai gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Rome receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
The autumn brings many poeple to Shanghai as well as Rome. 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. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Rome this time of year.
In October, Shanghai is generally around the same temperature as Rome. Daily temperatures in Shanghai average around 19°C (65°F), and Rome fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
In the autumn, Shanghai often gets less sunshine than Rome. Shanghai gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 198 hours of full sun.
Shanghai usually gets less rain in October than Rome. Shanghai gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Rome receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Rome 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. Also, many travelers come to Rome for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Shanghai in the winter. Shanghai is much colder than Rome in the winter. The daily temperature in Shanghai averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Rome fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).
Shanghai usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Rome during winter. Shanghai gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 127 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Shanghai usually receives less rain than Rome. Shanghai gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Rome receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Both Rome 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. Furthermore, many visitors come to Rome in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Shanghai is around the same temperature as Rome. Typically, the spring temperatures in Shanghai in April average around 15°C (58°F), and Rome averages at about 14°C (57°F).
In Rome, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Shanghai often gets less sunshine than Rome. Shanghai gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 204 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Shanghai. Shanghai usually gets more rain in April than Rome. Shanghai gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Rome receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
Shanghai | Rome | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 4°C (39°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
Feb | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
Apr | 15°C (58°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
May | 20°C (67°F) | 113 mm (4.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 42 mm (1.6 in) |
Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 128 mm (5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
Oct | 19°C (65°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
Dec | 7°C (44°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |