A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Shanghai vs. Vienna for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Shanghai or Vienna?

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 Vienna. 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 professional, diverse, and bustling port 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. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Vienna

Vienna is a classical, traditional, and artistic city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the live music, food, and shopping.

Shanghai and Vienna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Shanghai or Vienna?

You'll generally find more things to do in Shanghai than Vienna. Shanghai is bigger than Vienna, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Shanghai is better known for its museums, food, and big city activities, while Vienna is more popular for its music, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Vienna is more touristy than Shanghai and is popular for its strong classical music roots including being home to both Mozart and Beethoven. Shanghai is well known for its historical landmarks, local street food, vibrant markets, and waterfront promenade. Also, Shanghai is famous for The Bund.

How is Shanghai different from Vienna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Vienna 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 Vienna?

Shanghai is an unbeatable place for its museums and history. Also, Vienna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

The museums and tourist attractions in Shanghai are world-renowned. 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Vienna. Filled with palaces, museums, and parks, there are many things to see around town. Make sure you check out the Schönbrunn Palace, Hofburg, and Kunsthistorisches Museum.

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

Shanghai is an unbeatable place for its restaurants. Also, Vienna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Shanghai is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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.

Dining out in Vienna is an experience not to be missed. The city's cuisine has been influenced by many different flavors. Pastries are ubiquitous so make sure you try the apfelstrudel and kaiserschmarrn. Other common dishes include wiener schnitzel and goulash.

Is Shanghai or Vienna Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are notable in both Shanghai and Vienna.

There's a variety of activities in the evening 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Vienna. The music and dance scene is diverse and fun. There are clubs that cater to different crowds and personalities.

Is Shanghai or Vienna Better for Music?

Vienna 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 Vienna On the surface, the city seems locked in the past, with ballet dancing and classical concerts filling the evenings. But the city also has a famous jazz scene, as well as techno, hip-hop, and rock all having a strong presence.

Shanghai is not a live music destination.

Is Shanghai or Vienna Better for its Old Town?

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

The historic old town of Vienna is revered around the world. Innere Stadt, as it is known, is encircled by Ringstrasse and filled with many shops and cafes. Head to Kärntner Strasse and Graben for popular pedestrian streets.

Shanghai does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Shanghai or Vienna?

Both Shanghai and Vienna are world-class 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 Vienna specifically to go shopping. The city is filled with pedestrian streets that are lined with designer shops, jewelry stores, and art galleries.

Is Shanghai or Vienna Better for Families?

Shanghai is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Vienna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Shanghai is very family-friendly. 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 kid-friendly things to do in Vienna. Families enjoy taking carriage rides or dressing up in costumes at Schönbrunn Palace. The city also has children's museums, parks, and playgrounds where you can let little legs run around.

Is Shanghai or Vienna Better for Couples?

Shanghai and Vienna both world-class 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.

Vienna makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. With it's Baroque architecture and classical concerts, this city is filled with romance. Explore the palaces, take a carriage ride, or enjoy a meal at a nice restaurant.

Is Shanghai or Vienna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Shanghai is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Vienna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many 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.

Vienna is a good port city to visit for backpackers. The city flies under the radar for many backpackers, but those who visit will be rewarded with beautiful buildings, charming cafes, and fun hostels.

Is Shanghai or Vienna Better for Students?

Vienna 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.

Vienna is a very popular place to visit for students. The city is a popular destination for international students who are interested in art, architecture, and music.

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.

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

Vienna 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 Vienna can get you around easily. The system includes buses, trains, trams and underground lines.

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.

Is Shanghai or Vienna a more walkable city?

Vienna 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 Vienna on foot. The city center is particularly walkable with pedestrian areas and low traffic zones.

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 Vienna Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Vienna or Shanghai?

How long in Shanghai or Vienna?

In either Shanghai or Vienna, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Vienna has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Vienna than Shanghai. However, 2-5 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Shanghai than Vienna 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 Vienna?

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 Vienna offers museums and nightlife. 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 Vienna?

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.

Vienna 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 Vienna, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Shanghai or Vienna?

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.

Vienna is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Vienna, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Shanghai or Vienna?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the bustling 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.

Vienna 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 2-Week Tours in Austria, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Austria.

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

Which is Bigger, Shanghai or Vienna?

Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Vienna. When comparing the sizes of Shanghai and Vienna, 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 Vienna?

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 Vienna in the Summer?

Both Vienna 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. Furthermore, most visitors come to Vienna for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Shanghai is a little warmer than Vienna in the summer. The daily temperature in Shanghai averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Vienna fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In Vienna, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Shanghai. In the summer, Shanghai often gets less sunshine than Vienna. Shanghai gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vienna receives 255 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Shanghai. Shanghai usually gets more rain in July than Vienna. Shanghai gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Shanghai or Vienna in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Shanghai is a little warmer than Vienna. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Shanghai in October average around 19°C (65°F), and Vienna averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Shanghai usually receives more sunshine than Vienna during autumn. Shanghai gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Vienna receives 140 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Shanghai usually receives more rain than Vienna. Shanghai gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Shanghai or Vienna in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Vienna in the winter. The weather in Shanghai can be very cold. In January, Shanghai is generally much warmer than Vienna. Daily temperatures in Shanghai average around 4°C (39°F), and Vienna fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Shanghai often gets more sunshine than Vienna. Shanghai gets 135 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vienna receives 65 hours of full sun.

Shanghai usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Vienna. Shanghai gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Shanghai or Vienna in the Spring?

Both Vienna 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 Vienna for the natural beauty.

Shanghai is a little warmer than Vienna in the spring. The daily temperature in Shanghai averages around 15°C (58°F) in April, and Vienna fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Vienna. Shanghai usually receives less sunshine than Vienna during spring. Shanghai gets 153 hours of sunny skies, while Vienna receives 202 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Shanghai. In April, Shanghai usually receives more rain than Vienna. Shanghai gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Vienna and Shanghai