Which place is cheaper, Shanghai or Taipei?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Taipei or Shanghai?
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 Taipei and Shanghai. 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: Taipei or Shanghai?
Taipei
Few cities in the world are full of more diverse opportunities than the cultural crosshairs city of Taipei. As the capital of Taiwan, this 300-year-old city is the financial, cultural and governmental center of Taiwan. Located in the northern part of the island between the Yangming Mountains and Central Mountains, this city of 2.6 million people is always ready to welcome more visitors.
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".
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Taiwan, The Best Tours for Seniors to Taiwan, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
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Taipei Prices
Taiwan PricesShanghai Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTaipei $192Shanghai $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Taipei is $192, while the average daily cost in Shanghai is $141. 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 Taipei and Shanghai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTaipei $144Shanghai $88
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTaipei $288Shanghai $176
Compare Hotels in Taipei and Shanghai
Looking for a hotel in Taipei or Shanghai? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Taipei Hotel Prices and Shanghai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Taipei $9.80Shanghai $4.19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Taipei
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Taipei:
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Easycard$1.99
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Easycard$9.21
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Train$1.07
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Taipei
Also for Taipei, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Taoyuan Airport (TPE) Return Bus Transfer: $9.19
- Taiwan Airport ↔ Hotel Luggage Transfer (TPE, TSA, RMQ, KHH, TNN): $20
- Songshan Airport (TSA) Private Transfer to Multiple Destinations: $23
- Taoyuan Airport (TPE) Private Transfer to Multiple Destinations: $28
- Taiwan Taoyuan airport(TPE) Private Transfer to/from Taipei City: $29
- TPE Airport: one-way private transfer to or from Taipei City: $40
- Keelung: one-way private transfer to or from Taipei City: $42
- Jiufen: one-way private transfer to or from Taipei City: $42
- Taipei City to Taoyuan Airport Private Transfer: $46
- One-way Private Transfer between Jiufen and Taipei: $47
- Private Airport Transfer: Taipei Airport (TPE) → Taipei Hotel: $50
- One-Way Transfer Service from Taipei to Sun Moon Lake: $57
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Shanghai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Shanghai:
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Taxi Ride$3.89
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Two Subway Tickets$0.90
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shanghai
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Shanghai:
- private transfer from Wusongkou CruisePort to Disneyland and back: $64
- Zhujiajiao Water Town and Shanghai City Self-Guide 10-Hour Private Transfer Tour: $138
- Zhujiajiao Water Town Self-Guided Tour with Private Transfer from Shanghai: $75
- Zhouzhuang and Tongli Water Town Private Transfer Service from Shanghai: $106
- Yiwu Railway Station Private Departure Transfer from City Area: $18
- Yiwu Railway Station Private Arrival Transfer to City Area: $20
- Yiwu Airport Private Departure Transfer from City Area: $20
- Yiwu Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Area: $20
- Wuzhen and Xitang Water Town Private Transfer from Shanghai: $133
- Wusongkou Cruise Terminal Share Transfer Service, Baoshan Port Pick up Service: $30
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Shanghai APT-HTL (PVG,SHA): $51
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in ShangHai HTL-APT (PVG,SHA): $51
Is it cheaper to fly into Taipei or Shanghai?
Prices for flights to both Shanghai and Taipei 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
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Food Meals for one dayTaipei $27Shanghai $40
Typical Food Prices in Taipei
For Taipei, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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EasyCard$15
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Lunch at The Can$6.75
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EasyCard$31
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Lunch$2.92
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Lunch$1.84
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Dinner$6.14
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Lunch$3.53
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Lunch$4.60
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Louisa coffee$2.92
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Lunch$5.83
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Lunch$3.53
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Taipei
For Taipei, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Food Tours w/ Top 10 Taiwan Food (Breakfast/Dinner): $45
- Taipei Traditional Food Tour in Taiwan Breakfast Market and Tea: $45
- Street Food & Hidden Eats Night Market Food Tour: $55
- Taipei Hidden Eats, Market & Street Food Tour with 8+ Tastings: $55
- Taipei Tastes Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $55
- Yansan Night Market Food Tour: $62
- Xiao Long Bao, Pork thick soup, Bubble milk tea. Taiwan Traditional Light Meals Experience-B (Taipei Cooking Class): $65
- Turnip cake, Pork thick soup, Tofu pudding. Taiwan Traditional Light Meals Experience-C (Taipei Cooking Class): $65
- Your First Day Food Tour with Locals & 12+ Tastings: $66
- Disappearing Flavors of Taiwan Food Tour with 12+ Tasters: $69
- Yilan Geothermal Cooking Retro Train and Night View Tour: $72
- Backstreet Food Tour: Food, Culture, and Fun: $75
Typical Food Prices in Shanghai
Some typical examples of dining costs in Shanghai are as follows:
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Dumpling Breakfast$1.49
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Desserts in Jinmao Building Observatory$22
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Ajisen Lunch for Two$7.77
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Cantelope$1.79
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Dumplings and Soup$2.24
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Duck Dinner$4.48
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Pastries$3.14
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Barbeque Dinner$9.56
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shanghai
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Shanghai.
- City Center Authentic Local Food Tour-Tip Based: $3.41
- Online Cooking Class General Tso's Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Sesame Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Dim Sum by Sunflower Li: $20
- Small Group Shanghai After Dark Food Tour with 9 tastings: $38
- Old Shanghai Signature Food Tour with 14+ Tasters by FoodaQuest: $59
- Yu Garden to French Concession: Old Lanes & Street Food Tour: $59
- 2-Hour Shanghai Street Food Tour: Dumplings, Tea & Old City Bites: $65
- Market to Table Chinese Cooking Experience: $69
- Huangpu River Evening Cruise Ticket with Dinner: $69
- Authentic Local Food Tour Near the Bund: $71
- Authentic Local Food Tour in Central Shanghai: $79
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Taipei $17Shanghai $9.12
Tours and Activities in Taipei
For Taipei, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Taipei's Origin & Longshan Temple - Taiwan Cultural Tour: $0.50
- Old Town Walking Tour: $0.55
- Vintage Taipei - Best of Taiwan & Sunset Walking Tour (Tip-based): $1.00
- Taipei's Origin & Longshan Temple - Taiwan Cultural Walking Tour: $1.00
- Taipei Old Town - Taiwan Introduction Walking Tour (Tip-Based): $1.00
- Vintage Taipei - Best of Taiwan and Sunset Walking Tour: $1.20
- Chiang Kai-Shek Shilin Residence Ticket: $3.28
- Zoo Entrance Ticket: $4.33
- Walking Tours in Taipei Dihua, Longshan Temple, Shuanglian Market: $5.00
- Self Guided Walking Tour of Tamsui with Audio Guide: $5.70
- Taipei Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
- Miramar Ferris Wheel Ticket: $6.57
Typical Entertainment Prices in Shanghai
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Shanghai are as follows:
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30 Minute River Cruise for Two$30
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Zoo for Two$15
Tours and Activities in Shanghai
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Shanghai are as follows:
- 1 Day Shanghai Airport Layover Private Tour for City Highlights: $230
- 1 Day Shanghai Private Tour: $180
- 1 Day Shanghai Retail Innovation Tour: $169
- 1 Day Suzhou Private Tour (Departure from Shanghai): $240
- 1-Day Private Shanghai City Tour to See Its Past, Present and Future: $229
- 1-Day Private Tour to Shanghai Zhujiajiao Water Town,Nanjing Road and the Bund: $221
- 1-Day Private Tour to Suzhou from Shanghai: $272
- 1-Day Private Tour to Zhujiajiao Water Town,the Bund and World Financial Center: $256
- 1-Day Shanghai Tour to Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Yu Garden and Jade Buddha Temple: $224
- 13 day private tour : Splendid China+ important highlights: $4,106
- 1Day Suzhou & Zhouzhuang Water Town Tour From Shanghai Or Suzhou: $298
- 2-Day Zhujiajiao Water Town, Shanghai and Suzhou Private Tour: $300
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTaipei $18Shanghai $7.95
Sample the Local Flavors in Taipei
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Taipei:
- Taipei Nightlife: Taipei Pub Crawls (2 Different Routes): $27
- Yilan Kavalan Whisky Distillery,Jim&Dad's Brewing, Shenkeng Tour: $95
Sample the Local Flavors in Shanghai
Also in Shanghai, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Shanghai Pub Crawl (Guided Bar Hopping) with Shots Included: $23
- Shanghai Bar Crawl: TCM Cocktails & Local Craft Beer: $89
- Cheers, Beers and No Fears: Shanghai Bar Crawl: $100
- TCM and Divination Chinese Style Pub Crawl Bar Hopping Night: $169
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Taipei and Shanghai, we can see that Taipei is more expensive. And not only is Shanghai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Taipei would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Taipei 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 Taipei Expensive? and Is Shanghai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Taipei or Shanghai?
Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 86% larger than the population of Taipei. When comparing the sizes of Taipei and Shanghai, 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.