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

Should you visit Tampere or Shanghai?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Tampere and Shanghai can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Tampere or Shanghai?

Tampere

Tampere is a city in southern Finland. It sits between Nasijarvi Lake and Pyhajarvi Lake, with the Tammerkoski rapids in between. It is one of the larger Finnish cities, with more than 200,000 inhabitants, but Tampere has managed to keep the small town feel. The city center is compact in size, and the atmosphere is friendly and casual. The city is located on a scenic spot on a narrow isthmus. The Tammerkoski rapids and their riverbanks form the backdrop for the old industrial buildings, and ridges formed thousands of years ago by ancient seas and retreating ice offer fantastic views over the two lakes. Original architecture and innovative urban development blend together to please both viewers and users of the built environment. Enjoy the surrounding lakes on peaceful rowboat trips or on cruises on larger vessels, or concentrate on the urban sights from a sightseeing bus. Regenerated industrial buildings now house quirky museums, enticing shops, pubs, cinemas and cafes. Tampere has a down-to-earth vitality that makes it a favorite for many 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 Luxury Tours to Finland, The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.


Which place is cheaper, Shanghai or Tampere?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Tampere Prices
    Finland Prices
    Shanghai Prices
    China Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Tampere 172
    Shanghai 122

The average daily cost (per person) in Tampere is €172, while the average daily cost in Shanghai is €122. 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 Tampere and Shanghai in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tampere 80
    Shanghai 76
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tampere 160
    Shanghai 152
Compare Hotels in Tampere and Shanghai

Looking for a hotel in Tampere 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.

Hotels in Tampere


Hotels in Shanghai


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: Tampere Hotel Prices and Shanghai Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tampere 59
    Shanghai 3.62

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tampere

Also for Tampere, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Tampere Private Transfer from Tampere city centre to Tampere airport: $119

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Shanghai

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


  • Taxi Ride
    3.36
  • Two Subway Tickets
    0.77

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shanghai

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Shanghai:

  • Shanghai to Xi’an Bullet Train Ticket with Local Hotel Private Transfers: $245
  • 1 Day-Pass for Disneyland Shanghai and Private Transfer Package: $245
  • Shanghai Pudong Int’l Airport Private Arrival Transfer to Yiwu City Area: $226
  • Shanghai-Suzhou private day tour with private transfer and Lunch: $204
  • Shanghai Legoland One Day Tour with Round Trip Transfer: $198
  • Shanghai Airport (PVG) Arrival Transfer (PVG Airport to central Shanghai): $180
  • Shanghai to Beijing Bullet Train Ticket with Hongqiao Station Transfer: $174
  • Shanghai Disney 1-Day Ticket with Optional Private Transfer: $167
  • Shanghai to Hangzhou Private Transfer with Stop at Wuzhen: $166
  • Shanghai to Hangzhou Private Transfer with Stop at Xitang Water Town: $157
  • Shanghai Pudong Airport To Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport one way private transfer: $155
  • Shanghai Era Theatre Acrobatics Show with Hotel Transfer: $149

Is it cheaper to fly into Tampere or Shanghai?

Prices for flights to both Shanghai and Tampere 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
    Tampere 57
    Shanghai 35

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tampere

For Tampere, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Tampere Food Tour Local Tastings, Meal & Rooftop City Views: $105

Typical Food Prices in Shanghai

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


  • Dumpling Breakfast
    1.29
  • Desserts in Jinmao Building Observatory
    19
  • Ajisen Lunch for Two
    6.71
  • Cantelope
    1.55
  • Dumplings and Soup
    1.94
  • Duck Dinner
    3.87
  • Pastries
    2.71
  • Barbeque Dinner
    8.26

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shanghai

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

  • Online Cooking Class Fried Rice by Sunflower Li: $20
  • Online Cooking Class Dim Sum by Sunflower Li: $20
  • Online Cooking Class General Tso's Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
  • Authentic Shanghai Food Tour with Chi Gua Va: $35
  • Shanghai Jade Buddha Temple and Local Food Tour: $49
  • Huangpu River Evening Cruise Ticket with Dinner: $68
  • Market to Table Chinese Cooking Experience: $69
  • Authentic Local Food Tour Near the Bund: $71
  • Authentic Local Food Tour in Central Shanghai: $79
  • Authentic Shanghai Food Tour by Walking or Cycling: $80
  • Small Group: Shanghai After Dark Food Tour with 9 tastings: $80
  • Shanghai Cooking Dumpling and Taste Local Food w/Vegan Option: $86

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tampere 24
    Shanghai 7.88

Tours and Activities in Tampere

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tampere.

  • Tampere Private Walking Tour with a Local: $48
  • Tampere Scenic Bike Tour with Sauna and Local Flavors: $105

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
    26
  • Zoo for Two
    13

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: $202
  • 1 Day Shanghai Highlight Small Group Tour: $198
  • 1 Day Shanghai Private Tour: $180
  • 1 Day Suzhou Private Tour (Departure from Shanghai): $240
  • 1-Day Private Tour to Shanghai Museum,Yu Garden, the Bund and Nanjing Road: $190
  • 1-Day Private Tour to Shanghai Museum,Yu Garden,the Bund & Huangpu River Cruise: $213
  • 1-Day Private Tour to Suzhou from Shanghai: $272
  • 1-Day Private Tour to Zhujiajiao Water Town,the Bund and World Financial Center: $256
  • 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
  • 2-Hour In-Depth Private Tour of Shanghai Bund: $64

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tampere 10
    Shanghai 6.87

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


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tampere and Shanghai, we can see that Tampere is more expensive. And not only is Shanghai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tampere is in Europe and Shanghai is in Asia, 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 Tampere would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tampere 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 Tampere Expensive? and Is Shanghai Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Tampere or Shanghai?

Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Tampere. When comparing the sizes of Tampere 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.


When is the best time to visit Tampere or Shanghai?

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 Tampere or Shanghai in the Summer?

Both Shanghai and Tampere during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Shanghai for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Tampere is much colder than Shanghai in the summer. The daily temperature in Tampere averages around 16°C (61°F) in July, and Shanghai fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).

In Shanghai, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tampere. In the summer, Tampere often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Shanghai. Tampere gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shanghai receives 232 hours of full sun.

Shanghai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Tampere usually gets less rain in July than Shanghai. Tampere gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 128 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Tampere 16°C (61°F) 
    Shanghai 28°C (83°F)

Should I visit Tampere or Shanghai in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tampere and Shanghai. Also, 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 the autumn, Tampere is much colder than Shanghai. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tampere in October average around 5°C (42°F), and Shanghai averages at about 19°C (65°F).

Tampere usually receives less sunshine than Shanghai during autumn. Tampere gets 81 hours of sunny skies, while Shanghai receives 162 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Tampere usually receives around the same amount of rain as Shanghai. Tampere gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Tampere 5°C (42°F) 
    Shanghai 19°C (65°F)

Should I visit Tampere or Shanghai in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Tampere as well as Shanghai. Also, 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. The weather in Tampere can be very cold. In January, Tampere is generally much colder than Shanghai. Daily temperatures in Tampere average around -7°C (19°F), and Shanghai fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Tampere often gets less sunshine than Shanghai. Tampere gets 37 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shanghai receives 135 hours of full sun.

Tampere usually gets less rain in January than Shanghai. Tampere gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Tampere -7°C (19°F) 
    Shanghai 4°C (39°F)

Should I visit Tampere or Shanghai in the Spring?

Both Shanghai and Tampere are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Shanghai for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

It's quite cold in Tampere in the spring. Tampere is much colder than Shanghai in the spring. The daily temperature in Tampere averages around 3°C (38°F) in April, and Shanghai fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Tampere usually receives more sunshine than Shanghai during spring. Tampere gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Shanghai receives 153 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Shanghai. In April, Tampere usually receives less rain than Shanghai. Tampere gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Tampere 3°C (38°F) 
    Shanghai 15°C (58°F)

Typical Weather for Shanghai and Tampere

Tampere Shanghai
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -7°C (19°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 4°C (39°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Feb -7°C (19°F) 24 mm (0.9 in) 5°C (41°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Mar -3°C (27°F) 25 mm (1 in) 9°C (48°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Apr 3°C (38°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 15°C (58°F) 102 mm (4 in)
May 10°C (50°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) 20°C (67°F) 113 mm (4.5 in)
Jun 15°C (58°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 24°C (75°F) 152 mm (6 in)
Jul 16°C (61°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 28°C (83°F) 128 mm (5 in)
Aug 15°C (59°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 28°C (82°F) 133 mm (5.2 in)
Sep 10°C (50°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 24°C (75°F) 156 mm (6.1 in)
Oct 5°C (42°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 19°C (65°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Nov 0°C (32°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 13°C (55°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Dec -4°C (24°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 7°C (44°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)