Which place is cheaper, Shanghai or Tel Aviv?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Tel Aviv or Shanghai?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Tel Aviv or Shanghai, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Tel Aviv or Shanghai?
Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv is the second largest city in Israel and is situated on the Mediterranean coast 60 kilometers north of Jerusalem. It's a rapidly growing city and is one of the most modern and cosmopolitan cities in Israel. The official name is Tel Aviv-Yafo because the city has grown to include the ancient port city of Yafo. If you're looking for an embassy, you are likely to find it in Tel Aviv, despite Jerusalem being the official capital of Israel.
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 Israel, The Best Budget Tours to Israel, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
-
Tel Aviv Prices
Israel PricesShanghai Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTel Aviv $200Shanghai $140
The average daily cost (per person) in Tel Aviv is $200, while the average daily cost in Shanghai is $140. 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 Tel Aviv and Shanghai in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTel Aviv $108Shanghai $87
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTel Aviv $216Shanghai $174
Compare Hotels in Tel Aviv and Shanghai
Looking for a hotel in Tel Aviv 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: Tel Aviv Hotel Prices and Shanghai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tel Aviv $11Shanghai $4.15
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Tel Aviv
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Tel Aviv are as follows:
-
Local Bus to Central Bus Station$1.98
-
Taxi to Airport$50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tel Aviv
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tel Aviv:
- Private Arrival Transfer: From Ben Gurion Airport to Tel Aviv City Center: $48
- Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) to Tel Aviv - Arrival Private Transfer: $52
- Tel Aviv to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) - Departure Private Transfer: $54
- Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) to Tel Aviv - Arrival Private Transfer: $54
- Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) to Tel Aviv Hotels - Private Transfer: $55
- Tel Aviv to Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) Private Departure Transfers: $55
- Herzliya to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport Private Departure Transfer: $56
- Private Transfer from Ben Gurion Airport to Tel Aviv, Bat Yam, Rishon LeZion: $85
- suv BG airport transfer to tlv 4 people: $85
- Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) to Jerusalem Hotels - Private Transfer: $90
- Tel Aviv Airport TLV to Jerusalem city - Arrival Private Transfer: $95
- Private Transfer: From Tel Aviv to Jerusalem: $107
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Shanghai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Shanghai:
-
Taxi Ride$3.85
-
Two Subway Tickets$0.89
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shanghai
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Shanghai:
- 1 Day-Pass for Disneyland Shanghai and Private Transfer Package: $245
- 3-hour Private Transfer to Shanghai ERA Acrobatic Show from City Center: $53
- Arrival Private Transfer: Pudong Airport PVG to Shanghai in Business Car: $117
- Arrival Transfer by High-Speed Maglev Train: Shanghai Pudong International Airport to Hotel: $79
- Chauffeur service, Limousine airport transfer in Shanghai-English speaking: $51
- Departure Private Transfer: Shanghai to Pudong Airport PVG in Business Car: $117
- Departure Transfer from Shanghai to Pudong Airport PVG by Sedan: $61
- ERA Acrobatics Show Ticket with Private Transfer: $54
- Flexible Hours of Private Shanghai Layover or Transfer Tour: $129
- Hongqiao Airport (SHA) to Shanghai Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $95
- Nantong City Private Transfer from Hongqiao Railway Station: $104
- Nanxun Ancient Water Town Self-Guided Tour with Private Transfer from Shanghai: $123
Is it cheaper to fly into Tel Aviv or Shanghai?
Prices for flights to both Shanghai and Tel Aviv 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 dayTel Aviv $60Shanghai $40
Typical Food Prices in Tel Aviv
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Tel Aviv:
-
Dinner for Two$28
-
Dinner for 2 at Vatroshka$163
-
Lunch at Segev Sarona$43
-
Aroma Iced Coffee$4.69
-
Lunch at the airport$40
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tel Aviv
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tel Aviv.
- Carmel Market Food Tour: $45
- Tel Aviv Food Tour: The Magic of Carmel Market: $49
- Private Jaffa Flea Market Hapishpeshim Food Tour: $60
- Carmel Market Food Tour: $75
- Levinsky Market Food Tour: $145
- Food Tour of Sarona Market and Azraeli Center: $165
- Christmas Eve Tour Jerusalem and Bethlehem Dinner from Tel Aviv: $180
Typical Food Prices in Shanghai
Some typical examples of dining costs in Shanghai are as follows:
-
Dumpling Breakfast$1.48
-
Desserts in Jinmao Building Observatory$22
-
Ajisen Lunch for Two$7.71
-
Cantelope$1.78
-
Dumplings and Soup$2.22
-
Duck Dinner$4.45
-
Pastries$3.11
-
Barbeque Dinner$9.48
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: $3.56
- Online Cooking Class Dim Sum by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class General Tso's Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Sesame Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Fried Rice by Sunflower Li: $20
- Authentic Shanghai Food Tour with Chi Gua Va: $35
- Shanghai Jade Buddha Temple and Local Food Tour: $49
- Discover Shanghai's Flavors through Cooking Class: $52
- 2-Hour Shanghai Street Food Tour: Dumplings, Tea & Old City Bites: $68
- Huangpu River Evening Cruise Ticket with Dinner: $68
- Market to Table Chinese Cooking Experience: $69
- Authentic Local Food Tour Near the Bund: $71
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tel Aviv $28Shanghai $9.04
Typical Entertainment Prices in Tel Aviv
Here are a few typical costs in Tel Aviv for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Masada tour from Tel Aviv$99
-
Etzel museum$5.02
Tours and Activities in Tel Aviv
Here are a few actual costs in Tel Aviv for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Trail of Independence Quest Experience: $7.08
- A Self-Guided Jaffa Tour: The Story of its American-German Colony: $7.99
- Historic walking tour of Tel Aviv - Secrets of Sarona - Self-Guided Tour: $30
- Tel Aviv Street Art Tour (Graffiti): $35
- Jaffa Walking Tour: Old Jaffa, Jaffa Port, the Flea Market & More: $35
- Jaffa Walking Tour: Old Jaffa, Jaffa Port & the Flea Market: $39
- Jaffa Sunset Tour History, Sea and Tel Aviv Skyline: $48
- Carmel Market & Tel Aviv Tour with Tastings: $49
- Jerusalem Old City Half-Day Tour from Tel Aviv: $49
- Jaffa Half-Day Walking Tour: $49
- Jaffa Walking Tour - Half-Day: $49
- Jerusalem Old City Morning Tour: $49
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$30
-
Zoo for Two$15
Tours and Activities in Shanghai
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Shanghai are as follows:
- Shanghai City Walking Tour: $4.00
- French Concession Multicultural Walking Tour: $4.00
- Evening Walking Tour at the Bund: $5.00
- French Concession Guided Walking Tour | China's 1st & Best Rated: $5.00
- Customized Private Tour in Shanghai The Bund Yu Garden Zhujiajiao: $5.00
- Shanghai Audio Guided Walking Tour 3h and 22 audio reviews: $7.03
- Shanghai Yu Garden Admission Ticket: $9.67
- Yuyuan Garden Entrance Ticket: $10
- Private Shanghai Full Day Tour Yu Garden, Bund and Oriental Pearl: $10
- Yu Garden Ticket: $11
- Shanghai The Bund Walking Tour with Audio Guide on Smartphone: $12
- The History of the French Concession: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayTel Aviv $27Shanghai $7.89
Sample the Local Flavors in Tel Aviv
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Tel Aviv:
- Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour with Shots: $27
- Guided Pub Crawl Night Tour at Tel Aviv: $29
- Tel Aviv Pub Crawl: $30
- Pub Crawl with 4 Stops and Free Shots: $32
Sample the Local Flavors in Shanghai
Also in Shanghai, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Shanghai Bar Crawl: TCM Cocktails & Local Craft Beer: $89
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tel Aviv and Shanghai, we can see that Tel Aviv is more expensive. And not only is Shanghai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tel Aviv is in Middle East 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 Tel Aviv would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tel Aviv 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 Tel Aviv Expensive? and Is Shanghai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tel Aviv or Shanghai?
Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Tel Aviv. When comparing the sizes of Tel Aviv 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.