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 Tours for Seniors to Israel, The Best 3-Day Tours from Jerusalem, 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 $179Shanghai $132
The average daily cost (per person) in Tel Aviv is $179, while the average daily cost in Shanghai is $132. 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 $97Shanghai $82
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTel Aviv $194Shanghai $164
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.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tel Aviv $9.78Shanghai $3.93
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$1.77
-
Taxi to Airport$45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tel Aviv
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tel Aviv:
- Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) to Tel Aviv Hotels - Private Transfer: $43
- Private Arrival Transfer: From Ben Gurion Airport to Tel Aviv City Center: $48
- Tel Aviv to Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) - Departure Private Transfer: $53
- Tel Aviv to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) - Departure Private Transfer: $54
- Herzliya to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport Private Departure Transfer: $56
- Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) to Jerusalem Hotels - Private Transfer: $69
- Private Ben Gurion Airport Transfer To/From TelAviv: $70
- Tel Aviv Airport Private Transfer To Jerusalem : $80
- Tel Aviv to Jerusalem - Private Intercity Transfers: $80
- Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) to Jerusalem - Arrival Private Transfer: $89
- Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) to Tel Aviv Hotels - Private Transfer: $89
- Tel Aviv to Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) - Departure Private Transfer: $91
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Shanghai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Shanghai:
-
Taxi Ride$3.64
-
Two Subway Tickets$0.84
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shanghai
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Shanghai:
- Mount Mogan Self-Guided Tour from Shanghai by Private Transfer: $130
- Tongli and Xitang Self-Guided Tour from Shanghai by Private Transfer: $114
- 3-hour Private Transfer to Shanghai ERA Acrobatic Show from City Center: $53
- Amazing Shanghai Night Lights:River Cruise &Private Transfer: $126
- Arrival Private Transfer Pudong Airport PVG to Shanghai by Sedan: $60
- Arrival Transfer by High-Speed Maglev Train: Shanghai Pudong International Airport to Hotel: $79
- Chartered Transfer Vehicle in Shanghai: $200
- Chauffeur service, Limousine airport transfer in Shanghai-English speaking: $51
- Departure Private Transfer: Shanghai to Pudong Airport PVG in Business Car: $123
- Departure Transfer by High-Speed Maglev Train: Hotel to Shanghai Pudong International Airport: $79
- Departure Transfer from Shanghai to Pudong Airport PVG by Sedan: $60
- ERA Acrobatics Show Ticket with Private Transfer: $54
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 $54Shanghai $38
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$25
-
Dinner for 2 at Vatroshka$146
-
Lunch at Segev Sarona$38
-
Aroma Iced Coffee$4.20
-
Lunch at the airport$35
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: $49
- Levinsky Market Food Tour : $130
- Try Your Hand At Israeli Home Cooking: $185
Typical Food Prices in Shanghai
Some typical examples of dining costs in Shanghai are as follows:
-
Dumpling Breakfast$1.40
-
Desserts in Jinmao Building Observatory$20
-
Ajisen Lunch for Two$7.29
-
Cantelope$1.68
-
Dumplings and Soup$2.10
-
Duck Dinner$4.21
-
Pastries$2.94
-
Barbeque Dinner$8.97
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shanghai
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Shanghai.
- Authentic Local Food Tour In Downtown Shanghai-Tip Based: $3.58
- Shanghai-Cooking Dumpling & Meal in Local Family-w/Vegan: $6.00
- MingleX Dinner with Shanghai locals: $19
- Online Cooking Class General Tso's Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Dim Sum by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Fried Rice by Sunflower Li : $20
- Authentic Shanghai Food Tour with Chi Gua Va: $35
- Public Chinese Cooking Class in Shanghai : $50
- Huangpu River Evening Cruise Ticket with Dinner: $68
- Half-Day Biking and Local Food Tour: $69
- Evening Walking Food Tour: $69
- Authentic Local Food Tour in Central Shanghai: $79
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tel Aviv $26Shanghai $8.55
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$88
-
Etzel museum$4.50
Tours and Activities in Tel Aviv
Here are a few actual costs in Tel Aviv for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- The White City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of the History of the Bauhaus Style: $9.99
- Trail of Independence Quest Experience: $10
- Self-guided Graffiti tour in Tel Aviv in your own time and your own pace: $24
- 30-minute Sightseeing Cruise of Tel Aviv and Jaffa Skyline : $29
- Tel Aviv Street Art Tour (Graffiti): $39
- Exclusive Private Tour in The Israel Diamond Exchange: $40
- Hatikvah Market Interactive Behind-the-Scenes Tour: $50
- Highlights of Central Tel Aviv Walking Tour : $50
- Tel Aviv; Jaffa Old City, Port & Shuk Hapishpishim Walking Tour : $50
- Jaffa Sunset Skyline Walking Tour : $50
- Discover Jaffa in a Private Guided Walking Tour : $50
- Explore Modern Contemporary Tour in Jerusalem New City : $53
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$28
-
Zoo for Two$14
Tours and Activities in Shanghai
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Shanghai are as follows:
- Shanghai Fuxing INS - All Access Ticket for 7 nightclubs: $1.32
- Yuyuan, City God Temple Old City Tour-Tip Based: $2.35
- Shanghai French Concession Walking Tour-Tip Based: $3.58
- Evening Walking Tour at the Bund: $5.00
- French Concession Guided Walking Tour | China's 1st & Best Rated: $5.00
- Shanghai City Guided Walking Tour | China's 1st and Best Rated: $5.00
- Yu Garden Adult Ticket - 09:00 & 12:30 [Option]: $8.46
- Shanghai Yu Garden Tickets with options (near the Bund): $8.50
- Yuyuan Garden Entrance Ticket: $9.00
- The History of the French Concession: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Shanghai Natural History Museum Ticket Booking: $11
- Hop-on Hop-off Bus Ticket and Optional Attractions: $13
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayTel Aviv $24Shanghai $7.46
Sample the Local Flavors in Tel Aviv
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Tel Aviv:
- Guided Pub Crawl Night Tour at Tel Aviv: $24
Sample the Local Flavors in Shanghai
Also in Shanghai, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- 4-Hour Shanghai Pub Crawl (bars & nightclub hopping): $23
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.