Which place is cheaper, Shanghai or Wuhu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Wuhu 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 Wuhu 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: Wuhu or Shanghai?
Wuhu
The city of Wuhu is located in the southeast of the Anhui province of China. It lies on the south bank of the Yangtze River, and about 74 miles from the capital city of Hefei. It is made of floodplains, terraces and low hills, and its plentiful water supply makes it the perfect spot for fish and rice production.
The area has a subtropical climate with a humid monsoon season. When planning your trip, remember that the rainy season is from spring to early winter with the heaviest rainfall from mid-June to early July. So the best trips will be in autumn when it is nice and cool, and the chrysanthemums are in bloom.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lhasa, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Shanghai, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayWuhu $86Shanghai $115
The average daily cost (per person) in Wuhu is $86, while the average daily cost in Shanghai is $115. 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 Wuhu and Shanghai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personWuhu $30Shanghai $81
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomWuhu $60Shanghai $162
Compare Hotels in Wuhu and Shanghai
Looking for a hotel in Wuhu 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Wuhu $26Shanghai $3.87
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$3.59
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Two Subway Tickets$0.83
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shanghai
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Shanghai:
- Yiwu Railway Station Private Arrival Transfer to City Area: $18
- Yiwu Railway Station Private Departure Transfer from City Area : $18
- Shanghai Hongqiao Airport Private Departure Transfers: $18
- Shanghai Hongqiao Airport Private Arrival Transfers: $18
- Shared Transfer: from Hotel in Shanghai to Shanghai Wusongkou Cruise Port: $20
- Shanghai Pudong Airport Private Departure Transfers: $20
- Private Transfer to ERA Acrobats Show at Shanghai Circus World: $22
- Private Transfer from Shanghai Hotels to Shanghai Cruise Port: $24
- Private Transfer from Shanghai Cruise Port to Shanghai Hotels: $24
- Private Transfer to Huangpu River Cruise Terminal: $24
- Shanghai Hongqiao Airport Chauffeur Service, Shanghai Airport Transfer: $25
- Shanghai Maglev Train Station Private Transfer from City Area : $25
Is it cheaper to fly into Wuhu or Shanghai?
Prices for flights to both Shanghai and Wuhu 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 dayWuhu $39Shanghai $21
Typical Food Prices in Shanghai
Some typical examples of dining costs in Shanghai are as follows:
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Dumpling Breakfast$1.38
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Desserts in Jinmao Building Observatory$20
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Ajisen Lunch for Two$7.19
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Cantelope$1.66
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Dumplings and Soup$2.07
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Duck Dinner$4.15
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Pastries$2.90
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Barbeque Dinner$8.85
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shanghai
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Shanghai.
- Online Cooking Class Handmade Noodles by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Dim Sum by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Fried Rice by Sunflower Li : $20
- Online Cooking Class Sesame Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class General Tso's Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- 3-Hour Biking and Local Food Tour: $69
- Authentic Local Food Tour in Central Shanghai: $79
- Late night food tour in Shanghai's French Concession: $85
- Late Night Food Tour in the Shanghai's French Concession: $89
- Eat Like A Local: Shanghai Night Food Tour: $90
- Shanghai's Koreatown Food Tour: $91
- 3-Hour Flexible Private Shanghai Night Tour with Local Dinner Option: $100
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Wuhu $18Shanghai $8.44
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$28
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Zoo for Two$14
Tours and Activities in Shanghai
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Shanghai are as follows:
- The History of the French Concession: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Yuyuan Garden Entrance Ticket: $9.00
- Shanghai Yu Garden Ticket Booking: $14
- Hop-on Hop-off Bus Ticket and Optional Attractions: $14
- Shanghai Yu Garden Tour：Harmony & Spirituality in Garden Art: $20
- Shanghai French Concession Walking Tour: $29
- Shanghai Highlights Walking Tour: $29
- Like a Local Customized Guided Tour: $35
- Shanghai Downtown Hotel to Baoshan Cruise Port:Private with Meet & Greet service: $38
- Shanghai Hotels to Wusongkou Cruise Port:Private with Meet & Great service: $38
- Fudan University Student Guide Tour: $42
- Haipai Culture Tour｜Shanghai's Past, Present & Future On One Road: $43
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayWuhu $8.10Shanghai $7.36
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: unique bar-hopping tour 2024: $18
- Shanghai Luxury Bar Crawl in 5-star Hotel or Boutique Hotel: $255
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Wuhu and Shanghai, we can see that Shanghai is more expensive. And not only is Wuhu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Wuhu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Wuhu 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 Shanghai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shanghai than you might in Wuhu.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Wuhu Expensive? and Is Shanghai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Wuhu or Shanghai?
Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Wuhu. When comparing the sizes of Wuhu 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 Wuhu or Shanghai?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Wuhu or Shanghai in the Summer?
Both Shanghai and Wuhu are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Shanghai this time of year.
In July, Wuhu is generally around the same temperature as Shanghai. Daily temperatures in Wuhu average around 28°C (83°F), and Shanghai fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Shanghai. It's quite rainy in Wuhu. In July, Wuhu usually receives more rain than Shanghai. Wuhu gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 128 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyWuhu 28°C (83°F)Shanghai 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Wuhu or Shanghai in the Autumn?
Both Shanghai and Wuhu during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Shanghai for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Wuhu is around the same temperature as Shanghai in the autumn. The daily temperature in Wuhu averages around 17°C (63°F) in October, and Shanghai fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).
Wuhu usually gets less rain in October than Shanghai. Wuhu gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberWuhu 17°C (63°F)Shanghai 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Wuhu or Shanghai in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Wuhu and Shanghai. Also, many visitors come to Shanghai in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Shanghai can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Wuhu. In the winter, Wuhu is cooler than Shanghai. Typically, the winter temperatures in Wuhu in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Shanghai averages at about 4°C (39°F).
In January, Wuhu usually receives less rain than Shanghai. Wuhu gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryWuhu 3°C (37°F)Shanghai 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Wuhu or Shanghai in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Wuhu as well as Shanghai. Also, most visitors come to Shanghai for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Wuhu is generally around the same temperature as Shanghai. Daily temperatures in Wuhu average around 15°C (60°F), and Shanghai fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).
It's quite rainy in Shanghai. Wuhu receives a lot of rain in the spring. Wuhu usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Shanghai. Wuhu gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilWuhu 15°C (60°F)Shanghai 15°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Shanghai and Wuhu
| Wuhu | Shanghai | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (40°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| May | 21°C (69°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 113 mm (4.5 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (63°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 11°C (52°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (41°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
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.