Which place is cheaper, Shanghai or Yangon?
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 Yangon or Shanghai?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Yangon 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: Yangon or Shanghai?
Yangon
Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, is the largest city and economic center for the nation of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. The city is a mix of British, Burmese, Chinese, and Indian influences, and is host to beautiful 19th-century colonial architecture as well as modern skyscrapers. The people of Yangon mainly follow the Buddhist religion and it is common to see monks wandering along the busy streets amidst gilded temples.
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 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
-
Yangon Prices
Myanmar PricesShanghai Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayYangon $70Shanghai $140
The average daily cost (per person) in Yangon is $70, 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 Yangon and Shanghai in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personYangon $31Shanghai $87
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomYangon $62Shanghai $174
Compare Hotels in Yangon and Shanghai
Looking for a hotel in Yangon 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: Shanghai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Yangon $2.38Shanghai $4.17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yangon
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Yangon:
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Yangon International Airport (RGN): $23
- Bagan (Nyaung Oo) Airport Private Transfer: $27
- Private Transfer from or to Rangon International Airport (YIA): $31
- Private Airport Transfer: Yangon Airport (RGN) → Yangon Hotel: $35
- Yangon Airport Private Transfer: $45
- One Way Yangon Hotel to Airport Transfer with Airport Lounge access: $52
- Yangon Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $60
- Private Yangon Departure Transfer: Hotel to Yangon Airport: $80
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Shanghai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Shanghai:
-
Taxi Ride$3.87
-
Two Subway Tickets$0.89
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shanghai
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Shanghai:
- Shanghai Yu Garden Ticket with Optional Private Transfer: $9.96
- Private Transfers to/from Shanghai Pudong Airport(PVG): $16
- Pudong PVG Hongqiao SHA Private Transfer ⇄ City Center: $16
- Private Transfer to/from Shanghai Disneyland Park: $19
- Yiwu Airport Private Departure Transfer from City Area: $20
- Yiwu Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Area: $20
- Yiwu Airport Private Transfer, airport pick up drop off services: $20
- Yiwu Railway Station Private Arrival Transfer to City Area: $20
- Private Transfer: Hotel to Shanghai Stadium (Football Match, League of Legends): $20
- Private Transfer to Shanghai Railway Station from City Hotels or Outskirts: $22
- Private Transfer to ERA Acrobats Show at Shanghai Circus World: $22
- [Airport Transfer] Shanghai Pudong Airport / Hongqiao Airport ⇔ Shanghai City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service! : $23
Is it cheaper to fly into Yangon or Shanghai?
Prices for flights to both Shanghai and Yangon 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 dayYangon $17Shanghai $40
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yangon
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Yangon.
- Cooking class in the down town of Yangon, half day tour (07:30 AM - 12:30 PM): $65
Typical Food Prices in Shanghai
Some typical examples of dining costs in Shanghai are as follows:
-
Dumpling Breakfast$1.49
-
Desserts in Jinmao Building Observatory$22
-
Ajisen Lunch for Two$7.73
-
Cantelope$1.78
-
Dumplings and Soup$2.23
-
Duck Dinner$4.46
-
Pastries$3.12
-
Barbeque Dinner$9.51
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: $3.54
- Online Cooking Class Fried Rice by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Dim Sum by Sunflower Li: $20
- Authentic Shanghai Food Tour with Chi Gua Va: $35
- Small Group Shanghai After Dark Food Tour with 9 tastings: $38
- 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
- Shanghai Breakfast Omakase A Home Cook Food Tour: $71
- Shanghai Food Tour and Alleyways to Skyline with 8 Local Eats: $71
- Authentic Local Food Tour in Central Shanghai: $79
- Authentic Shanghai Food Tour by Walking or Cycling: $80
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Yangon -Shanghai $9.07
Tours and Activities in Yangon
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Yangon are as follows:
- Yangon Cosmopolitan City Walking Tour: $22
- Half-Day Spiritual Shwedagon Pagoda Join in Tour in Yangon: $33
- Walking Tour in Downtown Yangon: $35
- Yangon Breakfast and Market Tour - The must try dishes!: $36
- Yangon City Tour With English Speaking Driver: $40
- Discover Bagan Day Tour: $45
- Old Bagan Full Day Tour: $46
- Bagan Cultrue Tour: $50
- Half Day Spiritual Shwedagon Pagoda Tour in Yangon: $50
- One Bagan Sightseeing Tour: $52
- Bagan Sightseeing Tour by Private Guide and Car: $53
- Private Day Adventure Tour to Dalah: $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$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 Highlights Walking Tour-Tip Based: $3.54
- Shanghai French Concession Walking Tour-Tip Based: $3.54
- Shanghai City Walking Tour: $4.00
- French Concession Multicultural Walking Tour: $4.00
- Evening Walking Tour at the Bund: $5.00
- Customized Private Tour in Shanghai The Bund Yu Garden Zhujiajiao: $5.00
- French Concession Guided Walking Tour | China's 1st & Best Rated: $5.00
- Shanghai Audio Guided Walking Tour 3h and 22 audio reviews: $6.99
- 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
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayYangon -Shanghai $7.91
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yangon and Shanghai, we can see that Shanghai is more expensive. And not only is Yangon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Yangon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Yangon 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 Yangon.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Yangon Expensive? and Is Shanghai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Yangon or Shanghai?
Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Yangon. When comparing the sizes of Yangon 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.