Shanghai Prices & Travel Costs

Last Updated: Jan 2024

Shanghai is certainly one of the most fascinating cities in the world at this point, with an explosion in modern buildings that have made its once humble skyline into one of the planet’s finest. This fast expansion has brought the tourists, as well as millions of new residents.

Is Shanghai Expensive or Cheap?

Shanghai is fairly expensive for China, but still quite reasonable by international standards. There aren’t many super cheap hotels or street food so it’s not a place that is ideal for backpackers.

Shanghai City Featured Image

Travel Costs to Shanghai

Population 19,000,000
Area 19,000,000
Timezone UTC+8
Currency Chinese yuan
Airports Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
BACKPACKER INDEX: US$45.31
1 USD = 7.2000 CNY
134 World cities ranked cheapest to most expensive: Backpacker Index for 2024

Accommodation Costs in Shanghai

Shanghai Hotel Seasons

Shanghai Hotel Prices

Rating Price(USD)
starstarstarstarstar10.00 - 35.00
starstarstarstarstar18.00 - 64.00
starstarstarstarstar25.00 - 78.00
starstarstarstarstar39.00 - 126.00
starstarstarstarstar87.00 - 296.00

Shanghai Hostels Prices

Type Price(USD)
Hostel Bed8.00 - 13.00

Shanghai Attractions Prices

Best tours in Shanghai

Location Description Type Price(USD)
Yuyuan GardensThese classic Chinese gardens are popular with visitors.
adults
5.56
Sightseeing bus tourThis is for a 48-hour pass with 3 routes on a City Sightseeing hop-on, hop-off bus tour going past all the main sights.
adults
6.94
Shanghai Tower deckTake the world's fastest elevator to the world's highest observation deck. Children who are less than a meter in height pay half price.
adults
25.00
Oriental Pearl TV TowerThe observation deck in this striking building has a glass floor section.
adults
31.25

Shanghai Food and Drink Prices

Food Type Description Price(USD)
Budget breakfastSmall shops where locals go are great bargains for breakfast.2.50 - 4.86
Budget lunchThere are plenty of casual restaurants and street stands, with good local food at reasonable prices.3.47 - 5.56
Budget dinnerYou can eat in nearly any price range in Shanghai. Those on a budget are still in luck.5.28 - 9.72
Beer (pint)Posh bars can cost far more than this, but local bars can still be cheap.2.22 - 4.17
Cocktails (glass)Again, it all depends on where you drink. 4.17 - 6.94
Beer (can, retail)Local beer (3% to 4%) in stores is a good bargain for those on a budget who still like to drink.0.56 - 0.83

Shanghai Transport Prices

Type Price(USD)
Taxi from airport to city center22.22 - 28.47
Maglev train from airport to city6.94
Metro from airport to city1.11
Bus from airport to city center0.56 - 1.11
3km taxi ride in Shanghai2.50 - 3.06
Metro ride in Shanghai0.42 - 1.11
Bus ride in Shanghai0.14 - 0.28

Getting to Shanghai

Getting around Shanghai

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When to visit Shanghai

Temperature and rainfall

Month High F Low F Precip (inches)
January47342.0
February49362.2
March55423.9
April66523.5
May75614.0
June82696.7
July89776.2
August88776.2
September81695.4
October73592.5
November63481.8
December52371.5

Shanghai Weather advice

Sunrise and sunset

21 Mar5:58am6:06pm
21 Jun4:50am7:01pm
21 Sep5:42am5:43pm
21 Dec6:49am4:56pm

Where to go before and after