How Much Does Shanghai Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Shanghai is a city of sharp contrasts where colonial-era architecture meets a futuristic skyline, resulting in a budget landscape that caters to both frugal backpackers and high-end travelers. While it is one of China's most expensive hubs, it remains significantly more affordable than global financial centers like New York or London. Daily expenses for a solo traveler can start as low as $126 / ¥871, while luxury seekers can easily spend upwards of $643 / ¥4,442 per day on premier experiences. The city’s costs are largely dictated by the choice between authentic local districts and the international-facing establishments of the Bund or French Concession. With an efficient transport network and a vast range of dining tiers, visitors can easily scale their spending to match their preferences.
Is Shanghai expensive to visit?
Shanghai offers a wide economic spectrum, where a typical daily budget ranges from $126 / ¥871 to $643 / ¥4,442 depending on your preference for local street food or luxury high-rise living.
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Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Shanghai
$126
per person /day
$294
per person /day
$643
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $378 | $883 | $1,928 |
| 5-Day Trip | $630 | $1,471 | $3,213 |
| 7-Day Trip | $882 | $2,060 | $4,498 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
It is recommended to set aside a 15% buffer to cover the 3% international card fee on large Alipay transactions and various visa service fees. Travelers should also account for the 10–15% service charge frequently added to bills in luxury hotels and fine-dining establishments.
How Does It Compare?
See how Shanghai stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Shanghai
Food & Drink (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Inexpensive Restaurant Meal Standard price for a bowl of noodles or a rice set at local chains like Da Niang Dumplings (~$4.31 / ¥30). | $4.31 ¥30 |
| Three-course Dinner for Two (Mid-range) Typical for family-style Shanghainese restaurants in non-tourist districts (~$29 / ¥198 total). | $29 ¥198 |
| Craft Beer / Import Pint Local Tsingtao in a budget eatery is only ~$1.44–$2.15 / ¥9.93–¥15; Bund bars charge ~$11+ / ¥79+. | $8.6 ¥59 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Shanghai Metro Single Journey (Minimum Fare) Distance-based fare increases by ~$0.14 / ¥0.98 for every additional 10km. Most cross-city trips cost ~$0.58–$0.86 / ¥3.99–¥5.94. | $0.44 ¥3.01 |
| Shanghai Metro Three-day Pass Valid for unlimited rides within 72 hours. Excellent value if staying far from the center; 1-day pass is ~$2.58 / ¥18. | $6.46 ¥45 |
| Maglev VIP Round Trip Ticket Connects PVG airport to Longyang Road station. Ordinary class is half the price at ~$11 / ¥79 round trip. | $23 ¥159 |
| Taxi PVG Airport to The Bund (Day) Fare includes tolls; prices rise ~$7.89 / ¥55 after 23:00. DiDi (local Uber) often costs 20% less. | $26 ¥179 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Hostel Dorm Bed in Jing'an/Pudong Top-rated hostels in central areas like The Phoenix or Mingtown average ~$17–$22 / ¥119–¥149. | $17 ¥119 |
| Average Mid-Range Hotel Room Represents the city-wide average for 3-4 star hotels. Expect to pay ~$118 / ¥817 per night. | $118 ¥817 |
| Luxury Hotel Room (The Peninsula Shanghai) Equivalent to ~$565 / ¥3,905. Located directly on the Bund with premier skyline views. | $565 ¥3,905 |
Activities (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Shanghai Tower Observation Deck (Standard) Access to 118th floor. Express skip-the-line tickets cost ~$37 / ¥258. | $26 ¥179 |
| Yu Garden Entrance Fee (Peak Season) Off-peak (winter/June) price drops to ~$4.3 / ¥30. Reservation via WeChat mini-program is recommended. | $5.74 ¥40 |
| Shanghai Grand Theatre Premium Ticket Top-tier seating for international ballet or opera productions (~$241 / ¥1,666). | $241 ¥1,666 |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| China eSIM 50GB Standard Plan (30 Days) Includes built-in VPN to bypass the Great Firewall. | $50 ¥346 |
Other (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| China Visa Fee (US Citizen Standard) Does not include Application Center service fees (~$35–$53 / ¥244–¥366). | $143 ¥992 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
Dining in the city is remarkably accessible, with local staples like a bowl of noodles or a rice set at chains like Da Niang Dumplings costing only $4.31 / ¥30. A mid-range, three-course dinner for two in a residential Shanghainese restaurant typically totals around $29 / ¥198, though a single pint of craft beer at a trendy bar can reach $8.6 / ¥59.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Yang’s Dumplings (Xiao Yang Sheng Jian)
$2.58–$3.59 / ¥18–¥25Multiple (Nanjing Road, etc.) · Local chain
The classic pork shengjianbao are a must-try for ~$2.82 / ¥20.
Jia Jia Tang Bao
$4.31–$6.46 / ¥30–¥45People's Square · Local chain
Arrive before 11:00 to avoid the ~45-minute wait for their famous soup dumplings.
Wei Xiang Zhai
$1.44–$2.87 / ¥9.93–¥20Huaihai Road · Local chain
Legendary sesame noodles for just ~$1.44 / ¥9.93; expect to share a table.
Lin Long Xuan
$3.59–$5.74 / ¥25–¥40Old City · Local chain
The crab roe dumplings are a great splurge at ~$5.3 / ¥37.
A Da Cong You Bing
$0.72–$1.44 / ¥4.96–¥9.93Huangpu · Street food area
Lines can be 2 hours long for this ~$0.72 / ¥4.96 snack; only 2 pancakes allowed per person.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Public transit is the most cost-effective way to navigate the city, with metro fares beginning at $0.44 / ¥3.01 and a three-day unlimited pass available for $6.46 / ¥45. For airport transfers, a daytime taxi from PVG to The Bund costs approximately $26 / ¥179, while the high-speed Maglev offers a unique round-trip experience for $11 / ¥79 in ordinary class.
Accommodation Overview
Budget travelers can find highly-rated hostel dorms in central districts like Jing'an for around $17 / ¥119 per night. Mid-range hotels across the city average $118 / ¥817, while iconic luxury stays like The Peninsula Shanghai command prices of roughly $565 / ¥3,905 for premier views of the skyline.
Accommodation Budget in Shanghai
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Purchase the Shanghai Metro Three-day Pass for $6.46 / ¥45 to enjoy unlimited travel across the city’s massive rail network.
- 2 Eat at Yang’s Dumplings (Xiao Yang Sheng Jian) for famous pan-fried pork buns that fit the $4.31 / ¥30 budget meal category.
- 3 Visit Yu Garden during the off-peak winter months or June to pay a reduced entrance fee of $4.3 / ¥30 instead of the peak $5.74 / ¥40.
- 4 Use the local DiDi app for ride-hailing instead of traditional taxis, as fares are often 20% lower than the standard $26 / ¥179 airport-to-Bund rate.
- 5 Take the public ferry to cross the Huangpu River for a fraction of the price of the tourist-oriented Bund Sightseeing Tunnel.
- 6 Avoid the $8.6 / ¥59 imported craft beers and stick to local Tsingtao or Snow beer, which can cost as little as $1.44–$2.15 / ¥9.93–¥15 in local eateries.
- 7 Download the Alipay or WeChat app before arrival to use their built-in transport cards, avoiding the need for physical tickets.
- 8 Book a China eSIM for $50 / ¥346 to get 50GB of data and a built-in VPN, which is cheaper than many international roaming plans.
- 9 Explore the French Concession on foot or via the city's shared bike systems for a low-cost way to see the historic architecture.
- 10 Look for 'Set Lunch' (Wǔcān) deals in business districts like Lujiazui to enjoy high-end dining at a significant discount.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov
+25–40%
Jan, Feb, Jul, Aug
-20–30%
Mar, Nov
Shoulder months offer 18–24°C (64–75°F) weather. Avoid mid-summer (July/August) as it is oppressively humid and prices remain high due to school holidays.
Events to Watch
- ● Chinese New Year (late Jan/Feb): +50% hotels
- ● National Day Golden Week (Oct 1-7): Extreme crowds and +100% hotel rates
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Walk the Bund (Waitan) waterfront to see the historic architecture and the Pudong skyline.
- 2 Explore the Shanghai Museum in People's Square (requires free reservation via WeChat).
- 3 Wander through the historic Shikumen alleys of the Tianzifang art district.
- 4 Observe morning Tai Chi and ballroom dancing at Fuxing Park.
- 5 Visit the China Art Museum, housed in the massive red inverted pyramid of the former Expo 2010.
- 6 Stroll through the 50 Moganshan Road (M50) contemporary art district.
- 7 Explore the Xintiandi pedestrian area to see restored traditional stone-gate houses.
- 8 Visit the Jing'an Sculpture Park to see large-scale outdoor art installations.
- 9 Walk across the Waibaidu Bridge, the city's first all-steel bridge built in 1908.
- 10 Visit the Xujiahui Cathedral (St. Ignatius Cathedral), a stunning example of Gothic Revival architecture.
- 11 Explore the Longhua Martyr's Memorial Park (the grounds are free to enter).
- 12 Browse the traditional shops and architecture in the Old City (Nanshi) surrounding Yu Garden.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Huangpu River Deluxe Night Cruise
Offers the best panoramic view of the illuminated Pudong skyline and colonial Bund buildings for ~$27 / ¥186.
Shanghai Tower Express Entry
Saves 1–2 hours of queuing during peak golden hour for a sunset view (~$37 / ¥258).
Afternoon Tea at The Waldorf Astoria
Experience colonial opulence in the heritage building with a world-class tea service for two (~$99 / ¥682).
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Shanghai
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Shanghai and what they cost
Suzhou (Ancient Gardens)
$5.74 / ¥40 by High-speed train (25 mins)
$11 / ¥79
$37 / ¥258
Hangzhou (West Lake)
$22 / ¥149 by High-speed train (1 hour)
$8.6 / ¥59
$55 / ¥377
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Chinese Yuan (CNY)
1 $ ≈ 6.91 ¥
No
Limited to luxury hotels and upscale malls; mobile payment is essential.
Strictly not customary. In high-end hotels, a service charge is already included in the bill. Small tips for tour guides (~$5.89 / ¥41/day) are appreciated but not expected.
Use Bank of China or ICBC for best rates. Avoid standalone 'no-name' ATMs in tourist areas which charge ~$4.71–$7.06 / ¥33–¥49 per withdrawal.
Only expected in markets like the AP Plaza Science & Technology Museum Market. Aim for 30-40% of the initial asking price. Never bargain in malls, convenience stores, or restaurants.
Connectivity
eSIM: $15–$49 for 5GB-50GB (30 days) (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $21–$41 / ¥146–¥285 at airport for 10-30GB
WiFi: Widely available in malls and cafés, but requires a Chinese phone number for SMS authentication.
Use an eSIM (like Airalo) before arriving to bypass the 'Great Firewall' and access Google/WhatsApp without a separate VPN.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Shanghai.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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Best Time to Visit
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Where to Stay
Best neighborhoods and hotel recommendations
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Complete Cost Guide
Full budget and cost breakdown