Shanghai is China's largest city and a global financial hub, where gleaming skyscrapers tower over historic colonial-era buildings along the iconic Bund waterfront. A dynamic metropolis blending East and West, Shanghai offers world-class dining, vibrant arts and culture, and remarkable contrasts between ancient gardens and futuristic architecture.
Local currency: Chinese Yuan (Renminbi / RMB / CNY).
Daily budget by traveller style
Typical per-person daily spend in Shanghai.
Cost breakdown
Typical price ranges across major spending categories.
Accommodation
- Hostel
- $17-25/night (¥120-180) — dorm beds in central hostels
- Budget
- $35-55/night (¥250-400) — budget hotels near metro
- Midrange
- $70-140/night (¥500-1000) — 3-4 star hotels
- Luxury
- $250-600+/night (¥1800-4300) — 5-star and iconic hotels
Food
- Street
- $1.50-4 (¥10-30) — jianbing, shengjian bao, street noodles
- Local
- $5-10 (¥35-70) — local restaurant with rice and shared dish
- Midrange
- $18-40 (¥130-290) — sit-down restaurant with wine or beer
- Fine
- $70-150+ (¥500-1100) — Michelin or Bund fine dining
Transport
- Bus
- $0.30 (¥2) — single bus ride
- Taxi
- $4-8 (¥28-58) — average city taxi fare (5-8km)
- Airport
- $7-30 (¥50-220) — maglev (¥50) or taxi (¥180-220) from PVG
- Daytrip
- $5-15 (¥35-110) — bus or metro to nearby water towns
Activities
- Museum
- $4-9 (¥30-65) — most major museums
- Sites
- $0-6 (free to ¥40) — parks, temples, viewpoints
- Tour
- $8-25 (¥58-180) — observation decks and river cruises
- Excursion
- $11-28 (¥80-200) — day trips to Zhujiajiao or Suzhou
Trip budgets by length
What a typical trip to Shanghai costs end-to-end.
Budget traveller
¥2,500 for 7 days ($350)
Midrange traveller
¥6,500 for 7 days ($900)
Luxury traveller
¥19,000+ for 7 days ($2,600)
Money-saving tips
Practical ways to stretch your budget further.
Use the Shanghai Metro for all travel — it's comprehensive, fast, and extremely affordable at ¥3-10/ride
Eat breakfast at street stalls (jianbing, shengjian, and soy milk) for under ¥15 ($2)
The Shanghai Museum is free but requires advance reservation online
Many parks are free or under ¥10 — People's Park, Fuxing Park, and Suzhou Creek walks are all free
Avoid eating on Nanjing Road's main strip — one block off the tourist path saves 40-50%
Take the Line 2 metro to Century Park area for Pudong sightseeing — far cheaper than taxis
Get the Maglev train from Pudong Airport to Longyang Road (¥50) then metro into city — much cheaper than taxi (¥180-220)
Happy hour (5-7PM) at many bars offers 2-for-1 drinks — check BoxingCat Brewery and similar venues
The free night show on The Bund is as spectacular as any paid attraction
Consider the 144-hour visa-free transit if eligible to save on visa costs
Free things to do
Memorable experiences that cost nothing.
Walking the Bund
Shanghai's most iconic promenade is completely free and spectacular day or night
French Concession neighborhood walk
Stroll the tree-lined streets of Wukang Road, Anfu Road, and Fuxing Road
Tianzifang exploration
Browse the alleyways and art shops without making any purchases
Lujiazui riverside walk
Walk along the Pudong riverfront with free views of the Bund and Shanghai skyline
People's Square and park
Sit in the park, people-watch, and enjoy the urban energy of the civic heart
Fuxing Park morning tai chi
Join locals for morning exercises in the French Concession's most beloved park
M50 Art District galleries
Many galleries at this contemporary art district have free entry
Nanjing Road pedestrian street
Window shop and people-watch on China's most famous shopping street
Jing'an Sculpture Park
Free open-air sculpture park with rotating contemporary art installations
Century Park cycling
Rent bikes cheaply inside for a few yuan and cycle the park's extensive paths
Bund History Museum
Free underground museum documenting Shanghai's colonial and Republican-era history
Watch hairy crab boats at Huangpu River
Free observation of the working river traffic from the Bund promenade