Cost of Living in Shanghai
How much does it cost to visit Shanghai? Daily budgets, accommodation costs, and real price examples for 2026.
Photo: Ralf Leineweber / Unsplash
Daily Budget Breakdown
Budget
Hostels, street food, free attractions
CNY 400
per day
Weekly: CNY 2800
Monthly: CNY 12000
Examples
- 🏨Hostel dorm bed at The Phoenix HostelCNY 120
- 🍽️Soup dumplings (Xiaolongbao) from Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant (original branch)CNY 50
- 🚌Unlimited 24-hour Shanghai Metro passCNY 18
- 🎟️Explore the Bund waterfront and walk through Yu GardenCNY 40
- 🎟️Wander through Tianzifang arts and crafts clusterCNY 0
- 🍽️Street food snacks (jianbing, roujiamo) in Former French ConcessionCNY 22
- 🎟️Visit the Shanghai Museum (free entry)CNY 0
- 🏨Dinner at a local noodle shopCNY 50
- 🚌Bus fare for shorter distancesCNY 2
- 🎟️People watching and exploring Nanjing Road pedestrian streetCNY 0
- 🍽️Breakfast at a local bakeryCNY 8
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, restaurants, guided tours
CNY 900
per day
Weekly: CNY 6300
Monthly: CNY 27000
Examples
- 🏨Comfortable private room at The Sukhothai ShanghaiCNY 450
- 🍽️Lunch at Din Tai Fung (Xintiandi branch) for dim sumCNY 150
- 🚌A few taxi rides for convenienceCNY 50
- 🎟️Shanghai Tower observation deck ticketCNY 180
- 🎟️Visit the Propaganda Poster Art CentreCNY 25
- 🍽️Dinner at Mr & Mrs Bund for modern European cuisineCNY 200
- 🎟️Stroll through the Former French Concession and enjoy street artCNY 0
- 🍽️Coffee and pastry at a cafe in XintiandiCNY 40
- 🚌Metro day passCNY 18
Luxury
5-star hotels, fine dining, private tours
CNY 2500
per day
Weekly: CNY 17500
Monthly: CNY 75000
Examples
- 🏨Suite at The Peninsula ShanghaiCNY 1500
- 🍽️Michelin starred tasting menu at Ultraviolet by Paul PairetCNY 1500
- 🚌Private car service for the dayCNY 500
- 🎟️Private guided tour of the Shanghai Museum with an art historianCNY 300
- 🎟️Evening performance at the Shanghai Grand TheatreCNY 400
- 🍽️Champagne brunch at The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, PudongCNY 600
- 🎟️Exclusive shopping experience on Huaihai RoadCNY 0
- 🍽️Cocktails at a rooftop bar with Bund views like Flair RooftopCNY 200
Cost by Category
accommodation
¥150-¥500 (hostel/budget hotel) / ¥500-¥1500 (mid-range) / ¥1500+ (luxury)
food
¥100-¥250
Transport
¥30-¥80
activities
¥100-¥300
Cost by Neighbourhood
| Neighbourhood | Budget Level | vs City Centre | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Bund | Luxury | higher | first-timers, couples |
| French Concession | Mid-range | average | couples, foodies |
| Jing'an | Mid-range | average | digital nomads, luxury |
| Pudong (Lujiazui) | Luxury | higher | first-timers, business travelers |
Money-Saving Tips for Shanghai
🏨 Accommodation
- Stay in budget neighbourhoods outside the tourist centre
- Book apartments for longer stays (weekly discounts)
- Travel in shoulder season for lower hotel rates
- Compare prices across multiple booking platforms
🍽️ Food & Drink
- Eat where locals eat, away from tourist hotspots
- Try street food and market stalls for cheap eats
- Buy lunch specials instead of evening meals
- Cook some meals if your accommodation has a kitchen
🚌 Transport
- Buy multi-day transit passes for unlimited travel
- Walk between nearby attractions to save fares
- Use public transport over taxis where possible
- Book airport transfers in advance for fixed prices
🎟️ Activities
- Take free walking tours (tip-based)
- Look for free museum days or discounted hours
- Book tours and activities online for lower prices
- Explore parks, markets, and neighbourhoods on foot
Find the best hotel deals in Shanghai
Compare prices from CNY 400/night across thousands of hotels.
We earn a small commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.
Found your hotel in Shanghai?
We search 30+ sites including members-only platforms like Secret Escapes and Voyage Privé. Most people save 14-23%.
FAQ: Shanghai Costs
How much does it cost to visit Shanghai?
Budget travellers can visit Shanghai for around CNY 400/day (CNY 2800/week). Mid-range travellers should budget CNY 900/day, while luxury travel costs around CNY 2500/day.
Is Shanghai expensive?
Shanghai is on the expensive side. Budget travellers need at least CNY 400/day. Consider staying in budget neighbourhoods and eating at local spots to save.
How much should I budget per day in Shanghai?
For a comfortable mid-range experience in Shanghai, budget CNY 900/day. This covers a decent hotel, meals at sit-down restaurants, public transport, and a couple of activities.
What is the cheapest way to visit Shanghai?
Budget travellers in Shanghai can get by on CNY 400/day by staying in hostels or budget hotels, eating street food and local restaurants, using public transport, and choosing free walking tours and public attractions.