Shanghai travel guide
Shanghai Travel Budget: Daily Costs & Calculator
Shanghai costs roughly ¥300–450 (AU$65–95) per day backpacker-style, ¥800–1,400 (AU$170–300) mid-range and ¥2,500+ for comfort. Much of the best of the city — the Bund, the Concession, the museums — is free; hotels and cocktails are where budgets balloon.
How expensive is Shanghai?
Mainland China’s priciest city, but still moderate for a world metropolis. The headline experiences — the Bund, the French Concession lanes, Fuxing Park, the Shanghai Museum — cost nothing, and the metro is ¥3–9. Money disappears on river-view hotels, observation decks (¥120–180) and the Concession’s bars and brunch tables. As a rule of thumb, ¥100 is about AU$21.
Shanghai trip budget calculator
Pick your travel style and trip length — the calculator estimates your total budget in USD using real 2026 Shanghai prices.
Excludes international flights. Lodging is per room (shared by travellers); other costs are per person. Prices in USD, converted from Chinese yuan (CNY) at typical 2026 rates.
Daily costs by style
| Backpacker | ¥300–450 / day (~AU$65–95): dorm bed ¥80–150, breakfast counters and noodle shops, metro, free sights plus one paid deck |
|---|---|
| Mid-range | ¥800–1,400 / day (~AU$170–300): 3–4-star double ¥400–800, restaurant meals, decks and day trips, Didi at will |
| Comfort | ¥2,500+ / day (~AU$520+): river-view five-star from ¥1,200, fine dining, private tours |
What things cost
Sights: Yu Garden ¥40, Shanghai Tower deck ~¥180, Shanghai Museum free (book ahead), Zhujiajiao water town free to wander (some houses charge). Food: shengjianbao ¥10–16, scallion noodles ¥15–25, local restaurant ¥50–100 per person, cocktails ¥70–120, coffee ¥25–40. Transport: metro ¥3–9, Maglev ¥50, Didi across the centre ¥25–50, high-speed trains to Suzhou from ~¥35 and Hangzhou from ~¥70.
Money tips
Shanghai is China’s most cashless city — set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with your foreign card before landing. Winter (Chinese New Year aside) brings the lowest hotel rates; trade-fair weeks in spring and autumn are the priciest. The ¥2 Bund ferry gives the same river crossing as the tourist tunnel for a fraction of the price, and hostel rooftop bars often match hotel views at coffee prices.
Also in China
Shanghai budget — FAQs
How much money do I need per day in Shanghai?
Around ¥300–450 (AU$65–95) backpacker-style — dorm, street food, metro, mostly free sights. Mid-range comfort with restaurants, decks and day trips runs ¥800–1,400 (AU$170–300).
What is the biggest budget trap in Shanghai?
Observation decks and Bund-side dining: a tower deck plus a riverside dinner can add ¥500 per person in an evening. Pick one deck, then eat in the Concession for a third of the price with more atmosphere.
Last reviewed and updated: by the AmazingAsia editorial team. See our editorial policy.