Is Shanghai expensive?
An 8-day trip to Shanghai costs about $4,983 for 2 people travelling comfortably — roughly $2,491 each, or $623 a day. Done leanly it is nearer $3,658; done well, about $7,657. That includes flights from LAX, lodging, food, getting around and things to do.
China · city · food · art
8 days · 2 adults · October · 6,472 miles each way · Visa required (~$140 per person)
Wider estimate. On-the-ground costs here are modelled from China's typical prices adjusted for Shanghai, not checked city by city — so we show a wider range rather than pretend to precision we don't have.
October is one of the better months to visit.
Lean
Hostels and guesthouses, street food, public transport.
| Flightsroundtrip, 2 adults | $2,058 |
| Lodging7 nights, 1 room(s) | $392 |
| Food8 days, 2 adults | $352 |
| Getting aroundlocal transport | $144 |
| Activitiesentries, tours, a few splurges | $256 |
| Airport transfersboth ends, both ways | $80 |
| Travel insuranceestimate | $96 |
| Visa / entry feeUS passport | $280 |
| Total | $3,658 |
| likely $2,487–$4,829 · $1,829 per person · $457 per day · modelled confidence | |
Comfortable
Solid 3-star hotels, restaurants, the occasional taxi.
| Flightsroundtrip, 2 adults | $2,058 |
| Lodging7 nights, 1 room(s) | $933 |
| Food8 days, 2 adults | $720 |
| Getting aroundlocal transport | $256 |
| Activitiesentries, tours, a few splurges | $560 |
| Airport transfersboth ends, both ways | $80 |
| Travel insuranceestimate | $96 |
| Visa / entry feeUS passport | $280 |
| Total | $4,983 |
| likely $3,388–$6,578 · $2,491 per person · $623 per day · modelled confidence | |
Premium
4-star and up, eating well, taxis and private tours.
| Flightsroundtrip, 2 adults | $2,058 |
| Lodging7 nights, 1 room(s) | $2,007 |
| Food8 days, 2 adults | $1,440 |
| Getting aroundlocal transport | $576 |
| Activitiesentries, tours, a few splurges | $1,120 |
| Airport transfersboth ends, both ways | $80 |
| Travel insuranceestimate | $96 |
| Visa / entry feeUS passport | $280 |
| Total | $7,657 |
| likely $5,207–$10,107 · $3,829 per person · $957 per day · modelled confidence | |
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