Make it a trip · Shanghai, China
What Shanghai costs
once you land
Real prices, from the airport ride to a room for the night, each with where we found it. Checked October 2026, around The Bund and Jing'an.
Prices as the source quoted them.
Private room, a cheap lunch, dinner out (your half), a coffee, two beers, two rides and the top sight.
Arriving
-
No visa needed, 30 days Fixed
For AU, NZ, GB, CA, IE, NL, DE, FR passports.
Temporary visa free policy, in place until 31 December 2026.
Source: Wikipedia, visa policy of China (2026)
Free -
Maglev from Pudong Airport to Longyang Road Fixed
About 8 minutes. 40 CNY with a same day flight ticket; return valid 7 days costs 80 CNY. Change to the metro for the city.
Source: Wander in China, Shanghai Maglev guide 2026 (2026-07)
-
No visa needed, 30 days Fixed
For SG passports.
Mutual visa exemption.
Source: Wikipedia, visa policy of China (2026)
Free -
Tourist visa Fixed
For US passports.
Reduced fee until 31 December 2026. A 10 day visa free transit is possible when flying on to a third country.
Source: Wander in China, China visa for US citizens (2026-08)
US$140
Getting around
-
Metro ride, up to 6 km Fixed
Then 1 CNY per extra 10 km.
Source: Travel of China, a day in Shanghai cost 2026 (2026-10)
¥3
Eating and drinking
-
Lunch menu at a cheap restaurant Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Shanghai (2026-06)
US$4.40 -
US$5.20
-
Dinner for two at a restaurant Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Shanghai (2026-06)
US$30 -
Cappuccino Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Shanghai (2026-06)
US$3.20 -
Beer at a pub, half a litre Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Shanghai (2026-06)
US$1.40
At the supermarket
-
Water, 1 litre Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Shanghai (2026-06)
US$0.50 -
Coca-Cola at a restaurant, half a litre Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Shanghai (2026-06)
US$0.60 -
Beer from a shop, half a litre Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Shanghai (2026-06)
US$0.90
Doing
-
Shanghai Tower observation deck, 118th floor Fixed
Regular price.
Source: Travel of China, a day in Shanghai cost 2026 (2026-10)
¥190 Get tickets -
¥40 Get tickets
Sleeping, per night
-
Hostel dorm bed, from Range
Usually 57 to 73 CNY. Sampled in a peak travel week.
Source: Travel of China, a day in Shanghai cost 2026 (2026-10)
¥57 Find a hostel -
Budget private room, from Range
Usually 250 to 350 CNY. Per night.
Source: Travel of China, a day in Shanghai cost 2026 (2026-10)
¥250 Find a guesthouse
Prices change. Fixed fees come from official or widely reported figures; ranges are what travellers and operators report for 2026. Some links are affiliate links: they never change what you pay. How we make money.
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