Which place is cheaper, Shanghai or Pai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Pai or Shanghai?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Pai and Shanghai. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Pai or Shanghai?
Pai
As the lush green mountains adorn the blue horizon amidst its creamy clouds, Pai, in northern Thailand, works as one of the many hubs for some of the world's most exciting cultural adventures and natural wonders. Within this small town just north of the Mae Hong Son Province, near the Myanmar border, Pai lays on the Pai River and holds a population of no more than 2,500. Despite its geographical insignificance, this town attracts a wide array of tourists. From breathtaking waterfalls to relaxing hot springs, you will find yourself astonished at how much this little city holds within its borders.
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest and most modern city in China. With a population of over 23 million, it is the economic and financial hub of the country. It also continues to be one of the fastest growing cities in China with regular changes to the city's layout and skyline. It is not uncommon for buildings to be torn down, rebuilt and then torn down and rebuilt again. The city also has skyscrapers that rank among the tallest in the world. It has an ever changing downtown and street scape. In Shanghai, the general mantra remains "out with the old, in with the new".
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
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Pai Prices
Thailand PricesShanghai Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPai $91Shanghai $132
The average daily cost (per person) in Pai is $91, while the average daily cost in Shanghai is $132. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Pai and Shanghai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPai $16Shanghai $82
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPai $32Shanghai $164
Compare Hotels in Pai and Shanghai
Looking for a hotel in Pai or Shanghai? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Pai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pai $42Shanghai $3.93
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Shanghai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Shanghai:
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Taxi Ride$3.64
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Two Subway Tickets$0.84
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shanghai
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Shanghai:
- private transfer from Wusongkou CruisePort to Disneyland and back: $64
- [Airport Transfer] Shanghai Pudong Airport / Hongqiao Airport ⇔ Shanghai City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter>: $23
- Zhujiajiao Water Town and Shanghai City Self-Guide 10-Hour Private Transfer Tour: $138
- Zhujiajiao Water Town Self-Guided Tour with Private Transfer from Shanghai: $75
- Zhouzhuang and Tongli Water Town Private Transfer Service from Shanghai : $106
- Yiwu Railway Station Private Departure Transfer from City Area : $18
- Yiwu City Private Transfer to Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport : $74
- Yiwu Airport Private Transfer, airport pick up drop off services: $20
- Wuzhen and Xitang Water Town Private Transfer from Shanghai: $133
- Wusongkou Cruise Terminal to Pudong Airport Private Transfer: $95
- Wusongkou Cruise Terminal Share Transfer Service, Baoshan Port Pick up Service: $30
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Shanghai APT-HTL (PVG,SHA): $51
Is it cheaper to fly into Pai or Shanghai?
Prices for flights to both Shanghai and Pai change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayPai $42Shanghai $38
Typical Food Prices in Shanghai
Some typical examples of dining costs in Shanghai are as follows:
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Dumpling Breakfast$1.40
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Desserts in Jinmao Building Observatory$20
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Ajisen Lunch for Two$7.29
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Cantelope$1.68
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Dumplings and Soup$2.10
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Duck Dinner$4.21
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Pastries$2.94
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Barbeque Dinner$8.97
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shanghai
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Shanghai.
- Authentic Local Food Tour In Downtown Shanghai-Tip Based: $3.58
- MingleX Dinner with Shanghai locals: $19
- Online Cooking Class Fried Rice by Sunflower Li : $20
- Online Cooking Class General Tso's Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Dim Sum by Sunflower Li: $20
- Authentic Shanghai Food Tour with Chi Gua Va: $35
- Public Chinese Cooking Class in Shanghai : $50
- Huangpu River Evening Cruise Ticket with Dinner: $68
- Authentic Local Food Tour in Central Shanghai: $79
- Late Night Food Tour in the Shanghai's French Concession: $85
- Shanghai Cooking Dumpling and Taste Local Food w/Vegan Option: $87
- Private Cooking Class: Make Your Own Dim Sum In Shanghai: $88
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pai $46Shanghai $8.55
Typical Entertainment Prices in Shanghai
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Shanghai are as follows:
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30 Minute River Cruise for Two$28
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Zoo for Two$14
Tours and Activities in Shanghai
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Shanghai are as follows:
- Half-Day Private Tour of Shanghai Bund with River Cruise or Tower View: $124
- Private Shanghai Full Day City Tour with Old and New Highlights: $108
- Shanghai Layover Tour to Xinchang Water Town with City Highlights Option : $135
- Shanghai Park Martial Arts Experience: Tai Chi or Wing Chun: $60
- Shanghai Yu Garden and Bund Private Walking Tour: $25
- Shanghai private Tour to Zhujiajiao Water Town and tallest tower: $230
- Yiwu International Trade City Private Day Tour from Shanghai by Bullet Train: $216
- Yuyuan Garden and Shanghai Museum Private Shanghai Day Tour: $175
- Zhouzhuang Water Town Self-Guided Day Tour from Shanghai: $88
- shanghai water town tour zhujiajiao: $248
- 1 Day Shanghai Airport Layover Private Tour for City Highlights: $202
- 1 Day Shanghai City Private Tour + Zhujiajiao Water Town: $230
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPai $15Shanghai $7.46
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pai and Shanghai, we can see that Shanghai is more expensive. And not only is Pai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pai and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Shanghai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shanghai than you might in Pai.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pai Expensive? and Is Shanghai Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Pai or Shanghai?
Shanghai has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Pai experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Pai or Shanghai in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Pai as well as Shanghai. Pai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Shanghai this time of year.
In the summer, Pai is around the same temperature as Shanghai. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pai in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Shanghai averages at about 28°C (83°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Shanghai. In the summer, Pai often gets less sunshine than Shanghai. Pai gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shanghai receives 232 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Shanghai. Pai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Pai usually gets more rain in July than Shanghai. Pai gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 128 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPai 29°C (85°F)Shanghai 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Pai or Shanghai in the Autumn?
Both Shanghai and Pai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pai throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Shanghai for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Pai is generally much warmer than Shanghai. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 29°C (84°F), and Shanghai fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pai. Pai usually receives more sunshine than Shanghai during autumn. Pai gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Shanghai receives 162 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Pai. In October, Pai usually receives more rain than Shanghai. Pai gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPai 29°C (84°F)Shanghai 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Pai or Shanghai in the Winter?
Both Shanghai and Pai during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Pai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many visitors come to Shanghai in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Shanghai can get quite cold in the winter. Pai is much warmer than Shanghai in the winter. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 24°C (74°F) in January, and Shanghai fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
It's quite sunny in Pai. In the winter, Pai often gets more sunshine than Shanghai. Pai gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shanghai receives 135 hours of full sun.
Pai usually gets less rain in January than Shanghai. Pai gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPai 24°C (74°F)Shanghai 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Pai or Shanghai in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Pai and Shanghai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pai year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Shanghai for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
The heat can be very extreme in Pai. In the spring, Pai is much warmer than Shanghai. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pai in April average around 32°C (89°F), and Shanghai averages at about 15°C (58°F).
In Pai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pai usually receives more sunshine than Shanghai during spring. Pai gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Shanghai receives 153 hours of full sun in the spring.
Shanghai receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Pai usually receives less rain than Shanghai. Pai gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPai 32°C (89°F)Shanghai 15°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Shanghai and Pai
| Pai | Shanghai | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Apr | 32°C (89°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 113 mm (4.5 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 256 mm (10.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.