Which place is cheaper, Whitsundays or Shanghai?
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 Shanghai or Whitsundays?
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 Shanghai and Whitsundays. 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: Shanghai or Whitsundays?
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".
Whitsundays
Just off the coast of Queensland, Australia is a cluster of 74 different islands. These islands, the Whitsunday Islands, welcome over a half a million visitors every year to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Great Barrier Reef.
As one of the most famous destinations in the world, it's not uncommon to see expensive yachts sailing around among the private ferries. Most of the islands are designated as national parks with access to snorkeling and diving in the coral reefs, or just to lay in the sand on the famous Whitehaven Beach.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Melbourne, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Australia.
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Shanghai Prices
China PricesWhitsundays Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayShanghai $132Whitsundays $155
The average daily cost (per person) in Shanghai is $132, while the average daily cost in Whitsundays is $155. 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 Shanghai and Whitsundays in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personShanghai $82Whitsundays $69
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomShanghai $164Whitsundays $138
Compare Hotels in Shanghai and Whitsundays
Looking for a hotel in Shanghai or Whitsundays? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Shanghai $3.93Whitsundays $55
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:
- Shanghai to Xi’an Bullet Train Ticket with Local Hotel Private Transfers : $245
- Shanghai Pudong Int’l Airport Private Arrival Transfer to Yiwu City Area : $226
- Chartered Transfer Vehicle in Shanghai: $200
- Shanghai to Xi'an Bullet Train Ticket with Hongqiao Station Transfer: $177
- Ningbo City Private Arrival Transfer from Shanghai Pudong International Airport: $177
- Shanghai to Suzhou and Tongli Water Town Self-Guide Tour Private Round Transfer: $171
- Shanghai to Suzhou and Zhouzhuang Self-Guide Trip with Private Transfer: $171
- Shanghai Pudong Airport To Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport one way private transfer: $155
- Shanghai to Beijing Bullet Train Ticket with Hongqiao Station Transfer: $150
- Shanghai Era Theatre Acrobatics Show with Hotel Transfer: $149
- Shanghai Era Theatre Acrobatics Show with Hotel Transfer: $149
- Shanghai Airport to Ningbo City Private Arrival Transfer: $149
Is it cheaper to fly into Shanghai or Whitsundays?
Prices for flights to both Whitsundays and Shanghai 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 dayShanghai $38Whitsundays $52
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Whitsundays
For Whitsundays, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hamilton Island: Whitsundays Sunset Dinner Cruise: $99
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Shanghai $8.55Whitsundays $25
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
Tours and Activities in Whitsundays
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Whitsundays.
- Airlie Beach: Whitsundays Full-Day Camira Sailing Adventure: $164
- MILADY Whitsundays 2-Night Private Yacht Sailing Cruise: $4,953
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayShanghai $7.46Whitsundays $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shanghai and Whitsundays, we can see that Whitsundays is more expensive. And not only is Shanghai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Shanghai is in Asia and Whitsundays is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Shanghai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Shanghai 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 Whitsundays would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Whitsundays than you might in Shanghai.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Shanghai Expensive? and Is Whitsundays Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Shanghai or Whitsundays?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Whitsundays is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Shanghai has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Shanghai or Whitsundays in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Shanghai as well as Whitsundays. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Shanghai this time of year.
In July, Shanghai is generally around the same temperature as Whitsundaysin January. Daily temperatures in Shanghai average around 28°C (83°F), and Whitsundays fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Whitsundays. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Shanghai this time of the year. In the summer, Shanghai often gets less sunshine than Whitsundaysin January. Shanghai gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whitsundays receives 285 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Whitsundays. Shanghai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Shanghai usually gets less rain in July than Whitsundaysin January. Shanghai gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryShanghai 28°C (83°F)Whitsundays 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Shanghai or Whitsundays in the Autumn?
Both Whitsundays and Shanghai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Shanghai for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Shanghai is cooler than Whitsundays in the autumn. The daily temperature in Shanghai averages around 19°C (65°F) in October, and Whitsundays fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in April.
It's quite sunny in Whitsundays. Shanghai usually receives less sunshine than Whitsundays during autumn. Shanghai gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Whitsundays receives 207 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Whitsundays. In October, Shanghai usually receives less rain than Whitsundaysin April. Shanghai gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilShanghai 19°C (65°F)Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Shanghai or Whitsundays in the Winter?
Both Whitsundays and Shanghai during the winter are popular places to visit. 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. In the winter, Shanghai is much colder than Whitsundays. Typically, the winter temperatures in Shanghai in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Whitsundays averages at about 16°C (62°F)in July.
In Whitsundays, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Shanghai often gets less sunshine than Whitsundaysin July. Shanghai gets 135 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whitsundays receives 226 hours of full sun.
Shanghai usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Whitsundaysin July. Shanghai gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyShanghai 4°C (39°F)Whitsundays 16°C (62°F)
Should I visit Shanghai or Whitsundays in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Shanghai and Whitsundays. Most visitors come to Shanghai for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Shanghai is generally much colder than Whitsundaysin October. Daily temperatures in Shanghai average around 15°C (58°F), and Whitsundays fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Whitsundays this time of the year. Shanghai usually receives less sunshine than Whitsundays during spring. Shanghai gets 153 hours of sunny skies, while Whitsundays receives 298 hours of full sun in the spring.
Shanghai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Shanghai usually receives more rain than Whitsundaysin October. Shanghai gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberShanghai 15°C (58°F)Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Whitsundays and Shanghai
| Shanghai | Whitsundays | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (39°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 331 mm (13 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 377 mm (14.8 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (58°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 20°C (67°F) | 113 mm (4.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 128 mm (5 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (65°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (44°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 191 mm (7.5 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.