How Much Does It Cost Me For 3 Days in Shanghai + 2 Days in Suzhou and Hangzhou? My Real Spend (2026)
Note: Prices in local RMB.
Divide all numbers by 6.8 to get cost in USD.
Duration of My Trip: 3 Days in Shanghai -> 1 Day in Suzhou -> 1 Day in Hangzhou - not including arrival and departure days
Core Costs Included: Hotel, Transport, Food, Drinks, Attractions
🛏️ HOTELS
Harbour Plaza Metropolitan (4 to 5 star hotel) = 390rmb per night for a king bed (when I visited)
There is a metro station within 5 mins walking distance. It takes around 20 minutes by metro to get to the downtown area. It’s near Shanghai West Station, so no major nightlife nearby.
I spent all 5 nights in this hotel, including the days I visited Suzhou and Hangzhou. I don’t recommend you do that, because I was really pushed for time. Instead book hotels in those cities. To be honest, I would liked to have spent an extra day in each of those cities.
Total = 1950rmb
👉 Compare hotel rates in China HERE
👇🏻 Check out my city guides
Shanghai: Ultimate Travel Guide
Suzhou: Ultimate Travel Guide By A Chinese
Hangzhou: Ultimate Travel Guide By A Chinese
🛤️ TRANSPORT
🚇 Metro
Total for 5 days = 63rmb 💴
🚅 Train
Economy 2nd class seat
2x single journeys from/to Guangzhou = 1587rmb (you should replace this with your journey if travelling from another city in China. If you’re flying in from abroad, delete this expense)
2x single journeys to/from Suzhou = 76rmb
2x single journeys to/from Hangzhou = 146rmb
Total = 1809rmb 💴
👉🏻 Check out the prices and times for your chosen cities here
🚖 Taxi
Taxi from Shanghai Hongqiao station to hotel = 65rmb
I didn’t take a taxi on the way back, because the metro was convenient enough.
I didn’t feel the need to take taxis during my time there, because everywhere I wanted to visit was so accessible by metro.
Total for 1 trip = 65rmb
🥢 FOOD
My hotel rate included breakfast buffet. So, I only ate outside for 2 meals per day. 5 days, so 10 meals in total. Also some desserts and snacks.
Bear in mind, my preference is budget to mid-range. I did not go to any luxury restaurants.
Day 0 = 94rmb (day of arrival)
Day 1 = 136rmb
Day 2 = 158rmb
Day 3 = 273rmb
Day 4 = 121rmb
Day 5 = 102rmb
Day 6 = 65rmb (day of departure)
Total = 884rmb 💴 (this number can fluctuate significantly depending on what you order)
To be honest, if you go to a luxury restaurant in Shanghai, you could spend my total for 5 days on a single meal.
My Tip: You can eat very well on a budget. There is a huge amount of variety - both local and regional Chinese cuisine, as well as foreign chains and independents.
☕ DRINKS
I don’t drink alcohol. I averaged around 3-4 drinks per day. 2 in a cafe/street stall, 2 store bought.
Total = 269rmb 💴
🎟️ ATTRACTIONS
Yu Garden = 40rmb
Jing’an Temple = 50rmb
Shanghai Museum = free
The Bund/Pudong Skyline = free
Disneyland Shanghai = did not go, planning to go next time. The price varies, typically from 400-600rmb.
Please remember to look up the ticket prices for all attractions, as they change from time to time.
Total = 90rmb 💴
🟥MY TOTAL SPEND IN SHANGHAI AS AN INDEPENDENT TRAVELLER (NOT INCLUDING COST OF FLIGHTS!)
Total = 3543rmb 💴 3 DAYS IN SHANGHAI + 1 DAY IN SUZHOU + 1 DAY IN HANGZHOU NOT INCLUDING FLIGHTS
===> around $500
INCLUDING RETURN HIGH SPEED TRAIN FROM/TO SOUTH CHINA = 5130rmb
❗DISCLAIMER: Your actual spend may be very different depending on your choice of accommodation, food and drinks, attractions visited.
⛔ NOT INCLUDED ABOVE
Suggested allowance for discretionary purchases = 1000-2000rmb 💴 (you should increase this if you plan to buy high-value products such as electronics)
Alcoholic drinks = varies
Theme parks = varies
Organised tours = varies
Travel insurance = varies
Internet eSIM or VPN = varies (around $10)
✈️ FLIGHTS
I was already in China, so did not have to take a flight. These are typical price ranges for flights in 2026.
From Asia = 1000-4000rmb (typical range) (see this example)
From Europe = 5000rmb-8000rmb (typical range) (see this example)
From Oceania = 4000rmb-8000rmb (typical range)
From other continents = 6000-10000rmb (typical range)
👉 Compare flight prices to China HERE
❗You should use flight comparison sites like Trip to get the best deals.
My Profile 👦🏻
✅ Single independent traveller.
✅ I did not go on any organised tours.
✅ All numbers are actual expenses incurred in Aug 2025.
✅ Prices in local RMB. RMB:USD conversion is approx. 6.8 : 1 as of 2026/05/28.
✅ This list covers everything I spent. I did not buy any discretionary gifts, but some people do. If you are not from a visa-free country, you need to add on visa fees.
✅ Check out my practical travel tips for China on this website. Big chance of saving you money!
