China · Asia
Shanghai holidays
Best time to visit Shanghai
The strongest periods are April to May and October to November. March and September are good shoulder-season alternatives if you prefer fewer crowds. Daytime highs average about 21°C across the main season. Rainfall is generally limited.
How much does a trip to Shanghai cost?
On the ground, including accommodation and everyday spending, allow about £40 a day at the budget end, around £80 a day mid-range and £230+ for high-end travel. A seven-night mid-range trip, including estimated return travel from London, is best treated as a planning range of £1000 to £1390 per person. Return travel is modelled at about £470 off-peak, £600 typically and £850 in busy UK travel periods. These are planning estimates rather than live quotes. Available accommodation spans cheap & cheerful, simple, comfortable, premium and luxury. The quiz prices the highest available tier that fits your selected minimum and total budget.
What kind of holiday is Shanghai?
Shanghai is strongest for city breaks, history and culture, food and drink, and nightlife. The main settings are urban settings, and the pace is balanced.
Strong fit if
- You want city breaks, history and culture, food and drink, and nightlife.
- You want a balanced mix of downtime and activity.
- You are comfortable with a well-known destination.
Think twice if
- You want very quiet evenings.
- You strongly dislike famous or busy destinations.
Travel from the UK
Allow roughly 11.5 hours of modelled flying time from London, before airport and transfer time. This is long-haul travel, so allowing at least a week usually makes sense.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Shanghai?
The strongest periods are April to May and October to November. March and September are also worth considering for lower crowds. Main-season daytime highs average about 21°C. Rainfall is generally limited.
How much does a trip to Shanghai cost?
On the ground, including accommodation and everyday spending, allow about £40 a day at the budget end, around £80 a day mid-range and £230+ for high-end travel. A seven-night mid-range trip, including estimated return travel from London, is best treated as a planning range of £1000 to £1390 per person. Return travel is modelled at about £470 off-peak, £600 typically and £850 in busy UK travel periods. These are planning estimates rather than live quotes.
How long is the flight or journey to Shanghai from the UK?
Allow roughly 11.5 hours of modelled flying time from London, before airport and transfer time.
Who is Shanghai good for?
Shanghai best suits travellers looking for city breaks, history and culture, food and drink, and nightlife. Expect urban settings, with a balanced pace.