A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bandung vs. Cebu for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Bandung or Cebu?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Bandung or Cebu? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Bandung or Cebu?

Bandung

Bandung is the capital city of West Java, and the third largest city in Indonesia after Jakarta and Surabaya. Nicknamed Parijs van Java (Paris of Java) by the Dutch for its resemblance to Paris and European atmosphere back in colonial times, Bandung also earned another nickname as Kota Kembang, literally meaning the Flower City since Bandung used to have a lot of flowers. Nowadays, Bandung has become a very popular weekend escape for Jakartans, who crowd the city on weekends and national holidays. It's known for colonial and art deco architecture, a lively, university-town feel and relatively cool tropical weather. Bandung is also a shopping destination, with fashion outlets clustered along Jalan Setiabudi and Jalan Riau in the Dago district. The city also make a good base for day trips to the surrounding countryside - high volcanic peaks, hot springs, and tea plantations are all within reach.

Cebu

Cebu Island is an important island in the Visayas region of the Philippines, characterized by its main port at Cebu City as well as many natural features. The most-visited areas include islands of Mactan, Bantayan, Badian, Malapascua and Camotes, all which have resorts and hotels. Scuba diving and snorkeling are common activities along the shoreline, while hiking the mountainous spine of the island is popular inland.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best 10-Day Tours in Philippines, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines.


Which place is cheaper, Cebu or Bandung?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Bandung is $40, while the average daily cost in Cebu is $65. 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 Bandung and Cebu in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bandung $21
    Cebu $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bandung $42
    Cebu $50
Compare Hotels in Bandung and Cebu

Looking for a hotel in Bandung or Cebu? 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.

Hotels in Bandung


Hotels in Cebu


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: Bandung Hotel Prices and Cebu Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bandung $5.76
    Cebu $26

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bandung

Also for Bandung, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Bandung or Lembang to Bandung Airport BDO Departure Transfer: $27
  • Private Transfer from Villa Istana Bunga to Bandung Airport (BDO): $35
  • Private Transfer from Malabar to Bandung Airport (BDO): $35
  • Private Transfer from Cihanjuang Rahayu to Bandung Airport (BDO): $35
  • Private Transfer Bandung Airport (BDO) to Kec. Batununggal Kel. Kacapiring 40271: $35
  • Private Transfer from Cikole to Bandung Airport (BDO): $35
  • Private Transfer Bandung Airport (BDO) to Lembang: $35
  • Private Transfer from Lembang to Bandung Airport (BDO): $35
  • Private Transfer Bandung Airport (BDO) to Sukabungah: $35
  • Private Transfer Bandung Airport (BDO) to Sukahaji: $35
  • Private Transfer from Jayagiri to Bandung Airport (BDO): $35
  • Private Transfer from Sukahaji to Bandung Airport (BDO): $35

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cebu

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cebu:

  • Transfer Cebu City - Bantayan Island: $70
  • Seamless Transfer from MactanCebu Airport to Your City Hotel: $23
  • Private Canyoneering in Kawasan falls + meals + Cebu transfer opt: $53
  • Oslob Private Van Transfer between Cebu, Mactan or Mandaue City: $175
  • Oslob Car Hire and Transfers: $150
  • Malapascua: Advance Divers Shark Dive & Optional Transfer: $108
  • Mactan Cebu Airport Transfer to City Hotels: $35
  • Mactan Airport - Cebu City Sepoart (Transfer): $20
  • Kawasan Falls Canyoneering w/ Lunch & Transfers from Cebu City: $122
  • Hotel Private Transfer Airport to Cebu, Mandaue, LapuLapu: $25
  • Danasan Eco Adventure Park Including Round-Trip Hotel Transfer: $161
  • Private One-Way Airport Transfer: $25

Is it cheaper to fly into Bandung or Cebu?

Prices for flights to both Cebu and Bandung 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Bandung $14
    Cebu $21

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cebu

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cebu.

  • Cebu City: Historical Street and Food Tour: $67
  • Cebu City Historical Street and Food Tour: $69
  • Panoramic View of Cebu and Dinner with Night View: $89
  • Traditional Filipino Bamboo Cooking Class: $108
  • Private Panoramic Tour with Dinner: $131

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bandung $5.67
    Cebu $17

Tours and Activities in Bandung

For Bandung, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Private Walking Tour of Bandung with Guide: $33
  • Stone Garden Western Tour From Bandung: $39
  • Kawah Rengganis Private Hiking and Glamping Lakeside Tour from Bandung: $41
  • Private Guided Sightseeing Day Tour of Bandung: $43
  • Private Guided Sightseeing Day Tour of Bandung: $45
  • Kawah Putih Private Tour and Angklung Performance: $45
  • Kawah Putih tour - Day trip Ticket etc all including : $49
  • Bogor ,west Java Tour: $50
  • Bandung:Kawah Putih,Volcano,HotSpring,Mud Bathing,Lake Tour: $50
  • Lembang Tour From Bandung: $51
  • Kawah Putih Tour From Bandung City: $58
  • Tangkuban Parahu Volcano North Bandung Private Tour : $62

Tours and Activities in Cebu

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cebu are as follows:

  • Cebu Steet food, historical and mountain tour: $110
  • 3-Hour Small Group Cebu City Tour: $38
  • A snorkelling tour to Cebu’s Hilutungan: $130
  • Badian Cebu Canyoneering Experience: $84
  • Balamban Uphill Adventure Tour in Cebu: $80
  • Beach Adventure: $85
  • Bohol Countryside Day Tour From Cebu City | Lunch at Loboc River Cruise: $145
  • Bohol Countryside Day Tour from Cebu City or Mactan - Best Seller: $155
  • Bohol Countryside Joiners Tour From Cebu City: $144
  • Bohol Countryside Private Tour From Cebu City: $213
  • Canyoneering Experience in Kawasan Falls with Lunch: $55
  • Cebu City All Day Tour; An Unforgettable Experience of Cebu.: $60

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bandung $3.46
    Cebu $14

Sample the Local Flavors in Cebu

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cebu:

  • Cebu City Light's Pub Crawl: $99


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bandung and Cebu, we can see that Cebu is more expensive. And not only is Bandung much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bandung would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bandung 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 Cebu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cebu than you might in Bandung.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bandung Expensive? and Is Cebu Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Bandung or Cebu?

Bandung has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Cebu. When comparing the sizes of Bandung and Cebu, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.