Which place is cheaper, Fraser Island or Cebu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cebu or Fraser Island?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Cebu or Fraser Island? 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: Cebu or Fraser Island?
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.
Fraser Island
Fraser Island, located off Australia's eastern Queensland coast, is the world's largest sand island. It is best known as a camping and ecotourism destination, with a number of panoramic viewpoints, beaches, lakes, and freshwater pools. Hervey Bay, a beachside city on the nearby mainland, is a primary gateway to the island.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Philippines, The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, The Best Water Sports Tour Packages in Australia, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCebu $65Fraser Island $206
The average daily cost (per person) in Cebu is $65, while the average daily cost in Fraser Island is $206. 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 Cebu and Fraser Island in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCebu $25Fraser Island $102
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCebu $50Fraser Island $204
Compare Hotels in Cebu and Fraser Island
Looking for a hotel in Cebu or Fraser Island? 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: Cebu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cebu $26Fraser Island $92
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cebu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cebu:
- Mactan Airport - Cebu City Sepoart (Transfer): $20
- Cebu Seaport - Mactan Hotel (Any Hotel) - One Way Transfer: $22
- Seamless Transfer from MactanCebu Airport to Your City Hotel: $23
- Private One-Way Airport Transfer: $25
- Hotel Private Transfer Airport to Cebu, Mandaue, LapuLapu: $25
- Mactan Cebu Airport Transfer to City Hotels: $35
- Cebu Departure Transfer from Mandaue city to Mactan Cebu Airport (CEB): $40
- Cebu Private Transfer from Mactan Cebu Airport (CEB) to Mandaue city: $40
- Cebu Departure Transfer from Lapu-Lapu city to Mactan Cebu Airport (CEB): $40
- Cebu Private Transfer from Mactan Cebu Airport (CEB) to Lapu-Lapu city: $40
- Cebu Private Transfer from Mactan Cebu International Airport (CEB) to Cebu city: $40
- Private Canyoneering in Kawasan falls + meals + Cebu transfer opt: $53
Is it cheaper to fly into Cebu or Fraser Island?
Prices for flights to both Fraser Island and Cebu 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 dayCebu $21Fraser Island $47
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cebu $17Fraser Island $44
Tours and Activities in Cebu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cebu are as follows:
- Moalboal Sardines Run Private Tour: $20
- Cebu City Tour: Temple of Leah and many more: $36
- 3-Hour Small Group Cebu City Tour: $38
- Cebu City: Cebu Heritage & Uphill Tour on Two Wheels: $40
- Cebu City Tour (Joiners Tour): $41
- Guided Heritage City Tour: $44
- Highlands Guided Tour w/ Hotel Pickup: $45
- Cebu Highlands Tour(Cebu Taoist, Temple of Leah and Sirao Garden): $46
- Land Tour | Bantayan Island - Sightseeing - Guided Tour: $46
- Cebu Half Day City Tour (Private Tour): $52
- Canyoneering Experience in Kawasan Falls with Lunch: $55
- Cebu City with Sirao Garden Half Day Tour: $57
Tours and Activities in Fraser Island
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Fraser Island are as follows:
- 2 Hours Hervey Bay Funset Cruise: $52
- Hervey Bay Ultimate Whale Watching Cruise: $72
- Hervey Bay: Best Value Half Day Whale Watching Cruise : $79
- Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise: $98
- Hervey Bay: Half Day Whale watching & Island Stop Tour: $109
- Remote K'gari (Fraser Island) & Whale Experience: $164
- Remote Fraser Island Experience: $164
- K'gari (Fraser Island) Day Tour: $180
- K'gari/2-Day Tagalong Tour from Hervey Bay: $340
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCebu $14Fraser Island $20
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 Cebu and Fraser Island, we can see that Fraser Island is more expensive. And not only is Cebu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cebu is in Asia and Fraser Island 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 Cebu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cebu 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 Fraser Island would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Fraser Island than you might in Cebu.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cebu Expensive? and Is Fraser Island Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Cebu or Fraser Island?
Fraser Island has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Cebu experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Cebu or Fraser Island in the Summer?
Both Fraser Island and Cebu are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cebu throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Fraser Island because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Cebu is around the same temperature as Fraser Island. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cebu in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Fraser Island averages at about 26°C (78°F)in January.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Fraser Island. It's quite rainy in Cebu. In July, Cebu usually receives around the same amount of rain as Fraser Islandin January. Cebu gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryCebu 28°C (82°F)Fraser Island 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Fraser Island in the Autumn?
Both Fraser Island and Cebu during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Cebu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Fraser Island this time of year.
In October, Cebu is generally a little warmer than Fraser Islandin April. Daily temperatures in Cebu average around 28°C (82°F), and Fraser Island fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Cebu. Cebu usually gets more rain in October than Fraser Islandin April. Cebu gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilCebu 28°C (82°F)Fraser Island 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Fraser Island in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cebu and Fraser Island. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cebu year-round. Also, many travelers come to Fraser Island for the cuisine.
Cebu is much warmer than Fraser Island in the winter. The daily temperature in Cebu averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Fraser Island fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in July.
In January, Cebu usually receives more rain than Fraser Islandin July. Cebu gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyCebu 27°C (81°F)Fraser Island 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Fraser Island in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Cebu as well as Fraser Island. Cebu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Fraser Island in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Cebu is a little warmer than Fraser Island. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cebu in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Fraser Island averages at about 21°C (71°F)in October.
Cebu usually gets less rain in April than Fraser Islandin October. Cebu gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 75 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberCebu 29°C (84°F)Fraser Island 21°C (71°F)
Typical Weather for Fraser Island and Cebu
| Cebu | Fraser Island | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| May | 30°C (86°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 75 mm (2.9 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 134 mm (5.3 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.