Which place is cheaper, Harbin or Cebu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cebu or Harbin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Cebu or Harbin? 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 Harbin?
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.
Harbin
Harbin, China is the northernmost major city in the country, with a population of over 10 million. Harbin was founded in 1897 by Russia, which has resulted in a lot of Russian influence throughout the city and many Russian citizens. The city is most famous for their annual International Snow and Ice Festival, a two-month-long festival running from January through February of each year.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Philippines, The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, The Best 2-Week Tours in China, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCebu $65Harbin $54
The average daily cost (per person) in Cebu is $65, while the average daily cost in Harbin is $54. 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 Harbin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCebu $25Harbin $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCebu $50Harbin $42
Compare Hotels in Cebu and Harbin
Looking for a hotel in Cebu or Harbin? 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 $26Harbin $1.49
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin
Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Any Harbin Railway Station : $25
- Harbin Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer: $27
- Harbin Airport (HRB) : Private Arrival Transfer with Meet & Greet Service: $32
- Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin West Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $65
- Private HRB Airport Departure Transfer from Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Private HRB Airport Arrival Transfer to Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Harbin Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service , Harbin Airport Transfer,Pick up: $78
- Shared Night Transfer Service to Harbin Ice and Snow World: $85
- Harbin City Car Transfer Service with Driver: $168
- Private Full Day Transfer Service to Harbin Top Winter Attractions: $168
- Shared Transfer Service to Ice and Snow World, Sun Island Snow Festival: $250
Is it cheaper to fly into Cebu or Harbin?
Prices for flights to both Harbin 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 $21Harbin $14
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Harbin
For Harbin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Half-Day Private Harbin Beer Museum and Food Tour Including Harbin Beer1900: $157
- 4-Hour Private Night Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World with Dinner Options: $261
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cebu $17Harbin $52
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
Tours and Activities in Harbin
For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1-Day Harbin Private Tour: $130
- 4-Hour Private Tour of the Largest Indoor Ice and Snow Paradise: $136
- Private Half Day City Tour including Russian Town and Harbin Ropeway Ride: $150
- Harbin City Guided Tour to Zhongyang Street and Sophia Church: $180
- Small Group Night Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World: $198
- Harbin Ice Festival New Year Eve Countdown Group Tour on December 31: $200
- Harbin City Private Day Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $200
- Small Group Tour to Harbin Siberian Park Tiger: $200
- Private Harbin Ice Festival Night Tour: $209
- Songhua River Boat Tour and Food Experience in Harbin: $230
- Full Day Private Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow Festival: $250
- 2-Day Harbin City Private Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $280
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCebu $14Harbin $7.83
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 Harbin, we can see that Cebu is more expensive. And not only is Harbin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Harbin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Harbin 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 Harbin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cebu Expensive? and Is Harbin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cebu or Harbin?
Harbin has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Cebu. When comparing the sizes of Cebu and Harbin, 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.
When is the best time to visit Cebu or Harbin?
Harbin 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 Harbin in the Summer?
Both Harbin and Cebu during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Cebu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the summer, Cebu is a little warmer than Harbin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cebu in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Harbin averages at about 24°C (75°F).
Harbin gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Cebu. Cebu usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Harbin. Cebu gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCebu 28°C (82°F)Harbin 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Harbin in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cebu and Harbin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cebu year-round.
In October, Cebu is generally much warmer than Harbin. Daily temperatures in Cebu average around 28°C (82°F), and Harbin fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
Cebu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Cebu usually receives more rain than Harbin. Cebu gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCebu 28°C (82°F)Harbin 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Harbin in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Cebu as well as Harbin. Cebu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Harbin can be very cold during winter. Cebu is much warmer than Harbin in the winter. The daily temperature in Cebu averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Harbin fluctuates around -18°C (-0°F).
Cebu usually gets more rain in January than Harbin. Cebu gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCebu 27°C (81°F)Harbin -18°C (-0°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Harbin in the Spring?
Both Harbin and Cebu are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cebu throughout the year.
In the spring, Cebu is much warmer than Harbin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cebu in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Harbin averages at about 8°C (46°F).
In April, Cebu usually receives more rain than Harbin. Cebu gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCebu 29°C (84°F)Harbin 8°C (46°F)
Typical Weather for Harbin and Cebu
| Cebu | Harbin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | -18°C (-0°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | -3°C (26°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| May | 30°C (86°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 5 mm (0.2 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.