Which place is cheaper, Katoomba or Cebu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cebu or Katoomba?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Cebu or Katoomba? 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 Katoomba?
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.
Katoomba
Designated an UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000, the Blue Mountains are located just west of Sydney in the highlands of New South Wales, Australia.
This area can be generally expensive, but is on par with other destinations in Australia and around Sydney. Plenty of luxury places can be found here that cost more than average, but plenty of cheaper places to stay can be found here, too. Expect to pay for various activities such as tours and entrance fees, too.
The landscape is sprawling with majestic scenery over a rugged terrain of steep cliffs, forests, waterfalls, and villages. Whether you come to hike, climb, bike, or drive to the scenic viewpoints, a curtain of tranquility falls upon the mountains in a blue haze from which they get their name.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Philippines, The Best 10-Day Tours in Australia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCebu $65Katoomba $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Cebu is $65, while the average daily cost in Katoomba is $141. 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 Katoomba in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCebu $25Katoomba $82
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCebu $50Katoomba $164
Compare Hotels in Cebu and Katoomba
Looking for a hotel in Cebu or Katoomba? 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 and Katoomba Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cebu $26Katoomba $52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cebu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cebu:
- CEB Private Airport Transfer to Cebu City Hotel: $23
- Mactan-Cebu International Airport Private Transfer: $24
- One-way Airport Transfer to Hotel: $25
- Private One-Way Airport Transfer: $26
- Hotel Private Transfer Airport to Cebu, Mandaue, LapuLapu: $26
- Private Arrival Transfer: Mactan-Cebu International Airport to Hotel: $27
- Private Car Transfer with Driver (Flexible Routes): $29
- Mactan Cebu Airport Transfer to City Hotels: $35
- Cebu Departure Transfer from Mandaue city to Mactan Cebu Airport (CEB): $41
- Cebu Departure Transfer from Lapu-Lapu city to Mactan Cebu Airport (CEB): $41
- Canyoneering Cebu in Kawasan falls + meals + Cebu transfer option: $53
- Cebu Airport Transfer within Mactan Island, Cebu or Mandaue City: $64
Is it cheaper to fly into Cebu or Katoomba?
Prices for flights to both Katoomba 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 $21Katoomba $18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cebu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cebu.
- Cebu city: Walking Historical and Street Food Tour: $33
- Private Half Day Ultimate Food Tour in Cebu: $66
- Street Food Tour and Historical Sites Adventure: $73
- The Original Cebu Historical Street and Food Tour: $73
- The Original Cebu City Historical Street and Food Tour: $75
- Panoramic View of Cebu and Dinner with Night View: $97
- Traditional Filipino Bamboo Cooking: $99
- Traditional Filipino Bamboo Cooking Class: $110
- Private Panoramic Tour with Dinner: $131
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cebu $17Katoomba $56
Tours and Activities in Cebu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cebu are as follows:
- Day Adventure Pass Ticket (All Day Unlimited Rides): $16
- Cebu City Wonder Tour: $28
- Cebu City Tour: Temple of Leah and many more: $37
- 3-Hour Small Group Cebu City Tour: $38
- Guided Heritage City Tour: $45
- Heritage Tour and Uphill Tour: $46
- Cebu City and Uphill Tour: $46
- Highlands Guided Tour w/ Hotel Pickup: $46
- Cebu Highlands Tour(Cebu Taoist, Temple of Leah and Sirao Garden): $46
- Cebu City: Cebu Heritage & Uphill Tour on Two Wheels: $51
- Cebu Half Day City Tour (Private Tour): $53
- Canyoneering Experience in Kawasan Falls with Lunch: $55
Tours and Activities in Katoomba
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Katoomba are as follows:
- Blue Mountains Hop On Hop Off Tour: $34
- Blue Mountains BarNSW Local Produce Tasting Experience: $39
- Blue Mountains 90 Minute Army Truck Adventures: $67
- Army Truck Adventures - 90 Minute Guided Tour: $69
- Blue Mountains: Private Guided Interpretive Hiking Tour: $85
- Half-Day Abseiling Adventure in Blue Mountains National Park: $87
- Blue Mountains 3 Hour Army Truck Adventures: $101
- Army Truck Adventures - 3 Hour Guided Tour: $103
- Blue Mountains 1-Hour Trike Tour of Three Sisters: $113
- Small-Group Blue Mountains Tour with Bush Walks and Featherdale Wildlife Park: $121
- 4Hrs at Wolgan Valley Birdwatching Experience: $135
- Truffle Hunt and Taste Experience in Oberon, NSW Australia: $153
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCebu $14Katoomba -
Sample the Local Flavors in Cebu
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cebu:
- Private Guided Street Food and Nightlife Pub Crawl Tour in Cebu: $200
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cebu and Katoomba, we can see that Katoomba 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 Katoomba 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 Katoomba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Katoomba 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 Katoomba Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cebu or Katoomba?
Cebu has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Katoomba. When comparing the sizes of Cebu and Katoomba, 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 Katoomba?
Katoomba 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 Katoomba in the Summer?
Both Katoomba 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 Katoomba because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
Cebu is a little warmer than Katoomba in the summer. The daily temperature in Cebu averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Katoomba fluctuates around 24°C (74°F)in January.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Katoomba. It's quite rainy in Cebu. In July, Cebu usually receives more rain than Katoombain January. Cebu gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryCebu 28°C (82°F)Katoomba 24°C (74°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Katoomba in the Autumn?
Both Katoomba 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, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Katoomba this time of year.
In the autumn, Cebu is much warmer than Katoomba. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cebu in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Katoomba averages at about 18°C (65°F)in April.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Cebu. Cebu usually gets more rain in October than Katoombain April. Cebu gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilCebu 28°C (82°F)Katoomba 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Katoomba in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cebu and Katoomba. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cebu year-round. Also, many travelers come to Katoomba for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Cebu is generally much warmer than Katoombain July. Daily temperatures in Cebu average around 27°C (81°F), and Katoomba fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In January, Cebu usually receives more rain than Katoombain July. Cebu gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyCebu 27°C (81°F)Katoomba 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Katoomba in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Cebu as well as Katoomba. Cebu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Katoomba in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.
Cebu is much warmer than Katoomba in the spring. The daily temperature in Cebu averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Katoomba fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in October.
Cebu usually gets less rain in April than Katoombain October. Cebu gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberCebu 29°C (84°F)Katoomba 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Katoomba and Cebu
| Cebu | Katoomba | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 30°C (86°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 42 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 70 mm (2.8 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.