Which place is cheaper, Koh Pha Ngan or Cebu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Cebu or Koh Pha Ngan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Cebu or Koh Pha Ngan? 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 Koh Pha Ngan?
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.
Koh Pha Ngan
Ko Phangan (or Pha Ngan) is best known for its full moon parties, attracting backpackers and budget travelers the world over for all-night parties on the beach. The clear, blue water, beautiful beaches, and tropical atmosphere bring the tourists to the island, and the low prices, diverse activities, and abundant amenities keep them here.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Philippines, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.
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Cebu Prices
Philippines PricesKoh Pha Ngan Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCebu $80Koh Pha Ngan $61
The average daily cost (per person) in Cebu is $80, while the average daily cost in Koh Pha Ngan is $61. 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 Koh Pha Ngan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCebu $25Koh Pha Ngan $27
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCebu $50Koh Pha Ngan $54
Compare Hotels in Cebu and Koh Pha Ngan
Looking for a hotel in Cebu or Koh Pha Ngan? 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 Koh Pha Ngan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cebu $26Koh Pha Ngan $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cebu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cebu:
- Bohol Day Tour from Cebu (Shared) w/ RT Transfers & Ferry: $185
- Bohol Day Tour with Round-Trip Transfers from Cebu: $208
- Canyoneering Cebu in Kawasan falls + meals + Cebu transfer option: $53
- Cebu Airport Private Transfer to Cebu City Hotel: $18
- Cebu Airport Transfer to / from Anywhere in Cebu: $37
- Cebu Safari & Adventure Park: Wildlife Tour with Transfers: $102
- CEB Airport to City Centre|Hotels Private Transfer: $7.00
- One-way Airport Transfer to Cebu City Hotels: $89
- Oslob Whale Shark Encounter & SUMILON with Transfers: $196
- Private Car Transfer with Driver (Flexible Routes): $28
- Private One-Way Airport Transfer: $26
- Cordova Private Transfer from Cordova city to Mactan Cebu Airport (CEB): $28
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Pha Ngan
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Koh Pha Ngan are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$9.42
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Ferry Ride$16
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Gas for Scooter$3.45
Is it cheaper to fly into Cebu or Koh Pha Ngan?
Prices for flights to both Koh Pha Ngan 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 $36Koh Pha Ngan $20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cebu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cebu.
- Carbon Market Food Tour & Bars with Jeepney Ride: $16
- Highlands Guided Tour with STREET FOOD TOUR OPTION: $45
- The Ultimate Cebu Food Tour: Local Tastes & Cultural Journey: $70
- Cebu City: Historical Street and Food Tour: $89
- Cebu Traditional Cuisine Cooking Class: $98
- Private Panoramic Tour with Dinner: $100
- Cebu Traditional Bamboo Cooking Class: $107
- Cebu Traditional Bamboo Cooking: $110
- Cebu Vegetarian Cooking Class: $110
- Cebu Traditional Cuisine Cooking Class: $110
- 5-Hour Evening Tour from Cebu with Dinner: $110
Typical Food Prices in Koh Pha Ngan
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Koh Pha Ngan:
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Noodle Lunch (for One)$1.26
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Sit Down Dinner (for Two)$12
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Smoothies (for Two)$1.26
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Ice Cream$0.63
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Juice$1.88
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3 Spring Rolls$0.94
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2 Pancakes$1.88
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cebu $17Koh Pha Ngan $19
Tours and Activities in Cebu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cebu are as follows:
- Cebu City: Walking Tour: $21
- Cebu City: Guided Trekking Experience: $32
- Adventure Hiking Trip in the City: $36
- 3-Hour Small Group Cebu City Tour: $38
- City Sightseeing Group Tour: $39
- BEST OF Guided Heritage City Joiners Tour: $44
- Heritage Tour and Uphill Tour: $45
- Scuba Diving Experience beach entry in Mactan: $45
- Cebu Highlands Tour (Taoist temple, Leah and sirao garden)PICK UP: $46
- Cebu City: Best of Cebu Full-Day Guided Sightseeing Tour: $49
- Thrill Seekers Paradise Kawasan Canyoning Adventure: $50
- Cebu Half Day City Tour (Private Tour): $51
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCebu $14Koh Pha Ngan $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Cebu
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cebu:
- Makati Pub Crawl with Optional City Tour: $18
- Cebu City Light's Pub Crawl: $110
Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Pha Ngan
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Koh Pha Ngan are as follows:
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Drinks at Irish Pub (for Two)$8.16
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cebu and Koh Pha Ngan, we can see that Cebu is more expensive. And not only is Koh Pha Ngan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koh Pha Ngan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Pha Ngan 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 Koh Pha Ngan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cebu Expensive? and Is Koh Pha Ngan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cebu or Koh Pha Ngan?
Cebu has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Koh Pha Ngan. When comparing the sizes of Cebu and Koh Pha Ngan, 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 Koh Pha Ngan?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Cebu or Koh Pha Ngan in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cebu and Koh Pha Ngan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cebu year-round. Koh Pha Ngan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Koh Pha Ngan receives a lot of rain in the summer. Cebu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Cebu usually receives more rain than Koh Pha Ngan. Cebu gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Cebu is a little warmer than Koh Pha Ngan in the summer. The daily temperature in Cebu averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCebu 28°C (82°F)Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Koh Pha Ngan in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Cebu as well as Koh Pha Ngan. Cebu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Pha Ngan throughout the year.
Also, December to March in Koh Pha Ngan is the dry season. October and November in Koh Pha Ngan is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Koh Pha Ngan. Cebu receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Cebu usually gets less rain in October than Koh Pha Ngan. Cebu gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, Cebu is a little warmer than Koh Pha Ngan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cebu in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Koh Pha Ngan averages at about 24°C (75°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCebu 28°C (82°F)Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Koh Pha Ngan in the Winter?
Both Koh Pha Ngan and Cebu are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cebu throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Pha Ngan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Koh Pha Ngan is December to March. In January, Cebu usually receives more rain than Koh Pha Ngan. Cebu gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In January, Cebu is generally a little warmer than Koh Pha Ngan. Daily temperatures in Cebu average around 27°C (81°F), and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCebu 27°C (81°F)Koh Pha Ngan 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Koh Pha Ngan in the Spring?
Both Koh Pha Ngan and Cebu during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Cebu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Pha Ngan year-round.
Cebu usually gets less rain in April than Koh Pha Ngan. Cebu gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
Cebu is a little warmer than Koh Pha Ngan in the spring. The daily temperature in Cebu averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCebu 29°C (84°F)Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (76°F)
Typical Weather for Koh Pha Ngan and Cebu
| Cebu | Koh Pha Ngan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 30°C (86°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 23°C (73°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.