Which place is cheaper, Matsue or Cebu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cebu or Matsue?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Cebu or Matsue? 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 Matsue?
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.
Matsue
Matsue, Japan is located on the scenic shores of Lake Shinji in the Shimane Prefecture. Matsue is the capital city of the prefecture and is known as the water city due to being located between Lake Shinji, Lake Nakaumi, and the Sea of Japan. This historically rich city is famous for being a laid back samurai village with stunning sunsets and traditional confectioneries.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Philippines, The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, The Best Contiki Tours to Japan, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCebu $65Matsue $65
The average daily cost (per person) in Cebu is $65, while the average daily cost in Matsue 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 Cebu and Matsue in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCebu $25Matsue $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCebu $50Matsue $52
Compare Hotels in Cebu and Matsue
Looking for a hotel in Cebu or Matsue? 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 Matsue Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cebu $26Matsue $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cebu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cebu:
- Bohol Day Tour with Round-Trip Transfers from Cebu: $190
- Cebu Airport Transfer within Mactan Island, Cebu or Mandaue City: $64
- Cebu Departure Transfer from Lapu-Lapu city to Mactan Cebu Airport (CEB): $40
- Cebu Departure Transfer from Mandaue 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 Airport (CEB) to Mandaue city: $40
- Cebu Private Transfer from Mactan Cebu International Airport (CEB) to Cebu city: $40
- Cebu Seaport - Mactan Hotel (Any Hotel) - One Way Transfer: $22
- Cebu Whale Shark Snorkeling & Tumalog Falls w/ Meals and Transfer: $95
- Private One-Way Airport Transfer: $25
- Danasan Eco Adventure Park Including Round-Trip Hotel Transfer: $161
- Hotel Private Transfer Airport to Cebu, Mandaue, LapuLapu: $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Matsue
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Matsue:
- Private Transfer from Sakaiminato Cruise Port to Osaka city : $131
- Private Transfer from Sakaiminato Port to Osaka Int Airport KIX: $200
Is it cheaper to fly into Cebu or Matsue?
Prices for flights to both Matsue 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 $21Matsue $27
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 $17Matsue $8.81
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 Matsue
Here are a few actual costs in Matsue for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Tour around Matsue Horikawa: $11
- Private Kimono Elegant Experience in the Castle Town of Matsue: $36
- An E-Bike cycling tour of Matsue that will add to your enjoyment of the city: $98
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCebu $14Matsue $6.85
Sample the Local Flavors in Cebu
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cebu:
- Cebu City Light's Pub Crawl: $99
When comparing the travel costs between Cebu and Matsue, we can see that Matsue is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cebu Expensive? and Is Matsue Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cebu or Matsue?
Cebu has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Matsue. When comparing the sizes of Cebu and Matsue, 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 Matsue?
Matsue 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 Matsue in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cebu and Matsue. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cebu year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Matsue for the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Cebu is around the same temperature as Matsue. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cebu in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Matsue averages at about 25°C (78°F).
Matsue receives a lot of rain in the summer. Cebu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Cebu usually receives less rain than Matsue. Cebu gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 268 mm (10.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCebu 28°C (82°F)Matsue 25°C (78°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Matsue in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Cebu as well as Matsue. Cebu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Matsue because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Cebu is generally much warmer than Matsue. Daily temperatures in Cebu average around 28°C (82°F), and Matsue fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
It's quite rainy in Matsue. Cebu receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Cebu usually gets more rain in October than Matsue. Cebu gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCebu 28°C (82°F)Matsue 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Matsue in the Winter?
Both Matsue and Cebu are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cebu throughout the year. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Matsue this time of year.
It's quite cold in Matsue in the winter. Cebu is much warmer than Matsue in the winter. The daily temperature in Cebu averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Matsue fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Matsue. In January, Cebu usually receives less rain than Matsue. Cebu gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCebu 27°C (81°F)Matsue 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Matsue in the Spring?
Both Matsue 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. Also, many travelers come to Matsue for the natural beauty.
In the spring, Cebu is much warmer than Matsue. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cebu in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Matsue averages at about 13°C (55°F).
Matsue gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Cebu usually gets less rain in April than Matsue. Cebu gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCebu 29°C (84°F)Matsue 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Matsue and Cebu
| Cebu | Matsue | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) |
| May | 30°C (86°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 216 mm (8.5 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 138 mm (5.4 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.