A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cebu vs. Newcastle for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cebu or Newcastle?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Cebu or Newcastle? 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 Newcastle?

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.

Newcastle

Newcastle is 150 kilometers north of Sydney in New South Wales. It is also the second largest city in the state, and serves as a central point to explore the area's beaches, wineries, and beautiful natural landscape. North of the city is Stockton beach, which has many miles of isolated, beautiful beaches, stretching all the way up to Nelson Bay. The wineries are inland to the west and have some of Australia's finest wine which you can taste. If you want to see rainforests, you can head northwest to Barrington Tops National Park, which has great rainforests and freshwater streams. You may even get to see a platypus. The city also has the country's oldest sea port. In the past the city's economy was centered around the steel industry, but today the University of Newcastle is one of the area's most important employers.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Philippines, The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in Australia, and The Best Budget Tours to Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Newcastle or Cebu?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Cebu is $80, while the average daily cost in Newcastle is $117. 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 Newcastle in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cebu $25
    Newcastle $45
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cebu $50
    Newcastle $90
Compare Hotels in Cebu and Newcastle

Looking for a hotel in Cebu or Newcastle? 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.

Hotels in Cebu


Hotels in Newcastle


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 Newcastle Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cebu $26
    Newcastle $8.41

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cebu

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cebu:

  • CEB Airport to City Centre|Hotels Private Transfer: $7.00
  • Cebu Airport Private Transfer to Cebu City Hotel: $18
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Cebu APT-HTL (CEB): $18
  • Private One-Way Airport Transfer: $26
  • Cordova Private Transfer from Cordova city to Mactan Cebu Airport (CEB): $28
  • Private Car Transfer with Driver (Flexible Routes): $28
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Cebu HTL-APT (CEB): $31
  • Private Airport to Hotel Transfer in Cebu City: $35
  • Cebu Airport Transfer to / from Anywhere in Cebu: $37
  • Canyoneering Cebu in Kawasan falls + meals + Cebu transfer option: $53
  • One-way Airport Transfer to Cebu City Hotels: $89
  • Cebu Safari & Adventure Park: Wildlife Tour with Transfers: $102

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Newcastle

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Newcastle:

  • Newcastle Airport (NTL) to Newcastle - Arrival Private Transfer: $74
  • Newcastle to Newcastle Airport (NTL) - Departure Private Transfer: $74
  • Private Transfer from Newcastle City Hotels to Newcastle Port: $80
  • Private Transfer from Newcastle Port to Newcastle city hotels: $80
  • Private Transfer from Newcastle Port to Newcastle Airport (NTL): $82
  • Private Transfer from Newcastle Airport (NTL) to Newcastle Port: $83
  • Newcastle Airport to Newcastle - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $148
  • Private Transfer from Newcastle Cruise Port to Sydney City Hotels: $251

Is it cheaper to fly into Cebu or Newcastle?

Prices for flights to both Newcastle 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Cebu $36
    Newcastle $61

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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Newcastle

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Newcastle.

  • Harbour Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $69
  • Newcastle Harbour Dinner Cruise with Buffet and Live Music: $71
  • Earp Distilling Co: Date Night with Blending Class & Dinner: $73
  • Cooking Classes at the Yellow Door Kitchen: $96
  • Date Night with Blending Class and Dinner: $149

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cebu $17
    Newcastle $15

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

Tours and Activities in Newcastle

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Newcastle are as follows:

  • Wine & Cheese Tasting Experience in Hunter Valley: $14
  • Skip the Line: Handmade Cheese, Fruit Paste & Gourmet Bread & Wafers Lunch: $17
  • Mead and Honey Tasting Experience: $19
  • True Crime Guided Walking Tour: $22
  • Newcastle Dark Stories True Crime Tour: $23
  • Wine, Cheese & Chocolate Tasting Experience in Hunter Valley: $24
  • Port Stephens: Dolphin Discovery Cruise: $28
  • Family Pass Fighter World Museum Admission Ticket: $32
  • Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard - Sweet Indulgence Experience: $40
  • Shared Newcastle Harbor Cruise: $43
  • Tree Ropes Course Adventure: $46
  • Lake Macquarie Cruise with Lunch: $46

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cebu $14
    Newcastle $10

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

Sample the Local Flavors in Newcastle

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Newcastle:

  • Cael’s Gate Wine Tasting in Hunter Valley: $6.66
  • Ivanhoe Wines: Trip Advisor Seated Wine Tasting : $10
  • Boutique Wine Tasting Experience in Pokolbin: $11
  • Newcastle Bar Crawl Experience: $15
  • Cael's Gate Reserve Wine Tasting in Hunter Valley: $17
  • Premiere Wine Tasting Experience : $20
  • Tulloch Wines - Wine Tasting paired with Local Handmade Chocolates: $23
  • Cheese and Wine Tasting Experience in Pokolbin: $26
  • Wonnarua Sparkling Wine Tasting: $30
  • Ivanhoe Wines: Trip Advisor Premium Wine Tasting: $30
  • Tintilla Estate: Wine Tasting with a Meat and Cheese Platter: $33
  • Tulloch Wines Hunter Heroes Wine Tasting with Local Cheese & Charcuterie Board: $35


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cebu and Newcastle, we can see that Newcastle 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 Newcastle 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 Newcastle would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Newcastle 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 Newcastle Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Cebu or Newcastle?

Cebu has a larger population, and is about 60% larger than the population of Newcastle. When comparing the sizes of Cebu and Newcastle, 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 Newcastle?

Newcastle 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 Newcastle in the Summer?

Both Newcastle 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 beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Newcastle this time of year.

In July, Cebu is generally a little warmer than Newcastlein January. Daily temperatures in Cebu average around 28°C (82°F), and Newcastle fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Newcastle. It's quite rainy in Cebu. In July, Cebu usually receives more rain than Newcastlein January. Cebu gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Cebu 28°C (82°F) 
    Newcastle 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Cebu or Newcastle in the Autumn?

Both Newcastle 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, many travelers come to Newcastle for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.

Cebu is a little warmer than Newcastle in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cebu averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Newcastle fluctuates around 19°C (67°F)in April.

Newcastle gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Cebu. Cebu usually gets more rain in October than Newcastlein April. Cebu gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Cebu 28°C (82°F) 
    Newcastle 19°C (67°F)

Should I visit Cebu or Newcastle in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cebu and Newcastle. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cebu year-round. Also, many visitors come to Newcastle in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Cebu is much warmer than Newcastle. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cebu in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Newcastle averages at about 13°C (55°F)in July.

In January, Cebu usually receives more rain than Newcastlein July. Cebu gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Cebu 27°C (81°F) 
    Newcastle 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Cebu or Newcastle in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Cebu as well as Newcastle. Cebu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Newcastle for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

In April, Cebu is generally much warmer than Newcastlein October. Daily temperatures in Cebu average around 29°C (84°F), and Newcastle fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Cebu usually gets less rain in April than Newcastlein October. Cebu gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Cebu 29°C (84°F) 
    Newcastle 18°C (64°F)

Typical Weather for Newcastle and Cebu

Cebu Newcastle
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 27°C (81°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 22°C (72°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Feb 27°C (81°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 22°C (72°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Mar 28°C (82°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 21°C (71°F) 124 mm (4.9 in)
Apr 29°C (84°F) 50 mm (2 in) 19°C (67°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)
May 30°C (86°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 16°C (61°F) 102 mm (4 in)
Jun 29°C (84°F) 170 mm (6.7 in) 14°C (57°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 160 mm (6.3 in) 13°C (55°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 14°C (57°F) 71 mm (2.8 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) 18°C (64°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 20°C (67°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 21°C (70°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)