Which place is cheaper, Osaka or Cebu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cebu or Osaka?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Cebu or Osaka? 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 Osaka?
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.
Osaka
The third largest city in Japan, Osaka has a lot to offer travelers. It's at the center of the Kansai region, and is a wonderful place to spend a few days. The city sits at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay and is a major commercial hub for the country.
Osaka has a humid subtropical climate with four seasons. The winters are mild with January temperatures having an average high of almost 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Snow is very rare. Springs start cool and become hot and humid. This is also the wettest season with the rainiest time being between May and early July. Summers are hot and humid with July temperatures climbing into the high 90s Fahrenheit. The fall season becomes cooler as winter approaches.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Philippines, The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCebu $65Osaka $88
The average daily cost (per person) in Cebu is $65, while the average daily cost in Osaka is $88. 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 Osaka in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCebu $25Osaka $45
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCebu $50Osaka $90
Compare Hotels in Cebu and Osaka
Looking for a hotel in Cebu or Osaka? 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 Osaka Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cebu $26Osaka $14
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Osaka
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Osaka:
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Subway$7.83
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Osaka
Also for Osaka, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Osaka Itami Airport to/from Osaka City: Shared Transfer: $23
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Osaka Itami Airport to Osaka City: $25
- Private Transfer by Sedan from Itama Airport ITM to Osaka City : $58
- Kuchu Teien Observatory Ticket with Private Transfer: $62
- Private Transfer from Osaka Cruise Port to Osaka city hotels: $66
- Osaka Int Airport (ITM) to Osaka city - Arrival Private Transfer: $66
- Private Transfer from Osaka Airport (ITM) to Osaka Cruise Port: $66
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Osaka Itami Airport to Kyoto City: $66
- Airport Transfer from Osaka city to Kansai airport: $68
- Osaka to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX) - Departure Private Transfer: $70
- TeamLab Botanical Garden Ticket and Private Transfer: $71
- Private Transfer from Osaka Port to Osaka Kansai Int Airport: $71
Is it cheaper to fly into Cebu or Osaka?
Prices for flights to both Osaka 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 $21Osaka $25
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 Osaka
For Osaka, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Osaka:Food Tour & Shopping(Grand Opening Limited Time Offer): $25
- 2-Hour Kuromon Market Walking Street Food Tour: $26
- Private Takoyaki Cooking Class by Natives in Osaka: $36
- Japanese home cooking class in Osaka Umeda: $45
- Osaka Okonomiyaki Cooking Experience!: $49
- Ramen and Gyoza Cooking Class in Dotonbori: $61
- Kimono experience and Japanese home-cooking lesson Osaka: $63
- Osaka Authentic Tempura & Miso Soup Japan Cooking Class: $64
- RAMEN and 2 types GYOZA (dumplings) Cooking Class: $65
- Three Types of RAMEN Cooking Class: $65
- Kimono experience and Japanese home-cooking lesson Osaka Umeda : $65
- Ramen and Gyoza Cooking Class in Osaka Dotonbori: $66
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cebu $17Osaka $20
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Osaka
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Osaka's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Osaka Aquarium (for 2)$30
Tours and Activities in Osaka
For Osaka, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Osaka Castle: Museum and Tower Entry Ticket: $3.79
- Table Tennis Experience with Local Players: $4.42
- Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum Entrance Ticket: $4.42
- Ryurei Teicha: Chanoyu (Tea Ceremony) Experience in Osaka: $5.05
- Osaka Sakishima Observatory Advance Ticket: $5.68
- Dotonbori District Sightseeing Cruise & Beer Discount: $7.58
- Tsutenkaku Entry Ticket: $7.67
- Umeda Sky Building E-Ticket: $9.47
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Abeno Harukas 300 Observatory E-Ticket: $11
- Abeno Harukas 300 Observatory Entry Ticket: $12
- Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum:Ukiyo-e Woodblock Printing Experience: $12
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCebu $14Osaka $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Cebu
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cebu:
- Cebu City Light's Pub Crawl: $99
Sample the Local Flavors in Osaka
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Osaka:
- Osaka Namba Hidden Places Bar Crawl: $16
- Osaka Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour: $23
- Namba Pub Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $30
- Osaka Evening: Ultimate Pub Bar Crawl with an Expert Local Guide: $32
- Local Bar Crawl in Dotombori and Uranamba Area: $38
- Osaka Local Bar Crawl in Dotombori & Uranamba Area: $39
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cebu and Osaka, we can see that Osaka is more expensive. And not only is Cebu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Osaka would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Osaka 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 Osaka Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cebu or Osaka?
Osaka has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Cebu. When comparing the sizes of Cebu and Osaka, 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 Osaka?
Osaka 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 Osaka in the Summer?
Both Osaka 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. Furthermore, many visitors come to Osaka in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Cebu is generally around the same temperature as Osaka. Daily temperatures in Cebu average around 28°C (82°F), and Osaka fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
Osaka 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 Osaka. Cebu gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Osaka receives 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCebu 28°C (82°F)Osaka 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Osaka in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cebu and Osaka. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cebu year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Osaka for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.
Cebu is a little warmer than Osaka in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cebu averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Osaka fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
Osaka receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Cebu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Cebu usually receives more rain than Osaka. Cebu gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Osaka receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCebu 28°C (82°F)Osaka 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Osaka in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Cebu as well as Osaka. Cebu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Osaka because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Cebu is much warmer than Osaka. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cebu in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Osaka averages at about 6°C (42°F).
Cebu usually gets more rain in January than Osaka. Cebu gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Osaka receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCebu 27°C (81°F)Osaka 6°C (42°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Osaka in the Spring?
Both Osaka and Cebu are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cebu throughout the year. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Osaka this time of year.
In April, Cebu is generally much warmer than Osaka. Daily temperatures in Cebu average around 29°C (84°F), and Osaka fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Osaka. In April, Cebu usually receives less rain than Osaka. Cebu gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Osaka receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCebu 29°C (84°F)Osaka 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Osaka and Cebu
| Cebu | Osaka | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| May | 30°C (86°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 204 mm (8 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 35 mm (1.4 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.