Which place is cheaper, Qingdao or Cebu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cebu or Qingdao?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Cebu or Qingdao? 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 Qingdao?
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.
Qingdao
Qingdao, China, located in the Shandong Province, is a very large city right on the Yellow Sea coast. The city, whose name means "The Green Island" due to it's gorgeous landscapes and interesting geography, was named China's most livable city in 2012. The city is rich in history, having almost become a German territory in 1897 and being occupied by the Japanese during WWI. Evidence of these occupiers is present in much of the architecture around the city, which includes a few Catholic and Protestant churches.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Philippines, The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, The Best Cultural Tours in China, and The Best Luxury Tours to China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCebu $65Qingdao $58
The average daily cost (per person) in Cebu is $65, while the average daily cost in Qingdao is $58. 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 Qingdao in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCebu $25Qingdao $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCebu $50Qingdao $52
Compare Hotels in Cebu and Qingdao
Looking for a hotel in Cebu or Qingdao? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cebu $26Qingdao $12
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Qingdao
Also for Qingdao, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer: City Hotel to Qingdao Railway Station : $36
- Qingdao Railway Station Depature Transfer from City Hotels: $36
- Qingdao Railway Station Arrival Transfer to City Hotel: $36
- Qingdao Cruise Port Departure Transfer from City Hotels: $36
- Qingdao Northern Railway Station Arrival Private One-Way Transfer: $42
- Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao central to Qingdao Airport (TAO): $83
- Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao Airport (TAO) to central Qingdao: $83
- Qingdao Liuting Airport Transfer Service by Minivan: $86
Is it cheaper to fly into Cebu or Qingdao?
Prices for flights to both Qingdao 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 $21Qingdao $20
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 $17Qingdao $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
Tours and Activities in Qingdao
For Qingdao, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Qingdao City tour with Lunch and Qingdao beer: $175
- Private Qingdao Historic architectural day tour with Tsingdao beer during Lunch: $190
- Private Qingdao Laoshan half day tour with one bottle of Tsingdao beer as gift: $199
- Qingdao private half day tour with Tsingdao Beer Lunch : $202
- Qingdao Shore Excursion: Private Full Day Laoshan Mountain Sightseeing Tour: $207
- Private Qingdao Essentials Tour: City Highlights and Beer Museum: $216
- Laoshan Mountain Full Day Private Activity Tour: $224
- Qingdao Private Day Tour to Laoshan Mountain with Lunch and Cable Car: $238
- Private Qingdao Laoshan day tour with lunch& round way cable car: $240
- Qingdao Discover Tour to the Mount Laoshan and Tasting Famous Local Beer: $248
- Qingdao Private Tour: City Highlights and Laoshan Mountain with Lunch+Cable Car: $268
- All-Inclusive Private Day Tour: Qingdao Highlights with Lunch: $285
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCebu $14Qingdao $14
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 Qingdao, we can see that Cebu 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 Qingdao Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cebu or Qingdao?
Qingdao has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Cebu. When comparing the sizes of Cebu and Qingdao, 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 Qingdao?
Qingdao 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 Qingdao in the Summer?
Both Qingdao 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.
In July, Cebu is generally a little warmer than Qingdao. Daily temperatures in Cebu average around 28°C (82°F), and Qingdao fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
Qingdao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Cebu. Cebu usually gets less rain in July than Qingdao. Cebu gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Qingdao receives 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCebu 28°C (82°F)Qingdao 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Qingdao in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cebu and Qingdao. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cebu year-round.
Cebu is much warmer than Qingdao in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cebu averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Qingdao fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
Cebu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Cebu usually receives more rain than Qingdao. Cebu gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Qingdao receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCebu 28°C (82°F)Qingdao 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Qingdao in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Cebu as well as Qingdao. Cebu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
The weather in Qingdao can be very cold. In the winter, Cebu is much warmer than Qingdao. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cebu in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Qingdao averages at about -0°C (32°F).
Cebu usually gets more rain in January than Qingdao. Cebu gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Qingdao receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCebu 27°C (81°F)Qingdao -0°C (32°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Qingdao in the Spring?
Both Qingdao and Cebu are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cebu throughout the year.
In April, Cebu is generally much warmer than Qingdao. Daily temperatures in Cebu average around 29°C (84°F), and Qingdao fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
In April, Cebu usually receives more rain than Qingdao. Cebu gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Qingdao receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCebu 29°C (84°F)Qingdao 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Qingdao and Cebu
| Cebu | Qingdao | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| May | 30°C (86°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 10 mm (0.4 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.