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

Should you visit Cebu or Rockhampton?

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

Should I visit Cebu or Rockhampton? 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 Rockhampton?

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.

Rockhampton

Rockhampton is a city in Queensland, Australia with a population of around 75,000. It dates back to 1855 and historically the economy was driven by gold, mining, and agriculture. Today it feels more bustling than you would expect in an "outback town." There's traffic, suburban sprawl, and continuing growth and development. The city sits on the Fitzroy River about 45 kilometers from the river's mouth.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Philippines, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Australia, and The Best Photography Tours in Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Rockhampton 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 Rockhampton is $208. 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 Rockhampton in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cebu $25
    Rockhampton $102
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cebu $50
    Rockhampton $204
Compare Hotels in Cebu and Rockhampton

Looking for a hotel in Cebu or Rockhampton? 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 Rockhampton


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 Rockhampton Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cebu $26
    Rockhampton $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cebu

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cebu:

  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Cebu HTL-APT (CEB): $31
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Cebu APT-HTL (CEB): $18
  • Private Airport to Hotel Transfer in Cebu City: $35
  • Oslob Private Van Transfer between Cebu, Mactan or Mandaue City: $175
  • Mactan-Cebu Island Hopping Cruise with Lunch & Roundtrip Transfer: $196
  • Kawasan Falls Canyoneering w/ Lunch & Transfers from Cebu City: $122
  • Danasan Eco Adventure Park Including Round-Trip Hotel Transfer: $161
  • Cordova Private Transfer from Cordova city to Mactan Cebu Airport (CEB): $28
  • Private One-Way Airport Transfer: $26
  • Private Car Transfer with Driver (Flexible Routes): $29
  • Oslob Whale Shark Encounter & SUMILON with Transfers: $201
  • One-way Airport Transfer to Cebu City Hotels: $91

Is it cheaper to fly into Cebu or Rockhampton?

Prices for flights to both Rockhampton 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
    Rockhampton $86

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: $46
  • The Ultimate Cebu Food Tour: Local Tastes & Cultural Journey: $70
  • Cebu City: Historical Street and Food Tour: $91
  • Private Panoramic Tour with Dinner: $100
  • Cebu Traditional Cuisine Cooking Class: $100
  • Cebu Traditional Bamboo Cooking Class: $110
  • 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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cebu $17
    Rockhampton $40

Tours and Activities in Cebu

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

  • BEST OF Cebu City Heritage with Uphill Tour | Joiners: $64
  • Cebu Steet food, historical and mountain tour: $110
  • 3-Hour Small Group Cebu City Tour: $38
  • Aqua Sports Adventure Package with 3 Water Activities: $129
  • BEST OF Cebu City Heritage with Uphill Tour: $62
  • BEST OF Guided Heritage City Joiners Tour: $45
  • Badian Canyoneering Adventure and Kawasan Waterfalls Private Tour: $149
  • Badian Cebu Canyoneering Experience: $103
  • Badian Cebu Canyoneering Experience: $146
  • Balamban Uphill Adventure Tour in Cebu: $100
  • Best Seller Cebu City Group Tour: $54
  • Bohol Countryside Day Tour From Cebu City | Lunch at Loboc River Cruise: $145

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cebu $14
    Rockhampton $13

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


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


Which is Bigger, Cebu or Rockhampton?

Cebu has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Rockhampton. When comparing the sizes of Cebu and Rockhampton, 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 Rockhampton?

Rockhampton 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 Rockhampton in the Summer?

Both Rockhampton 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, the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rockhampton this time of year.

In July, Cebu is generally around the same temperature as Rockhamptonin January. Daily temperatures in Cebu average around 28°C (82°F), and Rockhampton fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Rockhampton 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 July than Rockhamptonin January. Cebu gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Rockhampton receives 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Cebu 28°C (82°F) 
    Rockhampton 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Cebu or Rockhampton in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cebu and Rockhampton. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cebu year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Rockhampton for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.

Cebu is a little warmer than Rockhampton in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cebu averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Rockhampton fluctuates around 23°C (74°F)in April.

Cebu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Cebu usually receives more rain than Rockhamptonin April. Cebu gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Rockhampton receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Cebu 28°C (82°F) 
    Rockhampton 23°C (74°F)

Should I visit Cebu or Rockhampton in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Cebu as well as Rockhampton. Cebu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Rockhampton in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Cebu is much warmer than Rockhampton. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cebu in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Rockhampton averages at about 16°C (61°F)in July.

Cebu usually gets more rain in January than Rockhamptonin July. Cebu gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Rockhampton receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Cebu 27°C (81°F) 
    Rockhampton 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Cebu or Rockhampton in the Spring?

Both Rockhampton 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, most visitors come to Rockhampton for the beaches and the small town charm during these months.

In April, Cebu is generally a little warmer than Rockhamptonin October. Daily temperatures in Cebu average around 29°C (84°F), and Rockhampton fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

In April, Cebu usually receives around the same amount of rain as Rockhamptonin October. Cebu gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Rockhampton receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Cebu 29°C (84°F) 
    Rockhampton 23°C (74°F)

Typical Weather for Rockhampton and Cebu

Cebu Rockhampton
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 27°C (81°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 27°C (81°F) 124 mm (4.9 in)
Feb 27°C (81°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 27°C (80°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Mar 28°C (82°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 26°C (78°F) 109 mm (4.3 in)
Apr 29°C (84°F) 50 mm (2 in) 23°C (74°F) 51 mm (2 in)
May 30°C (86°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 20°C (69°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Jun 29°C (84°F) 170 mm (6.7 in) 17°C (63°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 160 mm (6.3 in) 16°C (61°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 18°C (64°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Sep 29°C (84°F) 170 mm (6.7 in) 20°C (69°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 23°C (74°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 26°C (78°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 27°C (80°F) 125 mm (4.9 in)