Which place is cheaper, Rockhampton or Cebu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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 10-Day Tours in Philippines, The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCebu $65Rockhampton $170
The average daily cost (per person) in Cebu is $65, while the average daily cost in Rockhampton is $170. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCebu $25Rockhampton $101
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCebu $50Rockhampton $202
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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cebu $26Rockhampton $19
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
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
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Food Meals for one dayCebu $21Rockhampton $49
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 $17Rockhampton $40
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCebu $14Rockhampton $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Cebu
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cebu:
- Cebu City Light's Pub Crawl: $99
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.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryCebu 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.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilCebu 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.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyCebu 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.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberCebu 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) |
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.