Which place is cheaper, Sendai or Cebu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cebu or Sendai?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Cebu or Sendai? 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 Sendai?
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.
Sendai
Sendai, Japan is located in the Toohoku region on the main Honshu island. It is often referred to as "Forest City" due to the large amount of green space throughout the city and the tree filled parks and public spaces. Sendai is a very pleasant city to visit; they are in close proximity to both mountains and the sea and have many large universities throughout the city, making it a popular college town.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Philippines, The Best Historical Tours in Japan, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCebu $66Sendai $113
The average daily cost (per person) in Cebu is $66, while the average daily cost in Sendai is $113. 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 Sendai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCebu $25Sendai $64
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCebu $50Sendai $128
Compare Hotels in Cebu and Sendai
Looking for a hotel in Cebu or Sendai? 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 Sendai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cebu $26Sendai $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cebu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cebu:
- Trusted Airport transfer to Mactan Resorts or Cebu Hotels: $80
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Mactan-Cebu International Airport: $35
- Oslob Private Van Transfer between Cebu, Mactan or Mandaue City: $175
- Oslob Car Hire and Transfers: $150
- Malapascua: Advance Divers Shark Dive & Optional Transfer: $112
- Mactan Cebu Airport Transfer to City Hotels: $35
- Kawasan Falls Canyoneering w/ Lunch & Transfers from Cebu City: $122
- Hotel Private Transfer Airport to Cebu, Mandaue, LapuLapu: $26
- Danasan Eco Adventure Park Including Round-Trip Hotel Transfer: $161
- Private One-Way Airport Transfer: $26
- Mactan-Cebu International Airport Private Transfer: $24
- Cebu Seaport - Mactan Hotel (Any Hotel) - One Way Transfer: $22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sendai
Also for Sendai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Sendai Airport to/from Sendai city central private transfer: $92
- Private Transfer from Sendai Airport to Sendai City: $187
Is it cheaper to fly into Cebu or Sendai?
Prices for flights to both Sendai 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 $22Sendai $35
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cebu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cebu.
- Cebu city: Walking Historical and Street Food Tour: $33
- Private Half Day Ultimate Food Tour in Cebu: $66
- The Original Cebu Historical Street and Food Tour: $74
- The Original Cebu City Historical Street and Food Tour: $75
- Street Food Tour and Historical Sites Adventure: $77
- Panoramic View of Cebu and Dinner with Night View: $97
- Traditional Filipino Bamboo Cooking Class: $112
- Private Panoramic Tour with Dinner: $131
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sendai
For Sendai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Miyagi, Shiogama Local Food Tour with Premium Tuna and Sushi Town: $140
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cebu $17Sendai $20
Tours and Activities in Cebu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cebu are as follows:
- Cebu City with Hillyland Joiners Tour: $66
- Cebu Steet food, historical and mountain tour: $110
- 3-Hour Small Group Cebu City Tour: $38
- A snorkelling tour to Cebu’s Hilutungan: $130
- Active Taal Volcano & Beach Swimming w/ Floating Cottage Tour: $160
- Balamban Uphill Adventure Tour in Cebu: $100
- Bantayan Island Hopping Joiner Tour: Virgin Island, Baigad Lagoon: $58
- 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 Day Tour w Lunch at Loboc River From Cebu: $148
- Bohol Countryside Private Tour From Cebu City: $219
- CEBU Caubian Island Hopping Tour: $185
Tours and Activities in Sendai
For Sendai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Japanese Taiko Drum Experience at Sairi Yashiki : $79
- Local Foodie Tour, wander around the gourmet town: $126
- Zao Fox village 1Day Bus Tour with Strawberry picking: $149
- Sendai, Okama: Private tour from Sendai city to Okama: $283
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCebu $14Sendai $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Cebu
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cebu:
- Private Guided Street Food and Nightlife Pub Crawl Tour in Cebu: $200
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cebu and Sendai, we can see that Sendai 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 Sendai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sendai 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 Sendai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cebu or Sendai?
Sendai has a larger population, and is about 30% larger than the population of Cebu. When comparing the sizes of Cebu and Sendai, 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 Sendai?
Sendai 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 Sendai in the Summer?
Both Sendai 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 Sendai in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Cebu is a little warmer than Sendai. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cebu in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Sendai averages at about 23°C (73°F).
Sendai 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 Sendai. Cebu gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCebu 28°C (82°F)Sendai 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Sendai in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cebu and Sendai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cebu year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Sendai for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.
In October, Cebu is generally much warmer than Sendai. Daily temperatures in Cebu average around 28°C (82°F), and Sendai fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
Sendai 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 Sendai. Cebu gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCebu 28°C (82°F)Sendai 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Sendai in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Cebu as well as Sendai. Cebu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Sendai because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Sendai can be very cold. Cebu is much warmer than Sendai in the winter. The daily temperature in Cebu averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Sendai fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).
Cebu usually gets more rain in January than Sendai. Cebu gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCebu 27°C (81°F)Sendai 2°C (35°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Sendai in the Spring?
Both Sendai 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 beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Sendai this time of year.
In the spring, Cebu is much warmer than Sendai. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cebu in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Sendai averages at about 10°C (51°F).
In April, Cebu usually receives less rain than Sendai. Cebu gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCebu 29°C (84°F)Sendai 10°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Sendai and Cebu
| Cebu | Sendai | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| May | 30°C (86°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 36 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.