Which place is cheaper, Shenzhen or Cebu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cebu or Shenzhen?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Cebu or Shenzhen? 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 Shenzhen?
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.
Shenzhen
Located in the Guangdong Province of southeastern China, Shenzhen is a metropolis that connects Hong Kong to China's mainland. It is one of China's most populous cities, inhabited by vast array of people from other Chinese regions. It is perhaps best known for it shopping, collection of amusement parks, green parks, museums and galleries, and a few historic sites. It is on UNESCO's Creative Cities list.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Philippines, The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, and The Best Cultural Tours in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCebu $65Shenzhen $127
The average daily cost (per person) in Cebu is $65, while the average daily cost in Shenzhen is $127. 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 Shenzhen in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCebu $25Shenzhen $92
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCebu $50Shenzhen $184
Compare Hotels in Cebu and Shenzhen
Looking for a hotel in Cebu or Shenzhen? 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 $26Shenzhen $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cebu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cebu:
- Trusted Airport transfer to Mactan Resorts or Cebu Hotels: $80
- Transfer Cebu City - Bantayan Island: $70
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Mactan-Cebu International Airport: $35
- Private Arrival Transfer: Mactan-Cebu International Airport to Hotel: $27
- Oslob Private Van Transfer between Cebu, Mactan or Mandaue City: $175
- Oslob Car Hire and Transfers: $150
- Malapascua: Advance Divers Shark Dive & Optional Transfer: $109
- Mactan-Cebu Island Hopping Cruise with Lunch & Roundtrip Transfer: $196
- 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: $25
- Danasan Eco Adventure Park Including Round-Trip Hotel Transfer: $161
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shenzhen
Also for Shenzhen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- A One-Way Hotel Pick-Up Transfer to Ocean Park Hong Kong: $26
- Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) Private Transfer: $28
- [Airport Transfer] Shenzhen Airport 送 迎 Shenzhen City Transfer High reputation for service! : $32
- A One-Way Disneyland Pick-Up Transfer to Hong Kong Hotel: $33
- AIRPORT TRANSFER service : $33
- Hong Kong Airport HKG Private Transfer to Kowloon City: $34
- Kai Tak Cruise Terminal to Hong Kong City - Arrival Private Transfer : $37
- Private Transfer from Shenzhen city hotels to Shekou Cruise Port: $42
- Private Transfer from Shekou Cruise Port to Shenzhen city hotels: $42
- Private Transfer from Shenzhen Int Airport (SZX) to Shekou Port: $42
- Private Transfer from Shekou Cruise Port to Shenzhen Airport(SZX): $42
- Kai Tak Cruise Terminal to Hong Kong Airport (HKG) -Departure Private Transfer : $46
Is it cheaper to fly into Cebu or Shenzhen?
Prices for flights to both Shenzhen 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 $21Shenzhen $20
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
- Street Food Tour and Historical Sites Adventure: $72
- The Original Cebu Historical Street and Food Tour: $73
- The Original Cebu City Historical Street and Food Tour: $75
- Panoramic View of Cebu and Dinner with Night View: $97
- Traditional Filipino Bamboo Cooking: $99
- Traditional Filipino Bamboo Cooking Class: $109
- 5-Hour Evening Tour from Cebu with Dinner: $110
- Private Panoramic Tour with Dinner: $131
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shenzhen
For Shenzhen, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Vegetarian Food Tour: $79
- Wet market tour & cooking class with local mum: $92
- Hong Kong Guided Dinner + Laser Show Lounge Entry (2023) | 200+ booked : $101
- Hong Kong Food Tour: Central and Sheung Wan Districts: $108
- Secret Food Tour With the Locals in Tin Hau Hong Kong w/ Private Tour Option: $109
- Small Group Local Market Walking Tour and Chinese Cooking Class in Hong Kong: $132
- Hong Kong Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $140
- Private Food Tour With the Locals in Hong Kong: $146
- Traditional Chinese Pun Choi cooking class in Hong Kong: $147
- Hong Kong Food Tour with a Local: A Feast for Foodies 100% Personalized: $168
- Kowloon Street Food Tour with a Local: 100% Personalized & Private: $168
- Kowloon Night Street Food Tour with a Local: Private & Customized: $187
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cebu $17Shenzhen $17
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
- A Half-day Guided Pilgrimage Tour in Cebu CIty: $70
- Active Taal Volcano & Beach Swimming w/ Floating Cottage Tour: $160
- 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
- Bohol Countryside Day Tour w Lunch at Loboc River From Cebu: $145
- Bohol Countryside Private Tour From Cebu City: $214
- CEBU Caubian Island Hopping Tour: $185
- CEBU Island Hopping Tour to Nalusuan Island: $195
- Canyoneering Experience in Kawasan Falls with Lunch: $55
Tours and Activities in Shenzhen
For Shenzhen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Hong Kong Airport Express Tickets - Tsing Yi Station (One Way): $7.84
- Hong Kong Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Hong Kong Airport Express Ticket: $11
- One Way Express Ticket in Kowloon Station Hong Kong Airport: $12
- One Way Hong Kong Airport Express Ticket: $13
- **HK Resident**sky100 Admission Ticket [F-HC1_HK]: $14
- Round Trip Express Ticket in Tsing Yi Station Hong Kong Airport : $14
- [Entry After 6pm] sky100 Min. 2pax Ticket (F-II_2P): $17
- Victoria Peak Tram and Sky Terrace 428 Ticket in Hong Kong: $19
- sky100 Tales of Hongkong Admission Ticket F-KE: $21
- Hong Kong Airport Express Tickets Kowloon Station Round Trip: $22
- TramOramic Sightseeing Tour plus 2-Day Tramways Ticket: $23
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCebu $14Shenzhen $20
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: $250
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cebu and Shenzhen, we can see that Shenzhen 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 Shenzhen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shenzhen 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 Shenzhen Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cebu or Shenzhen?
Shenzhen has a larger population, and is about 26% larger than the population of Cebu. When comparing the sizes of Cebu and Shenzhen, 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 Shenzhen?
Shenzhen 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 Shenzhen in the Summer?
Both Shenzhen 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 around the same temperature as Shenzhen. Daily temperatures in Cebu average around 28°C (82°F), and Shenzhen fluctuates around 30°C (85°F).
Shenzhen 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 Shenzhen. Cebu gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Shenzhen receives 323 mm (12.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCebu 28°C (82°F)Shenzhen 30°C (85°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Shenzhen in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cebu and Shenzhen. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cebu year-round.
Cebu is around the same temperature as Shenzhen in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cebu averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Shenzhen fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
Shenzhen receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Cebu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Cebu usually receives around the same amount of rain as Shenzhen. Cebu gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Shenzhen receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCebu 28°C (82°F)Shenzhen 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Shenzhen in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Cebu as well as Shenzhen. Cebu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the winter, Cebu is much warmer than Shenzhen. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cebu in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Shenzhen averages at about 16°C (60°F).
Cebu usually gets more rain in January than Shenzhen. Cebu gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Shenzhen receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCebu 27°C (81°F)Shenzhen 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Shenzhen in the Spring?
Both Shenzhen 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 a little warmer than Shenzhen. Daily temperatures in Cebu average around 29°C (84°F), and Shenzhen fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Shenzhen. In April, Cebu usually receives less rain than Shenzhen. Cebu gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Shenzhen receives 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCebu 29°C (84°F)Shenzhen 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Shenzhen and Cebu
| Cebu | Shenzhen | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 154 mm (6.1 in) |
| May | 30°C (86°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 325 mm (12.8 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 382 mm (15 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 393 mm (15.5 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 300 mm (11.8 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 27 mm (1.1 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.