Which place is cheaper, Sydney or Cebu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Cebu or Sydney?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Cebu or Sydney? 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 Sydney?
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.
Sydney
Sydney, known as the harbour city, is the most famous and frequently visited city in Australia. It is at the economical and cultural heart of the country, and is one of the most beautiful and livable cities in the world. It's situated on the water with stunning views of the famous harbour throughout the city. It's most famous landmarks include the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is also very close wonderful beaches, parks, and nature.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Philippines, The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCebu $65Sydney $273
The average daily cost (per person) in Cebu is $65, while the average daily cost in Sydney is $273. 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 Sydney in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCebu $25Sydney $102
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCebu $50Sydney $204
Compare Hotels in Cebu and Sydney
Looking for a hotel in Cebu or Sydney? 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 Sydney Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cebu $26Sydney $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cebu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cebu:
- Bohol Day Tour with Round-Trip Transfers from Cebu: $190
- Cebu Airport Transfer within Mactan Island, Cebu or Mandaue City: $64
- Cebu Departure Transfer from Lapu-Lapu city to Mactan Cebu Airport (CEB): $40
- Cebu Departure Transfer from Mandaue city to Mactan Cebu Airport (CEB): $40
- Cebu Private Transfer from Mactan Cebu Airport (CEB) to Lapu-Lapu city: $40
- Cebu Private Transfer from Mactan Cebu Airport (CEB) to Mandaue city: $40
- Cebu Private Transfer from Mactan Cebu International Airport (CEB) to Cebu city: $40
- Cebu Seaport - Mactan Hotel (Any Hotel) - One Way Transfer: $22
- Cebu Whale Shark Snorkeling & Tumalog Falls w/ Meals and Transfer: $95
- Private One-Way Airport Transfer: $25
- Danasan Eco Adventure Park Including Round-Trip Hotel Transfer: $161
- Hotel Private Transfer Airport to Cebu, Mandaue, LapuLapu: $25
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sydney
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Sydney:
-
Taxi Ride$13
-
Taxi to Airport$16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sydney
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sydney:
- Transfer Between Airport & Hotels or Cruise Terminal: $13
- Shuttle Transfer from Sydney City Hotel or Cruise Port to Sydney Airport: $22
- Shuttle Transfer from Cruise Ship Terminal at Circular Quay to Sydney Airport: $22
- Shuttle Transfer from Sydney Airport to Cruise Ship Terminal at Circular Quay: $22
- Sydney Airport to White Bay Port transfer: $27
- Sydney Port Private Arrival Transfer: Cruise Port to City: $28
- Private Departure Transfer: Sydney Airport: $33
- Airport Shuttle Transfer to and from CBD Hotels: $36
- Private Arrival Transfer: Sydney Airport to Hotel or Cruise Port: $38
- Sydney to Sydney Airport (SYD) - Departure Private Transfer: $39
- Sydney International Airport to/from Sydney One Way Transfer: $47
- NRL Grand Final Transfer to ANZ Stadium: $52
Is it cheaper to fly into Cebu or Sydney?
Prices for flights to both Sydney 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 dayCebu $21Sydney $44
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
Typical Food Prices in Sydney
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Sydney:
-
Tea$2.60
-
Lunch Special$9.73
-
Food/Drink Coogie Beach$9.73
-
Meat Pies$3.24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sydney
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sydney.
- Vivid Lights Festival Pizza Cruise Tour in Vivid Sydney: $16
- VIVID Dinner Cruise with Complimentary Drink on Arrival: $36
- Vivid Sydney Harbor Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $46
- Admission to Vivid Dinner Cruise in Sydney : $46
- Sydney's Little Italy Food Tour: $50
- Sydney Street Art & Food Tour: $53
- Christmas in July Dinner Cruise on Sydney Harbour: $56
- Harbor Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $58
- Sydney Harbour: Tall Ship Vivid Dinner Cruise: $58
- Twilight Dinner Cruise on Coral Trekker: $59
- Small Group Refugee Chef Dinner Banquet at Bohemian Cafe: $63
- Kids Cooking Classes: $63
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cebu $17Sydney $31
Tours and Activities in Cebu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cebu are as follows:
- Moalboal Sardines Run Private Tour: $20
- Cebu City Tour: Temple of Leah and many more: $36
- 3-Hour Small Group Cebu City Tour: $38
- Cebu City: Cebu Heritage & Uphill Tour on Two Wheels: $40
- Cebu City Tour (Joiners Tour): $41
- Guided Heritage City Tour: $44
- Highlands Guided Tour w/ Hotel Pickup: $45
- Cebu Highlands Tour(Cebu Taoist, Temple of Leah and Sirao Garden): $46
- Land Tour | Bantayan Island - Sightseeing - Guided Tour: $46
- Cebu Half Day City Tour (Private Tour): $52
- Canyoneering Experience in Kawasan Falls with Lunch: $55
- Cebu City with Sirao Garden Half Day Tour: $57
Typical Entertainment Prices in Sydney
Here are a few typical costs in Sydney for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Theatre Show$29
-
Sydney Tower Visit (for 2)$30
-
Blue Mountain Tour/Featherdale Park (for 2)$124
-
Powerhouse Museum$9.76
Tours and Activities in Sydney
Here are a few actual costs in Sydney for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $2.14
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Spirits of Sydney - Self Guided Ghost Tour of the Rocks Area: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Australia: Tourist eSIM Data Plan: $11
- Self-Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $14
- Secret Laneways Scavenger Hunt Adventure Game: $16
- Unlock The Rocks Scavenger Hunt Adventure Game: $16
- Australian National Maritime Museum: All-Inclusive Ticket: $16
- Botanic Garden Self-Guided Adventure Hunt for Kids: $16
- Allianz Stadium Guided Walking Tour: $17
- Broken Bay Pearl & Oyster Farm Tours: $17
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayCebu $14Sydney $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Cebu
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cebu:
- Cebu City Light's Pub Crawl: $99
Typical Alcohol Prices in Sydney
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Sydney:
-
Wine$10
Sample the Local Flavors in Sydney
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sydney:
- Haunted Pub Tour with Local Guide: $20
- Night Out Pub Crawl with Local Guide: $29
- Private Wine Tour and Tasting: $56
- Urban Winery Wine Tasting Tour with Cheese Platter: $56
- Beach and Brew - Hike and Brewery (Men and Women): $73
- Balmain Pub Walking Tour: $76
- Luxury Hunter Valley Wildlife & Wine Tasting Tour from Sydney: $83
- Sydney Beer and Brewery Tour: $102
- Brewery, Winery, and Distillery Tasting Tour: $111
- Northern Beaches Brewery Tour and Tasting: $121
- From Hunter Valley Wine Tour with Cheese Tasting: $143
- From Hunter Valley Multi-Brewery Tour with Lunch: $147
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cebu and Sydney, we can see that Sydney 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 Sydney 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 Sydney would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sydney 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 Sydney Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cebu or Sydney?
Sydney has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Cebu. When comparing the sizes of Cebu and Sydney, 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 Sydney?
Sydney 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 Sydney in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cebu and Sydney. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cebu year-round. Also, many visitors come to Sydney in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Cebu is generally a little warmer than Sydneyin January. Daily temperatures in Cebu average around 28°C (82°F), and Sydney fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
Sydney receives a lot of rain in the summer. Cebu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Cebu usually receives more rain than Sydneyin January. Cebu gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryCebu 28°C (82°F)Sydney 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Sydney in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Cebu as well as Sydney. Cebu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Sydney for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Cebu is much warmer than Sydney in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cebu averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Sydney fluctuates around 19°C (65°F)in April.
It's quite rainy in Sydney. Cebu receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Cebu usually gets more rain in October than Sydneyin April. Cebu gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilCebu 28°C (82°F)Sydney 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Sydney in the Winter?
Both Sydney and Cebu are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cebu throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Sydney because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Cebu is much warmer than Sydney. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cebu in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Sydney averages at about 12°C (53°F)in July.
In January, Cebu usually receives more rain than Sydneyin July. Cebu gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyCebu 27°C (81°F)Sydney 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Sydney in the Spring?
Both Sydney and Cebu during the spring 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 activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Sydney this time of year.
In April, Cebu is generally much warmer than Sydneyin October. Daily temperatures in Cebu average around 29°C (84°F), and Sydney fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
Cebu usually gets less rain in April than Sydneyin October. Cebu gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberCebu 29°C (84°F)Sydney 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Sydney and Cebu
| Cebu | Sydney | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| May | 30°C (86°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 81 mm (3.2 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.