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

Should you visit Cebu or Tianjin?

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

Should I visit Cebu or Tianjin? 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 Tianjin?

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.

Tianjin

Tianjin is a large metropolis on the north east coast of China. This ancient city, which dates back to prehistoric times, is one of five National Central Cities of China and is rich in culture and history. Tianjin is most famous for its beautiful walking streets and history of European concession territories.

Tianjin experiences hot and humid summers, with temperatures reaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Winters are cool and dry with temperatures around 15° (F). Spring and Autumn tend to be the best times to visit as weather is a little more mild, although Spring has a tendency to be a little rainy.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Tianjin 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 Tianjin is $92. 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 Tianjin in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cebu $25
    Tianjin $35
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cebu $50
    Tianjin $70
Compare Hotels in Cebu and Tianjin

Looking for a hotel in Cebu or Tianjin? 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 Tianjin


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cebu $26
    Tianjin $37

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cebu

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cebu:

  • Bohol Day Tour with Round-Trip Transfers from Cebu: $208
  • Oslob Whale Shark Encounter & SUMILON with Transfers: $196
  • Mactan-Cebu Island Hopping Cruise with Lunch & Roundtrip Transfer: $196
  • Bohol Day Tour from Cebu (Shared) w/ RT Transfers & Ferry: $185
  • Oslob Private Van Transfer between Cebu, Mactan or Mandaue City: $175
  • Danasan Eco Adventure Park Including Round-Trip Hotel Transfer: $161
  • Kawasan Falls Canyoneering w/ Lunch & Transfers from Cebu City: $122
  • Cebu Safari & Adventure Park: Wildlife Tour with Transfers: $102
  • One-way Airport Transfer to Cebu City Hotels: $89
  • Canyoneering Cebu in Kawasan falls + meals + Cebu transfer option: $53
  • Cebu Airport Transfer to / from Anywhere in Cebu: $37
  • Private Airport to Hotel Transfer in Cebu City: $35

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tianjin

Also for Tianjin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • [Airport Transfer] Tianjin Airport ⇔ Tianjin City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service <Charter charter>: $13
  • Tianjin Binhai Airport(TSN) to Tianjin - Arrival Private Transfer: $24
  • Tianjin Binhai International Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Area : $29
  • Tianjin Cruise Port Private Transfer to Binhai Railway Station: $32
  • Tianjin Railway Station Private Transfer to Cruise Port: $32
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Tianjin Binhai International Airport (TSN): $39
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Tianjin Binhai International Airport (TSN) to Hotel: $39
  • Tianjin Airport (TSN) to Tianjin RoundTrip Private Transfer: $48
  • Tianjin Cruise Port Transfer To Tianjin Airport one way private transfer: $50
  • Private Tianjin Transfer to Xingang International Cruise Port from City Hotels: $60
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Tianjin Cruise Port to Train Stations (Tianjin/Tanggu): $63
  • Private Transfer from Tianjin Cruise Port to Tianjin City Hotels: $73

Is it cheaper to fly into Cebu or Tianjin?

Prices for flights to both Tianjin 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
    Tianjin $36

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: $45
  • The Ultimate Cebu Food Tour: Local Tastes & Cultural Journey: $70
  • Cebu City: Historical Street and Food Tour: $89
  • Cebu Traditional Cuisine Cooking Class: $98
  • Private Panoramic Tour with Dinner: $100
  • Cebu Traditional Bamboo Cooking Class: $107
  • 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
    Tianjin $10

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: $61
  • BEST OF Guided Heritage City Joiners Tour: $44
  • Badian Canyoneering Adventure and Kawasan Waterfalls Private Tour: $149
  • Badian Cebu Canyoneering Experience: $146
  • Badian Cebu Canyoneering Experience: $103
  • Balamban Uphill Adventure Tour in Cebu: $100
  • Best Seller Cebu City Group Tour: $53
  • Bohol Countryside Day Tour From Cebu City | Lunch at Loboc River Cruise: $145

Tours and Activities in Tianjin

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tianjin.

  • Tianjin International Cruise Home Port to Beijing Airport/City Tr: $119
  • Guided Day Tour to Tianjin Downtown with Lunch: $148
  • Private Tianjin City Night Tour with Haihe River Cruise: $176
  • 5-Hour Private Tianjin Shopping Tour from Tianjin Cruise Port: $179
  • Tianjin Cruise Port To Beijing Capital Airport With the English Speaking Driver: $187
  • Private Tianjin City Highlight Day Tour: $188
  • Tianjin Port-up To Beijing City Self-Guide Tour and Drop-off at Beijing Hotel: $192
  • 4-Hour Tianjin Shore Excursion to Shijia Mansion with Bullet Train Experience: $210
  • Tianjin Shore Excursion: Huangyaguan Great Wall Private Day Tour: $214
  • Tianjin Private Walking Tour Guided by a Lady Worked in Europe: $215
  • Private Tianjin Shopping Tour: $218
  • All-inclusive Day Tour: China House, Five Avenues, Ancient Street & Tianjin Eye: $224

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cebu $14
    Tianjin $11

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 comparing the travel costs between Cebu and Tianjin, we can see that Tianjin is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cebu Expensive? and Is Tianjin Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Cebu or Tianjin?

Tianjin has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Cebu. When comparing the sizes of Cebu and Tianjin, 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 Tianjin?

Tianjin 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 Tianjin in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Cebu as well as Tianjin. Cebu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Cebu is around the same temperature as Tianjin in the summer. The daily temperature in Cebu averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Tianjin fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

It's quite rainy in Tianjin. Cebu receives a lot of rain in the summer. Cebu usually gets less rain in July than Tianjin. Cebu gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Tianjin receives 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Cebu 28°C (82°F) 
    Tianjin 27°C (80°F)

Should I visit Cebu or Tianjin in the Autumn?

Both Tianjin and Cebu are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cebu throughout the year.

In the autumn, Cebu is much warmer than Tianjin. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cebu in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Tianjin averages at about 15°C (58°F).

It's quite rainy in Cebu. In October, Cebu usually receives more rain than Tianjin. Cebu gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Tianjin receives 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Cebu 28°C (82°F) 
    Tianjin 15°C (58°F)

Should I visit Cebu or Tianjin in the Winter?

Both Tianjin and Cebu during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Cebu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Tianjin can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Cebu is generally much warmer than Tianjin. Daily temperatures in Cebu average around 27°C (81°F), and Tianjin fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).

Cebu usually gets more rain in January than Tianjin. Cebu gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Tianjin receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cebu 27°C (81°F) 
    Tianjin -3°C (27°F)

Should I visit Cebu or Tianjin in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cebu and Tianjin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cebu year-round.

Cebu is much warmer than Tianjin in the spring. The daily temperature in Cebu averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Tianjin fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

In April, Cebu usually receives more rain than Tianjin. Cebu gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Tianjin receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Cebu 29°C (84°F) 
    Tianjin 14°C (58°F)

Typical Weather for Tianjin and Cebu

Cebu Tianjin
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 27°C (81°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) -3°C (27°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)
Feb 27°C (81°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) -1°C (31°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
Mar 28°C (82°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 6°C (43°F) 9 mm (0.3 in)
Apr 29°C (84°F) 50 mm (2 in) 14°C (58°F) 25 mm (1 in)
May 30°C (86°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 21°C (69°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Jun 29°C (84°F) 170 mm (6.7 in) 25°C (77°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 160 mm (6.3 in) 27°C (80°F) 185 mm (7.3 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 26°C (79°F) 155 mm (6.1 in)
Sep 29°C (84°F) 170 mm (6.7 in) 21°C (70°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 15°C (58°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 6°C (43°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) -1°C (31°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)