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

Should you visit Cebu or Torquay?

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

Should I visit Cebu or Torquay? 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 Torquay?

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.

Torquay

Located on the eastern end of the Great Ocean Road, Torquay is a seaside town of Victoria famous for its surfing and beaches. Surf town through and through, it is also the headquarters for the Quiksilver and Rip Curl surf gear companies, and home to the Rip Curl Easter Pro, the world's longest running surf contest held on Bells Beach.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Philippines, The Best 10-Day Tours in Australia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Torquay 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 Torquay is $106. 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 Torquay in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cebu $25
    Torquay $39
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cebu $50
    Torquay $78
Compare Hotels in Cebu and Torquay

Looking for a hotel in Cebu or Torquay? 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 Torquay


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
    Torquay $39

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Cebu or Torquay?

Prices for flights to both Torquay 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
    Torquay $44

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
    Torquay $11

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 Torquay

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

  • Sunset Twilight Cruise in Hervey Bay: $37
  • Twilight Bay Cruise in Hervey Bay: $37
  • SUMMER K'gari (Fraser Island) Boom-net & Sightseeing Cruise: $40
  • Experience History onboard The Mary Valley Rattler: $46
  • Morning Farm Experience near Gympie & Noosa: $59
  • Milbi Sunset Cruise with Champagne and Prawns: $59
  • Hervey Bay Sunset Cruise: $64
  • Fraser Island & Dolphin Sailing Adventure: $74
  • Hervey Bay Whale Watching Experience: $99
  • Spirit of Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise: $104
  • Enjoy a VIP Booth Shared Experience From Gympie: $106
  • K'gari (Fraser Island) West Coast Half Day Cruise from Hervey Bay: $107

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cebu $14
    Torquay $7.48

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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cebu and Torquay, we can see that Torquay 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 Torquay 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 Torquay would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Torquay 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 Torquay Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Cebu or Torquay?

Cebu has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Torquay. When comparing the sizes of Cebu and Torquay, 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 Torquay?

Torquay 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 Torquay in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Cebu as well as Torquay. Cebu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Torquay in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Cebu is around the same temperature as Torquay. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cebu in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Torquay averages at about 26°C (78°F)in January.

It's quite rainy in Torquay. Cebu receives a lot of rain in the summer. Cebu usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Torquayin January. Cebu gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Cebu 28°C (82°F) 
    Torquay 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Cebu or Torquay in the Autumn?

Both Torquay and Cebu are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cebu throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Torquay for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Cebu is generally a little warmer than Torquayin April. Daily temperatures in Cebu average around 28°C (82°F), and Torquay fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

It's quite rainy in Cebu. In October, Cebu usually receives more rain than Torquayin April. Cebu gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Cebu 28°C (82°F) 
    Torquay 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Cebu or Torquay in the Winter?

Both Torquay 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. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Torquay because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Cebu is much warmer than Torquay in the winter. The daily temperature in Cebu averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Torquay fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in July.

Cebu usually gets more rain in January than Torquayin July. Cebu gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Cebu 27°C (81°F) 
    Torquay 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Cebu or Torquay in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cebu and Torquay. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cebu year-round. Furthermore, the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Torquay this time of year.

In the spring, Cebu is a little warmer than Torquay. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cebu in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Torquay averages at about 21°C (71°F)in October.

In April, Cebu usually receives less rain than Torquayin October. Cebu gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 75 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Cebu 29°C (84°F) 
    Torquay 21°C (71°F)

Typical Weather for Torquay and Cebu

Cebu Torquay
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 27°C (81°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 26°C (78°F) 164 mm (6.5 in)
Feb 27°C (81°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 25°C (78°F) 163 mm (6.4 in)
Mar 28°C (82°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 24°C (76°F) 134 mm (5.3 in)
Apr 29°C (84°F) 50 mm (2 in) 22°C (72°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
May 30°C (86°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 19°C (66°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Jun 29°C (84°F) 170 mm (6.7 in) 16°C (61°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 160 mm (6.3 in) 15°C (59°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 16°C (61°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Sep 29°C (84°F) 170 mm (6.7 in) 19°C (65°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 21°C (71°F) 75 mm (2.9 in)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 23°C (74°F) 106 mm (4.2 in)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 25°C (77°F) 134 mm (5.3 in)