Which place is cheaper, Wellington or Cebu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cebu or Wellington?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Cebu or Wellington? 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 Wellington?
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.
Wellington
Wellington is the capital and second largest city in New Zealand. It sits on the southwestern edge of the North Island between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range. It's a beautiful setting that is encircled by mountains giving it a beautiful backdrop. There are also many cultural sights and attractions around town. Wellington really is the perfect mix of New Zealand's natural beauty and a vibrant urban core. The film industry is also prevelant in the city. The city's production centers have helped create Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit trilogies, Avatar, Tin Tin, and District 9.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Philippines, The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCebu $65Wellington $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Cebu is $65, while the average daily cost in Wellington is $103. 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 Wellington in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCebu $25Wellington $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCebu $50Wellington $120
Compare Hotels in Cebu and Wellington
Looking for a hotel in Cebu or Wellington? 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 Wellington Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cebu $26Wellington $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cebu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cebu:
- Transfer Cebu City - Bantayan Island: $70
- Seamless Transfer from MactanCebu Airport to Your City Hotel: $23
- Private Canyoneering in Kawasan falls + meals + Cebu transfer opt: $53
- Oslob Private Van Transfer between Cebu, Mactan or Mandaue City: $175
- Oslob Car Hire and Transfers: $150
- Malapascua: Advance Divers Shark Dive & Optional Transfer: $108
- Mactan Cebu Airport Transfer to City Hotels: $35
- Mactan Airport - Cebu City Sepoart (Transfer): $20
- 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
- Private One-Way Airport Transfer: $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Wellington
Also for Wellington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Departure Transfer: Wellington Central City Centre Hotels to Wellington Airport: $13
- Arrival Transfer: Wellington Airport to Central Wellington City Centre Hotels: $13
- Private Transfer from Wellington hotels to Wellington Cruise Port: $26
- Private Transfer from Wellington Cruise Port to Wellington Hotels: $26
- Wellington Airport (WLG) to Wellington - Arrival Private Transfer: $28
- Wētā Workshop Experience with Guided Transfers: $61
- Private Transfer with Wellington Dial a Driver: $72
- Wellington Airport Transfer to Wellington Hotels and Vice versa: $75
- Private Airport Transfer: $78
Is it cheaper to fly into Cebu or Wellington?
Prices for flights to both Wellington 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 $21Wellington $29
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 Wellington
For Wellington, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner$8.91
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Wellington
For Wellington, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Walking Food Tour Of Wellington: $151
- A Taste Of Wellington Food Tour (half Day): $185
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cebu $17Wellington $16
Tours and Activities in Cebu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cebu are as follows:
- Cebu Steet food, historical and mountain tour: $110
- 3-Hour Small Group Cebu City Tour: $38
- A snorkelling tour to Cebu’s Hilutungan: $130
- Badian Cebu Canyoneering Experience: $84
- Balamban Uphill Adventure Tour in Cebu: $80
- Beach Adventure: $85
- 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 Joiners Tour From Cebu City: $144
- Bohol Countryside Private Tour From Cebu City: $213
- Canyoneering Experience in Kawasan Falls with Lunch: $55
- Cebu City All Day Tour; An Unforgettable Experience of Cebu.: $60
Tours and Activities in Wellington
For Wellington, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Return Cable Car Ticket: $6.53
- Museum of NZ Te Papa Tongarewa: Gallipoli Early Entry Ticket: $8.91
- Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa Guided Tour: $12
- Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa: Mana Māori Tour: $12
- Museum of NZ Te Papa Tongarewa Twilight Express Tour: $12
- Museum of New Zealand Te Papa: Small Group Guided Tour: $14
- Wellington Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Skip the Line: Staglands Wildlife Reserve Entry Ticket: $16
- Private Group Puzzle-Solving Adventure Game: Spaceship: $27
- Private Group Puzzle-Solving Adventure Game: Temple: $27
- Wētā Workshop Experience in Wellington: $33
- Wētā Workshop Experience and Guided Tour: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCebu $14Wellington $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Cebu
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cebu:
- Cebu City Light's Pub Crawl: $99
Sample the Local Flavors in Wellington
Also in Wellington, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wellington Craft Brewery Half Day Tour: $93
- Wellington Craft Brewery Half-Day Guided Tour with Tastings: $95
- 5 hour Martinborough shared Chefs Wine Tour with Gourmet lunch: $151
- Martinborough Full Day Wine Tour: $169
- Chefs Private Martinborough wine tour with Gourmet Lunch: $356
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cebu and Wellington, we can see that Wellington 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 Wellington 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 Wellington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Wellington 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 Wellington Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cebu or Wellington?
Cebu has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Wellington. When comparing the sizes of Cebu and Wellington, 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 Wellington?
Wellington 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 Wellington in the Summer?
Both Wellington 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. Also, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Wellington this time of year.
In the summer, Cebu is much warmer than Wellington. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cebu in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Wellington averages at about 18°C (64°F)in January.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Cebu. Cebu usually gets more rain in July than Wellingtonin January. Cebu gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryCebu 28°C (82°F)Wellington 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Wellington in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cebu and Wellington. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cebu year-round. Also, many travelers come to Wellington for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In October, Cebu is generally much warmer than Wellingtonin April. Daily temperatures in Cebu average around 28°C (82°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).
Cebu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Cebu usually receives more rain than Wellingtonin April. Cebu gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilCebu 28°C (82°F)Wellington 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Wellington in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Cebu as well as Wellington. Cebu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Wellington in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Cebu is much warmer than Wellington in the winter. The daily temperature in Cebu averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Wellington fluctuates around 10°C (49°F)in July.
It's quite rainy in Wellington. Cebu usually gets less rain in January than Wellingtonin July. Cebu gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyCebu 27°C (81°F)Wellington 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Wellington in the Spring?
Both Wellington 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, most visitors come to Wellington for the beaches during these months.
In the spring, Cebu is much warmer than Wellington. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cebu in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Wellington averages at about 13°C (55°F)in October.
In April, Cebu usually receives less rain than Wellingtonin October. Cebu gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberCebu 29°C (84°F)Wellington 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Wellington and Cebu
| Cebu | Wellington | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| May | 30°C (86°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 69 mm (2.7 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.