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

Should you visit Cochin or Cebu?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Cochin or Cebu, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Cochin or Cebu?

Cochin

Cochin is a large city in Kerala, India. It's a cosmopolitan commercial port city with a population of over two million and is a major tourist destination. The city has a diverse population that has migrated from elsewhere in Kerala, as well as the rest of India. The city continues to become more cosmopolitan with fashion shifting to western styles. There are also many large shopping malls as well as an enthusiasm for sports such as football (soccer) or cricket.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to India, The Best Budget Tours to India, The Best 10-Day Tours in Philippines, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines.


Which place is cheaper, Cebu or Cochin?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Cochin is $36, while the average daily cost in Cebu is $65. 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 Cochin and Cebu in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cochin $15
    Cebu $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cochin $30
    Cebu $50
Compare Hotels in Cochin and Cebu

Looking for a hotel in Cochin or Cebu? 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 Cochin


Hotels in Cebu


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: Cochin Hotel Prices and Cebu Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cochin $9.90
    Cebu $26

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 Departure Transfer from Lapu-Lapu 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 International Airport (CEB) to Cebu city: $40
  • Private One-Way Airport Transfer: $25
  • Cordova Private Transfer from Cordova city to Mactan Cebu Airport (CEB): $40
  • Danasan Eco Adventure Park Including Round-Trip Hotel Transfer: $161
  • Hotel Private Transfer Airport to Cebu, Mandaue, LapuLapu: $25
  • Kawasan Falls Canyoneering w/ Lunch & Transfers from Cebu City: $122
  • Mactan Airport - Cebu City Sepoart (Transfer): $20
  • Mactan Cebu Airport Transfer to City Hotels: $35
  • Mactan-Cebu Island Hopping Cruise with Lunch & Roundtrip Transfer: $196

Is it cheaper to fly into Cochin or Cebu?

Prices for flights to both Cebu and Cochin 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
    Cochin $12
    Cebu $21

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cebu

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cebu.

  • Private Half Day Ultimate Food Tour in Cebu: $66
  • 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
  • Filipino Vegetarian Cooking Class: $100
  • Traditional Filipino Bamboo Cooking Class: $108
  • Private Panoramic Tour with Dinner: $131

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cochin $10
    Cebu $17

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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Highland Vista Tour: $58
  • Cebu City All Day Tour; An Unforgettable Experience of Cebu.: $60

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cochin $8.79
    Cebu $14

Sample the Local Flavors in Cebu

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cebu:

  • Cebu City Light's Pub Crawl: $99


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cochin and Cebu, we can see that Cebu is more expensive. And not only is Cochin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cochin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cochin 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 Cebu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cebu than you might in Cochin.

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


Which is Bigger, Cochin or Cebu?

Cebu has a larger population, and is about 32% larger than the population of Cochin. When comparing the sizes of Cochin and Cebu, 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.