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

Should you visit Hat Yai or Cebu?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hat Yai and Cebu can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Hat Yai or Cebu?

Hat Yai

The fourth largest city of Thailand, Hat Yai is a popular tourist destination, especially on weekends and holidays for people in neighboring Malaysia and Singapore. It is best known as a commercial hub and shopping destination, and for its floating market and Buddhist temple.

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 Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, and The Best Honeymoon Tours in Philippines.


Which place is cheaper, Cebu or Hat Yai?

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 Hat Yai is $36, while the average daily cost in Cebu is $80. 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 Hat Yai and Cebu in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hat Yai $16
    Cebu $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hat Yai $32
    Cebu $50
Compare Hotels in Hat Yai and Cebu

Looking for a hotel in Hat Yai 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 Hat Yai


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: Hat Yai Hotel Prices and Cebu Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hat Yai $0.72
    Cebu $26

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hat Yai

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hat Yai:

  • Private Hatyai Airport Transfer to Pak Bara Pier by Van: $80

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cebu

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cebu:

  • CEB Airport to City Centre|Hotels Private Transfer: $7.00
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Cebu APT-HTL (CEB): $18
  • Cebu Airport Private Transfer to Cebu City Hotel: $18
  • Private One-Way Airport Transfer: $26
  • Cordova Private Transfer from Cordova city to Mactan Cebu Airport (CEB): $28
  • Private Car Transfer with Driver (Flexible Routes): $29
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Cebu HTL-APT (CEB): $31
  • Private Airport to Hotel Transfer in Cebu City: $35
  • Cebu Airport Transfer to / from Anywhere in Cebu: $37
  • Canyoneering Cebu in Kawasan falls + meals + Cebu transfer option: $53
  • One-way Airport Transfer to Cebu City Hotels: $91
  • Cebu Safari & Adventure Park: Wildlife Tour with Transfers: $104

Is it cheaper to fly into Hat Yai or Cebu?

Prices for flights to both Cebu and Hat Yai 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
    Hat Yai $18
    Cebu $36
Typical Food Prices in Hat Yai

Some typical examples of dining costs in Hat Yai are as follows:


  • Roti Snack
    $0.63

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: $46
  • The Ultimate Cebu Food Tour: Local Tastes & Cultural Journey: $70
  • Cebu City: Historical Street and Food Tour: $91
  • Private Panoramic Tour with Dinner: $100
  • Cebu Traditional Cuisine Cooking Class: $100
  • Cebu Traditional Bamboo Cooking Class: $110
  • 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.
    Hat Yai -
    Cebu $17

Tours and Activities in Hat Yai

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hat Yai are as follows:

  • One Way Speedboat and Van Ticket Koh Lipe to Hat Yai Airport: $31

Tours and Activities in Cebu

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cebu are as follows:

  • Cebu City: Walking Tour: $22
  • Cebu City: Guided Trekking Experience: $33
  • 3-Hour Small Group Cebu City Tour: $38
  • City Sightseeing Group Tour: $40
  • BEST OF Guided Heritage City Joiners Tour: $45
  • Scuba Diving Experience beach entry in Mactan: $45
  • Heritage Tour and Uphill Tour: $46
  • Cebu Highlands Tour (Taoist temple, Leah and sirao garden)PICK UP: $46
  • Cebu City: Best of Cebu Full-Day Guided Sightseeing Tour: $49
  • Thrill Seekers Paradise Kawasan Canyoning Adventure: $50
  • Cebu Half Day City Tour (Private Tour): $52
  • Best Seller Cebu City Group Tour: $54

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hat Yai $2.64
    Cebu $14
Typical Alcohol Prices in Hat Yai

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Hat Yai:


  • Beer
    $1.88

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 Hat Yai and Cebu, we can see that Cebu is more expensive. And not only is Hat Yai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hat Yai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hat Yai 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 Hat Yai.

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


Which is Bigger, Hat Yai or Cebu?

Cebu has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Hat Yai. When comparing the sizes of Hat Yai 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.


When is the best time to visit Hat Yai or Cebu?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Hat Yai or Cebu in the Summer?

Both Cebu and Hat Yai are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hat Yai throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Cebu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Cebu. It's quite rainy in Hat Yai. In July, Hat Yai usually receives less rain than Cebu. Hat Yai gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

In the summer, Hat Yai is around the same temperature as Cebu. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hat Yai in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Cebu averages at about 28°C (82°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Hat Yai 29°C (83°F) 
    Cebu 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Hat Yai or Cebu in the Autumn?

Both Cebu and Hat Yai during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hat Yai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cebu year-round.

May to December is the rainy season in Hat Yai. Cebu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hat Yai. Hat Yai usually gets more rain in October than Cebu. Hat Yai gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

In October, Hat Yai is generally around the same temperature as Cebu. Daily temperatures in Hat Yai average around 28°C (82°F), and Cebu fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Hat Yai 28°C (82°F) 
    Cebu 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Hat Yai or Cebu in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hat Yai and Cebu. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hat Yai year-round. Cebu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

January to April in Hat Yai is the dry season. Hat Yai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Hat Yai usually receives more rain than Cebu. Hat Yai gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Hat Yai is around the same temperature as Cebu in the winter. The daily temperature in Hat Yai averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Cebu fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Hat Yai 28°C (82°F) 
    Cebu 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Hat Yai or Cebu in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Hat Yai as well as Cebu. Hat Yai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cebu throughout the year.

Also, January to April in Hat Yai is the dry season. May to December in Hat Yai is the rainy season. Hat Yai usually gets more rain in April than Cebu. Hat Yai gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the spring, Hat Yai is around the same temperature as Cebu. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hat Yai in April average around 30°C (85°F), and Cebu averages at about 29°C (84°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Hat Yai 30°C (85°F) 
    Cebu 29°C (84°F)

Typical Weather for Cebu and Hat Yai

Hat Yai Cebu
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°C (82°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Feb 28°C (83°F) 26 mm (1 in) 27°C (81°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Mar 29°C (85°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 28°C (82°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Apr 30°C (85°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 29°C (84°F) 50 mm (2 in)
May 29°C (84°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 30°C (86°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Jun 29°C (84°F) 101 mm (4 in) 29°C (84°F) 170 mm (6.7 in)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 101 mm (4 in) 28°C (82°F) 160 mm (6.3 in)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 28°C (82°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 29°C (84°F) 170 mm (6.7 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 284 mm (11.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)
Nov 27°C (81°F) 588 mm (23.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 404 mm (15.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)