Which place is cheaper, Cebu or Islamabad?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Islamabad 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 Islamabad 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: Islamabad or Cebu?
Islamabad
Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan, specially built in the 1960's to replace the former capital, Karachi. Most of the city's population are employees of the government, though many people come from all over Pakistan to enjoy the city's peaceful atmosphere and green spaces, museums, and monuments.
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 Adventure Tours to Pakistan, The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan, The Best 10-Day Tours in Philippines, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIslamabad $42Cebu $65
The average daily cost (per person) in Islamabad is $42, 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 Islamabad and Cebu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIslamabad $20Cebu $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIslamabad $40Cebu $50
Compare Hotels in Islamabad and Cebu
Looking for a hotel in Islamabad 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.
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: Islamabad Hotel Prices and Cebu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Islamabad $7.68Cebu $26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Islamabad
Also for Islamabad, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer: $35
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer - ARRIVAL: $40
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer - DEPARTURE: $40
- Private Chauffeur: Arrival Transfer Airport Pick up (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore): $50
- Islamabad International Airport Departure Drop off Transfer : $55
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Departures: $55
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Arrival: $55
- Islamabad International Airport Arrival Pick up Transfer: $55
- Private Transfer from Islamabad Airport to Pakistan: $61
- Transit Trip: Murree Exploration Day Trip & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $140
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cebu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cebu:
- Mactan-Cebu Island Hopping Cruise with Lunch & Roundtrip Transfer: $196
- Bohol Day Tour with Round-Trip Transfers from Cebu: $190
- Oslob Private Van Transfer between Cebu, Mactan or Mandaue City: $175
- Danasan Eco Adventure Park Including Round-Trip Hotel Transfer: $161
- Oslob Car Hire and Transfers: $150
- Kawasan Falls Canyoneering w/ Lunch & Transfers from Cebu City: $122
- Malapascua: Advance Divers Shark Dive & Optional Transfer: $108
- Cebu Whale Shark Snorkeling & Tumalog Falls w/ Meals and Transfer: $95
- Transfer Cebu City - Bantayan Island: $70
- Cebu Airport Transfer within Mactan Island, Cebu or Mandaue City: $64
- Private Canyoneering in Kawasan falls + meals + Cebu transfer opt: $53
- Cebu City Tour with Round-trip Hotel Transfers: $49
Is it cheaper to fly into Islamabad or Cebu?
Prices for flights to both Cebu and Islamabad 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 dayIslamabad $15Cebu $21
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Islamabad $9.48Cebu $17
Tours and Activities in Islamabad
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Islamabad.
- Full-Day Sightseeing Tour Of Islamabad: $80
- Islamabad In & Around Full Day Customized City Tour: $80
- Shopping Tour: Full Day Islamabad Markets Exploration Tour: $90
- Private Tour: Hidden Gems of Islamabad Exploration Tour: $90
- Islamabad Instagram Tour: Most Famous Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $95
- City Tour with Faisal Mosque and Lake View Park: $95
- Best of Islamabad Half Day Tour With Meal At Monal Restaurant (Morn & Eve Slots): $100
- Islamabad City Tour With Faisal Mosque, Pakistan Monument & Lunch : $110
- Top Ten Wonders of Islamabad Guided City Tour: $120
- Private Tour: Guided Day Trip To Murree from Islamabad: $130
- 5-Hour Private Guided Tour in Islamabad City: $130
- Full Day Private Guided Tour of Taxila Gandahara Civilization : $140
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 Half-day Guided Pilgrimage Tour in Cebu CIty: $67
- 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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIslamabad $2.88Cebu $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 Islamabad and Cebu, we can see that Cebu is more expensive. And not only is Islamabad much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Islamabad would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Islamabad 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 Islamabad.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Islamabad Expensive? and Is Cebu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Islamabad or Cebu?
Cebu has a larger population, and is about 33% larger than the population of Islamabad. When comparing the sizes of Islamabad 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 Islamabad or Cebu?
Islamabad 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 Islamabad or Cebu in the Summer?
Both Cebu and Islamabad during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cebu year-round.
It's very hot in Islamabad this time of the year. Islamabad is a little warmer than Cebu in the summer. The daily temperature in Islamabad averages around 32°C (90°F) in July, and Cebu fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
Cebu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Islamabad. Islamabad usually gets more rain in July than Cebu. Islamabad gets 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyIslamabad 32°C (90°F)Cebu 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Islamabad or Cebu in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Islamabad and Cebu. Cebu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Islamabad is around the same temperature as Cebu. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Islamabad in October average around 26°C (80°F), and Cebu averages at about 28°C (82°F).
Cebu receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Islamabad usually receives less rain than Cebu. Islamabad gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberIslamabad 26°C (80°F)Cebu 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Islamabad or Cebu in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Islamabad as well as Cebu. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cebu throughout the year.
In January, Islamabad is generally much colder than Cebu. Daily temperatures in Islamabad average around 14°C (57°F), and Cebu fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Islamabad usually gets less rain in January than Cebu. Islamabad gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryIslamabad 14°C (57°F)Cebu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Islamabad or Cebu in the Spring?
Both Cebu and Islamabad are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Cebu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Islamabad is around the same temperature as Cebu in the spring. The daily temperature in Islamabad averages around 27°C (80°F) in April, and Cebu fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
In April, Islamabad usually receives less rain than Cebu. Islamabad gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilIslamabad 27°C (80°F)Cebu 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Cebu and Islamabad
| Islamabad | Cebu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 32°C (89°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Jun | 35°C (94°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Jul | 32°C (90°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Aug | 31°C (89°F) | 221 mm (8.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Sep | 31°C (87°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (80°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 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.