Which place is cheaper, Cebu or Karachi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Karachi or Cebu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Karachi or Cebu? 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: Karachi or Cebu?
Karachi
Karachi is the capital of the Pakistani province of Sindh. It is the most populous city in Pakistan, and sixth most populous city proper in the world. Karachi, located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, is the financial and commercial center of the nation, as well as its largest port. The pace of life here is more hurried, and social attitudes are far more liberal than elsewhere in Pakistan. Locals call it the City of Lights, the City of The Quaid, and the City that Never Sleeps. The city credits its growth to the mixed populations of economic and political migrants along with refugees from different national, provincial, linguistic and religious origins, who generally come to the city to settle permanently.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Pakistan, The Best Historical 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 dayKarachi $26Cebu $65
The average daily cost (per person) in Karachi is $26, 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 Karachi and Cebu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKarachi $11Cebu $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKarachi $22Cebu $50
Compare Hotels in Karachi and Cebu
Looking for a hotel in Karachi 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: Karachi Hotel Prices and Cebu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Karachi $4.58Cebu $26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cebu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cebu:
- Mactan Airport - Cebu City Sepoart (Transfer): $20
- Cebu Seaport - Mactan Hotel (Any Hotel) - One Way Transfer: $22
- Seamless Transfer from MactanCebu Airport to Your City Hotel: $23
- Private One-Way Airport Transfer: $25
- Hotel Private Transfer Airport to Cebu, Mandaue, LapuLapu: $25
- Mactan Cebu Airport Transfer to City Hotels: $35
- Cebu Departure Transfer from Mandaue city to Mactan Cebu Airport (CEB): $40
- Cebu Private Transfer from Mactan Cebu Airport (CEB) to Mandaue city: $40
- 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
- Cebu City Tour with Round-trip Hotel Transfers: $49
Is it cheaper to fly into Karachi or Cebu?
Prices for flights to both Cebu and Karachi 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 dayKarachi $11Cebu $21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Karachi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Karachi.
- Private Karachi Street Food Tour: $94
- Half-Day Karachi Burns Road Private Victoria Ride with Dinner: $100
- Street Food Tour of Karachi: $199
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.Karachi $5.07Cebu $17
Tours and Activities in Karachi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Karachi are as follows:
- Karachi City Tour : $129
- UNESCO World Heritage Tour Near Karachi : $150
- Karachi Sightseeing Private tour: $159
- Full Day Private Tour in Karachi City: $161
- Full Day Private Tour to Mohatta Palace Zainab and Burns road: $195
- Experience local village life in Sindh: $200
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
- 3-Hour Small Group Cebu City Tour: $38
- 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
- Cebu Highlands Tour(Cebu Taoist, Temple of Leah and Sirao Garden): $46
- 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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKarachi $3.35Cebu $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 Karachi and Cebu, we can see that Cebu is more expensive. And not only is Karachi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Karachi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Karachi 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 Karachi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Karachi Expensive? and Is Cebu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Karachi or Cebu?
Karachi has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Cebu. When comparing the sizes of Karachi 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 Karachi or Cebu?
Karachi 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 Karachi or Cebu in the Summer?
Both Cebu and Karachi are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Cebu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Karachi is around the same temperature as Cebu in the summer. The daily temperature in Karachi averages around 30°C (86°F) in July, and Cebu fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Cebu. In July, Karachi usually receives less rain than Cebu. Karachi gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKarachi 30°C (86°F)Cebu 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Karachi or Cebu in the Autumn?
Both Cebu and Karachi during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cebu year-round.
In the autumn, Karachi is around the same temperature as Cebu. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Karachi in October average around 29°C (84°F), and Cebu averages at about 28°C (82°F).
Cebu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Karachi usually gets less rain in October than Cebu. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKarachi 29°C (84°F)Cebu 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Karachi or Cebu in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Karachi and Cebu. Cebu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Karachi is generally cooler than Cebu. Daily temperatures in Karachi average around 19°C (66°F), and Cebu fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In January, Karachi usually receives less rain than Cebu. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKarachi 19°C (66°F)Cebu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Karachi or Cebu in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Karachi as well as Cebu. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cebu throughout the year.
Karachi is around the same temperature as Cebu in the spring. The daily temperature in Karachi averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Cebu fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
Karachi usually gets less rain in April than Cebu. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKarachi 29°C (84°F)Cebu 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Cebu and Karachi
| Karachi | Cebu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Jun | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (86°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 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.