Which place is cheaper, Cebu or Khao Lak?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Khao Lak 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 Khao Lak 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: Khao Lak or Cebu?
Khao Lak
Resiliency and relaxation. Those are the two words used to describe one of Thailand's most breathtaking cities. Khao Lak is located in southern Thailand, and when the tsunami of 2004 hit, this area saw the most damage. With more than 4,000 fatalities, 3,000 still unaccounted for and enormous structural damages, many thought Khao Lak would not be able to bounce back. They have proved everyone wrong with a strong and impressive recovery. Now it has returned to its status of vacation hotspot. Unlike neighboring Phuket, though, the resorts in Khao Lak are designed for families and some peace and quiet.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Thailand, The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, and The Best Honeymoon Tours in Philippines.
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Khao Lak Prices
Thailand PricesCebu Prices
Philippines Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKhao Lak $155Cebu $80
The average daily cost (per person) in Khao Lak is $155, 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 Khao Lak and Cebu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKhao Lak $59Cebu $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKhao Lak $118Cebu $50
Compare Hotels in Khao Lak and Cebu
Looking for a hotel in Khao Lak 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: Khao Lak Hotel Prices and Cebu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Khao Lak $60Cebu $26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Khao Lak
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Khao Lak:
- 30-Minutes Guided Tour & Transfer to Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary: $48
- Private Transfer from Phuket Airport to Khao Lak: $51
- 2-Hour Guided Eco-Tour & Transfer to Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary: $73
- Transfer from Khao Lak Hotel to Phuket Airport: $75
- Khao Lak River Tubing with Music, Drink, and Transfer: $95
- Carnival Magic Phuket Show Ticket with Transfer from Khao Lak: $97
- Private Transfer from Khao Lak to Phuket (HKT) Airport: $110
- Transfer Service from Khao Lak Hotel to Krabi / Aonang: $119
- Similan Island Snorkeling Adventure -Full-Day Tour with Transfers: $137
- Khao Lak any hotel to Koh Lanta any hotel Private transfer: $198
- Private Transfer Between Ko Lanta and Khao Lak: $242
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cebu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cebu:
- Bohol Day Tour from Cebu (Shared) w/ RT Transfers & Ferry: $185
- Bohol Day Tour with Round-Trip Transfers from Cebu: $208
- Canyoneering Cebu in Kawasan falls + meals + Cebu transfer option: $53
- Cebu Airport Private Transfer to Cebu City Hotel: $18
- Cebu Airport Transfer to / from Anywhere in Cebu: $37
- Cebu Safari & Adventure Park: Wildlife Tour with Transfers: $102
- CEB Airport to City Centre|Hotels Private Transfer: $7.00
- One-way Airport Transfer to Cebu City Hotels: $89
- Oslob Whale Shark Encounter & SUMILON with Transfers: $196
- Private Car Transfer with Driver (Flexible Routes): $28
- Private One-Way Airport Transfer: $26
- Cordova Private Transfer from Cordova city to Mactan Cebu Airport (CEB): $28
Is it cheaper to fly into Khao Lak or Cebu?
Prices for flights to both Cebu and Khao Lak 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 dayKhao Lak $61Cebu $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Khao Lak
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Khao Lak.
- Thai Cooking Class in Khao Lak by Amazon Prime Series Chef: $59
- Riverside Thai Cooking Half Day Class: $65
- Khao Lak Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour & Your Own Menu: $89
- Authentic Thai Cooking in Khao Lak – Market Tour & Flexible Menu: $89
- Khao Sok Local Life Adventure & Traditional Cooking Class: $102
- ATV Quad Bike Excursion to Stunning Waterfalls with Dinner: $111
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: $45
- The Ultimate Cebu Food Tour: Local Tastes & Cultural Journey: $70
- Cebu City: Historical Street and Food Tour: $89
- Cebu Traditional Cuisine Cooking Class: $98
- Private Panoramic Tour with Dinner: $100
- Cebu Traditional Bamboo Cooking Class: $107
- 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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Khao Lak $22Cebu $17
Tours and Activities in Khao Lak
Here are a few actual costs in Khao Lak for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Khao Lak Ethical Elephant Sanctuary Conservation Experience: $25
- Bamboo Rafting and Sea Turtle Conservation Center Half Day Tour From Khao Lak: $43
- Guide Tour to Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary in Small Group: $52
- 1-Hour Guided Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary Observation Tour: $57
- Sky Rock Khaolak Jungle Adventure: $68
- Historical And Cultural Day Tour To Takuapa Old Town From Khao Lak: $69
- Full-Day Temple Tour Including Dragon Cave from Khao Lak: $76
- James Bond Island Adventure Tour from Khao Lak including Sea Canoeing & Lunch: $77
- Khao Lak Eco Exploration Raft Ride & Discover Tour: $80
- 30 Minutes Khaolak ATV Quadbike & Waterfall Adventure: $80
- Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary Visit & River Tubing Tour: $80
- Half day Bamboo Rafting Tour with Lunch: $80
Tours and Activities in Cebu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cebu are as follows:
- Cebu City: Walking Tour: $21
- Cebu City: Guided Trekking Experience: $32
- Adventure Hiking Trip in the City: $36
- 3-Hour Small Group Cebu City Tour: $38
- City Sightseeing Group Tour: $39
- BEST OF Guided Heritage City Joiners Tour: $44
- Heritage Tour and Uphill Tour: $45
- Scuba Diving Experience beach entry in Mactan: $45
- 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): $51
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKhao Lak $15Cebu $14
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 Khao Lak and Cebu, we can see that Khao Lak is more expensive. And not only is Cebu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Khao Lak would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Khao Lak 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 Khao Lak Expensive? and Is Cebu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Khao Lak or Cebu?
Cebu has a larger population, and is about 470 times larger than the population of Khao Lak. When comparing the sizes of Khao Lak 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 Khao Lak 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 Khao Lak or Cebu in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Khao Lak and Cebu. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Khao Lak year-round. Cebu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Cebu receives a lot of rain in the summer. Khao Lak gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Khao Lak usually receives more rain than Cebu. Khao Lak gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Khao Lak is around the same temperature as Cebu in the summer. The daily temperature in Khao Lak averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Cebu fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKhao Lak 28°C (82°F)Cebu 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Khao Lak or Cebu in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Khao Lak as well as Cebu. Khao Lak attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cebu throughout the year.
Also, November to April in Khao Lak is the dry season. May to October in Khao Lak is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Cebu. Khao Lak receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Khao Lak usually gets more rain in October than Cebu. Khao Lak gets 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, Khao Lak is around the same temperature as Cebu. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Khao Lak in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Cebu averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKhao Lak 27°C (81°F)Cebu 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Khao Lak or Cebu in the Winter?
Both Cebu and Khao Lak are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Khao Lak throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Cebu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Khao Lak usually receives less rain than Cebu. Khao Lak gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In January, Khao Lak is generally around the same temperature as Cebu. Daily temperatures in Khao Lak average around 27°C (80°F), and Cebu fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKhao Lak 27°C (80°F)Cebu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Khao Lak or Cebu in the Spring?
Both Cebu and Khao Lak during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Khao Lak because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cebu year-round.
November to April is the dry season in Khao Lak. May to October is the rainy season in Khao Lak. It rains a lot this time of the year in Khao Lak. Khao Lak usually gets more rain in April than Cebu. Khao Lak gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
Khao Lak is around the same temperature as Cebu in the spring. The daily temperature in Khao Lak averages around 29°C (83°F) in April, and Cebu fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKhao Lak 29°C (83°F)Cebu 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Cebu and Khao Lak
| Khao Lak | Cebu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (83°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 345 mm (13.6 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 286 mm (11.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 284 mm (11.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 272 mm (10.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 417 mm (16.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 351 mm (13.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 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.