Which place is cheaper, Cebu or Koh Chang?
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 Koh Chang or Cebu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Chang 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: Koh Chang or Cebu?
Koh Chang
Most people pick Thailand for their destination because they're anxious to collapse on a breathtaking beach. If that is you, Ko Chang does not disappoint. As one the country's most beautiful islands, Ko Chang is full of white beaches and incredible wildlife. Beware, though, you're not the only one with Ko Chang in mind. During the high season, the island can become quite crowded with tourists.
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 Thailand, The Best Eco Tours in Thailand, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, and The Best Honeymoon Tours in Philippines.
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Koh Chang Prices
Thailand PricesCebu Prices
Philippines Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Chang $70Cebu $80
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Chang is $70, 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 Koh Chang and Cebu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Chang $28Cebu $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Chang $56Cebu $50
Compare Hotels in Koh Chang and Cebu
Looking for a hotel in Koh Chang 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: Koh Chang Hotel Prices and Cebu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Chang $15Cebu $26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Chang
Also for Koh Chang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Trat Airport: Shared Transfers to/from Koh Chang with Ferry: $30
- Koh Chang to BKK or DMK Airport Private Transfers : $161
- Private Transfer from Trat to Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Airport: $229
- Private Transfer from Trat to Don Mueang (DMK) Airport: $236
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cebu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cebu:
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Cebu HTL-APT (CEB): $31
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Cebu APT-HTL (CEB): $18
- Private Airport to Hotel Transfer in Cebu City: $35
- Oslob Private Van Transfer between Cebu, Mactan or Mandaue City: $175
- Mactan-Cebu Island Hopping Cruise with Lunch & Roundtrip Transfer: $196
- Kawasan Falls Canyoneering w/ Lunch & Transfers from Cebu City: $122
- Danasan Eco Adventure Park Including Round-Trip Hotel Transfer: $161
- Cordova Private Transfer from Cordova city to Mactan Cebu Airport (CEB): $28
- Private One-Way Airport Transfer: $26
- Private Car Transfer with Driver (Flexible Routes): $28
- Oslob Whale Shark Encounter & SUMILON with Transfers: $196
- One-way Airport Transfer to Cebu City Hotels: $89
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Chang or Cebu?
Prices for flights to both Cebu and Koh Chang 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 dayKoh Chang $33Cebu $36
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.Koh Chang $6.28Cebu $17
Tours and Activities in Koh Chang
For Koh Chang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Kayak Experience in Bang Bao Bay with Lunch: $25
- Snorkeling Adventure at Koh Chang – Departing from Koh Chang: $32
- PADI Discover Scuba Dive Experience: $175
Tours and Activities in Cebu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cebu are as follows:
- BEST OF Cebu City Heritage with Uphill Tour | Joiners: $64
- Cebu Steet food, historical and mountain tour: $110
- 3-Hour Small Group Cebu City Tour: $38
- Aqua Sports Adventure Package with 3 Water Activities: $129
- BEST OF Cebu City Heritage with Uphill Tour: $61
- BEST OF Guided Heritage City Joiners Tour: $44
- Badian Canyoneering Adventure and Kawasan Waterfalls Private Tour: $149
- Badian Cebu Canyoneering Experience: $146
- Badian Cebu Canyoneering Experience: $103
- Balamban Uphill Adventure Tour in Cebu: $100
- Best Seller Cebu City Group Tour: $53
- Bohol Countryside Day Tour From Cebu City | Lunch at Loboc River Cruise: $145
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Chang $5.38Cebu $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 comparing the travel costs between Koh Chang and Cebu, we can see that Cebu is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Koh Chang Expensive? and Is Cebu Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Koh Chang or Cebu?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Koh Chang or Cebu in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Koh Chang as well as Cebu. Koh Chang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cebu throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Cebu. Koh Chang receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Chang usually gets more rain in July than Cebu. Koh Chang gets 440 mm (17.3 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
Koh Chang is around the same temperature as Cebu in the summer. The daily temperature in Koh Chang averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Cebu fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Chang 28°C (82°F)Cebu 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Koh Chang or Cebu in the Autumn?
Both Cebu and Koh Chang are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Chang throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Cebu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Koh Chang is November to February. The rainy season in Koh Chang is June to October. It rains a lot this time of the year in Cebu. It's quite rainy in Koh Chang. In October, Koh Chang usually receives more rain than Cebu. Koh Chang gets 280 mm (11 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In the autumn, Koh Chang is around the same temperature as Cebu. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Koh Chang in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Cebu averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Chang 27°C (81°F)Cebu 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Koh Chang or Cebu in the Winter?
Both Cebu and Koh Chang during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Chang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cebu year-round.
November to February is the dry season in Koh Chang. Koh Chang usually gets less rain in January than Cebu. Koh Chang gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
In January, Koh Chang is generally around the same temperature as Cebu. Daily temperatures in Koh Chang average around 26°C (79°F), and Cebu fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Chang 26°C (79°F)Cebu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Koh Chang or Cebu in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Chang and Cebu. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Chang year-round. Cebu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Also, June to October is the rainy season in Koh Chang. Koh Chang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Koh Chang usually receives more rain than Cebu. Koh Chang gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Koh Chang is around the same temperature as Cebu in the spring. The daily temperature in Koh Chang averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Cebu fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Chang 29°C (84°F)Cebu 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Cebu and Koh Chang
| Koh Chang | Cebu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 356 mm (14 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 513 mm (20.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 440 mm (17.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 514 mm (20.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 476 mm (18.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 280 mm (11 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 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.