Which place is cheaper, Cebu or Koh Samet?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Koh Samet or Cebu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Samet 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 Samet or Cebu?
Koh Samet
The country of Thailand is full of some of the world's most stunning beauty and peaceful settings. So it begs the question, where the Thai people go to get away from it all? They go to Ko Samet on the eastern gulf coast. Located just outside of Bangkok, Ko Samet provides visitors an easily accessible and desirable weekend getaway spot. With white beaches and coral of every other color, this island has steadily developed over the last few years without an intense construction increase like many other Thai beaches. Once thought to be the home of pirates, this island provides plenty to wonder about including, are there hidden treasures under that gorgeous white sand?
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand, 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 dayKoh Samet $96Cebu $65
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samet is $96, 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 Koh Samet and Cebu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Samet $32Cebu $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Samet $64Cebu $50
Compare Hotels in Koh Samet and Cebu
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samet 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 Samet Hotel Prices and Cebu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Samet $68Cebu $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
- Private Canyoneering in Kawasan falls + meals + Cebu transfer opt: $53
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samet or Cebu?
Prices for flights to both Cebu and Koh Samet 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 Samet $27Cebu $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.Koh Samet $8.96Cebu $17
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 dayKoh Samet $4.68Cebu $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 Koh Samet and Cebu, we can see that Koh Samet 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 Koh Samet would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Samet 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 Koh Samet Expensive? and Is Cebu Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Koh Samet 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 Koh Samet or Cebu in the Summer?
Both Cebu and Koh Samet are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samet 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 Koh Samet. In July, Koh Samet usually receives more rain than Cebu. Koh Samet gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In July, Koh Samet is generally around the same temperature as Cebu. Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 28°C (82°F), and Cebu fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Samet 28°C (82°F)Cebu 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Cebu in the Autumn?
Both Cebu and Koh Samet during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Samet because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cebu year-round.
Cebu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Samet. Koh Samet usually gets more rain in October than Cebu. Koh Samet gets 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Cebu in the autumn. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Cebu fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Samet 27°C (81°F)Cebu 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Cebu in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samet and Cebu. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samet year-round. Cebu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Koh Samet usually receives around the same amount of rain as Cebu. Koh Samet gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In the winter, Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Cebu. Typically, the winter temperatures in Koh Samet in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Cebu averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Samet 25°C (77°F)Cebu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Cebu in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Koh Samet as well as Cebu. Koh Samet attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cebu throughout the year.
Koh Samet usually gets more rain in April than Cebu. Koh Samet gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In April, Koh Samet is generally around the same temperature as Cebu. Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 29°C (84°F), and Cebu fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Samet 29°C (84°F)Cebu 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Cebu and Koh Samet
| Koh Samet | Cebu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 380 mm (15 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 118 mm (4.6 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.