Which place is cheaper, Cebu or Koh Samui?
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 Samui or Cebu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Koh Samui 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: Koh Samui or Cebu?
Koh Samui
The largest island on the east coast of southern Thailand, Ko Samui (or Koh Samui) sees a good number of visitors every year who come for its lush rainforest, beautiful shores, and undersea wildlife. The size of the island is still small enough to allow visitors to circumnavigate it with a taxi or motorbike in a day, while hikers and outdoor enthusiasts can find plenty of inland activities in the hills and jungle.
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 Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, and The Best Honeymoon Tours in Philippines.
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Koh Samui Prices
Thailand PricesCebu Prices
Philippines Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Samui $79Cebu $80
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samui is $79, 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 Samui and Cebu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Samui $26Cebu $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Samui $52Cebu $50
Compare Hotels in Koh Samui and Cebu
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samui 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 Samui Hotel Prices and Cebu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Samui $19Cebu $26
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Samui
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Koh Samui:
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Scooter Rental$2.36
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Gas for Scooter$1.26
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Airport Taxi$14
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Taxi- Na Thon Pier to Lamai Beach$13
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Minibus- Airport to Chaweng$3.77
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Samui
Also for Koh Samui, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Koh Samui Airport (USM): Private Transfer within the Island: $12
- Ferry Transfers between Koh Samui and Ko Pha-ngan: $15
- Private Transfer : Koh Samui Airport Arrival to Koh Samui Hotel (SHA Plus): $15
- Private Transfer : Koh Samui Airport Arrival to Koh Samui Hotel (SHA Plus): $15
- Private Airport Transfer in Koh Samui: $17
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui to Ko Samui Airport (USM): $18
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui Port to Ko Samui Island Hotels: $19
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui Airport (USM) to Ko Samui Port: $19
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui island hotels to Ko Samui Port: $19
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui Cruise Port to Ko Samui Hotels: $19
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui Airport (USM) to Ko Samui Port: $19
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui Port to Ko Samui Airport (USM): $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cebu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cebu:
- Bohol Day Tour with Round-Trip Transfers from Cebu: $208
- Oslob Whale Shark Encounter & SUMILON with Transfers: $196
- Mactan-Cebu Island Hopping Cruise with Lunch & Roundtrip Transfer: $196
- Bohol Day Tour from Cebu (Shared) w/ RT Transfers & Ferry: $185
- Oslob Private Van Transfer between Cebu, Mactan or Mandaue City: $175
- Danasan Eco Adventure Park Including Round-Trip Hotel Transfer: $161
- Kawasan Falls Canyoneering w/ Lunch & Transfers from Cebu City: $122
- Cebu Safari & Adventure Park: Wildlife Tour with Transfers: $102
- One-way Airport Transfer to Cebu City Hotels: $89
- Canyoneering Cebu in Kawasan falls + meals + Cebu transfer option: $53
- Cebu Airport Transfer to / from Anywhere in Cebu: $37
- Private Airport to Hotel Transfer in Cebu City: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samui or Cebu?
Prices for flights to both Cebu and Koh Samui 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 Samui $39Cebu $36
Typical Food Prices in Koh Samui
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Samui:
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$6.75
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Koh Samui
For Koh Samui, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Romantic 4-Course Dinner for Two on the Beach by the Amari Samui: $67
- Thai Cooking Class with Local Market Tour in Koh Samui: $78
- Cooking Class by Samui Native Instructor Geng and O Family: $79
- Thai Cooking Class with Local Market Tour in Koh Samui: $79
- Thai Cooking Masterclass by the Sea on Koh Samui: $81
- Sunset Dinner Cruise by Red Baron In Koh Samui : $81
- Koh Samui Sunset Dinner Cruise: $82
- Thai Cooking Class | Since 2012 | Farm to Table: $82
- Cooking Class in Ko Samui for Small Group : $82
- Sunset Dinner Cruise: $82
- Red Baron : A Sunset Dinner Cruise from Koh Samui with Return Transfer: $113
- Koh Samui Red Baron Sunset Dinner Cruise with Return Transfer (SHA Plus): $122
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 Samui $12Cebu $17
Tours and Activities in Koh Samui
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Samui.
- Coconut Soap Making Demo and Experience Koh Samui: $2.37
- Kanchanaburi Mallika City Thai Cultural Tour Experience: $7.97
- Samui: Double Seater Karting: Share the Driving Experience: $22
- Koh Samui Half Day Island Guided Tour: $24
- Top Sights of Samui City Tour: $25
- Koh Samui Sightseeing Tour by Minivan: $25
- Koh Samui Sightseeing Tour Around The Island : $27
- Elephant Sanctuary Entry and Feeding Experience: $28
- Koh Samui City & Temples Tour with Na Muang Waterfall: $28
- Angthong National Marine Park by Highsea Tour (Official): $30
- 4-Hour Day Tour in Koh Samui: $30
- City Tour Around Koh Samui: $30
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 Samui $5.33Cebu $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 Samui 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 Samui Expensive? and Is Cebu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Koh Samui or Cebu?
Cebu has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Koh Samui. When comparing the sizes of Koh Samui 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 Koh Samui 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 Samui or Cebu in the Summer?
Both Cebu and Koh Samui during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Samui 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 Samui. Koh Samui usually gets less rain in July than Cebu. Koh Samui gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Koh Samui is cooler than Cebu. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Samui in July average around 24°C (76°F), and Cebu averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Samui 24°C (76°F)Cebu 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Koh Samui or Cebu in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samui and Cebu. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samui year-round. Cebu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
December to February in Koh Samui is the dry season. Also, October to December is the rainy season in Koh Samui. Cebu receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Samui gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Koh Samui usually receives more rain than Cebu. Koh Samui gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In October, Koh Samui is generally cooler than Cebu. Daily temperatures in Koh Samui average around 24°C (75°F), and Cebu fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Samui 24°C (75°F)Cebu 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Koh Samui or Cebu in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Koh Samui as well as Cebu. Koh Samui attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cebu throughout the year.
Also, December to February in Koh Samui is the dry season. Koh Samui usually gets less rain in January than Cebu. Koh Samui gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
Koh Samui is cooler than Cebu in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Samui averages around 22°C (72°F) in January, and Cebu fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Samui 22°C (72°F)Cebu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Koh Samui or Cebu in the Spring?
Both Cebu and Koh Samui are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samui throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Cebu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Koh Samui usually receives more rain than Cebu. Koh Samui gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In the spring, Koh Samui is cooler than Cebu. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Samui in April average around 24°C (76°F), and Cebu averages at about 29°C (84°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Samui 24°C (76°F)Cebu 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Cebu and Koh Samui
| Koh Samui | Cebu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (74°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (76°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (76°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (76°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Oct | 24°C (75°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (74°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 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.