A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kolkata (Calcutta) vs. Cebu for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kolkata (Calcutta) or Cebu?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kolkata (Calcutta) 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: Kolkata (Calcutta) or Cebu?

Kolkata (Calcutta)

Formerly known as Calcutta, Kolkata is the capital of West Bengal, India. Featuring colonial architecture, galleries, temples, and festivals, the city has flourished from its roots as an East India Company trading post in the 18th Century to a thriving metropolis. Today Kolkata is a diverse center of culture and bustling activity.

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 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in India, The Best Bicycle Tours in India, The Best 10-Day Tours in Philippines, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines.


Which place is cheaper, Cebu or Kolkata (Calcutta)?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Kolkata (Calcutta) is $37, 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 Kolkata (Calcutta) and Cebu in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $17
    Cebu $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $34
    Cebu $50
Compare Hotels in Kolkata (Calcutta) and Cebu

Looking for a hotel in Kolkata (Calcutta) 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.

Hotels in Kolkata (Calcutta)


Hotels in Cebu


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: Kolkata (Calcutta) Hotel Prices and Cebu Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $5.11
    Cebu $26

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kolkata (Calcutta)

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kolkata (Calcutta):

  • Private Transfer Kolkata Airport CCU To Kolkata Hotels Drop: $22
  • Build Your Own: custom private tour of Kolkata with transfers: $69
  • Path of Knowledge: A Heritage Walking Tour of Kolkata with Private Transfer: $165

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 Kolkata (Calcutta) or Cebu?

Prices for flights to both Cebu and Kolkata (Calcutta) 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $14
    Cebu $21

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kolkata (Calcutta)

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kolkata (Calcutta).

  • Bengali Nights Kolkata Food Tour with 13+ Tastings: $35
  • Cooking experience in Authentic Bengali House with Lunch/Dinner: $41
  • Alleyway Food Tour: $42
  • Traditional Bengali Cooking Class in Kolkata in a Local Home: $64

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $15
    Cebu $17

Tours and Activities in Kolkata (Calcutta)

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kolkata (Calcutta) are as follows:

  • Kolkata Colonial Walk (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
  • Heritage & Cultural Walk of Kolkata (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
  • Kolkata Half Day Guided City Tour: $27
  • The Taste of Kolkata - Evening Food Walk Tour: $30
  • Magic Hour Tour: $37
  • Cultural Confluence of Kolkata - Culture Kaleidoscope Tour: $37
  • Kolkata's Flower Market - Hooghly's Flower Fest Tour: $37
  • Kolkata Slum Walking Tour: $41
  • Mesmerising Kolkata Private Customised Day Tour: $53
  • Kolkata Daily - A Private Tour - Explore • Engage • Enchant: $55
  • Full Day City Tour Of Kolkata With Guide: $55
  • Kolkata Heritage Tram Tour: $60

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $8.27
    Cebu $14

Sample the Local Flavors in Kolkata (Calcutta)

Also in Kolkata (Calcutta), these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Pub Crawl Kolkata: $39

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 Kolkata (Calcutta) and Cebu, we can see that Cebu is more expensive. And not only is Kolkata (Calcutta) much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kolkata (Calcutta) would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kolkata (Calcutta) 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 Kolkata (Calcutta).

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kolkata (Calcutta) Expensive? and Is Cebu Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Kolkata (Calcutta) or Cebu?

Kolkata (Calcutta) has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Cebu. When comparing the sizes of Kolkata (Calcutta) 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.