Which place is cheaper, Cebu or Mandalay?
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 Mandalay or Cebu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Mandalay 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: Mandalay or Cebu?
Mandalay
Located in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) on the banks of the Irawaddy River, Mandalay is the nation's second largest city behind Yangon. It is centered on the restored Royal Palace and has a large population of Buddhist monks who frequent the city's many temples and monasteries.
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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, and The Best Honeymoon Tours in Philippines.
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Mandalay Prices
Myanmar PricesCebu Prices
Philippines Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMandalay $19Cebu $80
The average daily cost (per person) in Mandalay is $19, 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 Mandalay and Cebu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMandalay $8.65Cebu $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMandalay $17Cebu $50
Compare Hotels in Mandalay and Cebu
Looking for a hotel in Mandalay 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: Cebu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mandalay -Cebu $26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mandalay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mandalay:
- Private Mandalay Airport Transfer: $27
- Inle [Heho] Airport Private Transfer : $46
- Mandalay Airport Private Transfer : $55
- Bagan Land Transfer form Mandalay: $103
- Private Land Transfer : Mandalay to Bagan: $139
- Mandalay To Bagan Transfer Tour: $150
- Private Transfer Of Mandalay To Bagan: $150
- Around Mandalay in 2 Day and Next Day to Transfer Bagan: $200
- From Mandalay To Kalaw-NyaungShwe-Inle Lake Private Transfer: $200
- 2 Days in Mandalay Region, 3 Night in Monywa and 4 Days to transfer Bagan: $260
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 Mandalay or Cebu?
Prices for flights to both Cebu and Mandalay 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 dayMandalay $10Cebu $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mandalay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Mandalay.
- Myanmar traditional cooking class with local: $26
- Bamboo Bike Food Tour: $42
- Bicycle Food Tour in Mandalay: $45
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.Mandalay -Cebu $17
Tours and Activities in Mandalay
Here are a few actual costs in Mandalay for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- A Little Adventure Village Explore: $17
- Private Full-Day Mandalay Heritage Charter Car Tour: $45
- Mandalay Half-Day Tour: $45
- Mandalay Bike 'n Bite Tour: $46
- Mandalay Half-Day Sightseeing: $53
- Mandalay Full-Day Tour: $60
- Full day Adventure Trip in Mandalay & Amarapura : $61
- Adventure to Dee Dote Waterfalls from Mandalay: $63
- Mandalay Fullday Sightseeing: $65
- Day Tour Of Mingun/Sagaing/Amarapura: $75
- Amarapura,Sagaing,Innwa Sightseeing Tour: $75
- Amarapura,Sagging,Innwa/Ava Sightseeing : $75
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 dayMandalay -Cebu $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 Mandalay and Cebu, we can see that Cebu is more expensive. And not only is Mandalay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mandalay would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mandalay 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 Mandalay.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mandalay Expensive? and Is Cebu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mandalay or Cebu?
Mandalay has a larger population, and is about 51% larger than the population of Cebu. When comparing the sizes of Mandalay 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.
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.