Which place is cheaper, Cebu or Manila?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Manila or Cebu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Manila and Cebu can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Manila or Cebu?
Manila
A sprawling metropolis that is home to more than 12 million people, Manila is one huge, misunderstood concrete jungle, full of diverse cultures, traffic, pollution, restaurants, shopping malls, noise and nightlife. If you're looking to soak in culture and feel the vibe of a place rather than seeking a city that specifically caters to tourists, Manila is the place to be. Capital of the Philippines, Manila is also the center for education, business, and transportation.
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 Eco Tours in Philippines, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Philippines, and The Best Budget Tours to Philippines.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManila $94Cebu $65
The average daily cost (per person) in Manila is $94, 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 Manila and Cebu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManila $55Cebu $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManila $110Cebu $50
Compare Hotels in Manila and Cebu
Looking for a hotel in Manila 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: Manila Hotel Prices and Cebu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Manila $14Cebu $26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manila
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Manila:
- Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport Private Transfer: $9.80
- Private One-way Airport Transfer(Manila Airport To/From Manila): $22
- Private Transfer from Manila Airport (MNL) to Manila Cruise Port: $22
- Private Departure Airport Transfer in Manila Bay and Makati Area: $23
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Manila APT-HTL (MNL) : $30
- Round-trip Coron Airport Transfer + Town Tour (Shared): $31
- Manila International Airport Private Transfer To & From City: $35
- Manila Airport Transfer: $37
- Private Arrival Airport Transfer: All Hotels in Ortigas: $41
- Private Transfer from Clark Airport (CRK) to Subic Bay Port: $46
- Transfers from Manila, Makati, Taguig and Pasay Hotel to Airport: $50
- Manila Airport (MNL): One-way Private Transfers: $57
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 Private Transfer from Mactan Cebu Airport (CEB) to Lapu-Lapu city: $40
- 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 International Airport (CEB) to Cebu city: $40
- Cebu City Tour with Round-trip Hotel Transfers: $49
Is it cheaper to fly into Manila or Cebu?
Prices for flights to both Cebu and Manila 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 dayManila $18Cebu $21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manila
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Manila.
- Manila Night Market and food tour Experience: $58
- Makati Street Food Tour Experience: $63
- ⭐ Manila Street Food Tour in the Downtown, Eat and Drink⭐: $63
- Manila Food Tour: Explore World's Oldest Chinatown: $65
- Manila Food Tour: Introduction to Philippine Street Food: $65
- Manila Chinatown Food Tour Experience with Mari: $81
- Cultural Dance Show with Dinner in Manila: $120
- Cultural Dinner and Show in Manila: $145
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cebu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cebu.
- Private Half Day Ultimate Food Tour in Cebu: $66
- 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.Manila $20Cebu $17
Tours and Activities in Manila
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Manila are as follows:
- Guided Tour of the Historic San Sebastian Basilica (Manila): $6.42
- Historical Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $18
- Skip the Line: Hike Eat Swim at Mount Purro Nature Reserve Ticket: $22
- Intramuros Historical Walk Tour: $27
- ⭐ Makati Bar Hopping Tour with Venus ⭐: $27
- Old Manila Intramuros Area Walking Tour: $33
- Guided Sunset Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $34
- Intramuros Manila Walking Tour with Mobile Photography: $35
- Experience Intramuros with Bamboo Bicycle - Ecotours: $37
- Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide: $43
- ⭐ Intramuros The Walled City Walking Tour ⭐: $45
- ⭐ Authentic Manila Chinatown Experience ⭐: $46
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 dayManila $9.97Cebu $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 Manila and Cebu, we can see that Manila 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 Manila would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manila 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 Manila Expensive? and Is Cebu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Manila or Cebu?
Manila has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Cebu. When comparing the sizes of Manila 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 Manila 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 Manila or Cebu in the Summer?
Both Cebu and Manila are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Manila 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 Manila. In July, Manila usually receives more rain than Cebu. Manila gets 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In the summer, Manila is around the same temperature as Cebu. Typically, the summer temperatures in Manila in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Cebu averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyManila 27°C (80°F)Cebu 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Manila or Cebu in the Autumn?
Both Cebu and Manila during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Manila 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 Manila. Manila usually gets more rain in October than Cebu. Manila gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
In October, Manila is generally around the same temperature as Cebu. Daily temperatures in Manila average around 26°C (79°F), and Cebu fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberManila 26°C (79°F)Cebu 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Manila or Cebu in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Manila and Cebu. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round. Cebu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Manila usually receives less rain than Cebu. Manila gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Manila is cooler than Cebu in the winter. The daily temperature in Manila averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Cebu fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryManila 24°C (76°F)Cebu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Manila or Cebu in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Manila as well as Cebu. Manila attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cebu throughout the year.
Manila usually gets less rain in April than Cebu. Manila gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the spring, Manila is around the same temperature as Cebu. Typically, the spring temperatures in Manila in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Cebu averages at about 29°C (84°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilManila 29°C (84°F)Cebu 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Cebu and Manila
| Manila | Cebu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (80°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 303 mm (11.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (80°F) | 452 mm (17.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (80°F) | 357 mm (14.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 50 mm (2 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.