Which place is cheaper, Cebu or Petra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Petra 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 Petra and Cebu can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Petra or Cebu?
Petra
Whether you're checking off the Seven Wonders of the World, or you're just a huge Indiana Jones fan, the city of Petra must be on your bucket list. The "rose red city, half as old as time," was the capital of the Nabataean kingdom in the 6th century BC. It was the center for trade and commerce until an earthquake took out buildings and destroyed their water management system. After this destruction, the city of Petra seemed to be lost to western civilization.
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 Historical Tours in Jordan, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Jordan, The Best 10-Day Tours in Philippines, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPetra $125Cebu $65
The average daily cost (per person) in Petra is $125, 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 Petra and Cebu in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPetra $59Cebu $25
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPetra $118Cebu $50
Compare Hotels in Petra and Cebu
Looking for a hotel in Petra 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: Petra Hotel Prices and Cebu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Petra $23Cebu $26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Petra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Petra:
- Private Transfer Amman Airport to Ma'in Hotel and vice versa: $73
- Petra to Wadi Rum Private Transfer: $80
- Private Departure Transfer: Petra Hotels to Amman Airport: $93
- Private Transfer from Petra City Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $93
- Private Transfer From Petra to Amman or Airport With Optional : $99
- Petra Private Transfer to or from Aqaba: $105
- Petra to Aqaba South Beach Hotels Private Transfer: $110
- Private transfer Petra to/from Wadi Rum: $118
- Private Transfer Amman Airport to Petra or vice versa via the King's Highway: $120
- Private Transfer Petra to/from Wadi Rum: $135
- Petra to Madaba Private Transfer: $140
- Petra to Sheikh Hussein Crossing Border Private Transfer: $180
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cebu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cebu:
- Mactan Airport - Cebu City Sepoart (Transfer): $20
- 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 Lapu-Lapu city to Mactan Cebu Airport (CEB): $40
- Cebu Private Transfer from Mactan Cebu Airport (CEB) to Lapu-Lapu city: $40
- Cordova Private Transfer from Cordova city to Mactan Cebu Airport (CEB): $40
- Cebu Private Transfer from Mactan Cebu International Airport (CEB) to Cebu city: $40
- Private Canyoneering in Kawasan falls + meals + Cebu transfer opt: $53
- Transfer Cebu City - Bantayan Island: $70
- Malapascua: Advance Divers Shark Dive & Optional Transfer: $108
Is it cheaper to fly into Petra or Cebu?
Prices for flights to both Cebu and Petra 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 dayPetra $38Cebu $21
Typical Food Prices in Petra
Some typical examples of dining costs in Petra are as follows:
-
Dinner for Two$12
-
Juice$1.76
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Petra
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Petra.
- Cooking outside in little Petra between the Mountains. : $45
- Private Outdoor bedouin Dinner in Petra: $300
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
- Filipino Vegetarian Cooking Class: $100
- Traditional Filipino Bamboo Cooking Class: $108
- Private Panoramic Tour with Dinner: $131
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Petra $47Cebu $17
Typical Entertainment Prices in Petra
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Petra are as follows:
-
Entry to Petra for One$71
Tours and Activities in Petra
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Petra are as follows:
- 3-hour Private Guided Tour In Petra with hotel pick up.: $75
- Private Indiana-Jones Archeological Trail Tour: $90
- Private Half-Day Tour of Petra with Lunch: $120
- Wadi Rum Day Tour from Petra ending in Aqaba: $138
- Private Petra Back Entrance Tour with Guide .: $140
- 3 Hour Horse Riding Adventure around the Petra Area: $145
- Wadi Rum Private Tour from Petra with Martian and Star Wars Film Site: $173
- Petra Back Entrance Private Walking Tour: $215
- Private Full-Day Tour to Petra and Wadi Rum from Dead Sea: $269
- Private Back Trail Tour of Petra starting from the Monastery : $276
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
- 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
- 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
- Highland Vista Tour: $58
- Cebu City All Day Tour; An Unforgettable Experience of Cebu.: $60
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPetra $15Cebu $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 Petra and Cebu, we can see that Petra is more expensive. And not only is Cebu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Petra is in Middle East and Cebu is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Petra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Petra 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 Petra Expensive? and Is Cebu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Petra or Cebu?
Cebu has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Petra. When comparing the sizes of Petra 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 Petra 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 Petra or Cebu in the Summer?
Both Cebu and Petra are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Petra 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. In July, Petra usually receives less rain than Cebu. Petra gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
The heat can be very extreme in Petra. In the summer, Petra is a little warmer than Cebu. Typically, the summer temperatures in Petra in July average around 33°C (91°F), and Cebu averages at about 28°C (82°F).
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyPetra 33°C (91°F)Cebu 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Petra or Cebu in the Autumn?
Both Cebu and Petra during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Petra 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. Petra usually gets less rain in October than Cebu. Petra gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
In October, Petra is generally around the same temperature as Cebu. Daily temperatures in Petra average around 27°C (80°F), and Cebu fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPetra 27°C (80°F)Cebu 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Petra or Cebu in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Petra and Cebu. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Petra year-round. Cebu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Petra usually receives less rain than Cebu. Petra gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Petra is much colder than Cebu in the winter. The daily temperature in Petra averages around 15°C (59°F) in January, and Cebu fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPetra 15°C (59°F)Cebu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Petra or Cebu in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Petra as well as Cebu. Petra attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cebu throughout the year.
Petra usually gets less rain in April than Cebu. Petra gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the spring, Petra is cooler than Cebu. Typically, the spring temperatures in Petra in April average around 25°C (76°F), and Cebu averages at about 29°C (84°F).
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilPetra 25°C (76°F)Cebu 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Cebu and Petra
| Petra | Cebu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 15°C (59°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Feb | 17°C (62°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Jun | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Jul | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Aug | 32°C (90°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Sep | 30°C (87°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (62°F) | 41 mm (1.6 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.