Which place is cheaper, Cebu or Phuket?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Phuket or Cebu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket 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: Phuket or Cebu?
Phuket
Phuket Island is the tourist mecca of southern Thailand. Known for its beaches and resorts, the island brings in a massive amount of travelers from all over the world, year round. Although the beaches are beautiful, Phuket has also become more westernized and tourist-oriented in recent decades, leaving many travelers to venture elsewhere to find that amazing beach with a more authentic Thai vibe. However, Phuket Island is quite large, and hidden gems can still be found.
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand, The Best 10-Day Tours in Philippines, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPhuket $105Cebu $65
The average daily cost (per person) in Phuket is $105, 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 Phuket and Cebu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPhuket $56Cebu $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPhuket $112Cebu $50
Compare Hotels in Phuket and Cebu
Looking for a hotel in Phuket 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: Phuket Hotel Prices and Cebu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Phuket $11Cebu $26
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Phuket
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Phuket:
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Longtail Taxi (for Two)$8.18
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Taxi from Airport to Phuket Town$6.82
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phuket
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phuket:
- Phuket Airport Bus Transfer from/to Karon Beach: $5.35
- From Phuket or Pa Tong: Transfer to Gun Shooting Range: $6.76
- Airport Transfer To / From Hotel & Free Wifi: $10
- Ferry Transfer to/from Phi Phi Tonsai or Laem Tong: $12
- Phuket Airport Transfer (SHA Plus) : $13
- One-Way Ferry Transfer to/from Koh Phi Phi: $14
- Airport Transfer To / From Hotel & Free Wifi: $15
- Phuket International and Domestic Airport - Arrival Transfer : $15
- Phuket International and Domestic Airport - Departure Transfer : $15
- Phuket International Airport (HKT): Transfer to/from Phuket: $16
- Phuket Shared Arrival Transfer: $17
- Private Phuket Departure Transfer - Hotel to Phuket Airport : $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cebu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cebu:
- Bohol Day Tour with Round-Trip Transfers from Cebu: $190
- Cebu Airport Transfer within Mactan Island, Cebu or Mandaue City: $64
- Cebu Departure Transfer from Lapu-Lapu city to Mactan Cebu Airport (CEB): $40
- Cebu Departure Transfer from Mandaue 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 Airport (CEB) to Mandaue city: $40
- Cebu Private Transfer from Mactan Cebu International Airport (CEB) to Cebu city: $40
- Cebu Seaport - Mactan Hotel (Any Hotel) - One Way Transfer: $22
- Cebu Whale Shark Snorkeling & Tumalog Falls w/ Meals and Transfer: $95
- Private One-Way Airport Transfer: $25
- Danasan Eco Adventure Park Including Round-Trip Hotel Transfer: $161
- Hotel Private Transfer Airport to Cebu, Mandaue, LapuLapu: $25
Is it cheaper to fly into Phuket or Cebu?
Prices for flights to both Cebu and Phuket 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 dayPhuket $22Cebu $21
Typical Food Prices in Phuket
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Phuket:
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Casual Dinner (for Two)$7.88
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$4.64
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Sit Down Dinner (for Two)$12
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Thai Noodles$2.45
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Bananas$0.68
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Pizza (for Two)$8.18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phuket
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Phuket.
- Thai Cooking Class 1.5 Hrs ( 2 Dishes Menu): $36
- Express Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $43
- Coral Island Catamaran Cruise with Sunset Dinner: $43
- Vegetarian Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $52
- Flavours of the South Guided Food Tour: $52
- Coral Island & Sunset Dinner by Sailing Catamaran: $53
- Phuket Coral Island Sunset with Dinner by Catamaran Yacht: $53
- Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $55
- Phuket Cooking Class Thai activity: $55
- Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $55
- Phuket Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour Option: $55
- Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $55
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Phuket $42Cebu $17
Typical Entertainment Prices in Phuket
Here are a few typical costs in Phuket for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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One Day Boat Tour$25
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Scuba Diving (Two Dives)$68
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Thai Oil Massage$17
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Surfboard Rental$8.18
Tours and Activities in Phuket
Here are a few actual costs in Phuket for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Phuket Botanic Garden Admission Ticket: $3.01
- The Selfie Experience Phuket Admission Ticket: $4.14
- Phuket Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Phuket to Phi Phi Tonsai Ferry by Royal Jet Cruiser with Pickup Service: $13
- Trick Eye Museum Admission Ticket: $14
- Phang Nga Bay Skywalk at Samet Nangshe Admission Ticket: $14
- Phuket Trickeye Museum Day Admission Ticket: $15
- Baan Teelanka Upside Down House Entry Ticket: $16
- Original Discovery Tour: $17
- Old Phuket Farm Ticket - Countryside Local Life Culture: $18
- Child Ticket age 6 - 12 years old (Tourist): $18
- Simon Cabaret Show Phuket (Ticket Only): $20
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 dayPhuket $6.35Cebu $14
Typical Alcohol Prices in Phuket
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Phuket from other travelers:
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Cocktails (for Two)$5.46
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Beer$2.32
Sample the Local Flavors in Phuket
Also in Phuket, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- All-Night Bar Crawl with Drinks & 4 Venues: $22
- Phuket Guided Pub Crawl: $25
- Pub Crawl Tour: $25
- Phuket Real City Tour with Rum Cocktail Distillery: $77
- Big Buddha & The Distillery Phuket: $97
- Phuket Rum Distillery Cocktail Workshop And Wat Chalong Temple : $172
- Phuket Rum Distillery Cocktail Workshop & Wat Chalong Temple: $213
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 Phuket and Cebu, we can see that Phuket 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 Phuket would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phuket 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 Phuket Expensive? and Is Cebu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Phuket or Cebu?
Cebu has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Phuket. When comparing the sizes of Phuket 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 Phuket 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 Phuket or Cebu in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Phuket and Cebu. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Phuket year-round. Cebu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Cebu receives a lot of rain in the summer. Phuket gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Phuket usually receives more rain than Cebu. Phuket gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In July, Phuket is generally around the same temperature as Cebu. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 28°C (82°F), and Cebu fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPhuket 28°C (82°F)Cebu 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Phuket or Cebu in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Phuket as well as Cebu. Phuket attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cebu throughout the year.
Also, December to March in Phuket is the dry season. June to October in Phuket is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Cebu. Phuket receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Phuket usually gets more rain in October than Cebu. Phuket gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
Phuket is around the same temperature as Cebu in the autumn. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Cebu fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPhuket 27°C (81°F)Cebu 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Phuket or Cebu in the Winter?
Both Cebu and Phuket are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Phuket throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Cebu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Phuket is December to March. In January, Phuket usually receives less rain than Cebu. Phuket gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In the winter, Phuket is around the same temperature as Cebu. Typically, the winter temperatures in Phuket in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Cebu averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPhuket 28°C (82°F)Cebu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Phuket or Cebu in the Spring?
Both Cebu and Phuket during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Phuket because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cebu year-round.
June to October is the rainy season in Phuket. It rains a lot this time of the year in Phuket. Phuket usually gets more rain in April than Cebu. Phuket gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In April, Phuket is generally around the same temperature as Cebu. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 29°C (84°F), and Cebu fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPhuket 29°C (84°F)Cebu 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Cebu and Phuket
| Phuket | Cebu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 62 mm (2.4 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.