A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Xigatse vs. Cebu for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Xigatse or Cebu?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Xigatse and Cebu can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Xigatse or Cebu?

Xigatse

The second largest city in Tibet behind Lhasa, Xigatse, commonly known as Shigatse, is home to sights and attractions like the Tashilhunpo Monastery, plenty of markets, and the ruins of Shigatse temple. All places of interest are fairly walkable, though auto-rickshaws are also available.

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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best 10-Day Tours in Philippines, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines.


Which place is cheaper, Cebu or Xigatse?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Xigatse is $61, 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 Xigatse and Cebu in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Xigatse $28
    Cebu $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Xigatse $56
    Cebu $50
Compare Hotels in Xigatse and Cebu

Looking for a hotel in Xigatse 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 Xigatse


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: Cebu Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Xigatse $12
    Cebu $26

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cebu

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cebu:

  • Bohol Day Tour with Round-Trip Transfers from Cebu: $190
  • Oslob Private Van Transfer between Cebu, Mactan or Mandaue City: $175
  • Danasan Eco Adventure Park Including Round-Trip Hotel Transfer: $161
  • Oslob Car Hire and Transfers: $150
  • Kawasan Falls Canyoneering w/ Lunch & Transfers from Cebu City: $122
  • Malapascua: Advance Divers Shark Dive & Optional Transfer: $108
  • Cebu Whale Shark Snorkeling & Tumalog Falls w/ Meals and Transfer: $95
  • Transfer Cebu City - Bantayan Island: $70
  • Cebu Airport Transfer within Mactan Island, Cebu or Mandaue City: $64
  • Private Canyoneering in Kawasan falls + meals + Cebu transfer opt: $53
  • 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

Is it cheaper to fly into Xigatse or Cebu?

Prices for flights to both Cebu and Xigatse 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
    Xigatse $24
    Cebu $21

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.
    Xigatse $14
    Cebu $17

Tours and Activities in Cebu

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cebu are as follows:

  • Cebu Steet food, historical and mountain tour: $110
  • 3-Hour Small Group Cebu City Tour: $38
  • A snorkelling tour to Cebu’s Hilutungan: $130
  • Badian Cebu Canyoneering Experience: $84
  • Balamban Uphill Adventure Tour in Cebu: $80
  • Beach Adventure: $85
  • Bohol Countryside Day Tour From Cebu City | Lunch at Loboc River Cruise: $145
  • Bohol Countryside Day Tour from Cebu City or Mactan - Best Seller: $155
  • Bohol Countryside Joiners Tour From Cebu City: $144
  • Bohol Countryside Private Tour From Cebu City: $213
  • Canyoneering Experience in Kawasan Falls with Lunch: $55
  • Cebu City All Day Tour; An Unforgettable Experience of Cebu.: $60

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Xigatse $3.15
    Cebu $14

Sample the Local Flavors in Cebu

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cebu:

  • Cebu City Light's Pub Crawl: $99


When comparing the travel costs between Xigatse and Cebu, we can see that Cebu is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Xigatse or Cebu?

Cebu has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Xigatse. When comparing the sizes of Xigatse 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.