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

Should you visit Yogyakarta or Cebu?

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

Should I visit Yogyakarta or Cebu? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Yogyakarta or Cebu?

Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta, also called Yogya, Jogja, and Jogjakarta, is Java's hub of culture and art, and is the top-visited destination on the island. While Jakarta is the most populated and industrially-developed city in Indonesia, Yogya has managed to progress without losing its cultural charm, as illustrated in its well-kept traditional Indonesian architecture.

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 Adventure Tours to Indonesia, The Best Eco Tours in Indonesia, The Best 10-Day Tours in Philippines, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines.


Which place is cheaper, Cebu or Yogyakarta?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Yogyakarta is $58, 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 Yogyakarta and Cebu in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Yogyakarta $37
    Cebu $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Yogyakarta $74
    Cebu $50
Compare Hotels in Yogyakarta and Cebu

Looking for a hotel in Yogyakarta 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 Yogyakarta


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: Yogyakarta Hotel Prices and Cebu Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Yogyakarta $1.33
    Cebu $26

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yogyakarta

Also for Yogyakarta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer In or Out Airport Yogyakarta: $9.61
  • Private Transfer Airport Yogyakarta (JOG) to All City Destination: $11
  • Yogyakarta Private Departure Transfer- Yogyakarta Hotel to Airport: $20
  • Private Transfer From or To Yogyakarta Airport: $24
  • Ramayana Ballet Dance Show with Transfers: $25
  • Private Transfer From/To Yogyakarta Airport: $26
  • Yogyakarta Airport : for pick up or transfer service: $28
  • Private Transfer from Yogyakarta Airport YIA To City Center: $29
  • Borobudur 5-Hour Guided Tour with Climb-up Access & Transfer: $29
  • Jomblang Cave Day Trip with Hotel Transfer: $30
  • Yogyakarta International Airport to Hotel - Arrival Transfer: $32
  • Private Transfer from Yogyakarta Airport (JOG) to Yogyakarta City: $34

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cebu

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cebu:

  • Transfer Cebu City - Bantayan Island: $70
  • Seamless Transfer from MactanCebu Airport to Your City Hotel: $23
  • Private Canyoneering in Kawasan falls + meals + Cebu transfer opt: $53
  • Oslob Private Van Transfer between Cebu, Mactan or Mandaue City: $175
  • Oslob Car Hire and Transfers: $150
  • Malapascua: Advance Divers Shark Dive & Optional Transfer: $108
  • Mactan Cebu Airport Transfer to City Hotels: $35
  • Mactan Airport - Cebu City Sepoart (Transfer): $20
  • Kawasan Falls Canyoneering w/ Lunch & Transfers from Cebu City: $122
  • Hotel Private Transfer Airport to Cebu, Mandaue, LapuLapu: $25
  • Danasan Eco Adventure Park Including Round-Trip Hotel Transfer: $161
  • Private One-Way Airport Transfer: $25

Is it cheaper to fly into Yogyakarta or Cebu?

Prices for flights to both Cebu and Yogyakarta 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
    Yogyakarta $12
    Cebu $21

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yogyakarta

For Yogyakarta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Morning Food Tour with Tasting: $22
  • Kotagede Night Food Tour: $27
  • Yogyakarta Evening Walking and Food Tour: $30
  • Yogyakarta : Guided City Walk and Food Tour: $32
  • Prambanan temple afternoon tour and dinner: $34
  • Prawirotaman Night Food Tour: $35
  • Prawirotaman Night Food Tour: $35
  • Night Walking and Food Tour: $37
  • Ramayana Ballet Performance with Dinner: $38
  • Yogyakarta Cooking Class and Market Tour : $40
  • Small-Group Walking and Food Tour by Night in Yogyakarta: $40
  • Yogyakarta Day Food Tour: $48

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.
    Yogyakarta $16
    Cebu $17

Tours and Activities in Yogyakarta

For Yogyakarta, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Obelix Hills Entry Ticket: $1.52
  • Chicken Church at Karangrejo Village Admission Ticket: $1.89
  • Java Puppets Museum Admission Ticket: $2.50
  • 6 hours Borobudur temple climb up tour only.: $19
  • Jomblang cave Tour only.: $19
  • Prambanan Afternoon Tour Discover Magic sunset: $19
  • Yogyakarta : Jomblang Cave tour with local Guide: $20
  • Walking Tour of Yogyakarta's Oldest Neighbourhood: $21
  • Yogyakarta City Tour: $21
  • Authentic Yogya Bicycle Tour: $22
  • Jomblang Cave Tour: $22
  • Guided Tour to Borobudur with Full Access: $23

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
    Yogyakarta $4.93
    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 Yogyakarta 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 Yogyakarta Expensive? and Is Cebu Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Yogyakarta or Cebu?

Cebu has a larger population, and is about 25% larger than the population of Yogyakarta. When comparing the sizes of Yogyakarta 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.