Which place is cheaper, Cebu or Bangkok?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Bangkok 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 Bangkok 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: Bangkok or Cebu?
Bangkok
Bangkok: a name synonymous with all things exotic. The vibrant and exciting capital of Thailand is not just a hub for Southeast Asia, but also a destination into itself. Known for an active nightlife and party scene, as well as great food, historic temples, and busy markets, Bangkok offers a diversity to entertain even the most experienced travelers.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Thailand, The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, and The Best Honeymoon Tours in Philippines.
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Bangkok Prices
Thailand PricesCebu Prices
Philippines Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBangkok $105Cebu $80
The average daily cost (per person) in Bangkok is $105, while the average daily cost in Cebu is $80. 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 Bangkok and Cebu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBangkok $50Cebu $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBangkok $100Cebu $50
Compare Hotels in Bangkok and Cebu
Looking for a hotel in Bangkok 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: Bangkok Hotel Prices and Cebu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bangkok $6.49Cebu $26
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Bangkok are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk to bus station$2.51
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Skytrain Ticket$5.02
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Chao Phraya River Express Ticket$1.00
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Ferry Ride$0.82
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Taxi From Airport$7.85
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Short Taxi Ride$2.83
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Boat Taxi$1.57
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Trains to airport$5.02
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bangkok
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bangkok:
- Erawan Museum Admision Ticket with Transfer: $12
- Private Transfer from/to Suvarnabhumi Airport(BKK) : $12
- Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) Departure Transfer (Shared or Private): $12
- Sedan Arrival Transfer Bangkok Airport BKK to Bangkok or Pattaya: $15
- Private Departure Transfer : Bangkok Hotel to BKK/DMK airport: $15
- Arrival Transfer from BKK Airport to Bangkok Hotel: $15
- Private transfer from Hotel in Bangkok to BKK Airport : $18
- Private Bangkok Airport Transfer by Comfortable SUV: $19
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Pattaya APT-HTL (DMK): $20
- Bangkok City Tour with Guided Temple Visits and Shared Transfers: $21
- Affordable Bangkok Airport Transfer: $22
- Budget-Friendly Shared Transfer to Suvarnabhumi Airport: $23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cebu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cebu:
- Bohol Day Tour from Cebu (Shared) w/ RT Transfers & Ferry: $185
- Bohol Day Tour with Round-Trip Transfers from Cebu: $208
- Canyoneering Cebu in Kawasan falls + meals + Cebu transfer option: $53
- Cebu Airport Private Transfer to Cebu City Hotel: $18
- Cebu Airport Transfer to / from Anywhere in Cebu: $37
- Cebu Safari & Adventure Park: Wildlife Tour with Transfers: $102
- CEB Airport to City Centre|Hotels Private Transfer: $7.00
- One-way Airport Transfer to Cebu City Hotels: $89
- Oslob Whale Shark Encounter & SUMILON with Transfers: $196
- Private Car Transfer with Driver (Flexible Routes): $28
- Private One-Way Airport Transfer: $26
- Cordova Private Transfer from Cordova city to Mactan Cebu Airport (CEB): $28
Is it cheaper to fly into Bangkok or Cebu?
Prices for flights to both Cebu and Bangkok 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 dayBangkok $36Cebu $36
Typical Food Prices in Bangkok
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Bangkok:
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Dinner at Hard Rock Cafe (for Two)$28
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Casual Lunch of Prawns (for Two)$6.28
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2 Rotis (Bread)$1.41
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Mango & Sticky Rice$0.94
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Lunch at KFC (for Two)$6.28
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Pad Thai$2.20
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Airport Lunch for 2$17
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Lunch for 2$23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bangkok
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bangkok.
- Baiyoke Sky Hotel Observation Deck Ticket with Lunch or Dinner : $22
- Meridian Dinner and Sunset Cruise in Bangkok: $23
- Royal Princess Dinner Cruise in Bangkok: $25
- Chao Phraya Princess Sunset and Dinner Cruise: $27
- Twilight Dinner Cruise Along Chao Phraya River in Bangkok: $29
- Calypso Cabaret Show with Thai Set Dinner: $29
- Baiyoke Sky Dinner Experience with Observation Deck Access: $29
- Baiyoke Sky Observation Deck With Buffet Dinner or Lunch: $29
- Bangkok Amazing Chaophraya River Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $32
- Nopparat’s Traditional Thai Dinner & Dance: $32
- Chao Phraya River Serenade: VIVA Alangka Dinner Cruise, Bangkok: $32
- Riverside Bangkok Dinner Cruise with Buffet and City Views: $32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cebu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cebu.
- Carbon Market Food Tour & Bars with Jeepney Ride: $16
- Highlands Guided Tour with STREET FOOD TOUR OPTION: $45
- The Ultimate Cebu Food Tour: Local Tastes & Cultural Journey: $70
- Cebu City: Historical Street and Food Tour: $89
- Cebu Traditional Cuisine Cooking Class: $98
- Private Panoramic Tour with Dinner: $100
- Cebu Traditional Bamboo Cooking Class: $107
- Cebu Traditional Bamboo Cooking: $110
- Cebu Vegetarian Cooking Class: $110
- Cebu Traditional Cuisine Cooking Class: $110
- 5-Hour Evening Tour from Cebu with Dinner: $110
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bangkok $18Cebu $17
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bangkok
Here are a few typical costs in Bangkok for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Movie Ticket$5.02
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Grand Palace Entrance Ticket$11
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Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) Ticket$1.57
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Dusit Zoo Entrance Fee (for Two)$6.28
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Club Cover Charge$12
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Thai Boxing Tickets (for Two)$75
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Fish Pedicure$4.71
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Wat Pho entrance ticket$3.14
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Siriraj Museum (2)$13
Tours and Activities in Bangkok
Here are a few actual costs in Bangkok for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Road to Democracy: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Thailand's Modern Politics: $5.00
- Bangkok Noi Canal: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.20
- Bangkok's Old Town: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Bangkok City Session Walking Tour: $8.18
- Grand Palace Self-Guided Walking Tour (entry not incl.): $9.00
- Space and Time Cube Tickets in Bangkok: $9.66
- Ancient City Bangkok and Erawan Museum Tickets: $10
- Erawan Museum Ticket (NON THAI): $10
- Half Day Coral Island Tour from Pattaya With Lunch: $11
- Erawan Museum at Bangkok Admission Ticket: $13
- Explore Brilliant Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $14
- Bangkok Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha Tour: $14
Tours and Activities in Cebu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cebu are as follows:
- Cebu City: Walking Tour: $21
- Cebu City: Guided Trekking Experience: $32
- Adventure Hiking Trip in the City: $36
- 3-Hour Small Group Cebu City Tour: $38
- City Sightseeing Group Tour: $39
- BEST OF Guided Heritage City Joiners Tour: $44
- Heritage Tour and Uphill Tour: $45
- Scuba Diving Experience beach entry in Mactan: $45
- Cebu Highlands Tour (Taoist temple, Leah and sirao garden)PICK UP: $46
- Cebu City: Best of Cebu Full-Day Guided Sightseeing Tour: $49
- Thrill Seekers Paradise Kawasan Canyoning Adventure: $50
- Cebu Half Day City Tour (Private Tour): $51
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBangkok $5.65Cebu $14
Typical Alcohol Prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Bangkok are as follows:
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Beer$1.26
Sample the Local Flavors in Bangkok
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bangkok:
- Bangkok Pub Crawl: $17
- The Original Bangkok Pub Crawl: $32
Sample the Local Flavors in Cebu
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cebu:
- Makati Pub Crawl with Optional City Tour: $18
- Cebu City Light's Pub Crawl: $110
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bangkok and Cebu, we can see that Bangkok 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 Bangkok would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bangkok 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 Bangkok Expensive? and Is Cebu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bangkok or Cebu?
Bangkok has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Cebu. When comparing the sizes of Bangkok 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 Bangkok 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 Bangkok or Cebu in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bangkok and Cebu. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bangkok year-round. Cebu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Cebu receives a lot of rain in the summer. Bangkok gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Bangkok usually receives around the same amount of rain as Cebu. Bangkok gets 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Bangkok is around the same temperature as Cebu in the summer. The daily temperature in Bangkok averages around 29°C (84°F) in July, and Cebu fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBangkok 29°C (84°F)Cebu 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Bangkok or Cebu in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Bangkok as well as Cebu. Bangkok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cebu throughout the year.
Also, November to February in Bangkok is the dry season. May to October in Bangkok is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Cebu. Bangkok receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Bangkok usually gets more rain in October than Cebu. Bangkok gets 242 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, Bangkok is around the same temperature as Cebu. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bangkok in October average around 28°C (83°F), and Cebu averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBangkok 28°C (83°F)Cebu 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Bangkok or Cebu in the Winter?
Both Cebu and Bangkok are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bangkok 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 Bangkok is November to February. In January, Bangkok usually receives less rain than Cebu. Bangkok gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In January, Bangkok is generally around the same temperature as Cebu. Daily temperatures in Bangkok average around 27°C (80°F), and Cebu fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBangkok 27°C (80°F)Cebu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Bangkok or Cebu in the Spring?
Both Cebu and Bangkok during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Bangkok because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cebu year-round.
May to October is the rainy season in Bangkok. Bangkok usually gets more rain in April than Cebu. Bangkok gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
Bangkok is around the same temperature as Cebu in the spring. The daily temperature in Bangkok averages around 31°C (87°F) in April, and Cebu fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBangkok 31°C (87°F)Cebu 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Cebu and Bangkok
| Bangkok | Cebu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (87°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 30°C (86°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (85°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 155 mm (6.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 242 mm (9.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 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.