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

Should you visit Cebu or Benxi?

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

Should I visit Cebu or Benxi? 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: Cebu or Benxi?

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.

Benxi

Benxi, China is a city in the south east of the Liaoning Province in northeast China. The city itself is a major industrial hub, but is best known for the Benxi Shuidong National Park where you'll find the famous five million year old water cave. Benxi experiences cold winters, with weather being less enjoyable for touring from November through March. May through August see much warmer weather, getting up to the high 80's Fahrenheit in late summer. September and October are also good times to visit as temperatures cool to 60-70 degrees.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Philippines, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Benxi or Cebu?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Cebu is $80, while the average daily cost in Benxi is $118. 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 Cebu and Benxi in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cebu $25
    Benxi $47
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cebu $50
    Benxi $94
Compare Hotels in Cebu and Benxi

Looking for a hotel in Cebu or Benxi? 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 Cebu


Hotels in Benxi


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.
    Cebu $26
    Benxi $32

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cebu

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cebu:

  • CEB Airport to City Centre|Hotels Private Transfer: $7.00
  • Cebu Airport Private Transfer to Cebu City Hotel: $18
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Cebu APT-HTL (CEB): $18
  • Private One-Way Airport Transfer: $26
  • Cordova Private Transfer from Cordova city to Mactan Cebu Airport (CEB): $28
  • Private Car Transfer with Driver (Flexible Routes): $28
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Cebu HTL-APT (CEB): $31
  • Private Airport to Hotel Transfer in Cebu City: $35
  • Cebu Airport Transfer to / from Anywhere in Cebu: $37
  • Canyoneering Cebu in Kawasan falls + meals + Cebu transfer option: $53
  • One-way Airport Transfer to Cebu City Hotels: $89
  • Cebu Safari & Adventure Park: Wildlife Tour with Transfers: $102

Is it cheaper to fly into Cebu or Benxi?

Prices for flights to both Benxi and Cebu 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
    Cebu $36
    Benxi $53

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cebu $17
    Benxi $7.41

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cebu $14
    Benxi $7.81

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 Cebu and Benxi, we can see that Benxi 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 Benxi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Benxi 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 Cebu Expensive? and Is Benxi Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Cebu or Benxi?

Benxi has a larger population, and is about 24% larger than the population of Cebu. When comparing the sizes of Cebu and Benxi, 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 Cebu or Benxi?

Benxi has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Cebu experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Cebu or Benxi in the Summer?

Both Benxi and Cebu are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cebu throughout the year.

In the summer, Cebu is around the same temperature as Benxi. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cebu in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Benxi averages at about 25°C (78°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Benxi. It's quite rainy in Cebu. In July, Cebu usually receives less rain than Benxi. Cebu gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Cebu 28°C (82°F) 
    Benxi 25°C (78°F)

Should I visit Cebu or Benxi in the Autumn?

Both Benxi and Cebu during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Cebu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In October, Cebu is generally much warmer than Benxi. Daily temperatures in Cebu average around 28°C (82°F), and Benxi fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Cebu. Cebu usually gets more rain in October than Benxi. Cebu gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Cebu 28°C (82°F) 
    Benxi 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Cebu or Benxi in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cebu and Benxi. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cebu year-round.

It's quite cold in Benxi in the winter. Cebu is much warmer than Benxi in the winter. The daily temperature in Cebu averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Benxi fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).

In January, Cebu usually receives more rain than Benxi. Cebu gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cebu 27°C (81°F) 
    Benxi -10°C (14°F)

Should I visit Cebu or Benxi in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Cebu as well as Benxi. Cebu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the spring, Cebu is much warmer than Benxi. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cebu in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Benxi averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Cebu usually gets more rain in April than Benxi. Cebu gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Cebu 29°C (84°F) 
    Benxi 11°C (51°F)

Typical Weather for Benxi and Cebu

Cebu Benxi
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 27°C (81°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) -10°C (14°F) 9 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 27°C (81°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) -7°C (20°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 28°C (82°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 2°C (35°F) 17 mm (0.7 in)
Apr 29°C (84°F) 50 mm (2 in) 11°C (51°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
May 30°C (86°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 18°C (64°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Jun 29°C (84°F) 170 mm (6.7 in) 22°C (72°F) 93 mm (3.7 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 160 mm (6.3 in) 25°C (78°F) 211 mm (8.3 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 25°C (76°F) 167 mm (6.6 in)
Sep 29°C (84°F) 170 mm (6.7 in) 18°C (65°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 11°C (52°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 2°C (35°F) 24 mm (0.9 in)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) -7°C (20°F) 12 mm (0.5 in)