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

Should you visit Kanchanaburi or Cebu?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Kanchanaburi and Cebu. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Kanchanaburi or Cebu?

Kanchanaburi

If the hustle and bustle of the big city of Bangkok is just getting to you, there's an easy escape. Kanchanaburi, Thailand is a city located at the meeting of Kwai Noi and Kwai Yai, and is ideal for backpackers looking to reflect and relax. With easily accessible waterfalls and national parks, you'll wonder why anyone ever leaves.

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 Wildlife Tours to Thailand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Thailand, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, and The Best Honeymoon Tours in Philippines.


Which place is cheaper, Cebu or Kanchanaburi?

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 Kanchanaburi is $58, 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 Kanchanaburi and Cebu in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kanchanaburi $22
    Cebu $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kanchanaburi $44
    Cebu $50
Compare Hotels in Kanchanaburi and Cebu

Looking for a hotel in Kanchanaburi 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 Kanchanaburi


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: Kanchanaburi Hotel Prices and Cebu Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kanchanaburi $14
    Cebu $26

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kanchanaburi

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

  • Private Transfer from Ratchaburi to Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Airport: $99
  • Private Airport Transfer : Bangkok to/from Kanchanaburi: $119
  • Private Transfer from Kanchanaburi to Don Mueang (DMK) Airport: $187

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cebu

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cebu:

  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Cebu HTL-APT (CEB): $31
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Cebu APT-HTL (CEB): $18
  • Private Airport to Hotel Transfer in Cebu City: $35
  • Oslob Private Van Transfer between Cebu, Mactan or Mandaue City: $175
  • Mactan-Cebu Island Hopping Cruise with Lunch & Roundtrip Transfer: $196
  • Kawasan Falls Canyoneering w/ Lunch & Transfers from Cebu City: $122
  • Danasan Eco Adventure Park Including Round-Trip Hotel Transfer: $161
  • Cordova Private Transfer from Cordova city to Mactan Cebu Airport (CEB): $28
  • Private One-Way Airport Transfer: $26
  • Private Car Transfer with Driver (Flexible Routes): $29
  • Oslob Whale Shark Encounter & SUMILON with Transfers: $201
  • One-way Airport Transfer to Cebu City Hotels: $91

Is it cheaper to fly into Kanchanaburi or Cebu?

Prices for flights to both Cebu and Kanchanaburi 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
    Kanchanaburi $24
    Cebu $36
Typical Food Prices in Kanchanaburi

For Kanchanaburi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Casual Lunch
    $4.71

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kanchanaburi

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

  • Thai Cooking Class: $39

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: $46
  • The Ultimate Cebu Food Tour: Local Tastes & Cultural Journey: $70
  • Cebu City: Historical Street and Food Tour: $91
  • Private Panoramic Tour with Dinner: $100
  • Cebu Traditional Cuisine Cooking Class: $100
  • Cebu Traditional Bamboo Cooking Class: $110
  • 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.
    Kanchanaburi $10
    Cebu $17
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kanchanaburi

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Kanchanaburi's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Entry Park TreeHouse
    $6.28

Tours and Activities in Kanchanaburi

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

  • Discovery Bike Tour: $18
  • Best Paddleboarding Experience in Kanchanaburi River: $27
  • River Kwai Paddleboarding Experience in Kanchanaburi: $30
  • E-Scooter Tour in Kanchanaburi: $35
  • Kanchanaburi Tree Top Adventure Park Tours: $45
  • Half Day Kanchanaburi Bike Tour with History and Local Life: $53
  • WWII History Bike Tour in Kanchanaburi with Local Guide: $59
  • Kanchanaburi Tour Hellfire Pass History tour: $108
  • Erawan Waterfall & Train Tour from Kanchanaburi – Full Day: $110
  • Kanchanaburi Tour: Erawan Waterfall and Death Railway: $112
  • Kanchanaburi Tour Erawan Waterfall Temples and Giant Rain Tree: $112
  • Romantic Getaway in A Walking Tour: $174

Tours and Activities in Cebu

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

  • BEST OF Cebu City Heritage with Uphill Tour | Joiners: $64
  • Cebu Steet food, historical and mountain tour: $110
  • 3-Hour Small Group Cebu City Tour: $38
  • Aqua Sports Adventure Package with 3 Water Activities: $129
  • BEST OF Cebu City Heritage with Uphill Tour: $62
  • BEST OF Guided Heritage City Joiners Tour: $45
  • Badian Canyoneering Adventure and Kawasan Waterfalls Private Tour: $149
  • Badian Cebu Canyoneering Experience: $103
  • Badian Cebu Canyoneering Experience: $146
  • Balamban Uphill Adventure Tour in Cebu: $100
  • Best Seller Cebu City Group Tour: $54
  • Bohol Countryside Day Tour From Cebu City | Lunch at Loboc River Cruise: $145

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kanchanaburi $9.24
    Cebu $14

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 Kanchanaburi and Cebu, we can see that Cebu is more expensive. And not only is Kanchanaburi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kanchanaburi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kanchanaburi 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 Cebu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cebu than you might in Kanchanaburi.

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


Which is Bigger, Kanchanaburi or Cebu?

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

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Cebu in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Kanchanaburi as well as Cebu. Kanchanaburi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cebu throughout the year.

July to October in Kanchanaburi is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Cebu. Kanchanaburi usually gets less rain in July than Cebu. Kanchanaburi gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

In July, Kanchanaburi is generally around the same temperature as Cebu. Daily temperatures in Kanchanaburi average around 29°C (84°F), and Cebu fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Kanchanaburi 29°C (84°F) 
    Cebu 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Cebu in the Autumn?

Both Cebu and Kanchanaburi are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kanchanaburi 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 Kanchanaburi is November to May. The rainy season in Kanchanaburi is July to October. It rains a lot this time of the year in Cebu. It's quite rainy in Kanchanaburi. In October, Kanchanaburi usually receives more rain than Cebu. Kanchanaburi gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Kanchanaburi is around the same temperature as Cebu in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kanchanaburi averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Cebu fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kanchanaburi 28°C (82°F) 
    Cebu 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Cebu in the Winter?

Both Cebu and Kanchanaburi during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kanchanaburi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cebu year-round.

Kanchanaburi usually gets less rain in January than Cebu. Kanchanaburi gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the winter, Kanchanaburi is around the same temperature as Cebu. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kanchanaburi in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Cebu averages at about 27°C (81°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kanchanaburi 25°C (77°F) 
    Cebu 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Cebu in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kanchanaburi and Cebu. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kanchanaburi year-round. Cebu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

November to May in Kanchanaburi is the dry season. In April, Kanchanaburi usually receives more rain than Cebu. Kanchanaburi gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Kanchanaburi can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Kanchanaburi is generally around the same temperature as Cebu. Daily temperatures in Kanchanaburi average around 32°C (89°F), and Cebu fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kanchanaburi 32°C (89°F) 
    Cebu 29°C (84°F)

Typical Weather for Cebu and Kanchanaburi

Kanchanaburi Cebu
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 15 mm (0.6 in) 27°C (81°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Mar 30°C (87°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Apr 32°C (89°F) 77 mm (3 in) 29°C (84°F) 50 mm (2 in)
May 30°C (87°F) 152 mm (6 in) 30°C (86°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Jun 29°C (85°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 29°C (84°F) 170 mm (6.7 in)
Jul 29°C (84°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 28°C (82°F) 160 mm (6.3 in)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 218 mm (8.6 in) 29°C (84°F) 170 mm (6.7 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 188 mm (7.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 28°C (82°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Dec 25°C (76°F) 9 mm (0.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)