Which place is cheaper, Cebu or Kathmandu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Kathmandu 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 Kathmandu 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: Kathmandu or Cebu?
Kathmandu
Kathmandu is the capital and largest city in the country of Nepal. Its metropolitan area forms one large urban area that includes the area of Patan to the south. As of 2011 there were 2.5 million residents in the Kathmandu metropolis and over 3 million in the entire metropolitan area. Kathmandu is likely to be your entry point into Nepal and is a great place to pick up supplies and arrange the details for any treks you hope to do. Many travelers rush through Kathmandu, turned off by the pollution and crowds, but to skip Kathmandu is to miss a major cultural, financial, and influential part of what defines the country of Nepal. The city itself is quite fun to explore if you allow it enough time and an open mind.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, and The Best Honeymoon Tours in Philippines.
-
Kathmandu Prices
Nepal PricesCebu Prices
Philippines Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKathmandu $59Cebu $80
The average daily cost (per person) in Kathmandu is $59, 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 Kathmandu and Cebu in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKathmandu $38Cebu $25
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKathmandu $76Cebu $50
Compare Hotels in Kathmandu and Cebu
Looking for a hotel in Kathmandu 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: Kathmandu Hotel Prices and Cebu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kathmandu $6.56Cebu $26
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kathmandu
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Kathmandu:
-
Taxi Ride$1.42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:
- Kathmandu - Private departure transfer from Hotel to Airport : $15
- Private Airport Transfers – TIA Kathmandu Arrival & Departure: $15
- Mount Everest Scenic Tour by Plane with Transfers: $15
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfers: $16
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu Hotels to Domestic Airport Vehicle: $20
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu Domestic Airport to Hotel Vehicle : $20
- Deluxe Toyota Coaster Mini Bus Transfer From Kathmandu to Pokhara or V. V. : $22
- Rent a Private Car with Driver for Kathmandu City Transfer : $25
- Private Arrival Transfer Kathmandu Airport to Kathmandu, Nepal: $45
- Kathmandu to Namobuddha Transfer by Private AC Car One Way: $50
- Chandragiri Hill Cable Car Tour with Hotel Transfers from Kathmandu: $60
- Kathmandu to Chitwan Transfer by Private AC Car One Way: $70
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 Kathmandu or Cebu?
Prices for flights to both Cebu and Kathmandu 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 dayKathmandu $14Cebu $36
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:
-
Dessert$1.28
-
Dinner for Two$2.84
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kathmandu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kathmandu.
- Local Women Lead Nepali Cooking & Momo-Making Class: $8.00
- Cultural Stay in Kathmandu and experience dinner with family: $18
- Secret Food Tour - Food Bites and Sights in Kathmandu: $27
- Private Nepali Cooking Class in Kathmandu in Peace & quiet place: $30
- Best Nepali Cooking Class in Thamel with Local Market Trip: $30
- Kathmandu Food Tour : $32
- Cook and Eat: Cooking Class in Kathmandu near Thamel: $34
- Walking Street Food Tour in Kathmandu: $48
- Cooking Class with Vyas: $49
- Half Day Nepal Cooking Class in Thamel: $60
- Cooking Class with HSJ: $60
- Local Cooking Class in Chitwan with Local Style Wood Fire: $65
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.Kathmandu $7.58Cebu $17
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kathmandu are as follows:
-
Monkey Temple for Two$1.42
-
Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two$3.54
-
Swayambhunath Stupa$1.42
Tours and Activities in Kathmandu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kathmandu are as follows:
- Full Day Guided Tour in Kathmandu: $5.00
- Full Day 7 UNESCO Tour with Lunch - Private/Group: $5.00
- Full Day Private Tour of Seven World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu: $5.00
- Bhaktapur & Nagarkot Day Tour with Lunch - Private/Group: $5.00
- Scenic Swayambhunath & Chandragiri Cable Car Tour: $5.00
- Chandragiri Cable Car Ride & Monkey Temple Tour - Private/Group: $5.00
- Nepali Tea Tasting Lifetime Experience : $8.00
- Kathmandu Durbar Square Walking Tour: $10
- Private World Heritage Sites Tour/ 4 UNESCO Tour. : $10
- Walking Tour from Bazaar to Hippie Hub Ason and Freak Street: $10
- Privet Day Tours in Kathmandu Nepal : $10
- Private Kathmandu City Tour/ 7 UNESCO World Heritage Tour : $10
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 dayKathmandu $5.45Cebu $14
Sample the Local Flavors in Kathmandu
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kathmandu:
- Local Food and Wine Tasting in Kathmandu : $65
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 Kathmandu and Cebu, we can see that Cebu is more expensive. And not only is Kathmandu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kathmandu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kathmandu 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 Kathmandu.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kathmandu Expensive? and Is Cebu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kathmandu or Cebu?
Kathmandu has a larger population, and is about 81% larger than the population of Cebu. When comparing the sizes of Kathmandu 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.
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.