Which place is cheaper, Phnom Penh or Alexandria?
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 Alexandria or Phnom Penh?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Alexandria and Phnom Penh can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Alexandria or Phnom Penh?
Alexandria
There are few cities in the world with a history as rich, deep, tragic and fascinating than Alexandria, Egypt. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Egypt's second largest city has seen the most extreme ups and extreme downs. The city watched the beautiful and iconic Alexandria Lighthouse crumble to the ground after several natural disasters. The Alexandria Library housed their most sacred and historical documents only to be burned to the ground. These structures may be physically gone, but the history remains. Alexandria is a city with an ancient allure that draws in visitors from all over the world. Alexandria is a survivor city ready for a comeback.
Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is the capital and largest city in the country of Cambodia. It is located at the edge of the Mekong and the Tonle Sap rivers and is the nation's center of economics and industry. The metropolitan area has a population of about 2.2 million.
Phnom Penh was once called the "Pearl of Asia." In the 1920s it was one of the most impressive French built cities in the region and was an important tourist destination. During the Vietnam War, refugees fled to the city and by 1975 the city's population was between 2 and 3 million, most of them being refugees. The city fell to the Khmer Rouge in 1975 and they cut off supplies to the population for over a year. Journalists reported torture and mutilation of the trapped civilians and the Khmer Rouge forcibly evacuated the city in what is known as the death march. The Khmer Rouge was driven from the city by the Vietnamese in 1979 and reconstruction began.
Today, tourism continues to grow in the city and those who visit are greeted by a welcoming and friendly population, a rich culture, and truly rewarding travel experience.
Phnom Penh has a tropical wet and dry climate. It is hot year around with very little temperature variation. Lows are usually in the low 70s Fahrenheit and highs are in the mid to high 90s Fahrenheit. The southwest monsoon brings rains between May and October and the northeast monsoon brings the dry season from November to March.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Egypt, The Best Budget Tours to Egypt, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Cambodia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Cambodia.
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Alexandria Prices
Egypt PricesPhnom Penh Prices
Cambodia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAlexandria $28Phnom Penh $50
The average daily cost (per person) in Alexandria is $28, while the average daily cost in Phnom Penh is $50. 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 Alexandria and Phnom Penh in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAlexandria $10Phnom Penh $12
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAlexandria $20Phnom Penh $24
Compare Hotels in Alexandria and Phnom Penh
Looking for a hotel in Alexandria or Phnom Penh? 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: Alexandria Hotel Prices and Phnom Penh Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Alexandria $3.76Phnom Penh $7.87
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Alexandria
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Alexandria:
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Taxi to Train Station$0.08
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alexandria
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alexandria:
- Alexandria Airport Arrival Transfer: $24
- Alexandria to Alexandria Airport (HBE)-Departure Private Transfer: $35
- From Private One-Way Transfer to Cairo: $94
- Pick Up Transfers From Alexandria Borg Al Arab Airport To Cairo: $130
- Private Airport Transfer in Alexandria: $21
- Private One Way Transfer from Alexandria Hotels to Cairo and Giza Hotels: $80
- Private Transfer Alexandria Hotel to Sphinx Airport: $88
- Private Transfer Alexandria to Cairo Hotel or Airport: $99
- Private Transfer From Alexandria To Cairo: $190
- Private Transfer From Alexandria To Cairo Airport: $240
- Private Transfer from 6 of October City to El Cairo (CAI) Airport: $56
- Private Transfer from Alexandria Airport (HBE) to Alexandria Port: $42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phnom Penh
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phnom Penh:
- A Day Trip Transfer Sightseeing Phnom Penh Battambang: $99
- Battambang: Transfer From/To Sihanoukville & Hidden Gems: $50
- From Private Transfer To/From Siem Reap: $58
- From Sihanouk: Private Taxi Transfer to Phnom Penh City: $73
- Ground Transfer/ Minivan/ Phnom Penh to Siem Reap: $150
- Intercity Transfer Siem Reap-Phnom Penh/Phnom Penh-Siem Reap: $95
- Overland Taxi Transfer From Phnom Penh - Sihanoukville: $59
- PHN Airport Transfer Plus Killing Field, Toul Sleng Museum: $65
- Phnom Penh - Battambang Transfer Plus Stop Sightseeing: $118
- Phnom Penh - Siem Reap One-Way Private Transfer: $120
- Phnom Penh - Siem Reap Oudongk Sambor Prei Kuk Transfer Day Trip: $105
- Phnom Penh - Siem Reap Road Transfer Plus Sightseeing: $99
Is it cheaper to fly into Alexandria or Phnom Penh?
Prices for flights to both Phnom Penh and Alexandria 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 dayAlexandria $14Phnom Penh $23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alexandria
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Alexandria.
- Half-Day Food Tour in Alexandria, Egypt: $20
- Alexandria Food Tour Top Rated: $40
- Food Tour in Alexandria for Lunch or Dinner in The Best Restaurants: $45
- Private Food Tour To The Famous Restaurant In Alexandria: $56
- From Giza: Sound&light show, Giza pyramids and Dinner on the Nile: $94
- GEM and Pyramids Tour with Cruise Dinner From Alexandria Port: $120
Typical Food Prices in Phnom Penh
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Phnom Penh:
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Dinner for Two$10
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Breakfast for Two$4.84
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phnom Penh
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Phnom Penh.
- Mekong Sunset Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $9.90
- Sunset & Evening Dinner Cruise With One Way Free Pick Up: $9.90
- Sunset Dinner Cruise with English Speaking Guide: $10
- Dinner 4-course Mekong River cruise with Kanika Boat: $27
- Nightlife three hours food tours: $27
- Evening City Tour by Tuk Tuk with 1 Dinner: $29
- Cooking Class in Phnom Penh: $31
- Phnom Penh’s Hands-On Khmer Cooking Class in the Countryside: $35
- Street Art & Food Tour by Tuk-Tuk: $35
- Street Art and Food Tour by Tuk-Tuk: $35
- Phnom Penh Evening Food Tour - Inclusive 5 stops local Tastings: $35
- Khmer Cooking Class Half Day (AM or PM): $36
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Alexandria $5.24Phnom Penh $7.65
Tours and Activities in Alexandria
Here are a few actual costs in Alexandria for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Tour to The Qaitbay Citadel in Alexandria: $19
- Group Tour to the landmarks of Alexandria from Alexandria city: $20
- Half Day Tour to Bibliotheca Alexandrina: $22
- Alexandria Walking Tour-Walk Like Egyptian: $23
- Catacombs of kom el shoqafa Guided Walking Tour: $30
- Graeco Roman Museum Guided Walking Tour by a Storyteller: $35
- Guided City Walking Tour: $35
- Private Alexandria Highlights Guided Day Tour: $35
- Rosetta Day Tour from Alexandria Islamic architecture: $37
- Grand Egyptian museum, GEM Tour with a Licensed Private Guide: $40
- Alexandria Day Tour Visit the Tob attractions of Alexandria City: $40
- Alexandria Library Exclusive Guided Walking Tour: $40
Tours and Activities in Phnom Penh
Here are a few actual costs in Phnom Penh for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Riverside Walking Tour with Snack, Drinks & Local Ferry Ride: $7.20
- Sunset Cruise-"Unlimited BBQ Buffet-Beers, Sodas & Fruit Platter": $7.45
- Sunset Cruise on the Mekong with Kanika Boat: $8.00
- Sunset Cruise on Kanika Boat: $8.60
- Phnom Penh Sunset Cruise with Unlimited Beer & BBQ Buffet: $9.00
- Sunset Cruise-Unlimited Beers-Sodas-BBQ buffet-Fruit platter: $9.00
- Sunset Cruise with Unlimited Beers & BBQ Buffet: $9.16
- Sunset Cruise with freeflow beers & BBQ buffet: $9.16
- Sunset Cruise: Your Cruise You Choose, 3 wonderful options: $9.16
- Sunset Cruise with Unlimited Beer &Fruit platter: $9.35
- Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Ticket Free Mekong Cruise: $12
- Phnom Penh Shooting Range Experience: $12
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAlexandria $1.42Phnom Penh $4.33
Sample the Local Flavors in Phnom Penh
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Phnom Penh:
- Phnom Penh Pub Crawl with Free Mad Monkey Singlet: $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Alexandria and Phnom Penh, we can see that Phnom Penh is more expensive. And not only is Alexandria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Alexandria is in Africa and Phnom Penh is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Alexandria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alexandria 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 Phnom Penh would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phnom Penh than you might in Alexandria.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Alexandria Expensive? and Is Phnom Penh Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Alexandria or Phnom Penh?
Alexandria has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Phnom Penh. When comparing the sizes of Alexandria and Phnom Penh, 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.