Which place is cheaper, Phnom Penh or Bali?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bali 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 Bali and Phnom Penh can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Bali or Phnom Penh?
Bali
Known as the "Island of the Gods," it's not difficult to see why the Gods would want to set up shop in Bali. With a beautifully diverse landscape of hills, mountains, coastlines, beaches, vibrant rice fields and volcanic hillsides, you'll easily go into sensory overload.
Bali is home to 4 million people who all hold true to a deeply spiritual and unique culture. With champion surfing, world class resorts and challenging hiking trails, this Indonesian island accommodates travelers from every walk of life. It's often called, "paradise on earth, " and no one disagrees.
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 Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Cambodia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Cambodia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBali $72Phnom Penh $40
The average daily cost (per person) in Bali is $72, while the average daily cost in Phnom Penh is $40. 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 Bali and Phnom Penh in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBali $41Phnom Penh $12
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBali $82Phnom Penh $24
Compare Hotels in Bali and Phnom Penh
Looking for a hotel in Bali 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: Bali Hotel Prices and Phnom Penh Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bali $8.96Phnom Penh $7.71
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bali
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Bali:
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Motorbike Rental$3.08
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bali
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bali:
- BALI PARAGLIDING Fly, Swing and Soaring above the sea with private transfer: $103
- Bali DPS Airport Private Transfer from-to Nusa Dua: $23
- Bali Massage with Transfer to International Bali Airport (DPS): $58
- Bali Parasailing Adventure with Including Hotel Transfer: $45
- Bali Parasailing Adventure,Banana Boat,Jet Ski and Donut Boat with Transfers: $59
- Bali Spa Treatment with Airport Transfers (Departure): $56
- Bali Spiritual: Blessing Ceremony, Pristine Nature and Transfer: $109
- Bali Tours 4U Airport and Seaport transfers. 24 hours a day.: $21
- Bali Water Sport : Sea Walker,Donut Boat and Banana Boat with Hotel Transfers: $64
- Bali and Nusa Penida: Fast Boat Transfers: $29
- Bali and Trawangan: Fastboat with Optional Bali Transfer: $47
- Bali to/from Gili Air: Fast Boat with Optional Bali Transfer: $47
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phnom Penh
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phnom Penh:
- Private Phnom Penh Airport Transfers to your hotel in town: $10
- Phnom Penh Airport Transfers: $15
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service Phnom Penh APT-HTL (PNH): $16
- Private Transfer: Phnom Penh Airport(PNH) to Hotel in Phnom Penh: $18
- Private Transfer: Phnom Penh's Hotel to Phnom Penh Airport: $18
- Phnom Penh Airport Transfers: $19
- Phnom Penh International Airport Transfer (PNH): $23
- Private Airport Transfer From/To Hotels: $24
- Private Airport Transfer: $24
- Phnom Penh Airport (PNH) Pickup/Transfer Private Car: $25
- Phnom Penh Airport or Hotel Private Transfer: $25
- Phnom Penh Airport Pickup/Transfer: $25
Is it cheaper to fly into Bali or Phnom Penh?
Prices for flights to both Phnom Penh and Bali 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 dayBali $20Phnom Penh $13
Typical Food Prices in Bali
Some typical examples of dining costs in Bali are as follows:
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Coffee$1.23
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Lunch for Two$14
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Bali Cafe for Two$27
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Lunch for Two$8.00
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Lunch for 2$8.86
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Dinner for 2$9.72
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bali
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bali.
- Romantic Seafood Dinner under sunset jimbaran Beach: $30
- Private Tour Uluwatu Sunset Kecak Dance and Dinner at Jimbaran: $31
- Bali Sunset and Dinner: Uluwatu, Tanah Lot and Jimbaran: $32
- Ubud: Balinese Cooking Class at an Organic Farm: $32
- Pirate Dinner Cruise with Shows, Games, and Music: $33
- From Ubud: Authentic Cooking Class in a Local Village: $35
- Seminyak: Balinese Cooking Class & Market Tour: $45
- Bali Street Food Tour: $45
- Bali's Best Sunset: Uluwatu Kecak Dance & Dinner Jimbaran Beach: $50
- Private Full or Half-Day Authentic Food Tour: $51
- Evening Bali Mangrove Canoe Tour with Dinner: $51
- Private Balinese Cooking Class in a Family Home: $55
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$9.96
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Breakfast for Two$4.74
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phnom Penh
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Phnom Penh.
- Sunset Dinner Cruises w/Live Music, 5&7pm; Free Pickup Available: $9.90
- Sunset Dinner Cruises w/Live Music, 5&7pm; Free Pickup Avail: $9.90
- 4-hours cooking with us in the Hinterlands of Phnom Penh: $30
- Hinterlands Local Village Cooking Class: $30
- Khmer Cooking Class Half Day (AM or PM): $36
- Evening Food Tour with Drinks & Tuk Tuk Included: $36
- Half Day - Phnom Penh Food Tour: $45
- Khmer Cooking Class Full Day: $46
- Phnom Penh Nightlife Street Food Tours : $59
- Phnom Penh's experience: cooking class and stay over : $60
- Evening Cambodian Food Tour: $60
- Temples, Silk Island and Cooking Class Tour: $65
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bali $11Phnom Penh $7.50
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bali
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bali are as follows:
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Spa for Two$54
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Snorkelling Trip$12
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Cooking School$28
Tours and Activities in Bali
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bali are as follows:
- Bali Water Sports Adventure: $7.89
- Bali Tanjung Benoa Water Sport Adventure: $8.34
- Bali Bird Park 1-Day Admission Ticket: $8.98
- Best of Ubud Full Day Private Guided Tour: $11
- Private Tour to New Indonesia Urban Destination: $13
- Kecak and Fire Dance Ticket at Uluwatu Temple: $14
- Uluwatu Temple Tour with Optional Kecak Dance Ticket: $15
- Watersport activity Ocean walker, Parasailing Adventure & Banana Boat: $18
- Tanah Lot Temple Guided Tour: $18
- All-Inclusive White Water Rafting Adventure in Ubud: $19
- Ubud: Monkey Forest, Rice Terraces, Temple & Waterfalls Tour: $19
- Bali Nusa Dua Theatre: Devdan Show Tickets: $19
Tours and Activities in Phnom Penh
Here are a few actual costs in Phnom Penh for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Mad Monkey Phnom Penh Riverside Walking Tour: $6.00
- Mad Monkey Phnom Penh Riverside Walking Tour : $6.00
- One Hour City Light Cruise-Foods & Drinks available for purchase: $8.00
- Sunset Cruise on Kanika Boat: $8.60
- Private Phnom Penh Day Tour : Explore All Highlights Sites: $9.00
- Sunset Cruise on the Mekong River: $9.00
- NEW Sunset Cruise! "Your cruise You Choose" - 3 Wonderful options: $12
- Sunset Cruise - Three Packages to Choose From!: $12
- Phnom Penh Killing Field Toul Sleng Prison Tour: $15
- Killing Fields and Prison S21 Bus Tour: $15
- Sunset Cruise with Unlimited Beers & BBQ Buffet: $15
- The killing field and Toul Sleng Genocide museum (S21) Tour: $15
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBali $3.17Phnom Penh $4.24
Sample the Local Flavors in Phnom Penh
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Phnom Penh:
- Mad Monkey Phnom Penh Pub Crawl: $10
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bali and Phnom Penh, we can see that Bali is more expensive. And not only is Phnom Penh much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Phnom Penh would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Phnom Penh 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 Bali would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bali than you might in Phnom Penh.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bali Expensive? and Is Phnom Penh Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bali or Phnom Penh?
Phnom Penh has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Bali. When comparing the sizes of Bali 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.