Which place is cheaper, Phnom Penh or Bangkok?
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 Bangkok or Phnom Penh?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Bangkok and Phnom Penh 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: Bangkok or Phnom Penh?
Bangkok
Bangkok: a name synonymous with all things exotic. The vibrant and exciting capital of Thailand is not just a hub for Southeast Asia, but also a destination into itself. Known for an active nightlife and party scene, as well as great food, historic temples, and busy markets, Bangkok offers a diversity to entertain even the most experienced travelers.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Thailand, The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Cambodia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Cambodia.
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Bangkok Prices
Thailand PricesPhnom Penh Prices
Cambodia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBangkok $101Phnom Penh $50
The average daily cost (per person) in Bangkok is $101, 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 Bangkok and Phnom Penh in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBangkok $48Phnom Penh $12
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBangkok $96Phnom Penh $24
Compare Hotels in Bangkok and Phnom Penh
Looking for a hotel in Bangkok 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: Bangkok Hotel Prices and Phnom Penh Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bangkok $6.33Phnom Penh $7.84
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Bangkok are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk to bus station$2.42
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Skytrain Ticket$4.84
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Chao Phraya River Express Ticket$0.97
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Ferry Ride$0.79
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Taxi From Airport$7.57
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Short Taxi Ride$2.72
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Boat Taxi$1.51
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Trains to airport$4.84
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bangkok
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bangkok:
- Affordable Bangkok Airport Transfer: $22
- Airport Transfer Camry/Fortuner or Similar: $45
- Airport Transfer Luxury Sedan Mercedes E Class BMW 5 Series: $98
- Airport Transfer: Bangkok to Bangkok Airport BKK by Luxury Van: $101
- Airport Transfer: Bangkok to Don Mueang Airport DMK by Luxury Car: $101
- Airport transfer to Bangkok downtown: $25
- Arrival Private Transfers from Bangkok Airport BKK to Bangkok in Business Car: $74
- Arrival Private Transfers from Bangkok Airport BKK to Bangkok in Luxury Van: $98
- Arrival Private Transfers: Don Mueang Airport DMK to Bangkok in Business Car: $78
- Arrival Transfer Bangkok Airport BKK to Bangkok City by Sedan: $77
- Arrival Transfer: Don Mueang Airport DMK to Bangkok by Luxury Van: $79
- Ayutthaya Cultural Triangle City Tour with Transfer: $65
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
- Airport Transfer Techo International Airport (KTI) to/from Hotel: $30
- 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 - Battambang Transfer Sightseeing Day Trip: $89
- Phnom Penh - Siem Reap One-Way Private Transfer: $120
Is it cheaper to fly into Bangkok or Phnom Penh?
Prices for flights to both Phnom Penh and Bangkok 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 dayBangkok $35Phnom Penh $22
Typical Food Prices in Bangkok
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Bangkok:
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Dinner at Hard Rock Cafe (for Two)$27
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Casual Lunch of Prawns (for Two)$6.05
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2 Rotis (Bread)$1.36
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Mango & Sticky Rice$0.91
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Lunch at KFC (for Two)$6.05
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Pad Thai$2.12
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Airport Lunch for 2$17
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Lunch for 2$22
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bangkok
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bangkok.
- Baiyoke Sky Observation Deck Ticket with Buffet Lunch or Dinner: $23
- Nopparat’s Traditional Thai Dinner & Dance: $25
- 2-Hour Dinner Cruise on the Chao Phraya Princess: $26
- Meridian Sunset Dinner Cruise - Floating Paradise From ICONSIAM Bangkok: $26
- Bangkok Sawasdee Sunset Dinner Cruise from ICONSIAM+Beer FreeFlow: $27
- Chao Phraya Princess Sunset and Dinner Cruise: $27
- Calypso Cabaret Show with Thai Set Dinner: $28
- Baiyoke Sky Dinner Experience with Observation Deck Access: $28
- Best Thai Cooking Class in Sukhumvit With Market Tour Mango: $28
- Royal Princess Cruise Sunset Dinner on the Chao Phraya in Bangkok: $29
- Bangkok Amazing Chaophraya River Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $31
- Alangka Dinner Cruise from Bangkok on Chao Phraya River ICONSIAM: $31
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$4.82
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phnom Penh
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Phnom Penh.
- Sunset & Evening Dinner Cruise With One Way Free Pick Up: $9.90
- Mekong Sunset Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $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
- Street Art & Food Tour by Tuk-Tuk: $35
- Phnom Penh’s Hands-On Khmer Cooking Class in the Countryside: $35
- Khmer Cooking Class Half Day (AM or PM): $36
- Phnom Penh Evening Food Tour - Inclusive 5 stops local Tastings: $39
- Street Art and Food Tour with Pickup and Beer: $39
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bangkok $17Phnom Penh $7.62
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bangkok
Here are a few typical costs in Bangkok for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Movie Ticket$4.84
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Grand Palace Entrance Ticket$11
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Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) Ticket$1.51
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Dusit Zoo Entrance Fee (for Two)$6.05
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Club Cover Charge$11
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Thai Boxing Tickets (for Two)$73
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Fish Pedicure$4.54
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Wat Pho entrance ticket$3.03
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Siriraj Museum (2)$12
Tours and Activities in Bangkok
Here are a few actual costs in Bangkok for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Bangkok Chinatown Eats: A Self-guided Audio Tour: $5.13
- Road to Democracy: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Thailand's Modern Politics: $5.99
- Chao Phraya Tourist Hop-On-Hop-Off Sightseeing Boat from Bangkok: $6.24
- Bangkok Walking Tour 2h40 and 22 audio reviews: $6.71
- Wat Arun Self-Guided Walking Tour (entry not incl.): $6.99
- Chinatown & Golden Buddha Self-Guided Audio Tour (entry not incl): $6.99
- Bangkok's Wireless Road: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Bangkok Self-Guided Walking Tour Essential Landmarks and Quizzes: $8.34
- Bangkok Art and Culture Hidden Gems Self Guided Audio Tour: $8.74
- Bangkok Erawan Museum Ticket (NON-THAI): $9.99
- Erawan Museum Ticket (NON THAI): $9.99
- Erawan Museum & Ancient City Admission Ticket - Bangkok (NonThai): $9.99
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 Kanika Boat: $8.60
- Phnom Penh Sunset Cruise with Unlimited Beer & BBQ Buffet: $9.00
- Sunset Cruise with Unlimited Beers & BBQ Buffet: $9.16
- Sunset Cruise: Your Cruise You Choose, 3 wonderful options: $9.16
- Sunset Cruise with freeflow beers & BBQ buffet: $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
- Hidden Gems Walking Tour with Local Guide: $15
- Phnom Penh Killing Field Toul Sleng Prison Tour: $15
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBangkok $5.54Phnom Penh $4.31
Typical Alcohol Prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Bangkok are as follows:
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Beer$1.21
Sample the Local Flavors in Bangkok
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bangkok:
- The Original Speakeasy & Iconic Venues Pub Crawl: $21
- Sunset Rooftop, TukTuk Ride, Night Market & Bar Crawl: $29
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 Bangkok and Phnom Penh, we can see that Bangkok 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 Bangkok would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bangkok 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 Bangkok Expensive? and Is Phnom Penh Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bangkok or Phnom Penh?
Bangkok has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Phnom Penh. When comparing the sizes of Bangkok 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.