Which place is cheaper, Phnom Penh or Bangkok?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBangkok $76Phnom Penh $41
The average daily cost (per person) in Bangkok is $76, while the average daily cost in Phnom Penh is $41. 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 $41Phnom Penh $12
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBangkok $82Phnom 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 $5.77Phnom Penh $7.87
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$2.18
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Skytrain Ticket$4.36
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Chao Phraya River Express Ticket$0.87
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Ferry Ride$0.71
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Taxi From Airport$6.82
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Short Taxi Ride$2.45
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Boat Taxi$1.36
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Trains to airport$4.36
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bangkok
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bangkok:
- BKK Airport to Pattaya hotel 100% Electric Private Transfer: $80
- 3 Temple Bangkok City Tour without Admission Ticket & Transfer: $45
- Affordable Bangkok Airport Transfer: $22
- Airport BKK||DMK : Private car Transfer to downtowns Bangkok: $12
- Airport Transfer to or from Hotel in Bangkok (Private Transport): $50
- Airport transfer to Bangkok downtown: $22
- Ancient City (Mueang Boran) Entrance Tickets With Hotel Transfer: $44
- Arrival Private Transfer Bangkok Airport BKK or DMK to Bangkok City Business MPV: $19
- Arrival Private Transfer Bangkok Airport BKK or DMK to Bangkok City Luxury Car: $118
- Arrival Private Transfer Bangkok Airport BKK or DMK to Bangkok City by Sedan Car: $17
- Ayothaya Floating Market Admission Ticket with Transfer(Optional): $8.31
- BKK Airport - Hua Hin/Cha-am 100% Electric Private Transfer : $94
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phnom Penh
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phnom Penh:
- Daily Transfer from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville: $115
- From Private Transfer to Siem Reap: $61
- Ground Transfer/SUV/ Phnom Penh to Siem Reap: $110
- Intercity Transfer Siem Reap-Phnom Penh/Phnom Penh-Siem Reap: $110
- Overland Taxi Transfer From Phnom Penh - Sihanoukville : $59
- Phnom Penh Airport (PNH) Pickup/Transfer Private Car: $23
- Phnom Penh Airport Pickup/Transfer: $25
- Phnom Penh Airport Private Taxi Transfer - Hotels: $21
- Phnom Penh Airport Transfers: $19
- Phnom Penh Airport or Hotel Private Transfer: $28
- Phnom Penh City to Kampot City Private Transfer : $65
- Phnom Penh International Airport Transfer (PNH): $23
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 $18Phnom Penh $13
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)$25
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Casual Lunch of Prawns (for Two)$5.46
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2 Rotis (Bread)$1.23
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Mango & Sticky Rice$0.82
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Lunch at KFC (for Two)$5.46
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Pad Thai$1.91
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Airport Lunch for 2$15
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Lunch for 2$20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bangkok
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bangkok.
- White Orchid Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise: $19
- Chao Phraya Princess Dinner Cruise Ticket: $20
- Baiyoke Observation Deck with Lunch/Dinner Buffet: $21
- River Dinner Cruise on the Chao Phraya Princess: $23
- Calypso Cabaret Show with Thai Set Dinner: $24
- Chao Phraya Buffet Dinner Viva Alangka Cruise: $27
- Alangka Luxury Buffet Dinner Cruise With Live Music: $27
- Viva Alangka Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise: $27
- Riverside Dinner Buffet Cruise On Chao Phraya: $27
- Nopparat Thai Dinner with Classical Dance: $28
- Chao Phraya River Serenade: VIVA Alangka Dinner Cruise, Bangkok: $28
- Bangkok Riverside Dinner Buffet Cruised Tour On Chao Phraya: $28
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.
- 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
- Khmer Cooking Class Half Day (AM or PM): $36
- Phnom Penh Evening Food Tour Drinks & Tuk Tuk included: $36
- Phnom Penh Evening Food Tour - Inclusive over 10 Local Tastings: $44
- Phnom Penh Morning Market & Food Tour by Tuktuk - Includes All Food & Drinks!: $45
- Half Day - Phnom Penh Food Tour: $45
- Phnom Penh Local Market & Morning Food Tour Include Drinks: $49
- Evening Cambodian Food Tour: $60
- Ultimate PP Food Tour by Tuk Tuk - 20 tastings & drinks included: $69
- Phnom Penh Authentic Food Tour 100% By Local: $69
- Phnom Penh's Ultimate Street Food Tour by Tuk Tuk: $69
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bangkok $16Phnom Penh $7.65
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$4.36
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Grand Palace Entrance Ticket$9.55
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Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) Ticket$1.36
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Dusit Zoo Entrance Fee (for Two)$5.46
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Club Cover Charge$10
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Thai Boxing Tickets (for Two)$65
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Fish Pedicure$4.09
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Wat Pho entrance ticket$2.73
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Siriraj Museum (2)$11
Tours and Activities in Bangkok
Here are a few actual costs in Bangkok for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Thailand's Road to Democracy: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $1.99
- Skip the Line: Ayutthaya Floating Market Admission Ticket: $5.33
- Skip the Line Admission Ticket: Ayutthaya Floating Market: $5.33
- Chinatown and Wat Traimit Self-Guided Walking Tour: $8.00
- Skip the Line Admission Ticket of Ayothaya Floating Market: $8.31
- Pororo Aqua Park Entry Ticket: $9.46
- Skip the Line: Patpong Museum Guided Tour : $9.70
- Wat Pho Reclining Buddha Self-Guided Audio Tour (entry not incl.): $10
- Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho) Self-Guided Audio Tour: $10
- Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Audio Guide: $10
- Grand Palace Self-Guided Walking Tour: $10
- Hua Hin Featured Day Tour (Sunday) by akGO! Tour: $11
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 in Phnom Penh - One and a Half Hours: $12
- Phnom Penh Sunset Cruise - Your Cruise, You Choose 3 Options: $12
- Silk Island Tuk Tuk Tour : $15
- The killing field and Toul Sleng Genocide museum (S21) Tour: $15
- From Killing Fields and Prison S21 Tour: $15
- Sunset Cruise with unlimited beer & soft drinks -English speaking guide on board: $16
- killing field and Toul Sleng genocide museum tour: $16
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBangkok $5.97Phnom Penh $4.33
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$1.09
Sample the Local Flavors in Bangkok
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bangkok:
- Pub Crawl and Club Night With Shots & VIP Entrance: $22
Sample the Local Flavors in Phnom Penh
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Phnom Penh:
- Mad Monkey Phnom Penh Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $10
- Mad Monkey Phnom Penh Pub Crawl: $10
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.