A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bangkok vs. Sihanoukville for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Bangkok or Sihanoukville?

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 Sihanoukville 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 Sihanoukville?

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.

Sihanoukville

Sihanoukville, also known by locals as Kompong Som, was named after King Sihanouk. Also Cambodia's youngest city, construction started in 1955 to build Cambodia's first and only deep water port so that ships would no longer have to go through the Mekong Delta in order to trade with Cambodia. Today, many visit Sihanoukville as a hub to visit Cambodia's islands.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Thailand, The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand, The Best Bicycle Tours in Cambodia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Cambodia.


Which place is cheaper, Sihanoukville or Bangkok?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Bangkok is $76, while the average daily cost in Sihanoukville is $51. 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 Sihanoukville in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bangkok $41
    Sihanoukville $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bangkok $82
    Sihanoukville $46
Compare Hotels in Bangkok and Sihanoukville

Looking for a hotel in Bangkok or Sihanoukville? 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.

Hotels in Bangkok


Hotels in Sihanoukville


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bangkok $5.77
    Sihanoukville $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bangkok

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Bangkok are as follows:


  • Tuk Tuk to bus station
    $2.18
  • Skytrain Ticket
    $4.36
  • Chao Phraya River Express Ticket
    $0.87
  • Ferry Ride
    $0.71
  • Taxi From Airport
    $6.82
  • Short Taxi Ride
    $2.45
  • Boat Taxi
    $1.36
  • Trains to airport
    $4.36

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bangkok

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bangkok:

  • Affordable Bangkok Airport Transfer: $22
  • Airport BKK||DMK : Private car Transfer to downtowns Bangkok: $12
  • Ancient City (Mueang Boran) Entrance Tickets With Hotel Transfer: $44
  • Arrival Private Transfer Bangkok Airport BKK or DMK to Bangkok City Luxury Car: $122
  • Arrival Private Transfer Bangkok Airport BKK or DMK to Bangkok City by Minivan: $27
  • Arrival Private Transfer Bangkok Airport BKK or DMK to Bangkok City by Sedan Car: $17
  • Arrival Private Transfers from Bangkok Airport BKK to Bangkok in Business Car: $71
  • Arrival Private Transfers: Don Mueang Airport DMK to Bangkok in Luxury Van: $82
  • BKK Airport - Hua Hin/Cha-am 100% Electric Private Transfer : $94
  • Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) Airport Transfer - Central Bangkok Hotel: $43
  • Bangkok Airport (DMK) to Bangkok - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $70
  • Bangkok Airport Departure – Private Transfer from Hotel to Airport: $26

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sihanoukville

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sihanoukville:

  • Private Shuttle Transfer From Sihanoukville - Phnom Penh: $57
  • Private Taxi Transfer From Sihanoukville To Koh Kong : $73
  • Private Taxi transfer from Sihanoukvile to Battambang City: $145
  • Private Taxi transfer from Sihanoukvile to Battambang City: $145
  • Private Taxi transfer from Sihanoukvile to Battambang City: $145
  • Private Transfer From Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh: $24
  • Private Transfer between Sihanoukville Airport and Hotels or Port: $25
  • Private Transfer in Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh by Alphard 2010: $180
  • Private taxi transfer from Sihanoukville to Battambang: $290

Is it cheaper to fly into Bangkok or Sihanoukville?

Prices for flights to both Sihanoukville 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Bangkok $18
    Sihanoukville $18
Typical Food Prices in Bangkok

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Bangkok:


  • Dinner at Hard Rock Cafe (for Two)
    $25
  • Casual Lunch of Prawns (for Two)
    $5.46
  • 2 Rotis (Bread)
    $1.23
  • Mango & Sticky Rice
    $0.82
  • Lunch at KFC (for Two)
    $5.46
  • Pad Thai
    $1.91
  • Airport Lunch for 2
    $15
  • 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.

  • Bangkok Food Tour and Sightseeing with Tuktuk: $16
  • 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
  • Meridian Sunset Dinner Cruise - Floating Paradise From ICONSIAM Bangkok: $23
  • Calypso Cabaret Show with Thai Set Dinner: $24
  • 2-Hour Dinner Cruise on the Chao Phraya Princess: $26
  • Alangka Luxury Buffet Dinner Cruise With Live Music: $27
  • Viva Alangka Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise: $27
  • Chao Phraya Buffet Dinner Viva Alangka Cruise: $27
  • Riverside Dinner Buffet Cruise On Chao Phraya: $27

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sihanoukville

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sihanoukville.

  • Cooking class in Kampot: $20
  • Cooking Class at La Plantation: $35
  • Sihanoukville - Khmer Traditional Cooking Class: $110

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bangkok $16
    Sihanoukville $5.37
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bangkok

Here are a few typical costs in Bangkok for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Movie Ticket
    $4.36
  • Grand Palace Entrance Ticket
    $9.55
  • Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) Ticket
    $1.36
  • Dusit Zoo Entrance Fee (for Two)
    $5.46
  • Club Cover Charge
    $10
  • Thai Boxing Tickets (for Two)
    $65
  • Fish Pedicure
    $4.09
  • Wat Pho entrance ticket
    $2.73
  • 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
  • Bangkok Noi Canal: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.13
  • Road to Democracy: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Thailand's Modern Politics: $5.20
  • Skip the Line Admission Ticket: Ayutthaya Floating Market: $5.31
  • Skip the line Admission Ticket: Ayutthaya Floating Market: $5.52
  • Chinatown and Wat Traimit Self-Guided Walking Tour: $8.00
  • Skip the Line Admission Ticket of Ayothaya Floating Market: $8.28
  • Skip the Line Admission Ticket of Ayothaya Floating Market: $8.28
  • Pororo Aqua Park Entry Ticket: $9.46
  • Skip the Line: Patpong Museum Guided Tour : $9.66
  • Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Audio Guide: $10
  • Grand Palace Self-Guided Walking Tour: $10

Tours and Activities in Sihanoukville

Here are a few actual costs in Sihanoukville for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Afternoon tours: Pepper Farm , Secret Lake & Salt fields: $18
  • La Plantation tour (discovering Kampot Pepper) + Lunch: $21
  • Kampot Countryside Tour - Pepper Farm, Salt Lake, Caves, and more: $25
  • Half-Day Adventure to the Pepper Farm by Scooter: $25
  • Koh Rong: Round-Trip Speed Ferry Tickets: $25
  • Kampot Tour Pepper Plantation, Salt Field, Cave, Secret Lake: $25
  • Koh Rong Island Speed Ferry Round-Trip Ticket: $25
  • Bokor Mountain Adventure - History, Sights and Waterfalls: $29
  • Kampot Day Tour "Bokor National Park": $29
  • Private Tour in Kampot by Tuk Tuk: $35
  • Private Bokor tours by locals including lunch : $44
  • Kampot-day tours, Countryside, Pepper farm and Kayaking : $44

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bangkok $5.97
    Sihanoukville $4.42
Typical Alcohol Prices in Bangkok

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Bangkok are as follows:


  • 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


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bangkok and Sihanoukville, we can see that Bangkok is more expensive. And not only is Sihanoukville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sihanoukville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sihanoukville 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 Sihanoukville.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bangkok Expensive? and Is Sihanoukville Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Bangkok or Sihanoukville?

Bangkok has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Sihanoukville. When comparing the sizes of Bangkok and Sihanoukville, 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.