A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Beijing vs. Kampong Cham for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Beijing or Kampong Cham?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Beijing and Kampong Cham 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: Beijing or Kampong Cham?

Beijing

Beijing is the capital of China and, with 21.5 million people, it is the second most populated city in the world after Shanghai. It is a city that keeps pockets of its history hidden in old neighborhoods or back alleys, despite the constant change and modernization that goes on around it. As the capital city of China, there is plenty of history and culture. You can still get yourself lost in one of the last remaining hutongs, which are old neighborhoods that remain untouched by the city's modernization. The alleys that weave between the old homes are lined with drying clothes, corner markets, and people going about their daily lives the way they have for centuries. Surrounding these hutongs you'll find modern buildings and a booming economy, all threatening to destroying these last bits of Beijing's history. Beijing offers a glimpse into a microcosm that represents the entire country of China. Make sure you give yourself enough time in China to truly experience Beijing. You can pass a lot of time soaking up life in the city, which remains as diverse as the country it resides within.

Kampong Cham

Kampong Cham is the sixth largest city in the country, located in the east of Cambodia. Just two and a half hours away from Phnom Penh is a surprisingly large province by the same name. Kampong Cham is the capital of this province, a quiet town on the west side of the Mekong River. While the town does not cater to tourists like other large cities such as Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, the charm of Kampong Cham lies in the beauty and simplicity of local life. Visitors will also get a glimpse into agricultural life on the plantations of rubber trees, tobacco and cashews.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Cambodia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Cambodia.


Which place is cheaper, Kampong Cham or Beijing?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Beijing is $91, while the average daily cost in Kampong Cham is $36. 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 Beijing and Kampong Cham in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Beijing $40
    Kampong Cham $20
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Beijing $80
    Kampong Cham $40
Compare Hotels in Beijing and Kampong Cham

Looking for a hotel in Beijing or Kampong Cham? 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 Beijing


Hotels in Kampong Cham


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Beijing $7.83
    Kampong Cham $7.67
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Beijing

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:


  • Taxi
    $4.78
  • Train from Airport for Two
    $7.01
  • Taxi to Hotel
    $8.41
  • 2 Metro Passes
    $2.24
  • Metro
    $0.56

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beijing

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Beijing:

  • [Airport Transfer] Beijing Capital Airport ⇔ Beijing City Transfer (one way) ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter>: $25
  • VIP Mutianyu Great Wall Tour: Expert Guide & Private Transfer: $87
  • Universal Beijing Resort Private Transfer one way, City/Airport: $45
  • Transfers to Jinshanling Great Wall with professional driver: $95
  • Transfer: Beijing City Center to Beijing Airport (PEK): $42
  • Transfer: Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) to Beijing City: $39
  • Transfer to Daxing Intl Airport : $60
  • Transfer from Daxing Intl Airport : $60
  • Tianjin Port Private transfers to Beijing Hotel&optionals: $219
  • Tianjin Cruise Port to Beijing Daxing Airport by Private Transfer: $148
  • Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City Private Tour With Airport Transfer: $249
  • Simatai Great Wall Gubei Water Town private transfer with tickets: $174

Is it cheaper to fly into Beijing or Kampong Cham?

Prices for flights to both Kampong Cham and Beijing 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
    Beijing $34
    Kampong Cham $11
Typical Food Prices in Beijing

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


  • Popcorn
    $0.84
  • Hot Pot Dinner
    $7.01
  • Dumpling Breakfast for Two
    $2.80
  • Watermelon
    $1.96
  • Peking Duck Dinner for 2
    $17
  • Two Popsicles
    $0.84

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beijing

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

  • Online Cooking Class Handmade Noodles by Sunflower Li: $20
  • Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $45
  • 3.5-Hour Walking Food Tour: A Bite of History at Beijing Niujie Street: $49
  • Temple of Heaven Private Tour w/Option Show &Dinner: $54
  • Experience Beijing Walking Food Tour Private : $55
  • Beijing Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $55
  • China's Favourite Street Food Cooking Workshop: $55
  • Private Local Food Tour in Beijing with a Local Guide: $59
  • Beijing Walking Food Tour with a Local Friend: $60
  • Beijing Shichahai Hutong Dinner and Beer Walking Tour: $68
  • Beijing Hidden Hutong Bike & Food Tour - Pro Photos Included: $71
  • Acrobatic Show with Peking Duck Dinner Private Tour: $72

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Beijing $24
    Kampong Cham $5.76
Typical Entertainment Prices in Beijing

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


  • Entry to Summer Palace for Two
    $8.41
  • Two Opera Tickets
    $60
  • Temple of Heaven Park Entrance (for 2)
    $9.81
  • Forbidden City (for 2)
    $17
  • Forbidden City Tickets
    $17
  • Audio Guides at Forbidden City
    $11

Tours and Activities in Beijing

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

  • 1-Day Mutianyu Great Wall and Beijing Airport Drop off Tour: $235
  • All Inclusive Mutianyu Great Wall & Summer Palace Private Tour: $188
  • Beijing 2 Summer Palace Private Garden Tour: $140
  • Beijing Art Tour: Seeing Fantastic Ming Murals at Fa Hai Temple : $220
  • Beijing Private Tour of Ming Tombs, Summer Palace, Bird's Nest and Water Cube: $297
  • China Art Museum and 798 Art Zone Private Tour: $137
  • Forbidden City Private Walking Tour with Optional Sights: $81
  • Full Day Private Tour Incredible Beijing City Highlights: $179
  • Lama temple -Confucius temple - DongYue temple Private Cultural Tour: $156
  • Mutianyu Great Wall Ticket with Cable Car option: $16
  • Private Tour Temple of Heaven with Tickets: $33
  • 1-Day Beijing private tour to Mutianyu Great Wall and Ming Tombs: $150

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Beijing $12
    Kampong Cham $5.47

Sample the Local Flavors in Beijing

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Beijing:

  • Private Beijing Hutong Night Foodie and Bar Crawl Tour: $98
  • Evening Food Private Tour with Brewery Taproom Hopping at Slow Boat in Beijing: $110
  • 5-Hour Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour from Beijing: $178
  • Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour and Mutianyu Great Wall Visit: $238


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beijing and Kampong Cham, we can see that Beijing is more expensive. And not only is Kampong Cham much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kampong Cham would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kampong Cham 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 Beijing would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Beijing than you might in Kampong Cham.

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


Which is Bigger, Beijing or Kampong Cham?

Beijing has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of Kampong Cham. When comparing the sizes of Beijing and Kampong Cham, 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.