Which place is cheaper, Phnom Penh or Beijing?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Beijing 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.
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.
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 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.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Beijing is $77, 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 Beijing and Phnom Penh in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Beijing 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.
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Beijing:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phnom Penh:
Prices for flights to both Phnom Penh 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Beijing:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Beijing.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Phnom Penh:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Phnom Penh.
Here are a few typical costs in Beijing for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in Beijing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Here are a few actual costs in Phnom Penh for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Beijing:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Phnom Penh:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beijing and Phnom Penh, we can see that Beijing 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 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 Phnom Penh.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Beijing Expensive? and Is Phnom Penh Expensive?.
Beijing has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Phnom Penh. When comparing the sizes of Beijing 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.