Which place is cheaper, Phnom Penh or Can Tho?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Can Tho or Phnom Penh?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Can Tho and Phnom Penh can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Can Tho or Phnom Penh?
Can Tho
Can Tho is the largest city of Vietnam's Mekong Delta, and is best known for its canal network of floating markets, restaurants, bars, and hotels, Buddhist pagodas, and the beauty of the delta, which is illuminated in the evenings.
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 Bicycle Tours in Vietnam, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Vietnam, 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 dayCan Tho $57Phnom Penh $41
The average daily cost (per person) in Can Tho is $57, 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 Can Tho and Phnom Penh in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCan Tho $27Phnom Penh $12
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCan Tho $54Phnom Penh $24
Compare Hotels in Can Tho and Phnom Penh
Looking for a hotel in Can Tho 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: Can Tho Hotel Prices and Phnom Penh Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Can Tho $13Phnom Penh $7.87
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Can Tho
Also for Can Tho, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- PRIVATE CAR: Can Tho AIRPORT <=> CanTho Hotels (one way transfer): $30
- Private Transfer from Can Tho (VCA) Airport to Can Tho City: $25
- Private Transfer from Can Tho (VCA) Airport to Ho Chi Minh: $112
- Private Transfer from Can Tho City to Can Tho (VCA) Airport: $25
- Private Transfer from Can Tho City to Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport: $112
- Private Transfer from Thanh Thoi to Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport: $106
- Private Transfer from Vinh Long to Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport: $105
- Private Transfer: Can Tho Airport - Can Tho City Center: $40
- Private Transfer: Can Tho Airport to/from Can Tho City Center: $43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phnom Penh
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phnom Penh:
- Vip Taxi Private Transfer from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap: $450
- Vip Taxi Transfer from Phnom Penh to Preah Sihanouk: $450
- Private Taxi transfer from Bangkok to Phnom Penh City: $449
- Private Taxi transfer from Pattaya to Phnom Penh (Cambodia): $435
- Private Taxi transfer from Phnom Penh to Pattaya (Thailand): $435
- Private Taxi transfer from Phnom Penh to Bangkok: $408
- Private Transfer Phnom Penh to Siem Reap Hotel or Airport: $360
- Private Taxi transfer from Phnom Penh to Koh Kong Province: $172
- Private Transfer from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap by VIP Alphard 2005: $165
- Private taxi transfer Phnom Penh to Pursat or Battambang: $155
- Private Taxi transfer from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh: $145
- Private taxi transfer from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap: $145
Is it cheaper to fly into Can Tho or Phnom Penh?
Prices for flights to both Phnom Penh and Can Tho 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 dayCan Tho $17Phnom Penh $13
Typical Food Prices in Can Tho
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Can Tho:
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Restaurant Dinner (for Two)$5.19
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Coconut$0.28
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Mango$1.08
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Hot Pot Dinner (for Two)$6.95
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Two Vietnamese Iced Coffees$0.64
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Casual Lunch (for One)$2.80
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Can Tho
For Can Tho, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Boat tour on Mekong river see the sunset, small canal, Vegan dinner, street food: $29
- Explore Can Tho City tour combine Local Food tour - in afternoon: $35
- Can Tho food tour designed by local chef: $38
- Street food tour back of the bike in Can Tho: $39
- Eco Cooking Class and Market Tour: $47
- Walking street food tour designed by local chef: $47
- Full-Day Experience in Mekong Cycling and Authentic Home Cooking: $60
- Can Tho Cooking Class - Motorbike trip in the countryside: $69
- 2 Days Tour in Can Tho with Boat Trip and Cooking Class : $139
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.Can Tho $17Phnom Penh $7.65
Typical Entertainment Prices in Can Tho
For Can Tho, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Sunset Boat Ride$2.00
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Half Day Floating Market Tour$8.39
Tours and Activities in Can Tho
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Can Tho.
- Mekong Delta and Cai Rang Floating Market 5-Hours Tour: $32
- The hidden Fabulous Floating Market and small canal (Non-tourist small canal): $33
- Half-Day Private Cai Rang Floating Market & Small Canal Boat Tour: $33
- Mekong Delta and Cai Rang Floating Market 5-Hours Tour: $33
- Discover Can Tho Floating Market and Small Canal Adventure: $35
- Can Tho Sunset Tour : $35
- From Cai Rang Floating Market Group tour: $39
- Private Half Day Tour - Cái Răng Floating Market: $39
- Private Half Day Tour - Sơn Islet: $39
- Bicycle Tour Through Peaceful Villages: $40
- Cai Rang Floating Market Tour -Amazing Can Tho : $45
- Rural and Tropical Island Tour at Can Tho: $48
Tours and Activities in Phnom Penh
Here are a few actual costs in Phnom Penh for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Half Day tour Genocide Museum and Killing Field : $130
- Killing field and Toul Sleng genocide museum Tour: $20
- Phnom Penh Full Day Private Tours: $155
- 10 Tastings of Phnom Penh Foodie Tour: $39
- 2 Day-Phnom Penh by Private Tours: $155
- 2 Days Phnom Penh Cyclo and Cycling Tour: $128
- 2 Days of Phnom Penh City Tour: $199
- 3 Hours Private Morning Market and Art Tour in Phnom Penh: $45
- 9 Days Cambodia Highlights Guided Motorcycle Tour: $1,952
- A 10-day ethical animals tour of Cambodia: $1,699
- A Day Trip From Phnom Penh - Historical Sites Tours : $35
- A Day Trip Sightseeing of Phnom Penh With Private Tour Guide : $65
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCan Tho $6.59Phnom Penh $4.33
Typical Alcohol Prices in Can Tho
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Can Tho from other travelers:
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Beer$3.20
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 Can Tho and Phnom Penh, we can see that Can Tho 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 Can Tho would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Can Tho 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 Can Tho Expensive? and Is Phnom Penh Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Can Tho or Phnom Penh?
Phnom Penh has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Can Tho. When comparing the sizes of Can Tho 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.